setting. You can choose from a wide range of engaging core and elective
courses, including language-teaching courses from the Faculty of Arts.
Ministry of Education TESSOL Tuition Fees Scholarships may be available to
qualified applicants.
Social Work
Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work
One year full-time (typically two years part-time)
Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work (or similar undergraduate social
work degree) who want to enhance their professional practice, learning
and development in social work can study this diploma as a standalone
qualification or as a pathway into the Master of Social Work. By selecting
from a range of taught courses, delivered face-to-face with online study
support, you can learn advanced approaches and interventions in social
work practice and examine current research in social work. Courses passed
for this programme can be credited to the Master of Social Work should you
wish to develop and explore research opportunities.
Master of Social Work
120 points: One year full-time (part-time available)
240 points: Two years full-time (part-time available)
Designed with the unique needs of practising social work professionals in
mind, this masters qualification is a flexible programme that allows you to
continue to work while you study. Courses are delivered mainly face-to-face
on campus and supported by online study. The thesis or research portfolio
will be carried out under the guidance of a highly qualified and experienced
supervisor. Workplace or clinical placements are not required.
You will be able to learn advanced approaches and interventions in social
work practice as well as develop your knowledge, skills and experience in
critiquing and undertaking social work research to enhance your practice.
If you hold a Bachelor of Social Work (or an equivalent qualification) with a
GPA or GPE of 5 or higher, you can apply for the 240-point Master of Social
Work programme. This study includes a supervised thesis (120 points) or
research portfolio (90 points) in the second year.
If you hold a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), Postgraduate Diploma in
Professional Supervision (and a social work qualification), Postgraduate
Diploma in Health Sciences – Social Work specialisation or Postgraduate
Diploma in Social Work (or a similar qualification) with a GPA or GPE of
5 or higher, you can apply directly into the 120-point programme. This is
equivalent to enrolling in the second year of the 240-point programme. You
may need to take an approved 30-point research methods course if this
was not included in your postgraduate diploma.
Master of Social Work (Professional)
Two years full-time (typically four to six years part-time)
If you already hold an undergraduate degree in a related discipline, you
can study to become a qualified social worker through the Master of
Social Work (Professional) pathway. This programme prepares you for a
professional career in social work, building on your qualification in a related
area such as social sciences, sociology, psychology, health sciences or
human services. To apply for this programme, you need to have completed
a bachelors degree with at least 60 points in Social Science subjects and
achieved a GPA or GPE of 5 or higher in the most advanced courses in the
undergraduate degree.
A combination of elective and core courses and 120 days of supervised
practicum placements with partner agencies and organisations will
enable you to gain knowledge and understanding of the values, theories
and interventions that underpin social work practice. You will also learn
the skills to become a critical and reflective practitioner who is able to
contribute to any field of social work practice. This qualification meets the
“While studying towards my Bachelor of
Social Work (Honours), I started to become
really interested in social work theory. I was
selected for two summer scholarships, which
showed me how enjoyable and rewarding
research can be.”
“This led to my decision to enrol in the Master of Social Work. I chose to study at the
University of Auckland because I believe that a qualification from this University is well
recognised overseas and will open up the best employment opportunities for me.
“My time at the University of Auckland has given me a range of opportunities that go
beyond the qualification I will graduate with. I have had the opportunity to work with
lecturers on their research and, as a result, have co-authored three journal articles. I
have also had the opportunity to travel to Christchurch and speak at a conference there.
“I am considering studying a PhD once I finish my masters. I’ve become really interested
in the social justice mandate of the social work profession and I think there is a lot more
research to be done in this area.”
John Darroch is studying a Master of Social Work. He also is a youth worker at Youth
Horizons Trust.
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