Master of Professional Practice in Social and Community Services
Enhance your transition into professional practice in Aotearoa New Zealand through applied learning about the social, cultural and policy landscape of New Zealand's health, social and community services.
The Master of Professional Practice in Social and Community Services is expected to begin in July 2026, subject to approval by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
180 points, Three trimesters
Tauranga
Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Why study the Master of Professional Practice in Social and Community Services?
The Master of Professional Practice in Social and Community Services (MPSOCS) is a comprehensive programme tailored for internationally qualified professionals seeking to deepen their expertise and advance their careers in Aotearoa New Zealand. This programme prepares qualified social, community, and health professionals for practice in New Zealand, it is intended to build on prior qualifications and is not designed as a first-qualifying programme of study.
This 180-point Master’s combines advanced learning, applied research, and community-based practice to develop the expertise needed for leadership, policy, and professional practice roles in New Zealand’s social and health sectors.
You’ll learn through workshop-based learning, collaborative projects, and independent research, supported by experienced staff and strong community partnerships. Learning experiences incorporate field trips and Indigenous approaches, helping you explore ethical decision-making, cultural responsiveness, and evidence-based practice that promotes social justice and wellbeing.
Graduates will be equipped for leadership and advanced practice roles across social and health services, community organisations, education, policy, and advocacy.
180 points, Three trimesters
Tauranga
Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Degree information
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Plan your study -
Entry Requirements MPSOCS candidates must have:
- a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent to a bachelor's degree from the University of Waikato, with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers; and
- satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board. This includes an undergraduate major in an appropriate discipline such as allied health, education, health, law, business management, social sciences or social work equivalent to the University of Waikato, and
- be approved through a selection process determined by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Education, or delegated authority.
In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit or relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.
MPSOCS candidates must have:
- a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent to a bachelor's degree from the University of Waikato, with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers; and
- satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board. This includes an undergraduate major in an appropriate discipline such as allied health, education, health, law, business management, social sciences or social work equivalent to the University of Waikato, and
- be approved through a selection process determined by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Education, or delegated authority.
In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit or relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.
English Language Requirements
The following minimum score is considered to be evidence of such competence:
- an Academic IELTS overall score of 7.0* (with no less than 7.0 in any band); or
- An Occupational English Test (OET) (with a minimum score of 350 for reading, listening and speaking, and minimum score of 300 for writing)
- a PTE Academic (paper-based) overall score of 65 with no band less than 58;
- a TOEFL iBT (Internet Based TOEFL) score of 98 with a Writing score of 24, or
- a TOEFL iBT Home Edition overall score of 98 with a Writing score of 24.
- Applicants can achieve the minimum score in these tests over more than one sitting and within 12 months of the first sitting. With the exception of the online Pearson PTE test2, computer-based tests administered in an approved testing centre are accepted.
All other evidence is considered on a case by case basis.
* - IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted together with an original IELTS test
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Fees and scholarships -
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 22 October 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 22 October 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
-
MPSOCS candidates must have:
- a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent to a bachelor's degree from the University of Waikato, with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers; and
- satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board. This includes an undergraduate major in an appropriate discipline such as allied health, education, health, law, business management, social sciences or social work equivalent to the University of Waikato, and
- be approved through a selection process determined by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Education, or delegated authority.
In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit or relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.
MPSOCS candidates must have:
- a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent to a bachelor's degree from the University of Waikato, with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers; and
- satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board. This includes an undergraduate major in an appropriate discipline such as allied health, education, health, law, business management, social sciences or social work equivalent to the University of Waikato, and
- be approved through a selection process determined by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Education, or delegated authority.
In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit or relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.
English Language Requirements
The following minimum score is considered to be evidence of such competence:
- an Academic IELTS overall score of 7.0* (with no less than 7.0 in any band); or
- An Occupational English Test (OET) (with a minimum score of 350 for reading, listening and speaking, and minimum score of 300 for writing)
- a PTE Academic (paper-based) overall score of 65 with no band less than 58;
- a TOEFL iBT (Internet Based TOEFL) score of 98 with a Writing score of 24, or
- a TOEFL iBT Home Edition overall score of 98 with a Writing score of 24.
- Applicants can achieve the minimum score in these tests over more than one sitting and within 12 months of the first sitting. With the exception of the online Pearson PTE test2, computer-based tests administered in an approved testing centre are accepted.
All other evidence is considered on a case by case basis.
* - IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted together with an original IELTS test
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 22 October 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 22 October 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
The Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) oversees Social work registration in New Zealand. It serves as the national authority that evaluates overseas-qualified social workers against ten essential competency standards necessary for practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Learning within the Professional Practice in Social and Community Services qualifications supports internationally qualified social workers to meet Competence Standard 1 (to practice with Māori) and Competence Standard 2 (to practice with the ethnic and cultural groups of New Zealand).
Social work registration in New Zealand requires provisionally registered social workers to complete training in competency standards within twelve months.