Master of Social and Community Work (MSCW)
No new enrolments will be accepted for this programme.
Overview
This programme is for Community and Family Studies graduates, or those with equivalent qualifications and experience, who wish to pursue study to Master’s level by papers and thesis, or additional specialist papers, and a dissertation.
The Master of Social and Community Work (MSCW) is also available through Distance Learning.
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Social and Community Work (MSCW)
1 Admission to the Programme
(a) Admission to the programme shall be determined by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) on the advice of the Social and Community Work Admissions Committee. Candidates will be selected on the basis of their academic record, personal suitability and experience in the social services (note 1). The Social and Community Work Admissions Committee must be satisfied that applicants meet the requirements of the Social Work Registration Act 2003.
(b) Every applicant must
(i) be a graduate in Human Services or Community and Family Studies and have met the professional knowledge requirements (note 2), or
(ii) have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Social and Community Work, or have been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Social and Community Work, or
(iii) have equivalent qualifications and experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
2 Structure of the Programme
(a) Every programme shall consist of seven prescribed papers (SOWK 401 / SOWX 401, SOWK 402 / SOWX 402, SOWK 403 / SOWX 403, SOWK 404 / SOWX 404, SOWK 421 / SOWX 421, SOWK 491 / SOWX 491, SOWK 492 / SOWX 492) worth 162 points, as set down in the MSCW Schedule (note 5), together with either
(i) a thesis (SOWK 5) worth 108 points, or
(ii) a dissertation SOWK 590 / SOWX 590) worth 48 points and 60 points of 600-level SOWX papers.
(b) A candidate whose qualification for entry to the programme is the degree of Bachelor of Social and Community Work or the Postgraduate Diploma in Social and Community Work will be exempted from the seven prescribed papers.
(c) A candidate may be exempted from, or allowed to substitute other papers for, some or all of the seven prescribed papers on the basis of previous study.
(d) A candidate may not present a dissertation or thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree or diploma.
(e) For the thesis, the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.
3 Duration of the Programme
The duration of the programme shall normally be not less than one year of full-time study or its equivalent in part-time study. The programme must be completed within three years of admission. Exceptions shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
4 Withdrawal from the Programme
Where a candidate withdraws from the programme after completing some or all of the prescribed papers the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may recommend the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social and Community Work or the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects in Community and Family Studies, or determine the papers which shall be credited towards one of those diplomas.
5 Examination of the Thesis or Dissertation
(a) The thesis or dissertation shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.
(b) The candidate's supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Head of the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work.
(c) Each examiner shall supply a written report on the thesis or dissertation and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the thesis or dissertation as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options specified in clause (d) below.
(d) The examiners may recommend that a thesis or dissertation:
(i) be accepted without amendments;
(ii) be accepted subject to amendments being made at the discretion and to the satisfaction of the Head of the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work;
(iii) does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;
(iv) does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.
(e) Amendments 5(d)(ii) and revisions 5(d)(iii) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Head of the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work.
(f) A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis or dissertation for examination once only.
(g) If a revised and resubmitted thesis or dissertation is finally accepted, the result shall be either Pass or Fail (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with Distinction or Credit.
(h) Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Head of the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work shall report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.
6 Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
7 Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Notes:
(1) Voluntary or paid work in a social service or related organisation.
(2) Applicants must demonstrate achievement or competence in Human Growth and Behaviour (EDUC 102 or PSYC 112) and Māori Language and Culture (MAOR 102 and MAOR 110).
(3) Student numbers will be limited by the capacity of the social services to manage the fieldwork placements.
(4) An application for admission to the programme is required; this is separate from the enrolment process. Applications must be made on the prescribed form and received by the Administrator, Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work, no later than 1 November in the year proceeding desired entry.
(5) The first year of the programme will normally run from February to February to accommodate summer fieldwork placements.
Note: No new enrolments will be accepted for this programme. Students already admitted may complete their programme under the regulations in force when they commenced study, provided they do so by the end of 2014.
Schedule of Papers
| Paper | Title | Points |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 401 | Interpersonal Practice | 18 |
| SOWK 402 | Family Practice | 18 |
| SOWK 403 | Organisational Practice | 18 |
| SOWK 404 | Community Development | 18 |
| SOWK 421 | Advanced Professional Practice | 18 |
| SOWK 491 | Fieldwork 1 | 36 |
| SOWK 492 | Fieldwork 2 | 36 |
| SOWK 5 | Thesis | 108 |
| SOWK 590 | Dissertation | 48 |
