Bachelor of Applied Social Work

4 Years

Our degree programme is aimed at preparing you for the workplace and has a focus on how to practice in a culturally safe manner, being critically reflective and maintaining self-care strategies including ongoing professional supervision.

About this programme

Professionally-trained social workers are always in demand throughout Northland and New Zealand. Our applied degree programme is aimed at preparing you for the workplace. You’ll focus on how to practice in a culturally safe manner, developing the skills to be critically reflective and maintaining self-care strategies, including ongoing professional supervision. You’ll learn the theory, then practice your skills by carrying out fieldwork in a variety of settings.

This degree responds to the specific and current demands of social services within Tai Tokerau as well as meeting national requirements. It will ensure that you’ll be able to respond to constant change once you’re part of the workforce.

A commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and a global focus ensures our graduates are skilled and knowledgeable about a range of global issues which impact on Aotearoa New Zealand. Students will become equipped to effectively communicate and work within cross cultural and intercultural situations.

You’ll gain the knowledge and skills required in a competent social worker within the context of ethical practice and accountability. On completion you will receive the Bachelor of Applied Social Work – an approved qualification on the Social Worker Registration Board’s schedule for applying to become a registered social worker.

What you will learn

Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Social Work will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the ability to work in a bi-cultural context and acknowledge the centrality of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to social work as a profession and in practice
  • Apply anti-oppressive social work values, knowledge and skills to complex situations to stimulate personal and social change in a range of work and social contexts
  • Have the ability to work with individuals, families or whānau, communities and groups from diverse ethnic, cultural and indigenous backgrounds
  • Demonstrate resilience and the ability to manage interpersonal conflict and challenges that arise in the context of social work practice
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the origins, purpose and development of Aotearoa New Zealand social work within a global context
  • Demonstrate professional literacy and numeracy, critically evaluate scholarship, critique and apply diverse knowledge and research to social work practice
  • Demonstrate an ability to think critically, and effectively analyse, synthesise and apply information
  • Demonstrate the ability to work autonomously and make independent judgment from a well-informed social work position
  • Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others in multi-disciplinary teams, organisations and communities
  • Demonstrate a critical reflective approach to individual social work practice through supervision, peer review and self-evaluation
  • Demonstrate an ability to recognise own learning needs and participates in continuing professional development
  • Demonstrate an ability to effectively utilise ongoing professional supervision and a commitment to continuing professional development
  • Demonstrate understanding of, and ability to, integrate sustainability and contemporary social, political, psychological, economic, legal, environmental, cultural and indigenous issues within Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally into both social work as a profession and practice
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the level of skills, knowledge, information, attributes and abilities of a new social work graduate

Fieldwork Education

During the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of the degree students will be required to complete a minimum of 120 days in at least two different field placements.

Assessment

A pass grade for each course is necessary for continuation in the programme. Assessment is carried out by lecturers in a range of activities including written exams, assignments, case studies, group projects, simulated and actual clinical practice, oral presentations and portfolios.

Part-Time Available

Students are able to study part-time and must complete the programme within 10 years of the initial enrolment.

Entry Requirements

All applicants must:

  • be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
  • be able to understand follow, and respond to instructions given in English.
  • be physically able to complete the programme specific outcomes

All applicants must:

  • be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
  • be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level.
  • be physically able to complete the programme-specific outcomes.

All applicants must:

  • be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
  • be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level.
  • be physically able to complete the programme-specific outcomes.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language must have an IELTS score of 5 with no band score lower than 5; or an accepted international equivalence.

All applicants must:

  • be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
  • be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level.
  • be physically able to complete the programme-specific outcomes.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language must have an IELTS score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5; or an accepted international equivalence.

Educational Criteria​

Completed NCEA level 3 with University Entrance including at least:

  • 14 credits in an English language rich subject, e.g. English, history, art history, classics, geography, economics

Alternative Educational Criteria

  • Minimum of 'B' passes in a relevant Level 4 Bridging Programme

    Or
  • Evidence of recent successful study in other relevant courses at tertiary level

    Or
  • Documented verifiable evidence of relevant work life experience (usually the equivalent of two year's full time) that indicates the ability to meet the requirements of this degree. Such evidence would normally include details of roles/responsibilities undertaken, interpersonal skills, other achievements and referee statements. Admission under this provision requires an interview with and approval from the Programme Leader.

English Language Requirements

If English or Maori is not the applicant's first language, or if the applicant did not undertake their secondary schooling in English, candidates will need to have passed an English language proficiency test with an Academic IELTS score of at least 6.5 in all bands.

Additional Entry Requirements for all Bachelor of Applied Social Work applicants

To be eligible for admission to the programme an applicant must have successfully completed the application form and met the additional admission criteria. These criteria are designed to ensure you can successfully undertake placement and meet the requirements of the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB).

The SWRB require that NorthTec has a robust selection process for admission to the degree. As part of this process we will conduct referee checks. The purpose of obtaining a third party referee is to validate information obtained about you.  As the programme consists of personal development, professional development and academic study and work place experience, successful applicants need to have attributes which will ensure success in all the above. It is important, therefore, that we have information that will enable us to make sound selection choices.  This questionnaire has two functions to assess the suitability of the applicant for entry and to briefly identify the knowledge, skills and attributes the applicant will bring to the programme. Please have a referee complete the online form above.

Alternatively the statement which schools provide for school leavers is an acceptable alternative to this reference form.

The information and opinion provided in this report constitute “personal information” in terms of the Privacy Act 1993. The person about whom this information and opinion are provided (the applicant) is entitled to have access to this report under IPP6 and to seek correction of this report under IPP7. Information or opinion provided in this report may be disclosed under IPP11 to the applicant and members of the Selection Committee.Applicants must hold a full and unrestricted NZ drivers licence (Disability exemption available). This is a requirement for all Fieldwork placements.

Disclosures will be considered on a case by case basis and will not necessarily exclude students from selection. However, this information will be disclosed to potential placement agencies as part of placement negotiations and may prevent Northland Polytechnic being able to provide fieldwork placement opportunities in such situations.

Workforce Restrictions for Children's Workforce

The Children's Act 2014 was part of a series of comprehensive measures brought in to protect and improve the wellbeing of vulnerable children. If you have a criminal conviction, and you are studying (or considering studying) towards a qualification that will lead to a job in the state funded sector working directly with children, you need to check whether your conviction could prevent you from working in some roles in your chosen field.

Intakes & Applications

Dates & Bookings

To apply for this programme, you need to follow these FIVE steps:

Step 1: Complete the online application form

To begin, click the Apply Now button for the intake you wish to apply.

This programme is not open to international students.

Youth Guarantee Fund*

If you are aged 16 to 24, you could study for FREE as part of the government's Youth Guarantee fund. To qualify for the Youth Guarantee fund, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Complete an application for a course that is covered by the Youth Guarantee fund.
  • Be a NZ citizen or permanent resident.
  • Be 16 to 24 years old at the time the course starts. Learners who are 15 years old and hold Ministry approved early leaving exemption from their school may also be eligible. This exemption must be in place before the course starts.

Priority places will be given to students who:

  • have not yet achieved NCEA Level 1 or NCEA Level 2; or
  • have completed a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification through a Youth Guarantee provision programme.

All free study is subject to funding confirmation. Proof of residency status is required. Programme entry criteria may apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact Studylink for more information.

Bachelor of Applied Social Work
Whangārei
Bachelor of Applied Social Work
Bachelor of Applied Social Work
Apprentice Restaurant, 51 Raumanga Valley Road, Whangārei
Dates:
,
July 29, 2024
June 27, 2025
Dates:
Available to start at regular intervals throughout the year.
Delivery:
Full Time (Part Time Available)
Price:
Fees:
$6,741
(2024)
$6,592 (Year 1)
(2023)
| Fees Free with Youth Guarantee*
International
International Fees:
$25,000 (per academic year)
(2024)
International
International Fees:
$25,000 (per academic year)
(2023)
Class full
Proudly delivered in partnership with
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Step 2: Complete the Additional Information Form

Complete the Social Services Additional Information form.

Step 3: Provide a Professional/Educational Referee

Have a referee complete the Online Social Services Referee Check (professional/educational).

Step 4: Provide a Referee (Children's Act)

Have a referee complete the Online Social Services Referee Check (Children’s Act 2014).

Step 5: Complete Police Vetting

Download the Police Vetting Service Request and Consent Form. Email the completed form to enrolments@northtec.ac.nz.

Please note: When you complete and submit all forms you are NOT FULLY ENROLLED until:

  • You have received formal written notification that your application has been successful; 
  • You have returned the 'offer of place' acceptance document to confirm your place on your programme of study. You will receive this 'offer of place' with your formal notification.

If you have any questions about applying to this programme, our friendly Enrolments team make enrolling at NorthTec easy. If you need help organising your enrolment contact us.

All fees are in New Zealand Dollars and are approximate only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Unless otherwise stated, the fees shown are for domestic students only. For programmes longer than one academic year in duration, the fees quoted are for the first year. Final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study.

Courses and programmes may be cancelled, postponed or have their content or configuration changed from time to time (including during the academic year) at the discretion of NorthTec. See our full Terms and conditions.

Additional Information

Credit Recognition

At NorthTec the skills, knowledge and understanding you have gained through your experience or previous study can be credited towards your chosen qualification. Instead of enrolling you will be able to have your prior learning assessed for credit using our established credit transfer, cross-crediting and recognition of prior learning (RPL) procedures. For more information please contact the Social Services Department.

Career pathways and opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Social Work will be able to work both independently and collectively demonstrating competence in interpersonal and intrapersonal communication and practice skills, that can lead to a range of careers including:

  • Social Workers
  • Community support workers
  • Whānau ora workers
  • Community advocates
  • Health workers
  • Drug and Alcohol social workers
  • Mental Health social workers and advocates
  • Housing support workers
  • Maori communities Kaiawhinas
  • Community Advisors
  • Family support workers

NorthTec is committed to assuring that our students can articulate into related graduate and post graduate programmes offered by other tertiary institutions in New Zealand. Graduates of this programme may be prepared to undertake postgraduate study offered by a number of tertiary education providers for example:

  • Master of Social Work - Massey University, Auckland University
  • Master of Applied Practice (Social Practice) - Unitec

About Te Pūkenga

Following the Government’s announcement of its intention to disestablish Te Pūkenga | New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, please be assured that your programme of study or training will continue as planned while we work through the details of how this change will be implemented.

We are committed to ensuring that organisational changes that need to be made to meet the Government’s expectations do not impact the delivery of our programmes and training for our learners and employers.

If you need access to learner support services or have any concerns, please contact us.

Key Information for students - Qualification Information from the NZ Government.
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