Course details

Summary

The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is an advanced specialist qualification, requiring at least two years of full-time study.

The degree is intended for practitioners who wish to develop their professional knowledge and skills through specialized study, consistent with principles of applied professional training. It prepares graduates for senior level and specialist practice in social services, research and policy analysis.

Please note: the MSW is a post-registration qualification.

Social workers seek to promote well-being and develop potential by working with individuals, families and groups to create positive change in people's lives. The challenge of social work lies in its complexity and diversity.

The University of Otago offers qualifications in social work for those with a strong interest in people, the make-up of New Zealand's society, and contemporary social issues. The professional bachelor degree (BSW) is recognised by the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) and the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW). This four year degree provides a widely recognised, high quality, qualification for people wishing to become registered social workers. This degree is also available as a two year option for students already possessing a bachelor degree in another field.

The two year Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is targeted towards professional practitioners seeking to undertake a research intensive qualification related to their professional practice. Postgraduate research is encouraged and opportunities are provided for students to undertake research in a range of associated areas.

Structure of the Programme

The programme shall consist of four papers to a total value of 120 points in the University of Otago and a thesis; three papers from SOWK 509-520; a fourth paper chosen from SOWK 509-520 or an approved paper at 400-level or higher offered by the University of Otago or another New Zealand tertiary education institution; and a thesis embodying the results of one year's full-time supervised research or the equivalent in part-time supervised research. Students are encouraged to complete the papers component of the programme before embarking on the thesis as the programme's second component. Those seeking to do otherwise must secure the approval of the Programme Coordinator.

A candidate may not present a thesis that has been accepted for another degree.

The programme of study, the topic for the thesis and the supervision of the research shall be approved by the Head of the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work.

A candidate who has completed the requirement for the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Welfare shall be exempted from the papers for the degree programme and shall be required to complete only the thesis component.

Programme Requirements

Three of:

• SOWK 504 Care and Protection
• SOWK 505 Lifespan Issues - Advanced Practice with Older Adults
• SOWK 508 Pasifika and Social Services
• SOWK 509 Decision-making in Child Welfare
• SOWK 511 Advanced Family Practice
• SOWK 512 Working with Children and Adolescents
• SOWK 513 Mental Health and Specialist Practice
• SOWK 514 Advanced Community Development
• SOWK 515 Iwi Social Services I - Contextual Issues
• SOWK 516 Iwi Social Services II - Development and Facilitation
• SOWK 517 Social Policy Development
• SOWK 518 Social Services Supervision
• SOWK 519 Social Services Management
• SOWK 520 Social Services Research and Evaluation
• SOWK 521 Advanced Studies Special Topic
• SOWK 522 Advanced Studies Special Topic
• SOWK 523 Animals and Social Work

Research Component

• Thesis: SOWK 6

Entry criteria

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
Every applicant shall

• possess an approved professional social services qualification, and
• have at least two years' proven competence working in the social welfare field, and
• present evidence of ability for advanced level academic study.

English Language Requirements: IELTS - Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22.; Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.