Programme overview
Are you after a career where you can help individuals, whānau, groups, and communities enhance their individual and collective wellbeing? Are you passionate about empowering people around you and creating social change? Our Bachelor of Social Practice will prepare you for employment and registration in social work and community development with basic skills in counselling.
This programme comprehensively trains students to be social practitioners who are able to apply their skills to the ever-changing demands of employers, clients, and the community. Tailor the Bachelor of Social Practice to suit your career path in either social work or community development. This will allow you to develop and practice the skills you need to be work-ready when you graduate.
You’ll develop the ability to practice social work and community development with culturally diverse groups in an appropriate and inclusive manner. You’ll also develop a sound understanding of, and ability to promote, human rights, social justice and change, as well as empowerment and liberation of different groups and communities by promoting civil and legal rights.
Highlights
- Leads to industry recognition: once you’ve completed this programme you are eligible to apply for registration with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB)
- A professional qualification which prepares you for a career in a wide range of social, community, mental health, and education services
- A critical focus on inequality and social justice, and the development of your abilities to work ethically and professionally, supporting the wellbeing of people and communities
- Emphasis on the practical application of theory: in years three and four, you will apply what you’ve learnt during work placements in social work or community development organisations
- Flexibility: elective courses enable you to plan a programme of study which builds on your interests and personal experience, or help you move towards postgraduate study
Postgraduate study
At Unitec, we value your experience and are interested in helping you develop your practice and profession. If you are a practitioner who is interested in undertaking a work-based project and/or research, our Master of Applied Practice (Social Practice) may be just what you're looking for.
Please note: This programme is designed for practitioners in work as we do not provide work placements. If you choose to study full-time, your study will likely relate to your current practice. You will have an opportunity to discuss this during the application process.
Scholarship
We have up to 3 Bachelor of Social Practice scholarships available, worth $2,000 each. Find out more information below!
Bachelor of Social Practice scholarships
Contact us
If you feel the Master of Applied Practice could suit you and/or if you have further questions about this programme, please contact:
Geoff Bridgman
gbridgman@unitec.ac.nz
(09) 815 4321 ext. 7464
Currently enrolled in our three-year Bachelor of Social Practice programme? Don't worry, you can still view your course details here.
Programme Structure
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | CSTU5163 Fields of Practice Class number(s): 1926 15 credits | CSTU6169 Concepts of Psychology Class number(s): 1933 15 credits | CSTU7913 Social Practice in Action Class number(s): 1941 15 credits | CSTU7925 Management and Organisational Change Class number(s): 1937 15 credits |
| Course 2 | CSTU5165 Whanau/Family and Social Practice Class number(s): 1927 15 credits | CSTU6231 Risk Assessment Class number(s): 1930 15 credits | CSTU7922 Social Practice Practicum 1 Class number(s): 1939 or 6023 45 credits | CSTU7986 Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Social Practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand Class number(s): 1938 15 credits |
| Course 3 | CSTU5166 Foundations of Social Practice Class number(s): 1928 15 credits | CSTU6232 Advocacy Class number(s): 1931 15 credits | Elective Level 6 or 7 15 credits | |
| Course 4 | CSTU5171 Enquiry and Communication Class number(s): 1929 15 credits | CSTU6236 Community Development Class number(s): 1932 15 credits | Elective Level 6 or 7 15 credits | |
| Course 5 | CSTU5167 Ripene Tahi Class number(s): 6012 15 credits | CSTU6233 Discourses of Social Practice Class number(s): 6015 15 credits | CSTU7914 Social Policy Class number(s): 6019 15 credits | CSTU7924 Social Practice Practicum 2 Class number(s): 1940 or 6024 45 credits |
| Course 6 | CSTU5164 Social Practice with Migrant and Refugee Background Communities Class number(s): 6011 15 credits | CSTU6234 Professional Practice Class number(s): 6016 15 credits | CSTU7242 Family Violence Studies Class number(s): 6022 15 credits | CSTU7926 Just Practice Class number(s): 6025 15 credits |
| Course 7 | CSTU5168 Talanoa Pasifika Class number(s): 6013 15 credits | CSTU6237 Child Protection Studies Class number(s): 6017 15 credits | CSTU7917 Research Methods Class number(s): 6020 15 credits | |
| Course 8 | CSTU5170 Sociology for Social Practice: Inequality and Social Change Class number(s): 6014 15 credits | CSTU6238 Disabilities and Mental Health Class number(s): 6018 15 credits | CSTU7923 Advanced Social Practice Theory Class number(s): 6021 15 credits | |
Admission requirements
What you will need to study this programme.
Domestic students
International students
Academic requirements
You must have completed at least one of the following:
- Applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies, and they should meet the country-specific admission requirement Or
- Successful completion of the Unitec Certificate in Foundation Studies: Whitinga Level 3 with a relevant pathway, where appropriate; Or
- Certificate of University Preparation (Level 4) Or
- Certificate in Foundation Studies (Level 4)
And English entry requirements;
If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:
- An equivalent of IELTS (Academic) with minimum band scores of 6.5 with no individual band lower than 6.5 from one test taken in the preceding two years,
- TOEFL score of no less than 575
- Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
- University Entrance Literacy: 8 credits at Level 2 or above in English or Māori (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing); or
If you do not meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available, depending on your current level of ability.
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Simply apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
Non-academic requirements
The following Programme Specific requirements must be met before admission;
- Consent to a Safety Check that meets the requirements of the Children Act 2014 (formerly known as the Vulnerable Children's Act), including:
- Provide two forms of verified ID and evidence of any name changes;
- Consent to a Police vetting check;
- Complete a self-declaration of medical conditions form.
- Provide a curriculum vitae and a personal statement indicating their motives for applying for admission to the degree
- Provide evidence of computer literacy through the achievement of a level 3 computer course or equivalent;
- A current full driver's license (NZ license or acceptable international equivalent, subject to exemption on the grounds of disability) before commencing CSTU7922 Social Practice Practicum 1 in Year Three
For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 544 KB)
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Fields of Practice (CSTU5163) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course provides an introduction to the identity, values and practices of social practice with a focus on the major fields of practice. It will examine major features of each field of practice including key knowledge required, approaches to practice, and issues facing practitioners in that field. |
| Social Practice with Migrant and Refugee Background Communities (CSTU5164) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course explores the history, development, and resettlement of migrant and refugee communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and the immigration policy context in which they have developed. It affords students with a learning opportunity to explore, understand, and validate the lived experiences of individuals and groups of migrant and refugee background within models of social practice suited for working with these communities. |
| Whanau/Family and Social Practice (CSTU5165) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course introduces students to the form and function of whānau and families in Aotearoa New Zealand society, as well as exploring the nature of the forces shaping family in the contemporary context, including intersecting issues of gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality, religion and disability. The student will have opportunities to apply this analysis to their own family context, and will be introduced to specific issues around children and youth. |
| Foundations of Social Practice (CSTU5166) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course introduces students to three principal approaches to social practice and to the theoretical framework of narrative practice within the context of a bicultural Aotearoa. The course will enable them to acquire a basic experiential introduction to effective relationship skills when working with individuals and groups in diverse practice environments; and develop student reflexivity around awareness of their own personal history, bias and values and how this impacts on practice. Students will have opportunities to extend and demonstrate core academic literacy skills. |
| Ripene Tahi (CSTU5167) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To introduce students to basic te reo Māori (Māori language), tikanga Māori (cultural values and protocols), and to explore the implications of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the historic and contemporary cultural and socio-economic development of Maori. |
| Talanoa Pasifika (CSTU5168) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course introduces students to Pasifika approaches to social practices by exploring the development of Pasifika communities in Aotearoa. This will enable students to negotiate a mutually beneficial relationship of partnership and collaboration with Pasifika Peoples, particularly when working with Pasifika communities. |
| Sociology for Social Practice: Inequality and Social Change (CSTU5170) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to introduce students to sociological concepts and theories, which will enable them to explore the nature and effects of international and Aotearoa/New Zealand’s, cultural, social, economic and political structures, especially their impact on injustice and inequality. |
| Enquiry and Communication (CSTU5171) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course introduces the principles of communication, knowledge construction, and academic literacy & develops scholarly skills in preparation for academic and professional practice. |
