Program Overview

Introduction to Social Work

The Social Work program at the University of Canterbury is designed to help people overcome personal and institutional barriers to wellbeing and achieve their full potential. Social workers play a crucial role in working with individuals, families, groups, and organizations in a wide range of contexts.

What Will My Study Involve?

Studying Social Work involves learning about a variety of topics, including:

• Mental health
• Child welfare
• Criminal justice
• Ageing
• Violence and abuse
• Gender and sexuality Students will participate in small, interactive classes, allowing for close work with staff and other students. Practical learning is a key component of the degree, with 75% of the final year spent in fieldwork placements within social service agencies around Aotearoa.

Courses

The University of Canterbury offers a Bachelor of Social Work with Honours, which focuses on human services, policies, and social development and behaviors. The third and fourth years of the degree include advanced courses in social work theory and method, research methodologies, mental health, law, and Indigenous social work.

Bachelor of Social Work with Honours

This degree is recognized by the Kahui Whakamana Tauwhiro | New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) and internationally, allowing graduates to work overseas. The program includes:

• A skills course to develop interpersonal helping skills
• A research project
• Two fieldwork placements in social service agencies
• Supervision by field educators to integrate knowledge, values, and skills with social work practice

Limited Entry to Each Year of the Degree

Entry to the second, third, and fourth years of the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours is limited to those who have successfully completed the compulsory 100-level courses and have been accepted into the program following an application process each year.

Career Opportunities

The combination of theory and practice in the Social Work program sets graduates up with the values, knowledge, and skills needed to work in the social work profession. Career pathways may include:

• Social work
• Policy analyst
• Community development
• Youth work

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work with Honours

Related Subjects

Related areas of study include:

• Criminal Justice: Examine the criminal justice process and the treatment of offenders and victims.