Qualification Overview

Qualification Title Bachelor of Social Work
Qualification Type Bachelor Degree
Level 7
Credits 480
Subject Area
  • Society and Culture » Human Welfare Studies and Services » Social Work
Strategic Purpose Statement
On completion of this programme, graduates will have developed a range of flexible skills and professional attributes which will position them well to be responsive to, and to work collaboratively within, the increasingly complex and interdisciplinary social service and health communities.

Graduate competence, which is embedded in social work programmes recognised by the SWRB, is valid for two years from the date of completing all the requirements of the programme. This entitles graduates to provisional (Section 10) registration as a social worker.
Graduate profile
Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to work in a bi-cultural context and acknowledge the centrality of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to social work as a profession and in practice
- Apply anti oppressive social work values, knowledge and skills to complex situations to stimulate personal and social change in a range of work and social contexts
- Have the ability to work with individuals, families or whānau, communities and groups from diverse ethnic, cultural and indigenous backgrounds
- Demonstrate resilience and the ability to manage interpersonal conflict and challenges that arise in the context of social work practice
- Demonstrate knowledge of the origins, purpose and development of Aotearoa New Zealand social work within a global context
- Demonstrate professional literacy and numeracy, critically evaluate scholarship, critique and apply diverse knowledge and research to social work practice
- Demonstrate an ability to think critically, and effectively analyse, synthesise and apply information
- Demonstrate the ability to work autonomously and make independent judgments from a well-informed social work position
- Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others in multidisciplinary teams, organisations and communities
- Demonstrate a critical reflective approach to individual social work practice through supervision, peer review and self-evaluation
- Demonstrate an ability to recognise own learning needs and participates in continuing professional development
Education pathways
Further studies within the field.
Employment pathways
Registered social workers.To find out more about employment opportunities click on the CareersNZ logo, then the provider who offers this qualification.
Entry Requirements
Candidates are required to have gained: NCEA Level 3 comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or higher, including: 14 credits each at NCEA Level 3 in three approved subjects; and Literacy (10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above made up of 5 credits each in reading and writing); and Numeracy (10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above made up of specified achievement standards or a package of three specified unit standards); or A relevant qualification at Level 4 on the NZQF; or Equivalent. Candidates aged 20 or over who do not meet these entry requirements may be considered for special admission. In such cases entry will be dependent on whether candidates can demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success in the programme. Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.5 across all bands; or equivalent. Candidates are required to indicate whether they have been convicted of, or are being prosecuted for, a criminal offence. Prior to commencing the programme all successful candidates will be required to complete a police vetting form. Some types of criminal conviction may limit the ability to secure practicum placements and therefore complete the programme. Candidates should also be aware that, under the Social Workers Registration Act (2003) some types of criminal conviction may result in the Social Workers Registration Board refusing to allow a person to register as a Social Worker. Candidates will be required to attend a selection interview/hui. Selection will be made on the basis of the candidate being able to demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success in the programme.
Education Organisation Te Pukenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Developed By Te Pukenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Quality Assured By New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Number 2533
Status Current
Created August 2014
Last Reviewed December 2014
Next Review December 2025
Content
The Bachelor of Social Work is a 4-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. Field placement is a significant element in the programme. In Year 1 students will be introduced to service users in the classroom. In Year 2 they will undertake 40 hours of voluntary work/observation in a social service agency. In each of years 3 and 4 they will undertake a 60-day supervised placement. The Bachelor of Social Work can be completed in four years fulltime study. Due to the structure of the programme, the part-time study option is only available in Years 1 and 2. Part-time students will be required to enrol fulltime in Years 3 and 4 and will be so advised upon first enrolment.

Qualification Title

The qualification title names the overall focus of the qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Te Reo Maori Title

Listed under Te Reo Maori title with English equivalent.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Matauranga Maori Qualification

A qualification quality assured and approved through the Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance approach.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Qualification Type

There are different types of qualifications including certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate certificates and diplomas. Qualification types relate to NZQF levels.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Level

The NZQF has ten levels. Level one is least complex and is often entry-level, for example foundation certificates. Levels eight to ten are the most complex, and include post-graduate study.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Credits

The credit value relates to the size of the qualification. One credit equates to ten hours of learning. One year's full-time study at a provider is usually 120 credits, but if you are studying part-time or in the work place the credit value may vary.

+Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Subject Area

All qualifications are grouped into subject areas on the New Zealand Standard Classification of Education (NZSCED). The subject area is a keyword and can be used when searching for qualifications in an area of interest.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Strategic Purpose Statement

Strategic purpose statement explains the reason why the qualification has been developed. It identifies the target learners and for what roles the qualification prepares them.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Graduate profile

The Graduate profile explains the skills, knowledge and attributes a graduate will have attained on achieving the qualification. It describes what they can know and do and be.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Education pathways

Education pathways include other qualifications you can enrol into after completing this qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Employment pathways

Employment pathways include the kinds of careers you can develop with this qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Next Review

This is the date the qualification will expire and be reviewed or discontinued.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Last Date For Entry

The last date a learner can be enrolled in a programme leading to this qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Entry Requirements

The level of education or training you need to have achieved before an education organisation will consider enrolling you for it or arranging the training. Each organisation may also have entry requirements for the programmes they run.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Education Organisation

This is the organisation that can help you achieve the qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Developed By

Qualifications are developed by education organisations. These include standard setting bodies, like industry training organisations, and tertiary providers, such as universities, polytechnics and private training establishments.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Quality Assured By

All qualifications on the NZQF have been checked by the quality assurance bodies of NZQA, ITP Quality or NZVCC to ensure qualifications have meaningful outcomes.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Number

All qualifications have a unique number.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Status

The status shows if a qualification is current, expiring or discontinued. Only current qualifications have programmes at education organisations that are open to new enrolments.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Created

This is the date the qualification was listed on the NZQF.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Last Reviewed

Last date the qualification was formally reviewed.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Content

Information on how a qualification is structured.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Discontinued

This is the date the qualification was discontinued and no longer available.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]