Social Policy
Be a force for change. Study Social Policy at Waikato and develop a critical understanding of how policy-making impacts on every person, regardless of their age, ethnicity or gender – then learn how to influence it.
Studying Social Policy involves examining the issues that affect people and society. It analyses the policies and practices of politicians, public servants, governments and non-governmental agencies, and how they impact on communities and wider society. It takes a broad and encompassing approach, because social policy impacts on all parts of everyday life – from health and education to families, transport and housing, plus the systems and institutions that support them.
Your Social Policy studies at Waikato will cover why and how societies respond to problems such as poverty and unemployment. You'll take part in popular and recurring social policy debates, and gain an in-depth understanding of why social problems arise. You'll investigate and evaluate different ways of responding to those problems.
At the end of your studies, you'll be equipped to seek employment opportunities within government agencies, non-government organisations, tertiary education institutions, voluntary and community agencies, and groups advocating for social equity and change.
Key information
| Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga, Online Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
|---|---|
| Faculty: |
Study Social Policy in these qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies (China only)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Social Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
Study Social Policy as a specialisation of
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies (China only)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Social Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
Career opportunities
- Advocate
- Case Manager
- Community Worker
- Policy Analyst
- Researcher
Study in Tauranga
Students in Tauranga can complete a Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) majoring in Social Policy, or make Social Policy a minor or supporting subject in most other Bachelors degrees.
Papers
Available Social Policy papers
Prescriptions for the GradCert(SocPol) and GradDip(SocPol)
A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Social Policy at an advanced level in their first degree. Each programme of study for the Graduate Certificate must include at least one SOCPY coded 200 level paper and at least one SOCPY coded 300 level paper. Each programme of study for the Graduate Diploma must include at least one SOCPY coded 200 level paper, and at least two SOCPY coded 300 level paper.
For further details, contact the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Office.
Prescriptions for the PGCert(SocPol), PGDip(SocPol) and BSocSc(Hons) and MSocSc
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in a BSocSc(Hons) in Social Policy, a student should normally have at least a B average in either the best three of their 300 level Social Policy papers or all of their undergraduate Social Policy papers. Students who do not meet this requirement should discuss their proposed programme of study with the Programme Convenor prior to confirming their enrolment.
To complete a BSocSc(Hons) in Social Policy, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally SOCPY591) and at least 30 points from other SOCPY coded 500 level papers. It is recommended that students take one of the research methods papers listed, especially if they are considering going on with further graduate study.
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MSocSc in Social Policy, a student should have completed either:
a) a BSocSc with a major in Social Policy (or equivalent) with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board, or
b) a BSocSc(Hons) in Social Policy (or equivalent) with at least second class honours (second division).
Completion requirements for the MSocSc in Social Policy vary according to admission criteria:
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including 60 points from SOCPY coded papers, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation. It is recommended that students take one of the research methods papers listed.
Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.
To be considered for enrolment in a dissertation or thesis, all students must have completed at least 60 points from approved 500 level papers and have gained at least a B+ average to be admitted to SOCPY592 or SOCPY593 and at least an A- average to be admitted to SOCPY594.
Prescriptions for the PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ECONS102 | Economics and Society | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces selected economic models, with a focus on developing and applying critical thinking skills to a range of business and social issues and to economic policies. | ||
| EDSOC101 | The New Zealand Educational Context | 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Online) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| The paper addresses the educational policies, ideas and processes shaping the educational contexts within which New Zealanders learn and teach. | ||
| MAORI150 | Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi | 20A (Tauranga) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper seeks to provide a sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It reviews historical and contemporary interpretations and takes into account the interplay of contextual issues of the time. | ||
| POLSC102 | New Zealand Politics and Policy | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| This paper provides a foundation for the study of political science and public policy, with a particular focus on the study of government, politics and policy in New Zealand. | ||
| SOCIO101 | Introduction to Sociology | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| This paper prepares students for further study in a range of social science subjects. It introduces the main sociological theories, concepts and practices that enable an understanding of contemporary societies. | ||
| SOCPY100 | Introduction to Social Policy | 20A (Hamilton) & 20A (Tauranga) |
| This paper examines the values behind social policy and introduces students to some of the important issues and debates in New Zealand and other democratic societies. | ||
| WKEMP100 | Work, Employment and Society | 20B (Hamilton) |
| The purpose of this paper is to focus on the interdisciplinary account of the changing forms and social contexts of work from ancient times to the present and beyond. | ||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| EDSOC200 | Education and New Zealand Society | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper critically examines educational ideas and practices by considering philosophical, historical, political, socio-cultural and economic aspects. It examines how the interrelationships between education and society change over time. | ||
| POLCY212 | Power, Politics and Policy Analysis | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to public policy analysis. Students focus on the role of politics, public participation and policy in addressing society's big problems, how they are framed and defined, and how solutions are developed and implemented within the context of the policy process. | ||
| POPST201 | Population Studies | 20A (Hamilton) & 20A (Online) |
| This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the multidisciplinary field of Population Studies. Students will develop a sound understanding of the demographic drivers of population change and composition, while exploring some of the rich theories and methodological approaches which comprise Population Studies. | ||
| SOCPY200 | Social Policy and Social Issues | 20A (Hamilton) & 20A (Tauranga) |
| The paper continues the study of social policy at 200 level. The focus of this paper is on the welfare state, the policy cycle as well as social problems, such as poverty. | ||
| SOCPY201 | Social Policy, Families and Children | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| This paper further develops students' theoretical understanding of social policy, while focusing specifically on policy related to families and children, providing insight into the relationships between policy and lived experience. | ||
| SOCWK205 | Community Development | 20A (Tauranga) |
| This paper critically explores the evolution, dimensions and practice of community development in Aoteoroa New Zealand including Maori development. It also focuses on the strategies, skills and tools necessary for community development practice. | ||
| WKEMP201 | Employment Relations in New Zealand | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper examines the employment relations legislation and its impact on employers, unions and workers. Other issues considered include occupational health and safety, industrial training and practice of employment relations | ||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ECONS307 | Economics of Land, Water and Environment | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides students with a detailed understanding of the role of economic analysis in solving real world environmental problems including pollution, sustainable development, resource scarcity, and climate change. | ||
| EDSOC300 | Maori Knowledge and Western Impacts in Education | 20A (Online) |
| This paper explores comparisons between key Western and Maori philosophies. It considers how Maori and Western philosophies respectively describe the self's relationship with thought and knowledge in the context of education. | ||
| GNSEX303 | Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social class. It investigates micro and macro level experiences and the social construction of identities. In doing so, this paper looks at how power is distributed in society, the theories that... | ||
| HMDEV300 | Children's Development in Families | 20A (Online) |
| This paper examines the development of children within family and community contexts. Contemporary issues will be investigated with an emphasis on theory and research and their impact on policy and practice. | ||
| PACIS300 | Contemporary Critical Issues in the Pacific | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides an in-depth examination of a number of contemporary critical issues in the Pacific as identified by leading Pacific scholars, writers, artists, auteurs and activists. | ||
| POLCY318 | Global Environmental Politics and Policy | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores contemporary debates on environmental politics, sustainability, justice, and environmental governance. It examines the political processes underpinning the search for cooperative solutions to environmental dilemmas, including climate change. | ||
| POPST302 | Exploring Population Change | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Online) |
| This paper applies methods for measuring population size, composition and change, which are used extensively for understanding population issues in public policy, human resource planning, forecasting and business planning. | ||
| SOCIO311 | Current Issues in Criminal Justice | 20B (Online) |
| This paper examines sociological explanations for criminal behaviour and examines issues within criminal justice. | ||
| SOCPY300 | Social Policy | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| This paper provides students with experience of the ways in which policy is formulated and enacted. Theoretical perspectives are consolidated and extended to enhance opportunities for employment in the social policy field. | ||
| SOCPY301 | Health, Wellbeing and Policy | 20A (Hamilton) & 20A (Tauranga) |
| This paper provides a critical introduction to key issues in the formation of health policy at both a national and international level. | ||
| SOCPY390 | Directed Study | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton), 20D (Hamilton), 20G (Hamilton) & 20S (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides students with a flexible opportunity to undertake investigation of a specific topic from a social policy perspective. | ||
| WKEMP300 | Education, Skill and Employment | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Online), 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Online) |
| The purpose of this paper is to focus on policy and practice in the field of paid work, education and training. This encapsulates tertiary education a field that includes: adult and community education; higher education; vocational education and training; human resource development; and workplace learning. | ||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| EDSOC501 | Education Policy and Society | 20A (Hamilton) |
| A critical analysis of educational policies and practices, with particular references to New Zealand. | ||
| POLSC501 | Policy Analysis: Theory and Practice | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to the fundamentals of policy analysis, and develops skills for higher-level research in public policy. A key focus is developing critical awareness of policy processes, of the drivers of change, and of the role of both 'evidence' and public participation in policy-making, in the pursuit of inclusive ... | ||
| POPST501 | Population Health and Equity | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores population health in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally, emphasising the broader determinants of wellbeing and equity. It introduces aspects of epidemiology, considers historical, indigenous and contemporary perspectives of health, and explores relationships between health, community and society. | ||
| POPST507 | Critical Demography | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to critical demography as an approach that draws on social science theories to understand key demographic phenomena. Interactive seminars will comprise a blend of structured lectures and in-class discussion focussed on weekly readings drawn from Aotearoa NZ and internationally. The first part of the p... | ||
| POPST509 | Research Methods for Population Analysis | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Online) |
| This paper provides students with hands-on experience conducting population research, working with real world data to analyse to investigate population issues. Students will gain a sound understanding of how to access, analyse and interpret data and how to communicate their findings, skills directly applicable to a range of policy,... | ||
| PSYCH511 | Evaluation Research Design | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides a theoretical grounding in programme evaluation, with an emphasis on the evaluation of programmes in the not-for-profit sector. Emphasis is placed on qualitative methods, collaborative approaches and evaluation as a strategy of incremental social change. | ||
| PSYCH513 | Evaluation Research Analysis | 20X (Block) |
| This paper provides an introduction to evaluation praxis with a major focus on completing a small scale evaluation of a social service or health programme. Such roles as consultant, advocate, liaison and technician are part of the skills students experience. Engagement with the client through refining and negotiating an evaluation ... | ||
| SOCIO500 | Comparative Indigenous Criminology | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on a critical comparison of indigenous people's experiences of crime control policies and interventions in settler-colonial jurisdictions. | ||
| SOCIO503 | Comparative Indigenous Criminology | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper offers students an opportunity to engage in in-depth critique and analysis of Indigenous peoples' experiences of crime control in settler colonial contexts. By focussing on the 'big four' settler colonial jurisdictions, Aotearoa New Zealand, Canada, the US and Australia, the paper is also designed to introduce students ... | ||
| SOCPY507 | Gender and Development | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This graduate paper explores fundamental constructs of feminishm within the context of development schemes and policies. | ||
| SOCPY508 | Techniques for Policy Analysis | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper exposes students to a selection of techniques in the policy toolkit that can be applied to problem solving in social policy issues. It also reflects on the values and assumptions underlying methods. Students will be taught to apply policy methods critically and in context. | ||
| SOCPY589 | Directed Study | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton) & 20S (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. Open to selected students who meet the criteria set out in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Graduate Handbook. | ||
| SOCPY590 | Directed Study | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton) & 20D (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. Open to selected students who meet the criteria set out in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Graduate Handbook. | ||
| SOCPY591 | Dissertation | 20X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| SOCPY592 | Dissertation | 20X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| SOCPY593 | Social Policy Thesis | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| SOCPY594 | Social Policy Thesis | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| SOCPY900 | Social Policy PhD Thesis | 20I (Hamilton) & 20X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
Scholarships and prizes
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Subject links
Subject Requirements
Social Policy is available as a major for the BSocSc.
Social Policy is available as a major for the BSocSc. Social Policy may also be taken as a second major or as a minor within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the catalogue of papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone:
Note: Social Policy is available as a major for the BSocSc in Hamilton and Tauranga. Tauranga-based students majoring in Social Policy may substitute SOCW305 for SOCP304
Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.
Contacts
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4138
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: socp-fass@waikato.ac.nz
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: socp-grad@waikato.ac.nz