Master of Social Work (MSW)

Summary

The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a post-professional degree for qualified social workers seeking further professional development. It is designed to enable you to engage with current debates, research, policy, and practice in your chosen field. It consists of four postgraduate papers (including one compulsory paper on research methods) and a 60-point dissertation (20,000 words).

Traditionally, the MSW required at least two years of study (full-time or equivalent part-time). However, the programme can now also be completed on an accelerated full-time basis over 12 months. To meet this requirement, you must enrol in all four available papers as well as the research component, SOWK590. These include:

• HUMS 502
• SOWK 509*
• SOWK 506*
• SOWK 515*

(*You may choose to replace one of these papers with another course, subject to programme regulations.)

The (MSW) is also available through Distance Learning within New Zealand.

Applicants are assessed at the programme level, based on applicants' transcripts and CV . Sometimes a referee will be contacted in order to confirm 'competent practice'. The applicant's practising certificate, registration number or equivalent needs to be provided.

Applicants do not have to hold an Aotearoa New Zealand social work qualification to be eligible. You can either hold a New Zealand qualification, or a qualification that entitles you to the equivalent of registration in your own country.

Since this is advanced study, a grade average of B or higher is required in the final year of your undergraduate degree.

If you don't have a B average, you may still be able to enrol in a certificate of proficiency, that is, one or two papers that enable you to increase your grade average. Those papers can then be credited to the Master of Social Work.

Once you have completed all four papers, you will be ready to enrol in the dissertation (SOWK 590). Up until then, the MSW Co-ordinator will be listed as your supervisor in eVision.

Once you enrol in the paper SOWK 590, however, the MSW Co-ordinator will contact you to arrange a supervisor specific to your topic. You are welcome to contact the MSW Co-ordinator at any time to discuss your topic ideas before enrolling in SOWK 590.