Human troubles are endemic in today’s societies. Many people in our world struggle with social and personal problems caused by complex, interacting systems and forces. A social work education prepares you to respond to these problems thoughtfully, creatively and practically. You will be asked to look beyond the individual to the systems impacting upon them.
If you are concerned with issues of justice and desire pragmatic, hands-on responses to help individuals and communities, then social work is for you. A social work education will prepare you for learning and engagement in diverse fields beyond the world of academia.
Why study Social Work?
People who are interested in helping others and their community will be drawn to studying social work. The purpose of social work is to enable people to develop their potential, promote their human rights and pursue social justice. Professional social work focuses on problem- solving and change. Social workers are change agents in the lives of individuals, families and communities, as people's problems are often related to factors in all these domains.
Social work ranges from direct work with individuals and working with organisations to become more responsive to people's needs, right through to the development of social policy and legislation. The various roles include counselling, clinical social work, family therapy, helping people obtain services and resources, agency administration, community work, social policy, and political organising.
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
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Programme details
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Papers
The programme shall consist of approved papers from the schedule of papers available for the degree of Master of Social Work to the value of 120 points.
With prior approval, one paper at 400-level or above in a related subject offered by the University or another tertiary institution up to the value of 30 points may be included in the programme.
Plus one of the following papers: SOWK 504 Care and Protection SOWK 505 Lifespan Issues – Advanced Practice with Older Adults SOWK 508 Pasifika and Social Services SOWK 509 Decision-making in Child Welfare SOWK 510 Advanced Social Service Counselling SOWK 511 Advanced Family Practice SOWK 515 Iwi Social Services I – Contextual Issues SOWK 517 Social Policy Development SOWK 521 Advanced Studies Special Topic
1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 21 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (25 July 2025 - 3 July 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026)
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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