People, diversity, community – mana tangata
Human troubles are endemic in today’s societies. Many people in our world struggle with social and personal problems caused by complex, interacting systems and forces. A social work education prepares you to respond to these problems thoughtfully, creatively and practically. You will be asked to look beyond the individual to the systems impacting upon them.
If you are concerned with issues of justice and desire pragmatic, hands- on responses to human needs and suffering, then social work is for you. A social work education will prepare you for learning and engagement in diverse fields beyond the world of academia.
Why study Social Work?
People who are interested in helping others and their community will be drawn to studying social work. The purpose of social work is to enable people to develop their potential, promote their human rights and pursue social justice. Professional social work focuses on problem- solving and change. Social workers are change agents in the lives of individuals, families and communities, as people’s problems are often related to factors in all these domains.
Social work ranges from direct work with individuals and working with organisations to become more responsive to people’s needs, right through to the development of social policy and legislation. The various roles include counselling, clinical social work, family therapy, helping people obtain services and resources, agency administration, community work, social policy, and political organising.
Background required
No specialist knowledge is required, but an interest in working with people is important. Subjects to take at school include English, Māori, and other social science subjects. To go on to the professional programmes, some experience with a social service organisation such as the Buddy Programme, Youthline, Women’s Refuge, IHC, or similar is needed.
Career opportunities
Job opportunities arise in both policy and practice in a range of human services in education, health, welfare and justice sectors. These include government social service agencies, voluntary, and community agencies. Graduates work as health workers, social workers, teachers, probation officers, counsellors, advocates, community workers, policy advisers and analysts, and researchers.
Students are encouraged to tailor courses to their career aspirations by combining social work courses with other subjects to open up new fields of opportunity such as:
- Community development
- Cultural services
- Correctional services and Police
- Health services
- Individual care and counselling
- Law
- Māori and Iwi development
- Management
- Policy advice and development
- Political studies
- Treaty-based services
Social and Community Work at Otago
Otago’s involvement in social work and community development began in 1978. The programme has grown from a work-based certificate into a full undergraduate degree and postgraduate, master’s, and PhD qualifications. Our professional qualifications are recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board for social work registration (Social Workers Registration Act 2003).
A distinctive element of our majors is the attention to intervention skills and methods, which lead to versatile career paths, particularly when taken with other social science disciplines. The combination of different academic subjects and hands-on skills and methods provides many career opportunities.
Study pathways
Our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a four-year degree and students apply for entry at the end of year two (200-level). Otago also provides a distance-taught option of the BSW at third- and fourth-year level for students who already have a relevant BA (e.g. in Psychology, Sociology, or Education).
Your first year of study
Introductory papers outline the models and concepts of the social sciences. These are applied to the social and human services in the New Zealand context from a Treaty-based perspective, and a study of selected fields of social service practice. Students who want to go into social work must also take some Sociology papers, Māori papers and one human development paper (see website).
Continuing your studies
Second-year papers cover a range of the sociological bases of social work as well as the various fields of practice and ethical basis of social work. Finally, advanced papers focus on the theories and methods of actually achieving change across individual, family, organisational and community levels. At third- and fourth- year level, students will have the opportunity to practise their skills in supervised fieldwork settings.
We offer a taught master’s that can be completed after a relevant first degree (e.g. in Psychology, Sociology, or Education). The Master in Social and Community Work (Applied) degree includes papers and fieldwork placements, enabling you to become a fully registered social worker on completion. It is taught alongside the BSW. In addition to these degree programmes, Otago offers a full range of postgraduate research courses to PhD level.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Social Work Pre-professional (BA)
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- Bachelor of Social Work with Honours (BSW(Hons))
- Master of Social and Community Work (Applied) (MSCW(Applied))
- Postgraduate Diploma in Social Welfare (PGDipSW)
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Master of Social and Community Work (Applied) (MSCW(Applied))
Programme requirements
Social Work Pre-professional (BA)
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st stage | First Stage Compulsory Papers SOWK 111 Working with People: The New Zealand Context SOCI 101 Sociology of New Zealand Society MAOR 102 Māori Society MAOR 110 Introduction to Conversational Māori EDUC 102 Human Development or PSYC 112 Human Thought and Behaviour |
18 18 18 18 18 |
| 2nd stage | Second Stage Compulsory Papers SOWK 201 Fields of Practice SOWK 236 The Treaty and Social Services SOCI 201 Sociological Research in Practice SOCI 205 Social Inequality SOCI 207 Families and Society |
18 18 18 18 18 |
First and Second Stage Elective Papers Additional approved papers from Arts and Music Schedule C to make a total of at least 234 points (normally 13 papers) |
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st and 2nd stages | First Stage Compulsory Papers SOWK 111 Working with People: The New Zealand Context SOCI 101 Sociology of New Zealand Society MAOR 102 Māori Society MAOR 110 Introduction to Conversational Māori and 18 points from either EDUC 102 Human Development Second Stage Compulsory Papers SOWK 201 Fields of Practice SOWK 236 The Treaty and Social Services SOCI 201 Sociological Research in Practice SOCI 205 Social Inequality SOCI 207 Families and Society First and Second Stage Elective Papers Additional papers to make a total of at least 234 points (normally 13 papers) |
18 18 18 18 18
18 18 18 18 18
234 |
| 3rd stage | Third Stage Compulsory Papers SOWK 301 Theories and Methods of Social Work SOWK 302 Social Work for Children and Families - Analysis and Theory SOWK 303 Communities and Organisations - Analysis and Theory SOWK 304 Kaupapa Māori, and Indigenous Approaches to Social Work SOWK 320 Introduction to Professional Practice SOWK 392 Fieldwork Practice 1 |
18 18 18 18 18 36 |
4th stage | Fourth Stage Compulsory Papers SOWK 402 Social Work for Children and Families: Advanced Practice SOWK 403 Communities and Organisations - Advanced Practice SOWK 480 Research Project SOWK 492 Fieldwork Practice 2 Plus one of SOWK 405 Social Work Issues Across the Lifespan, SOWK 406 Social Problems: Policies and Practice Models, or any other 400-level SOWK paper |
20 20 20 40 20 |
Note: (1) For information on prerequisites, corequisites and restrictions, refer to the Prescriptions in the Guide to Enrolment.
(2) Prospective BSW students should initially enrol for the Social Work Pre-professional (BA) programme.
Bachelor of Social Work with Honours (BSW(Hons))
| Papers |
|---|
|
A candidate admitted to an Honours programme shall complete the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Social Work except that the final year’s course must comprise: |
Postgraduate Diploma in Social Welfare (PGDipSW)
| Papers |
|---|
|
The programme shall consist of approved papers from the schedule of papers available for the degree of Master of Social Work to the value of 120 points. With prior approval, one paper at 400-level or above in a related subject offered by the University or another tertiary institution up to the value of 30 points may be included in the programme. |
Master of Social and Community Work (Applied) (MSCW(Applied))
| Papers | Points |
|---|---|
Year 1 SOWK 551 Theories and Methods of Social WorkSOWK 552 Child and Family Social Work SOWK 553 Communities and Organisations – Analysis and Theory SOWK 554 Kaupapa Māori and Indigenous Approaches to Social Work SOWK 570 Introduction to Professional Practice SOWK 592 Fieldwork Practice 1 | 20 20 20 20 20 25 |
Year 2 SOWK 562 Micro Intervention: Theories and SkillsSOWK 563 Communities and Organisations – Advanced Practice SOWK 580 Research Project SOWK 593 Fieldwork Practice 2 | 20 20 20 25 |
Plus one of the following papers: | 30 |
Master of Social Work (MSW)
| Papers | Points |
|---|---|
HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities | 30 |
Papers
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a selection of on-campus papers will be made available via distance and online learning for eligible students.
Find out which papers are available and how to apply on our COVID-19 website
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOWK111 | 2022 | Working with People: The New Zealand Context | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK201 | 2022 | Fields of Practice | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SOWK236 | 2022 | The Treaty and Social Services | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK301 | 2022 | Theories and Methods of Social Work | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK302 | 2022 | Social Work for Children and Families - Analysis and Theory | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK303 | 2022 | Communities and Organisations - Analysis and Theory | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK304 | 2022 | Kaupapa Māori, and Indigenous Approaches to Social Work | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SOWK320 | 2022 | Introduction to Professional Practice | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK392 | 2022 | Fieldwork Practice 1 | 36 points | Semester 2 |
| SOWK402 | 2022 | Micro Intervention: Theories and Skills | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK403 | 2022 | Communities and Organisations - Advanced Practice | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK404 | 2022 | Care and Protection | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK405 | 2022 | Social Work Issues Across the Lifespan | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2023 |
| SOWK406 | 2022 | Social Problems: Policies and Practice Models | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK407 | 2022 | Kaupapa Māori and Social Work Practice | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK408 | 2022 | Pasifika and Social Services | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK409 | 2022 | Decision-making in Child Welfare | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK410 | 2022 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK411 | 2022 | Advanced Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK423 | 2022 | Animals and Social Work | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| SOWK480 | 2022 | Research Project | 20 points | Semester 1, Full Year |
| SOWK490 | 2022 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year |
| SOWK492 | 2022 | Fieldwork Practice 2 | 40 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SOWK504 | 2022 | Care and Protection | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK505 | 2022 | Lifespan Issues - Advanced Practice with Older Adults | 30 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK508 | 2022 | Pasifika and Social Services | 30 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK509 | 2022 | Decision-making in Child Welfare | 30 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK510 | 2022 | Advanced Social Service Counselling | 30 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK511 | 2022 | Advanced Family Practice | 30 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2023 |
| SOWK514 | 2022 | Advanced Community Development Practice | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| SOWK515 | 2022 | Iwi Social Services I - Contextual Issues | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK517 | 2022 | Social Policy Development | 30 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK520 | 2022 | Social Services Research and Evaluation | 30 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK521 | 2022 | Advanced Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK522 | 2022 | Advanced Studies Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
| SOWK523 | 2022 | Animals and Social Work | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| SOWK551 | 2022 | Theories and Methods of Social Work | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK552 | 2022 | Child and Family Social Work | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK553 | 2022 | Communities and Organisation - Analysis and Theory | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK554 | 2022 | Kaupapa Māori and Indigenous Approaches to Social Work | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| SOWK562 | 2022 | Micro Intervention - Theories and Skills | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK563 | 2022 | Communities and Organisations - Advanced Practice | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK570 | 2022 | Introduction to Professional Practice | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SOWK580 | 2022 | Research Project | 20 points | Full Year |
| SOWK590 | 2022 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period, 2nd Non standard period |
| SOWK592 | 2022 | Fieldwork Practice 1 | 25 points | Semester 2 |
| SOWK593 | 2022 | Fieldwork Practice 2 | 25 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SOWK680 | 2022 | Research Project | 30 points | Not offered, expected to be offered in 2024 |
Key information for students
Contact us
Social and Community Work Programme
Email socialwork@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/social-community-work
