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

Vaccination Information

This programme of study has practical components. Some agencies may require you to have a COVID-19 vaccination.

Programme Information

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.

Open Polytechnic has a lot of support available if you need it, and this helps aid in success for learners, I feel confident that I have been set up with the right foundations to help prepare me to enter the social work profession.

Roka-Reni Osborne, Bachelor of Social Work graduate

 

Career opportunities

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

  • child protection
  • schools, disability
  • crisis response
  • violence
  • community development
  • health and mental health
  • housing
  • working with older people

Practical experience

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.

 

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

 

Recognition of prior learning

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 complete of this qualification you will be able to become provisionally registered. After 18 months of full time work you will then become fully registered. To find out more about registration requirements visit the SWRB's website.

 

Maximum Programme Completion Time

To be awarded the qualification, the programme must be completed in no more than 8 years of first enrolment, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

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

    Not including any course materials or external exam fees.

  •  
    Student loan