Explore your options
There are many ways to work with your community; within voluntary and cultural organisations, or national and local government, in many different roles. Study social work and you’ll learn about psychology, mental health, and risk assessment. Youth worker training will show you how to make a difference in the lives of young people. Community development draws on your awareness and knowledge of social and cultural contexts, social justice, class, and gender.
If you want to take your career further, our postgraduate qualification will develop your decision-making skills and confidence working within Aotearoa’s cultural contexts.
Whatever path you choose, you’ll be taught by passionate staff with years of experience. Many of them have active roles in the community, which means that what you learn in the classroom reflects the real challenges you’ll face in practice.
Programmes and study path
| PROGRAMME | LEVEL | DURATION | CAREER OPTIONS | START DATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing - Mental Health and Addiction Support | 4 | Full-time for one year, part-time options available for domestic students. | Mental Health Support Worker, Peer Support Worker, Addiction Support Worker, Psychiatric Assistant, Drug Treatment Support Worker | February or July |
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) - Social Work | 4 | Full-time for 16-weeks or part-time options available | This programme prepares you for study toward a career in social work and community development | February or July |
| Liaison Interpreting Contexts (Social Systems, Culture and Ethics) | 6 | 16 weeks | In conjunction with the Liaison Interpreting Theory and Practice, graduates can seek employment as interpreters with NZ government departments and agencies, Move into further high-lever study in liaison interpreting | February or July |
| Liaison Interpreting Theory and Practice | 6 | 16 weeks | In conjunction with the Liaison Interpreting Contexts (Systems, Culture and Ethics), graduates can seek employment as interpreters with NZ government departments and agencies | February or July |
| Bachelor of Social Practice | 7 | Full-time for four years or part-time options available | Social worker, Childcare and protection social worker, Social worker in schools, Health/mental health social worker, Community developer, Family/Whanau worker, Social practitioner | February or July |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice | 8 | 1 semester full-time, or 1 year part-time | Community development worker, Counsellor, Not-for-profit practitioner, Social practitioner working for a government agency, Social practitioner working for a non-government agency (NGO), Social worker (both NGO and statutory) | February or July |
| Master of Applied Practice (Social Practice) | 9 | Full-time for 18 months or part-time for two to six years | Community development worker, Counsellor, Not-for-profit practitioner, Social practitioner working for a government agency, Social practitioner working for a non-government agency (NGO), Social worker (both NGO and statutory) | February or July |
Industry connections
We have strong links to the West Auckland community and industry organisations, especially in the not-for-profit sector. We’re members of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers, the Social Workers Registration Board, and the New Zealand Association of Counsellors.
We also work closely with community organisations around Aotearoa and the Pacific. Our programme has been developed with the help of organisations like te Waipuna Puawai, Safer Homes in New Zealand Everyday, the Problem Gambling Foundation, and the New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations.
Facilities
During your counselling training you’ll have access to audio-visual systems, dictaphones, and statistical software to use for research, and during your practicum.
The Waitākere campus library has a large collection of community and social work resources, and computer labs are available during the day and in the evening.
