Courses, Subjects and Qualifications

Courses, Subjects and Qualifications

Courses


Year 2013

Subjects

Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Work BSW

Introduction

The Bachelor of Social Work is a professional four-year degree with a strong practical focus. As a graduate, you can work in both the public and private sectors, in planning, administration and research, and providing services for young people, families, the aged, people who have committed offences and people with disabilities.

Features of the BSW at UC

  • Four-year professional degree
  • May be awarded with honours
  • Internationally recognised qualification
  • New Zealand's longest-established Social Work programme
  • Graduates in high demand
  • People-orientated degree
  • Strong practical component

Recommended preparation

Entry to the first year of the BSW is open to all students with entry to the University. While there are no particular school subjects required for the study of Social Work, a background in subjects which require communication skills such as English, history, geography or te reo Māori are useful. Statistics is useful for higher degrees in Social Work. Volunteer work in the community is also good preparation.

Degree structure

The BSW requires a total of 480 points made up as follows:

  • Compulsory Social Work courses: 405 points, which must include one course from 100-level Māori and Indigenous Studies (MAOR) or 100-level Te Reo Māori (TREO) courses, and all required Social Work (SOWK) courses,
  • The remaining 75 points from Human Services, Psychology and Sociology courses taken from elective streams 1, 2, 3 or 4 (see table).

BSW degree structure diagram

In your first year, you will take three compulsory courses in Social Work, four courses in Human Services, Psychology and Sociology according to one of four elective streams (see table).

Entry to Social Work courses at 300-level and above is competitive. Social Work courses at 100 and 200-level can be credited to a BA with a major in Human Services if you choose not to continue with a BSW.

In your fourth year, 80% of your work will be made up of fieldwork. This is great opportunity for you to put into practice the knowledge and skills you have gained. During this time students work with fieldwork teachers within social service agencies who assist them to integrate the knowledge, values and skills taught at the University with social work practice in the community. Students require a full license to undertake field work placements and must be prepared to travel out of Christchurch city.

BSW elective streams

Stream 1 Stream 2 Stream 3 Stream 4

Human Services

Sociology

Psychology

Māori and Indigenous Studies/Te Reo Māori

45 points in Psychology and/or Sociology at 100-level

30 points in Human Services at 200-level

30 points in Sociology at 100-level, including SOCI 111 and 112 (or their equivalents)

15 points in Psychology at 100-level, including either PSYC 105 or 106 (or their equivalents)

30 points in Sociology at 200-level

30 points in Psychology at 100-level, including PSYC 105 and 106 (or their equivalents)

15 points in Sociology at 100-level, including either SOCI 111 or 112 (or their equivalents)

30 points in Psychology at 200-level, including PSYC 206

30 points in Sociology at 110-level, including SOCI 111 or SOCI 112 (or their equivalents)

15 points in Psychology at 100-level, including PSYC 105 or 106 (or their equivalents)

30 points in Māori and Indigenous Studies or Te Reo Māori at 200-level

For the full degree requirements see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Social Work (University Regulations website).

Further study

Postgraduate options include:

Career opportunities

For further career information, please go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers/subjects/sowk.shtml

Contact

For more information email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone in NZ 0800 VARSITY (827 748).

For assistance with planning your programme of study contact a College of Arts Student Advisor (advancing students) or Liaison Office (new students) or visit the Liaison Office's course planning page (new students).