Programme overview
Are you after a career where you can help individuals, whānau, groups, and communities enhance their individual and collective wellbeing? Are you passionate about empowering people around you and creating social change? Our Bachelor of Social Practice will prepare you for employment and registration in social work and community development with basic skills in counselling.
This programme comprehensively trains students to be social practitioners who are able to apply their skills to the ever-changing demands of employers, clients, and the community. Tailor the Bachelor of Social Practice to suit your career path in either social work or community development. This will allow you to develop and practice the skills you need to be work-ready when you graduate.
You’ll develop the ability to practice social work and community development with culturally diverse groups in an appropriate and inclusive manner. You’ll also develop a sound understanding of, and ability to promote, human rights, social justice and change, as well as empowerment and liberation of different groups and communities by promoting civil and legal rights.
Highlights
- Leads to industry recognition: once you’ve completed this programme you are eligible to apply for registration with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB)
- A professional qualification which prepares you for a career in a wide range of social, community, mental health, and education services
- A critical focus on inequality and social justice, and the development of your abilities to work ethically and professionally, supporting the wellbeing of people and communities
- Emphasis on the practical application of theory: in years three and four, you will apply what you’ve learnt during work placements in social work or community development organisations
- Flexibility: elective courses enable you to plan a programme of study which builds on your interests and personal experience, or help you move towards postgraduate study
Postgraduate study
At Unitec, we value your experience and are interested in helping you develop your practice and profession. If you are a practitioner who is interested in undertaking a work-based project and/or research, our Master of Applied Practice (Social Practice) may be just what you're looking for.
Please note: This programme is designed for practitioners in work as we do not provide work placements. If you choose to study full-time, your study will likely relate to your current practice. You will have an opportunity to discuss this during the application process.
Scholarship
We have up to 3 Bachelor of Social Practice scholarships available, worth $2,000 each. Find out more information below!
Bachelor of Social Practice scholarships
Contact us
If you feel the Master of Applied Practice could suit you and/or if you have further questions about this programme, please contact:
Geoff Bridgman
gbridgman@unitec.ac.nz
(09) 815 4321 ext. 7464
Currently enrolled in our three-year Bachelor of Social Practice programme? Don't worry, you can still view your course details here.
Admission requirements
What you will need to study this programme.
Domestic students
International students
Academic requirements
You must have completed at least one of the following:
- Applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies, and they should meet the country-specific admission requirement Or
- Successful completion of the Unitec Certificate in Foundation Studies: Whitinga Level 3 with a relevant pathway, where appropriate; Or
- Certificate of University Preparation (Level 4) Or
- Certificate in Foundation Studies (Level 4)
And English entry requirements;
If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:
- An equivalent of IELTS (Academic) with minimum band scores of 6.5 with no individual band lower than 6.5 from one test taken in the preceding two years,
- TOEFL score of no less than 575
- Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
- University Entrance Literacy: 8 credits at Level 2 or above in English or Māori (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing); or
If you do not meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available, depending on your current level of ability.
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Simply apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
Non-academic requirements
The following Programme Specific requirements must be met before admission;
- Consent to a Safety Check that meets the requirements of the Children Act 2014 (formerly known as the Vulnerable Children's Act), including:
- Provide two forms of verified ID and evidence of any name changes;
- Consent to a Police vetting check;
- Complete a self-declaration of medical conditions form.
- Provide a curriculum vitae and a personal statement indicating their motives for applying for admission to the degree
- Provide evidence of computer literacy through the achievement of a level 3 computer course or equivalent;
- A current full driver's license (NZ license or acceptable international equivalent, subject to exemption on the grounds of disability) before commencing CSTU7922 Social Practice Practicum 1 in Year Three
For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 544 KB)
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses including timetables, please click on the course names below.
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| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Social Practice with Migrant and Refugee Background Communities(CSTU5164) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course explores the history, development, and resettlement of migrant and refugee communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and the immigration policy context in which they have developed. It affords students with a learning opportunity to explore, understand, and validate the lived experiences of individuals and groups of migrant and refugee background within models of social practice suited for working with these communities. |
| Ripene Tahi(CSTU5167) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To introduce students to basic te reo Māori (Māori language), tikanga Māori (cultural values and protocols), and to explore the implications of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the historic and contemporary cultural and socio-economic development of Maori. |
| Talanoa Pasifika(CSTU5168) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course introduces students to Pasifika approaches to social practices by exploring the development of Pasifika communities in Aotearoa. This will enable students to negotiate a mutually beneficial relationship of partnership and collaboration with Pasifika Peoples, particularly when working with Pasifika communities. |
| Sociology for Social Practice: Inequality and Social Change(CSTU5170) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to introduce students to sociological concepts and theories, which will enable them to explore the nature and effects of international and Aotearoa/New Zealand’s, cultural, social, economic and political structures, especially their impact on injustice and inequality. |
