Overview
Want to make a rewarding and positive contribution to society? Social workers engage with individuals, whānau and communities to promote human rights, help improve people’s life outcomes and pursue social justice.
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.
If you have a strong interest in people, the makeup of New Zealand society, and contemporary social issues, then the Bachelor of Social Work could be for you.
Programme structure
The Bachelor of Social Work is applied for at the end of the second year of the BA (pre-professional Social Work). It covers years three and four of the degree.
You learn key elements of social work practice: theories and models of practice, working with families and children, key skills for practice, organisations and policy settings, and kaupapa Māori and Indigenous approaches to practice.
In the second year, you’ll cover interpersonal practice and community development, as well as honing your applied research skills. You'll complete two fieldwork placements (totalling 120 days) with social service organisations, giving you the opportunity to learn within a professional setting supervised by a registered social worker.
This qualification will prepare you for the social work profession through a combination of theory and supervised fieldwork. All staff are registered social workers and bring a wealth of experience to their teaching. Our programme embraces a Treaty partnership perspective, including strong Māori staff leadership. Staff are research active, covering a wide range of interests including child protection, social justice and workforce development, and the advancement of Māori social work practice. You can complete the degree at the Dunedin campus or by distance learning.
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Programme details
Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Admission to the Programme
- Admission to the programme shall be determined by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) on the advice of the Social Work Admissions Committee.
- To be admitted to the programme at the Third Stage, an applicant must have passed papers worth 234 points from the First and Second Stages as specified in the schedule of papers for the degree, or have completed the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Science (majoring in Psychology), or Bachelor of Education Studies, or have completed a degree at another tertiary education institution (in the same, or similar, subject areas) and have taken an approved course in Maori language and tikanga.
- Candidates will be selected on the basis of their academic record, personal suitability and proven experience in the social services. The Social Work Admissions Committee must be satisfied that applicants meet the requirements of the Social Work Registration Act 2003.
- All applicants whose primary language is not English, Māori or New Zealand Sign Language must demonstrate either:
- an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 7.0 in the academic band (with no band score lower than 7.0), or
- a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet-based test (iBT) score of 95 or higher with a writing score of 22.
These tests must have been completed in one sitting within the previous two years, and evidence must be provided by way of certified results.
Note: Admission to and enrolment in the programme are subject to safety checking of students for suitability to work with children, as required under the Children's Act 2014.
Structure of the Programme
- Every programme shall consist of papers worth not less than 480 points, as prescribed in the programme requirements above.
- The Head of the Social and Community Work Programme may approve variations from the normal sequence of papers.
Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions
Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements for prerequisites, corequisites and restrictions set out in the Prescriptions (published in the Guide to Enrolment).
Duration of the Programme
A candidate shall follow a programme of study for not less than four years of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
Cross Credits
A candidate who is enrolled for the degree of Bachelor of Social Work concurrently with another degree, or who has completed one of the two degrees and is proceeding with the other, may cross credit 100- and 200-levels papers which are common to both degrees up to a maximum of 180 points.
Withdrawal from the Programme
- A student who withdraws from the programme and wishes to be readmitted at a later date shall be required to reapply for entry under the normal application process.
- A student who has been admitted to the programme but does not complete any papers for three consecutive years shall be deemed to have withdrawn.
Review and Exclusion from the Programme
- A student's place in the programme may be reviewed at any time if the student has:
- failed a fieldwork placement or the prerequisite SOWK 320;
- failed any of the other compulsory papers of the programme at a second attempt;
- not been placed in a fieldwork placement due to concerns relating to competency or suitability raised by at least three different fieldwork organisations;
- committed a criminal offence (whether or not a conviction has been entered);
- engaged in unethical conduct;
- significant and ongoing physical or mental health difficulties that may prevent them from being able to demonstrate competence in practice settings;
- failed to declare a matter covered by (iv)-(vi).
- The processes for a review shall be those contained in the Division of Humanities' Procedure for Reviewing a Student's Place in the Social Work Programme. After the review process a student may:
- have mandated tasks to complete;
- be excluded from the programme for a period of time; or
- be permanently excluded from the programme by the Divisional Board of the Division of Humanities on the recommendation of the Social and Community Work programme.
- A student's place in the programme may be reviewed at any time if the student has:
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Notes:
1. Student numbers may be limited by the capacity of the social services to provide opportunities for fieldwork placements.
2. The due date for applications for enrolment in the Third Stage in the BSW programme is 1 November in the year before admission to the Third Stage.
3. Applicants with appropriate previous qualifications or prior learning and experience may be eligible for ad eundem credit or RPL (recognition of prior learning) credit towards the programme.
Explore more in Social Work
Learn where this subject can take you and discover the full range of study options, from undergraduate programmes to postgraduate pathways.
Career opportunities
The Bachelor of Social Work is approved by the Social Workers' Registration Board of New Zealand. Graduates pursue careers in government services, not-for-profit agencies, iwi-based organisations, and private practice. A degree in Social and Community Work opens many doors with key fields of practice including:
- Physical and mental health
- Disabilities
- Child protection
- Policy development and service evaluation
- Justice
- Education settings
- Community development
- Kaupapa Māori services
My parents played a big part in my career choice. Seeing them lend a hand to anyone in need – as well as taking family members in when they needed a place to go – always inspired me growing up. Social work is a profession that empowers and helps assist people to solve their own problems with the strengths they already have.
Milo Matagi Tomasi
Bachelor of Social Work with Honours Pacific Health Academic Administrator, Va'a o Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health
University jargon
Starting to research your study options and already feeling lost in the jargon? Here are some handy links for common terms you’re likely to come across.
- What’s a degree and how does it work?
- What’s a double degree?
- What’s a combined degree?
- Explore all terminology
Further study
We offer postgraduate opportunities tailored to your interests at Honours, Master's and PhD level.
More information
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