Social Work (2022)

Social Work is a practice-based profession and academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Social work is underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge. Social Workers aspire to engage with people, their families, communities and social structures to address life challenges, enhance wellbeing and promote self-determination and autonomy. Principles of human rights, social justice, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to Social Work.

Social Work was available as a specified programme for the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).

To have completed the specified programme in Social Work, students would have needed to complete the programme set out below.

For more information, contact the Programme Convenor for Social Work.

Note: There will be no new enrolments into Social Work in 2022 onwards.

SOCWK101, SOCWK102, SOCWK201, SOCWK202 and SOCWK205 are available to all students who have met any required prerequisites. With regard to SOCWK303, prerequisites may be considered met for candidates currently in social work practice upon application to the Convenor of the Social Work programme. All other papers with the subject code SOCWK are only available to students enrolled in the BSW.


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  • Year 1

    Students must take HMDEV100, MAORI101, MAORI150, PSYCH101, SOCWK101, SOCWK103, and 15 points from any 100-level paper from Sociology, and 15 points from any 100-level paper from Social Policy.

    In the event a required paper (excluding SOCWK papers) is not offered, students may substitute an alternative paper identified and approved by the Social Work Programme Convenor.

  • Year 2

    Students must take SOCWK203, SOCWK204, SOCWK206 and 15 points from any 200-level MAORI coded paper and 15 points from any 200-level paper from one of the following subjects listed for the degree: Human Development, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Philosophy, Political Sciences, Psychology, Social Policy, Social Work, Sociology and Te Reo Māori.

    In the event a required paper (excluding SOCWK papers) is not offered, students may substitute an alternative paper identified and approved by the Social Work Programme Convenor.

  • Year 3

    Students must take HMDEV340, SOCWK301, SOCWK310 and 15 points from one of the following subjects listed for the degree: Human Development, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Philosophy, Political Sciences, Psychology, Social Policy, Social Work, Sociology and Te Reo Māori.

    In the event a required paper (excluding SOCWK papers) is not offered, students may substitute an alternative paper identified and approved by the Social Work Programme Convenor.

  • Year 4

    Students must take SOCWK403, SOCWK405 and SOCWK410.

  • Prescriptions for the PGCert(SocWork), PGDip(SocWork), Master of Social Work (MSW)

    To complete a PGCert(SocWork) students must complete 60 points at 500 level, from SOCW501, SOCW502, SOCW503, SOCW504 or SOCW505.

    To complete a PGDip(SocWork) students must complete 120 points at 500 level, including SOCW506 or another approved research methods paper and at least 60 points from SOCW501, SOCW502, SOCW503, SOCW504 or SOCW505.

    To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MSW, a student must have completed a BSW and have gained at least a B average in all of their undergraduate Social Work papers.

    Students must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including SOCW506 or another approved research methods paper; and at least one of SOCW501, SOCW502, SOCW503, SOCW504 or SOCW505; and a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis, or a 60 point dissertation; with any remaining points taken from the papers listed for the MSW.

    Note: There will be no new intake into the PGCert(SocWork), PGDip(SocWork) and MSW in 2022.

  • 100 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    HMDEV100Lifespan Development15.022A (Hamilton), 22B (Online) & 22B (Tauranga)
    HMDEV100 focuses on understanding and enhancing human development through an exploration of biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that influence patterns of development and learning over the lifespan.
    MAORI101Introduction to Conversational Māori for Absolute Beginners15.022A (Hamilton), 22A (Tauranga) & 22B (Hamilton)
    For absolute beginner students, this introductory paper to conversational Maori pays particular attention to pronunciation, greetings, and forms of language associated with certain cultural functions, such as mihimihi, as well as tasks such as thanking people, farewelling, communicating personal information, and naming everyday obj...
    MAORI150Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi15.022A (Hamilton), 22A (Tauranga) & 22B (Hamilton)
    This paper seeks to provide a sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It reviews historical and contemporary interpretations and takes into account the interplay of contextual issues of the time.
    PSYCH101Social Psychology, Health and Well-being15.022B (Hamilton) & 22B (Tauranga)
    This paper will introduce major issues in psychology particularly as they relate to health, wellbeing, mental illness, forensic psychology, lifespan development, and social factors in a range of contexts.
    SOCIO101Introduction to Sociology15.022A (Hamilton) & 22A (Tauranga)
    This paper prepares students for further study in a range of social science subjects. It introduces the main sociological theories, concepts and practices that enable an understanding of contemporary societies.
    SOCIO102The Sociology of Crime, Deviance and Social Justice15.022B (Hamilton) & 22B (Tauranga)
    This paper provides students with an introduction to criminology and the criminal justice system, with a focus on the New Zealand context.
    SOCPY100Introduction to Social Policy15.022A (Hamilton) & 22A (Tauranga)
    This paper examines the values behind social policy and introduces students to some of the important issues and debates in New Zealand and other democratic societies.
    SOCPY101Social Policy & the Welfare State15.022B (Hamilton) & 22B (Online)
    This paper covers the rise of the welfare state as the primary means of social policy delivery in New Zealand.
    SOCWK101Introduction to the Social Work Profession15.0No occurrences
    This paper provides students with an opportunity to examine the history and purpose of social work practice internationally and in the context of culture, colonisation and diversity in Aotearoa.
    SOCWK102Introduction to Social Work Theory15.0No occurrences
    This paper provides students with an introduction to major traditions in social work theory that inform and guide social work practice, including systems, behavioural, psychodynamic, critical, feminist, anti-oppressive and indigenous theories.
    SOCWK103Social Work Fields of Practice15.0No occurrences
    In this paper, the role and scope of social work practice in the fields of community development, health, disability, mental health and addictions are discussed.
  • 200 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    MAORI222He Ao Hurihuri He Ao Tuakiri: Evolving Māori Culture and Identity15.022B (Tauranga)
    A critical examination of the diverse realities of being Maori in a changing world, highlighting local and global impacts on Maori culture and identity.
    SOCPY200Social Policy and Social Issues15.022A (Online) & 22A (Tauranga)
    The paper continues the study of social policy at 200 level. The focus of this paper is on the welfare state, the policy cycle as well as social problems, such as poverty.
    SOCPY201Social Policy, Families and Children15.022B (Hamilton) & 22B (Tauranga)
    This paper further develops students' theoretical understanding of social policy, while focusing specifically on policy related to families and children, providing insight into the relationships between policy and lived experience.
    SOCWK201Working with Violence in Human Services15.0No occurrences
    This paper examines the causes and effects of neglect, abuse, and violence across the life span. It examines interactions between biological, psychological, socio-structural, economic, political, cultural and spiritual aspects of abuse, neglect and violence, along with prevention and intervention strategies.
    SOCWK202Social Work Approaches and Fields of Practice30.0No occurrences
    This paper discusses various approaches, methods and models of social work practice including Maori modalities and critically examines their application to various fields of practice including mental health, health, addictions and disability.
    SOCWK203Perspectives, Theories and Models for Social Work Practice30.022A (Online)
    In this paper, learners explore a range of perspectives, theories and models that inform social work practice and examine their relevance to the bicultural and multicultural context of social work practice in Aotearoa, including Maori modalities and critically examines their application to various fields of practce including mental...
    SOCWK204Working with Diverse Individuals and Communities30.022B (Tauranga)
    Students will critically examine cross-cultural social work theory and practice, considering ethnic and cultural groups in individual, commmunity and hapu settings in order to practise inclusively.
    SOCWK205Community Development15.0No occurrences
    This paper critically explores the evolution, dimensions and practice of community development in Aoteoroa New Zealand including Maori development. It also focuses on the strategies, skills and tools necessary for community development practice.
    SOCWK206Identifying and Responding to Violence Across the Life Span30.022B (Tauranga)
    Students will critically examine prevention and intervention strategies around the causes and effects of neglect, abuse, and violence across the life span; with reference to bio-psychosocial, structural and cultural spheres.
    SSRES200Social Science Research Methods15.022A (Online)
    This paper introduces the core research methods used in the social sciences. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are introduced, along with consideration of aspects such as ethics and the Treaty of Waitangi.
  • 300 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    HMDEV340Perspectives on Counselling15.022A (Hamilton) & 22A (Tauranga)
    This paper examines the philosophical, psychological and sociological principles that underpin the aims and methods of the helping professions in general, and counselling in particular.
    SOCWK300Social Work Placement 145.0No occurrences
    This first placement of 60 days in a social service agency under supportive supervision provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical learning, skills and social work values to day-to-day social work practice. This paper gives focus to social work competencies.
    SOCWK301Managing Risk to Safeguard Children30.022A (Online)
    Students will critically examine the application of social work theory and research to practice issues with children and young people, within the context of assessing and managing risk.
    SOCWK302Bicultural and Multicultural Social Work Practice15.0No occurrences
    This paper examines bi-cultural and multicultural dimensions of social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. Students consider how their value base shapes practice working with people from cultures similar to, and different to their own.
    SOCWK303Children and Young People at Risk15.0No occurrences
    This paper critically examines the application of social work theories and research to social work practice issues with children and young people at risk.
    SOCWK306Social Work Professional Skills15.0No occurrences
    This paper enables students to critically examine, review and develop a range of professional skills required for social work. With a focus on encouraging students to evidence how they apply knowledge and skills into social work practice.
    SOCWK310Field Placement 160.022X (Tauranga)
    This paper is the first of two social work field education papers that meet the SWRB requirements. This 60-day supervised field placement in a social service agency provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical learning, skills and social work values to practice.
  • 400 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    SOCWK400Social Work Placement 245.0No occurrences
    This 60 day placement in a social service agency enables students to develop practice to a level of competence close to entry-level social work. Under professional supervision, students initiate, develop and sustain relationships with clients, whanau, groups and organisations and demonstrate independent practice. This is the second field education paper, leading to a total of 120 days in field education by the end of the programme.
    SOCWK401Social Work Decision Making30.0No occurrences
    This paper provides students with a critical research-based approach to support decision-making in social work practice. Students examine and evaluate evidence for its socio-economic and cultural context and develop skills to transfer this learning into practice.
    SOCWK403Social Justice, Ethics and Law30.022A (Tauranga)
    This paper critically examines social justice issues, principles and models of justice and human rights. Students develop an understanding of the judicial system in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the legal, ethical and professional responsibilities of social workers.
    SOCWK405Research for Social Work Practice30.022A (Online)
    In this paper, learners examine a range of methodological approaches to social work research and analyse the application of research evidence to inform social work decision-making.
    SOCWK410Field Placement 260.022X (Tauranga)
    This paper extends previous field placement learning to meet the SWRB requirements. This 60-day supervised field placement in a social service agency provides students with the opportunity to apply and further develop theoretical learning, skills and social work values to practice.

2022 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 22 September 2023 8:09pm

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