Bachelor of Social Work

OP7400

Closed to new enrolments
Watch Bachelor of Social Work graduate Alex's story

Social work is a profession based on principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversity.

Our Bachelor of Social Work will prepare you to work with people and their environment. You’ll learn about people through their life span, societies and helping traditions from western and indigenous perspectives.

  •  
    Level
    7
  •  
    Credits
    480
  •  
    Cost
    $21,268 NZ Domestic

    Not including any course materials or external exam fees.

  •  
    Student loan

Qualification update

Closed to enrolments from new learners

We are no longer taking enrolments from new learners for OP7400 Bachelor of Social Work. We plan to offer new version of the programme named Te Ata Māhina Bachelor of Social Work at a later date, subject to NZQA approval.

Please check back on our website later in 2024 for information on the new programme or, if you would like to be notified when the new programme is available, please provide your details here.

Re-enrolling learners

If you had already started studying OP7400 Bachelor of Social Work, up to and including 15 November 2022, you can continue to re-enrol in your next course. 

Once the new programme, Te Ata Māhina Bachelor of Social Work, has been approved we will contact you to advise you whether to remain in the current programme or to transition into the new programme. Please be assured that no learners will be disadvantaged in any transition arrangements.

Please note, learners who are studying OP7400 Bachelor of Social Work must complete their last course in the programme no more than 8 years of their first enrolment.

 If you need assistance with a study plan, please contact us.

 

Vaccination Information

All Government vaccination mandates have ended and as such our COVID-19 policy has been revoked. This means that all ākonga (vaccinated or not vaccinated) are able to return to our campus for workshops.

 Some employers/agencies for health and safety reasons may still require ākonga (learners) on practicums to be vaccinated. Therefore, your placement opportunities may be restricted if you choose not to be vaccinated. Programme kaimahi (staff) will advise you of policies placement agencies have around vaccination requirements on a case-by-case basis.

  

When you study this programme, you’ll learn about people through their life span, societies and helping traditions from both western and indigenous perspectives. 

It is designed for people who want to study full-time or part-time by distance learning. It will prepare you to become a confident, analytical and critically reflective practitioner.  You will gain the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to work in social services in Aotearoa New Zealand.

 

 

Meet Ali Symmons and Papa Leota, students of our Bachelor of Social Work

 

Career opportunities

A social worker can be employed as a generic social worker or within a specialist area such as:

  • drug or alcohol addiction
  • child protection
  • schools, disability
  • crisis response
  • violence
  • community development.

During the programme you will be required to attend 20 days of face-to-face workshops and noho marae. Travel and accommodation will be at your own expense.

There are also two 60-day practicums and a 30-hour volunteer experience.

Both practicums and the volunteer experience may be within your area.

 

If you intend to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning or Cross Credits, you will need to download and complete an application.

 

Registration

Upon successful completion of this qualification, you will have met the academic requirements to apply for full registration. To find out more about registration requirements visit the SWRB's website.

(updated 13 June 2022)

Open Polytechnic, like all Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics in New Zealand is a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga.

Over the last eighteen months our staff have been working collaboratively with Te Pūkenga and staff from the other polytechnics who offer a social work degree, to prepare to move to one unified programme for this qualification. The unified programme will be delivered across Aotearoa New Zealand and continue to meet NZQA and the Social Workers Registration Board requirements.

The revised unified programme for the qualification is planned to be available in 2023, subject to approval and accreditation.

If you are already enrolled in this programme at Open Polytechnic, we want to assure you that you will not be disadvantaged with the programme changes that are being made in the transition to a unified programme. We will ensure that your learning continues without disruption so you can complete your degree and meet professional body and industry requirements.

We will make contact with you once the new unified programme has been approved and we are able to provide you with information on a study plan so that you can complete your social work degree.

  •  
    Level
    7
  •  
    Credits
    480
  •  
    Cost
    $21,268 NZ Domestic

    Not including any course materials or external exam fees.

  •  
    Student loan