Social Work (2024)

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.


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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.

  • 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 Science, Psychology, Social Policy, Social Work, Sociology and Te Reo Māori.

  • 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.

  • Year 4

    Students must take SOCWK403, SOCWK405 and SOCWK410.

  • 400 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    SOCWK403Social Justice, Ethics and Law30.024A (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 Practice30.024A (Tauranga)
    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.

2024 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 12 March 2024 7:59pm

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