Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) has been approved by the Social Workers’ Registration Board and will give you the competency skills and training needed to become a successful Social Worker.

BSW Benefits

• The BSW has been approved by the Social Workers Registration Board.
• A challenging programme of study taught in a supportive learning environment.
• Balance of theory and practice.
• New Zealand needs more qualified social workers and the BSW will give graduates long term career prospects.

The BSW is taught in partnership between the University of Waikato and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic in Tauranga.

The BSW is the professional qualification for anyone who cares about people, wants to make a difference to people’s lives and create positive changes to society. Social Workers are currently sought after in New Zealand and abroad. Upon completion of the degree, students can find work in a range of different social service settings, including district health boards, family service centres, government agencies and more.

The University of Waikato Social Work programme is a specified programme of study which focuses on social policy and social issues, family, social work approaches and decision making, social science research, community development, social justice, and bicultural and multicultural social work practices.

Credit Arrangement

Students who have completed the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Diploma in Social Practice are guaranteed credit of 225 points (almost half of the BSW), provided their Diploma was completed within the last five years. Students who completed the Diploma of Social Practice prior to 2003 and students who completed other tertiary study may also apply for credit. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Specified Programme

• Social Work

BSW Career Opportunities

• Social Worker
• Researcher
• Policy Analyst
• Community Worker
• Case Manager

Practical Experience

Placement in a work environment is an essential component of the BSW. In the third and fourth year of study students develop practical experience through work placements in a social service agency.

Entry Requirements

If you have New Zealand University Entrance, you are eligible to apply for the BSW. All applicants must complete and return a Police Clearance Check (INCIS) form. The University will request a clearance check from the Ministry of Justice for each applicant in order to assess, against the University’s and Social Worker Registration Board’s criteria, whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to practise social work. Applicants will be interviewed by at least two members of a selection panel, including the Programme Coordinator. All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Scholarships

The Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship.

For more information, visit www.waikato.ac.nz/scholarships

Degree Structure

4 years - 480 points

List A – 20 points from: HDCO200, HDCO201, HDCO202, PHIL218, PSYC228, PSYC229, SOCY204, TIKA263, TIKA164, TTWA201.

List B – 20 points from: List A as above or 20 points from HDCO300, HDCO301, PSYC301, PSYC310, PSYC319, PSYC338, SOCP302, SOCY311, TIKA363.

List C – 20 points from: HDCO300, HDCO301, PSYC301, PSYC310, PSYC319, PSYC338, SOCP302, SOCY311, TIKA363.