Master of Social Impact
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
You will already have relevant industry experience. Whether you’re a manager in the philanthropy and not-for-profit sector, working in government in a policy-making capacity, or dedicated to corporate responsibility and social innovation in the private sector, the MA-SI will provide you with the core capabilities needed to lead people effectively in a rapidly changing social economy and business environment.
Foundation units enable you to apply design thinking to opportunity discovery, before building expertise in social investment and philanthropy, corporate responsibility and accountability, and social impact through entrepreneurship and innovation.
Finish your Master program by choosing a business specialisation or electives to match your career interests. The wide range of options – from accounting to supply chain innovation – will ensure you graduate with the skills and preparation needed for the next level of your career as an agent of ethical and sustainable change.
Duration
1.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (HE Block 1, Semester 1, Semester 2, Term 4) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Part-time
2021 Start Dates
2022 Start Dates
Professionally accredited by
Course industry partners include
Academic study and research with Swinburne provides me with access to invaluable frameworks, tools and networks to stay abreast of what’s happening around the globe. The Centre for Social Impact gave me additional confidence and skills to extend my work through academic rigour.
Christian
Master of Social Impact
From uni to a dream job in less than a year
Sarah was keen to learn about not-for profits and the Swinburne course strengthened her passion and inspiration for philantropy and innovation. During her studies, she forged important connections and developed networks and was able to drive her career quickly forward.
Centre for Social Impact Swinburne
Swinburne founded Australia’s first degree in philanthropy and social investment in 2008. Six years later the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne was created as an interdisciplinary research and graduate education centre that strives to create more equitable social and economic systems by working with the people and organisations that make change happen.
Be an innovator
Undertake this course and you’ll be joining other change-makers at Swinburne’s Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship – the first dedicated entrepreneurship school in the nation. One of our unique AGSE offerings, this course will give you the mindset of edge.
“Entrepreneurship,” says AGSE Director, Alex Kaiser (pictured), “is about questioning the status-quo, identifying opportunities, making decisions and implementing ideas. Concisely, it’s about having impact.”
Master of Social Impact
Make your impression on an ethically responsible future. You’ll not only meet like-minded people, you’ll meet like-hearted people in Swinburne’s Master of Social Impact.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
The Master of Social Impact (MSI) is designed for individuals seeking to build skills and advance their careers in the growing field of social impact. Whether a social entrepreneur, working within the philanthropy and not for profit sector in a management or innovation role, in the private sector in corporate responsibility and social innovation, or in government policy dealing with complex social issues, the MSI provides core capabilities required to lead people effectively in a rapidly changing social economy and business environment.
Course structure
- 8 core units (100 credit points)
- 4 elective units (50 credit points)
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Master of Social Impact is 75 credit points (normally six units).
Units of study
Want to know more about the units that make up your course, how many units you need to complete, our recommended study sequence, and what your timetable looks like this year? Check out our Course Planner and get enrolled.
Students must complete ACC60008 as core and pick any three from the remaining list of units.
Students must complete FIN60006 as core and select any three from the remaining list of units.
FIN60006 Frontiers in FinTech
Students must select up to four units from the list below. NOTE: some units are equal to 25cps.
Students to complete INF70005 as core and pick any three from the remaining list of units.
Students must complete any four units from the list below.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- apply coherent and advanced knowledge of social impact concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking
- apply problem solving, design and decision making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
- communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team, and use basic tools and practices of social impact within project work
- demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect and an awareness of professional practices and cultural norms in a global and sustainable context
- apply fundamentals to the analysis, design and operation of a business model using appropriate social impact methods and tools
- reflect on, and take responsibility for, their own learning and self-management processes, and develop skills to review, reflect on and plan to improve their professional performance
- apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan and execute a piece of research with some independence.
Graduate skills
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- effective and ethical in work and community situations
- adaptable and able to manage change
- aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
AACSB Accreditation
Swinburne business degrees are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. The alumni of AACSB accredited business schools are among the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs impacting business, government, and non-profit sectors. Only five per cent of business schools worldwide are AACSB accredited.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
Entry requirements
- a recognised bachelor degree in any discipline PLUS a minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* or
- a successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Social Impact ** or
- completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program PLUS a minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience * (International applicants only)
**Students entering under this admission requirement will be given full credit for the units completed.
How to apply
Note: Students applying for this course for the Higher Ed Block 1 intake will commence studying with ENT60009 - Opportunity Discovery, Creativity and Design. All other units will be scheduled on or after the commencement of Semester 1.