Careers in Social Work
In Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, professional social workers are following rewarding careers in both statutory and community sectors across increasingly diverse social service fields of practice. They work directly or indirectly with individuals, families, groups, organisations, and communities.
The Professional Social Work Qualification Pathways (PDF 88KB) provides intending students planning a career in social work an overview of the programmes, eligibility criteria, application and assessment processes, and outcomes.
The four-year Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree programme opens the door to a range of exciting career options in statutory and community social service agencies.
The two-year Master of Social Work (Applied) (MSW(App)) offers people who have completed an undergraduate degree in relevant social sciences the opportunity to gain a professional qualification in social work.
The Graduate Diploma in Social Work is also a two-year programme that leads to a professional social work qualification. This option is for people with a degree qualification OR another appropriate tertiary qualification completed to a satisfactory standard and relevant practical experience in the social services.
The Social Work Postgraduate Programme also provides opportunities for further study that can lead to leadership roles across various branches of social work, in practice, policy, research, education, supervision and management.
Our Graduate Profiles page has examples of some of the settings where graduates of the Department have found employment.
Graduates from the Human Services and Social Work Department, University of Canterbury, have professional qualifications that are of an international standard. Social Work degree qualifications from the Department are recognised by the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB website). Social Work graduates from the Department are eligible to apply for registration as social workers in New Zealand.