New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) - Social Work

LEVEL 4 NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATE IN STUDY AND CAREER PREPARATION (LEVEL 4) - SOCIAL WORK

Total credits 60 (0.5 EFTS) Campus Mt Albert Start dates February or July Duration Full-time for 16-weeks or part-time options available Annual tuition fees $3,300 (NZD) (Approximate domestic fee only)

Career opportunities This programme prepares you for study toward a career in social work and community development.

Highlights • Tailored for Unitec’s Bachelor of Social

Practice meaning it’ll prepare you for the programme that you want to enter. • As a student in this programme, you’ll be part of our social practice student body – learning alongside other aspiring social workers. • A chance to complete a collaborative project in order to develop the skills you'll need for a career in social work. • 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. • A mix of classroom sessions, practical activities, guest speakers, discussions, presentations and online learning. • A chance to learn in Unitec's marae, a great setting to explore mātauranga Māori and the role of culture in communication.

Are you interested in preparing for further study in social work? The New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation is your start to an exciting future in a variety of different social work and community development career options.

Programme overview This programme is ideal if you want to go on to higher level study in social work and community development. You’ll learn and develop the relevant literacy, numeracy and leadership skills you’ll need to excel in your dream career – and meet the admission requirements for our Bachelor of Social Practice degree programme.

You’ll work with fundamental psychological concepts related to working with vulnerable members of society, and best-practice health and wellbeing strategies to ensure a safe working environment.

Admission requirements For this programme, you’ll need:

Academic

1. Four years’ secondary education 2. Be 16 years old by the time the programme starts 3. A total of 40 NCEA credits at Level 2 from four subjects including: • 12 credits at NCEA Level 1 or higher in English • University Entrance numeracy (or equivalent)

English

If English is not your first language, you’ll need one of the following:

Academic IELTS Level 5.5 with no band lower than 5 The New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 3 (Applied) If you don’t meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available (see pg.17).

There are additional English requirements for international students – you can find more information on our website.

Other options

If you don’t meet these requirements, you'll need one of the following:

A relevant qualification at Level 3 or above on the NZQF or an equivalent qualification The New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) (see pg. 7) Attend a Skills Review session where your literacy and numeracy levels will be assessed.

For more information download the programme regulations: unitec.ac.nz/socialwork

International Students, please visit unitec.ac.nz/international

Apply Now

MY CLASSROOM IS A WEST-AUCKLAND

SOCIAL SERVICE

Making the decision to become a qualified social worker has done more than just prepare Leastra Davis, 38, for a rewarding career – it’s helped her leave a physically and emotionally abusive relationship.

Leastra is in her fourth and final year at Unitec, studying a Bachelor of Social Practice full-time, while also working part-time at Te Atatū-based social service Tū Wahine Trust, and raising her five children solo. Tū Wahine Trust is a kaupapa Māori counselling, therapy and support service for survivors of sexual harm and violence within whānau. The Trust works with people who have been referred by the New Zealand Police to set-up a support programme. Leastra is one of the first people whānau speak with once they’ve been referred.

Work placements at organisations like Tū Wahine have been an integral part of Leastra’s studies and have helped her become a more confident social worker.

“There are skills you learn from a work placement you just can’t get from sitting inside a classroom. For example, learning to build trust and practice compassion with the people you’re supporting can only be learned through experience.” Leastra says that, for her, social work is about taking proactive action, and connecting people with the services and resources they’re entitled to, to improve their lives. “One of the projects I’ve worked on is creating resources our Tū Wahine counsellors can give to our whānau when they need additional support.”

Leastra says a lot of people take up social work because they’ve experienced some form of trauma in their lives that prompts them to want to support others in similar situations.