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 516*

(*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.

Applying for the MSW

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.

Academic requirements

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.

Paper availability

Not all listed SOWK Master of Social Work papers are available every year. Papers are offered in line with staff availability and the needs across the two programmes the 500 level papers are offered in – the MSW and the MSCW (applied). There are between 2 and 4 papers offered each year in addition to the HUMS 502 research methods paper, which is offered every year.

Papers offered in 2025 are:

• SOWK 514 Advanced Community Development
• SOWK 515 Iwi Social Services 1 – Contextual Issues
• SOWK 518 Social Services Supervision
• HUMS 502 Research Methods Paper

Note: Once you apply and are admitted to the programme, you will be able to enrol in the papers offered in that year.

Dissertation topics and supervision

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.