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.
Career opportunities
Job opportunities arise in both policy and practice in a range of human services in education, health, welfare and justice sectors. These include government social service agencies, voluntary, and community agencies. Graduates work as health workers, social workers, teachers, probation officers, counsellors, advocates, community workers, policy advisers and analysts, and researchers.
Students are encouraged to tailor courses to their career aspirations by combining social work courses with other subjects to open up new fields of opportunity such as:
Community development
Cultural services
Correctional services and Police
Health services
Individual care and counselling
Law
Māori and Iwi development
Management
Policy advice and development
Political studies
Treaty-based services
Social Work at Otago
Otago's involvement in social work and community development began in 1978. The programme has grown from a work-based certificate into a full undergraduate degree and postgraduate, master's, and PhD qualifications. Our professional qualifications are recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board for social work registration (Social Workers Registration Act 2003).
A distinctive element of our majors is the attention to intervention skills and methods, which lead to versatile career paths, particularly when taken with other social science disciplines. The combination of different academic subjects and hands-on skills and methods provides many career opportunities.
Study pathways
Our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a four-year degree and students apply for entry at the end of year two (200-level). Otago also provides a distance-taught option of the BSW at third- and fourth-year level for students who already have a relevant BA (e.g. in Psychology, Sociology, or Education).
Your first year of study
Introductory papers outline the models and concepts of the social sciences. These are applied to the social and human services in the New Zealand context from a Treaty-based perspective, and a study of selected fields of social service practice. Students who want to go into social work must also take some Sociology papers, Māori papers and one human development paper (see website).
Continuing your studies
Second-year papers cover a range of the sociological bases of social work as well as the various fields of practice and ethical basis of social work. Finally, advanced papers focus on the theories and methods of actually achieving change across individual, family, organisational and community levels. At third- and fourth- year level, students will have the opportunity to practise their skills in supervised fieldwork settings.
We offer a taught master's that can be completed after a relevant first degree (e.g. in Psychology, Sociology, or Education). The Master in Social and Community Work (Applied) degree includes papers and fieldwork placements, enabling you to become a fully registered social worker on completion. It is taught alongside the BSW. In addition to these degree programmes, Otago offers a full range of postgraduate research courses to PhD level.
Recommended background
No specialist knowledge is required, but an interest in working with people is important. Subjects to take at school include English, Māori, and other social science subjects. To go on to the professional programmes, some experience with a social service organisation such as the Buddy Programme, Youthline, Women's Refuge, IHC, or similar is needed.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Plus one of: SOWK 405 Social Work Issues Across the Lifespan, SOWK 406 Social Problems: Policies and Practice Models, or any other 400-level SOWK paper
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Note: (1) For information on prerequisites, corequisites and restrictions, refer to the Prescriptions in the Guide to Enrolment. (2) Prospective BSW students should initially enrol for the Social Work Pre-professional (BA) programme.
Papers
A candidate admitted to an Honours programme shall complete the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Social Work except that the final year's course must comprise:
SOWK 402 Social Work for Children and Families: Advanced Practice
SOWK 403 Communities and Organisations - Advanced Practice
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)
Contact our Schools' Liaison and International teams
Want to connect with a real person and get some advice? Find your Schools' Liaison officer, chat with our International team in New Zealand or your own country, or submit a question through our online form.
