Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work

The Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work is a postgraduate specialist qualification for professionals interested in enhancing their clinical and practice-research skills. Narrative therapy is a respectful, non-blaming approach to counselling and community work, which centres people as the experts in their own lives. It views problems as separate from people and assumes people have many skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments and abilities that will assist them to reduce the influence of problems in their lives. Narrative approaches to therapy and community work are used by social workers, psychologists, community development workers, nurses, teachers, doctors, and other health professionals in a wide range of practice settings. The degree is delivered as a joint initiative of the Department of Social Work (The University of Melbourne) and The Dulwich Centre, Adelaide. The Dulwich Centre is the international centre for narrative therapy training, established by the internationally renowned social worker and narrative therapist, Michael White, in 1984. Course description The Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work is a University of Melbourne postgraduate specialist qualification consisting of 3 subjects to achieve 100 credit points of study: Advanced Narrative Skills Development (25 points) The Art of Narrative Practice (25 points) Narrative Practice and Research Synthesis (50 points) The course is delivered through a combination of face-to-face intensive teaching in Adelaide, an on-line program of work, and a capstone research subject. Each subject is formally assessed to meet the requirements of University accreditation. Assessment is designed to be practical and relevant to industry professionals. The type of assessment includes recorded interviews, written reflections and contact logging with feedback provided throughout the course on progress. The final subject, Narrative Practice and Research Synthesis, requires all students to develop a critical understanding of research concepts and methods, and to engage in their own practice research project. This requires integration of their theoretical and practice knowledge gained from previous subjects in the course. Intended learning outcomes The course: Provides graduates with the theoretical and advanced skill base for working with narrative approaches with individuals, families and communities across the life course, particularly in the areas of trauma and recovery. Prepares graduates for narrative practice in diverse cultural contexts Introduces the specific theories and advanced skills of narrative therapy Engages students in critical reflection of their own practice development Engages students in practice research and writing for publication.