Master of Social Welfare (MSW)
No new enrolments will be accepted for this programme. Students enrolled in 2011 or earlier should consult the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work for advice on their choice of papers.
Overview
The Master of Social Welfare (MSW) degree is an advanced specialist programme, requiring at least two years of full-time study or its equivalent in part-time study. The degree is intended for practitioners who wish to develop their professional knowledge and skills through specialized study, consistent with principles of applied professional training. It prepares graduates for senior level and specialist practice in social services, research and policy analysis.
The Master of Social Welfare (MSW) is also available through Distance Learning.
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Social Welfare (MSW)
1 Admission to the Programme
(a) Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
(b) Every applicant shall
(i) possess an approved professional social services qualification, and
(ii) have at least two years' proven competence working in the social welfare field, and
(iii) present evidence of ability for advanced level academic study.
Note: Applicants who are not graduates or who have not achieved grades averaging B or better will normally be expected to enrol for a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Welfare or Diploma for Graduates or for approved papers for Certificate of Proficiency.
2 Structure of the Programme
(a) The programme shall consist of either:
(i) at least two papers from SOWX 610-622 plus two approved papers at 400-level or higher offered by the University of Otago or another New Zealand tertiary education institution, to be equivalent to 120 points in the University of Otago, and a thesis embodying the results of one year's full-time supervised research or the equivalent in part-time supervised research, or
(ii) at least two papers from SOWX 610-622 plus four approved papers at 400-level or higher offered by the University of Otago or another New Zealand tertiary education institution, to be equivalent to 180 points in the University of Otago, and a dissertation embodying the results of six month's full-time supervised research or the equivalent in part-time supervised research.
The papers shall constitute a coherent and integrated programme of study in a defined Social Welfare discipline.
(b) Where the degree is to be awarded with an endorsed option in an area of specialisation the programme of study must conform to the requirements specified for that option.
(c) A candidate may not present a thesis that has been accepted for another degree.
(d) The programme of study, the topic for the thesis or dissertation, and the supervision of the research shall be approved by the Head of the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work.
3 Duration of the Programme
A candidate achieving the degree by papers and a thesis shall normally follow a programme of study for the equivalent of not less than two years of full-time study and not more than four years of full-time study. Exceptions shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
4 Examination of 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 4(d)(ii) and revisions 4(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.
5 Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
6 Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Note: An application for admission to the programme is required; this is separate from the enrolment process.
Schedule of Papers (not exclusive)
| Papers | Points |
|---|---|
SOWX 610 Advanced Social Services Counselling SOWX 611 Advanced Family Practice SOWX 612 Working with Children and Adolescents SOWX 613 Mental Health and Specialist Practice SOWX 614 Advanced Community Development SOWX 615 Iwi Social Services I - Contextual Issues SOWX 616 Iwi Social Services II - Development and Facilitation SOWX 617 Social Policy Development SOWX 618 Social Services Supervision SOWX 619 Social Services Management SOWX 620 Social Services Research and Evaluation SOWX 621 Advanced Studies Special Topic SOWX 622 Advanced Studies Special Topic Research ComponentsSOWX 680 Research Project SOWX 790 MSW Dissertation SOWX 7 MSW Thesis | 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 15 15
30 |
Schedule of Endorsed Options
- Clinical Supervision
- Community Development and Social Policy
- Counselling and Family Practice
- Mental Health Practice
- Supervision and Social Services Management
