Te Ata Māhina Bachelor of Social Work
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
Build practical skills for a people-focused health or wellbeing career through social-work theory, bicultural practice, law, research and supervised placement.
Conditional to NZQA and SWRB approval
Te Ata Māhina Bachelor of Social Work prepares graduates for professional social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. Aligned with Social Workers Registration Board standards, the programme develops the knowledge, skills and values needed to support individuals, whānau and communities, promote wellbeing, and advance social justice. Grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori, it emphasises bicultural, inclusive and equitable practice for diverse communities.
Entry requirements
To be admitted to this programme, applicants must be at least 17 years of age on the date the programme commences, and meet one of the following general admission requirements:
- University Entrance as per New Zealand Qualification Authority Specifications
Or - Meet Special Admission requirements
Or
Meet Discretionary Admission requirements
Special admission
Applicants who have attained the age of 20 years on or before the first day of the semester in which study for the programme is to commence and who do not meet the general admission requirements stated above and who believe that they have the level of preparedness for study at this level may apply for special admission.
In assessing whether to grant special admission the primary focus will be on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate a likelihood to succeed in the programme.
All decisions will be at the discretion of the Delegated Authority (normally Programme Manager).
Discretionary admission
Any applicants who are not yet 20 years of age and who do not meet the general admission requirements stated above and who believe that they have the level of preparedness for study at this level may apply for discretionary admission.
In assessing whether to grant discretionary admission the primary focus will be on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate a likelihood to succeed in the programme.
All decisions will be at the discretion of the Delegated Authority (normally Programme Manager).
Programme specific admission
In addition, applicants must also meet the following programme specific requirements:
In order to ensure an applicant is able to fully participate in the programme, including the field education placements, the following programme specific requirements must be met in addition to the general admission requirements above.
Prior to enrolment (at the time of application)
1. Safety Check: The Children’s Act 2014 requires people who work with tamariki and/or children in Aotearoa to undergo regular safety checks. The safety checking requirements are set out in the Children’s (Requirements for Safety Checks of the Children’s Workforce) Regulations 2015 (Children’s Regulations 2015). NB: You will not be accepted if your police check is not processed. All applications with any convictions will be required to attend an individual interview with an SIT department staff member.
2. Risk Assessment: The Children’s Regulations 2015 also require an interview (face to face or via telephone or other distance technology) for the purpose of carrying out a risk assessment to determine if the person poses or would pose a risk to children.
3. In addition, the interview process is used to carry out identity confirmation, to gather further information about previous convictions, previous work history, and any other information considered relevant to the safety of children.
Note: Upon consent, the information gathered as part of the above ‘Safety Check’ will be shared with a host organisation for the purposes of a field education placement.
4. It is also advised to provide a character reference as part of your application; this should include people from positions of trust such as an employer, teacher, pastor, kaumātua or kuia. References from family, friends or work colleagues will not be accepted.
English requirements
English language competency where English is not a first language:
• International applicants for whom English is not their first language will be required to show evidence of language competency, issued within the last two years. The minimum level of competency required is:
an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.5; or
an equivalent relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined in NZQF-related rules (Rule 21).
For domestic applicants for whom English is not their first language, evidence of language competency may be required.
*This course is not available to international students.
About the provider
Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) provides quality tertiary education and training across a wide range of subjects and qualifications. From certificates to postgraduate studies, we offer NZQA programmes for students to learn at a level and pathway that suits them.
We are home to the Zero Fees Scheme and are the only tertiary provider in New Zealand to offer a no tuition cost education to domestic NZ students for every year of study, at all levels.
We offer SIT programmes at campuses in Invercargill, Queenstown, Gore, and online through SIT2LRN Distance Learning.
We also have a specialised faculty in rural education at Telford in Balclutha, South Otago.