Bachelor of Social Work (Level 7)

Summary

This programme is for those who want to support, empower and advocate for individuals, families, whanau, and communities; and assist people in their community. Students will gain the skills to provide advice, advocacy and support to individuals or groups to empower and help them realise their full potential, and be able to function independently.

This four-year programme combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning. You will gain the knowledge base, skills, and attributes required to practice in a variety of social work fields such as schools, hospitals, community groups or government organisations.

Students will develop the skills to:

• Promote the principles of human rights and social justice and promote social change.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals in multi-disciplinary teams, organisations and communities.
• Work with individuals, families or whanau, and communities that are from diverse ethnic, cultural and indigenous backgrounds.
• Undertake practice according to the ethical, legislative and professional boundaries.
• Work confidently in a bi-cultural context integrating the Treaty of Waitangi into their practice.
• Work autonomously and make independent judgements from a well–informed social work position, based on knowledge of theories of human behaviour and social systems.
• Critically reflect on their own social work practice through supervision, peer review and self-evaluation.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with different user groups.
• Provide or facilitate the provision of social services, in fields such as healthcare, schools, government and non-government agencies.
• Undertake their practice according to the ethical and legislative boundaries.
• Incorporate the Treaty of Waitangi into their practice.
• Increase their social and political awareness, and to think critically about the structures, behaviours, and processes that disadvantage and oppress people.

What you'll learn

The Bachelor of Social Work is a four year, 480-credit bachelor level qualification. There are 16 compulsory modules comprising 450 credits and two 15-credit electives. Graduates will be able to enter the social work workforce at a beginning practitioner level.

This is an applied programme with practice at the centre. In year one students will be introduced to service users in the classroom. In year two they will undertake 40 hours of voluntary work in a social service agency. Field placement is a significant element in the programme. In each of years three and four students will undertake a 60-day supervised placement.

Career/further opportunities

Graduates will be able to enter the social work workforce in a variety of social work fields such as schools, hospitals, community groups, or government organisations, at a beginning practitioner level with provisional registration with the Social Workers Registration Board.