Regulations for The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work - PGDipSW

Official rules and regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work. These regulations are for the 2024 intake to this qualification.

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Qualification Regulations

Part I

These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Part II

Admission

1. Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work requires that the candidate will:

(a) meet the University admission requirements as specified;

and

(b) have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Social Work with Honours or equivalent.

Qualification requirements

2. Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work shall follow a programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 120 credits at 700-level, comprising: 

(a) courses selected from the Schedule for the Qualification;

and including:

(b) attending Contact Workshops, block courses, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories as required.

3. Notwithstanding Regulation 2, and at the discretion of Academic Board, students exiting the Master of Applied Social Work may have a personal course variation approved in excess of stated limits, to meet the requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work through substitution of courses from the schedule to that degree.

4. Notwithstanding Regulation 2, and at the discretion of Academic Board, students exiting the Doctor of Social Work may have a personal course variation approved in excess of stated limits, to meet the requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work through substitution of courses from the schedule to that degree.

Specialisations

5. The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work is awarded without specialisation.

Student progression

6. The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work may be awarded with distinction.

Completion requirements

7. The timeframes for completion as outlined in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates will apply.

8. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes; candidates who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board, be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Social Work should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.

Unsatisfactory academic progress

9. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.

Schedule for the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Key terms for course planning
Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 179702 Advanced Research Methods 30 credits

An examination of research methods, traditions and techniques used in social work, social policy and health research. The course is designed to assist in developing a research proposal for a thesis, or research project.

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Course code: 179730 Whakamana Tangata 30 credits

Whakamana Tangata supports students to extend their knowledge of Mana Whenua social work theories and practice. To clarify the position of this course, the following whakatauākī has been formulated: Whakatauākī: “Te mata o te tangata, Te mata o te taringa, Te mata o te arero, Rurukutia hei whakamana tangata Tīhei mauri ora”

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Course code: 179731 Tangata Moana Social Practice, Policy and Action 30 credits

An advanced study of social work and social policy drawing from Tangata Moana perspectives. Historical and contemporary issues, policies and initiatives impacting Tangata Moana are critically analysed. Relevant theories and ethnic specific Tangata Moana approaches are examined and applied to both micro and macro practice in the social and health services.

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Course code: 179732 Social Diversity and Professional Practice 30 credits

A critical review of social diversity in international and Aotearoa New Zealand contexts with a particular emphasis on the challenges of marginalisation, social exclusion, and othering. It analyses societal efforts through social policies and legal innovations to achieve social diversity and examines the implications for professional practice.

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Course code: 179740 Social Service Supervision: Theory and Practice 30 credits

A critical examination of the key components of social service supervision theory and practice leading to the development of a framework for supervisory practice.

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Course code: 179741 Human Service Organisations and Leadership 30 credits

An advanced study of leadership, management, and supervision as it applies to human service organisations. This includes critically examining the functions of management and supervision, leadership and management theory, and organisational development and change within human services.

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Course code: 179761 Advanced Study of Social Issues and Practice Theories 30 credits

An advanced study of the impact of contemporary social issues on social work practice and a critical evaluation of the practice theories applied.

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Course code: 179763 Transforming Practice 30 credits

An advanced study and development of theoretical models, research evidence and practice skills in professional social work practice.

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Course code: 179771 Whānau and Family-centred Practice 30 credits

An advanced study of Whānau and Family-centred social work practice.

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Course code: 179778 Mental Health, Addictions and Social Work 30 credits

An advanced study of the field of Mental Health and Addiction in social work. This course considers the social determinants, cultural context, assessment, intervention strategies, ethics and Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities.

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Course code: 279703 Theorising Today’s Social Policy for the Future 30 credits

A critical examination of social policy and its current developments. Utilising conceptual tools and new theories of social policy including sustainability, decolonisation and crisis theory to analyse social policy.

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