IELTS Academic, IELTS score of 6.0 in the academic module (with no individual band below 5.5). IELTS Online is also accepted.
Internet-based TOEFL, Score of 80 (writing 20) TOEFL iBT Home Edition is currently accepted for applications for intakes commencing semester 2 2022 and 2023 intakes. The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is: 9483 (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL scores).
Paper-based TOEFL, Score of 550 (TWE 4.5) The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is: 9483
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169)
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169)
Human troubles are endemic in today’s societies. Many people in our world struggle with social and personal problems caused by complex, interacting systems and forces. A social work education prepares you to respond to these problems thoughtfully, creatively and practically. You will be asked to look beyond the individual to the systems impacting upon them.
If you are concerned with issues of justice and desire pragmatic, hands-on responses to help individuals and communities, then social work is for you. A social work education will prepare you for learning and engagement in diverse fields beyond the world of academia.
Why study Social Work?
People who are interested in helping others and their community will be drawn to studying social work. The purpose of social work is to enable people to develop their potential, promote their human rights and pursue social justice. Professional social work focuses on problem- solving and change. Social workers are change agents in the lives of individuals, families and communities, as people’s problems are often related to factors in all these domains.
Social work ranges from direct work with individuals and working with organisations to become more responsive to people’s needs, right through to the development of social policy and legislation. The various roles include counselling, clinical social work, family therapy, helping people obtain services and resources, agency administration, community work, social policy, and political organising.
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1st and 2nd stages
First Stage Compulsory Papers
SOWK 111 Working with People: The New Zealand Context
SOCI 101 Sociology of New Zealand Society
MAOR 102 Māori Society
MAOR 110 Introduction to Conversational Māori
and 18 points from either
EDUC 102 Human Development
or PSYC 112 Human Thought and Behaviour
Second Stage Compulsory Papers
SOWK 201 Fields of Practice
SOWK 236 The Treaty and Social Services
SOCI 201 Sociological Research in Practice
SOCI 205 Social Inequality
SOCI 207 Families and Society
First and Second Stage Elective Papers
Additional papers to make a total of at least 234 points (normally 13 papers)
3rd stage
Third Stage Compulsory Papers
SOWK 301 Theories and Methods of Social Work
SOWK 302 Social Work for Children and Families - Analysis and Theory
SOWK 303 Communities and Organisations - Analysis and Theory
SOWK 304 Kaupapa Māori, and Indigenous Approaches to Social Work
SOWK 320 Introduction to Professional Practice
SOWK 392 Fieldwork Practice 1
4th stage
Fourth Stage Compulsory Papers
SOWK 402 Social Work for Children and Families: Advanced Practice
SOWK 403 Communities and Organisations - Advanced Practice
SOWK 480 Research Project
SOWK 492 Fieldwork Practice 2
Plus one of SOWK 405 Social Work Issues Across the Lifespan, SOWK 406 Social Problems: Policies and Practice Models, or any other 400-level SOWK paper
Job opportunities arise in both policy and practice in a range of human services in education, health, welfare and justice sectors. These include government social service agencies, voluntary, and community agencies. Graduates work as health workers, social workers, teachers, probation officers, counsellors, advocates, community workers, policy advisers and analysts, and researchers.
Students are encouraged to tailor courses to their career aspirations by combining social work courses with other subjects to open up new fields of opportunity such as:
Community development
Cultural services
Correctional services and Police
Health services
Individual care and counselling
Law
Māori and Iwi development
Management
Policy advice and development
Political studies
Treaty-based services
Health Insurance: 600 per year
