Bachelor of Social Practice (Community Development)

7, 360 3.0
Full-time for three years or part-time options available
Starts February (full-time) or July (part-time)
80 full-time and 50 part-time places across all majors
By 23 November (late applications will be accepted)
Waitakere campus
Semester 1 2013: 25 February - 28 June; Semester 2 2013: 22 July - 22 November

Programme summary

Interested in a career in community development? Develop your understanding of community change and management, and further your knowledge of Pakeha, Maori and Pacific Island cultural practices.

Develop the skills for a career in community development. The Bachelor of Social Practice (Community Development) helps you gain a critical awareness of social and cultural contexts, social justice, class, gender and other issues. Explore community and organisational change, community empowerment, social policy and legislation, sociological analysis, and narrative ideas in counselling and social practice. Further your knowledge of Pakeha, Maori and Pacific Island cultural practices, psychology, mental health and risk assessment.

Highlights

• The only programme of its kind in Australasia.
• Recognised by the Social Workers' Registration Board.
• Relevant to a wide range of social, counselling, disability, mental health and education services.
• Emphasis on the practical application of theory.
• A critical focus on social justice.
• Work placement in a community organisation.
• Two years to decide if you want to specialise in community development or social work.

Career opportunities

• Community social service co-ordinator
• Community worker or community advocate
• Local government adviser
• Maori community kaiawhina
• NGO community development worker
• Policy analyst

Courses and timetables

The following courses are valid for 2013. The courses may be offered as part of the programme. Click on the course links below to see the course details and timetables.

If you're a current student, find out how to re-enrol in your programme.

Compulsory Courses

Elective Courses

Elective courses from other programmes

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the general admission or special admission requirements. Applicants must also meet the English language requirements and may be interviewed.

General admission

Applicants must:

• Be at least 20 years of age when the programme begins; and
• Have a minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of:
  • 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from an approved subject list; and
  • 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework or approved subjects; and
• Have a minimum of 14 credits at level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau on the National Qualifications Framework; and
• Have a minimum of eight credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori, of which a minimum of four credits must be in Reading and four in Writing (see note), or equivalent; or
• Have at least three C passes in New Zealand University Bursaries examinations, or equivalent; or
• Have the Unitec Certificate in Foundation Studies: Whitinga (Level 3) with a relevant endorsement, where appropriate; or
• Certificate of University Preparation (Level 4); or
• Certificate in Foundation Studies (Level 4); or
• Equivalent

Applicants must also:

• Hold a current, full and unrestricted New Zealand driver licence (subject to any disability exemption) at the commencement of their first fieldwork placement
• Have completed the Bachelor of Social Practice self-declaration form
• Supply the names of two independent persons who will provide confidential references
• Provide a CV and personal statement indicating their reasons for applying to the programme
• Provide evidence of computer literacy through the achievement of a level 3 computer course, or equivalent.

Special admission

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are at least 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for special admission if they can provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.

English language

Applicants must:

• Have a minimum of eight NCEA credits in English at level 2, of which four must be in Reading and four in Writing, or equivalent; or
• Have a minimum of seven NCEA credits at level 3 in an English-rich subject, or equivalent; or
• Have successfully completed studies at level 5 or higher in an English medium; or
• Have a grade of 5 or better in New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate English, or equivalent; or
• Have New Zealand University Bursaries in an English-rich subject, with a minimum mark of 40 percent, or equivalent; or
• Have an overall IELTS band score (Academic) of no less than 6.5 (with no band score lower than 6.0), or a TOEFL score of no less than 575, or equivalent; or
• Have an appropriate Unitec English language qualification, such as the Diploma in English (Academic), or equivalent.

^{Note: New Zealand secondary school graduates who have English as an additional language (EAL) and are using NCEA to meet the general admission requirements may substitute the eight credits in English at NCEA level 2 (four in Reading and four in Writing) with an IELTS score (or equivalent). This IELTS score is the same as that required by the programme in which they wish to enrol. These students are still required to achieve a minimum of 42 NCEA credits at level 3 or higher and the Mathematics or Pangarau requirements.}