爆走黑料

About the programme

Want to help people and their wh膩nau improve their quality of life?

Our industry-relevant programme will prepare you to enter the social service sector as a counsellor or to offer holistic services in the health and wellbeing sector such as mental health support.聽

You'll learn how to empower clients to overcome social and personal disadvantages, achieve their aspirations and realise their individual and community potential. And you鈥檒l develop knowledge and awareness of the cultural diversity of Aotearoa, so you鈥檙e prepared to work with clients in a culturally competent way that upholds the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.聽 聽聽

At the end of your first year, you'll choose your specialty - Counselling, or Health and Wellbeing Practice - and then complete placements during your second and third year to build your industry experience and contacts.

Graduating with a high-level of self-awareness and the communication skills to engage a diverse range of people, you鈥檒l be able to provide professional practice within the community, demonstrate social responsibility and will meet the standards needed to be eligible for membership with the Professional Association for your chosen specialty.聽聽

Want your existing skills recognised?

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in the social service or related fields, please ask us about our Recognition of Prior Learning process (RPL). You may have already gained credits towards this qualification.聽

Once you've read this info, if you have further questions or want to chat about this option, please email聽[email protected]

Work-based learning

If you have work experience and skills in this area, you may be able to complete an independent learning pathway to achieve this qualification in a shorter timeframe.聽

We currently offer a 10 month full-time / 18-20-month part-time, work-based learning option through our assessment of prior learning centre, Capable NZ.聽

This option is available for the Health and Wellbeing Practice specialty. You cannot study the Counselling specialty through this method.

Entry

Entry requirements

• NCEA Level 3 including:

  • 14 credits at聽Level 3 or above聽in each of three NZQA approved university entrance subjects,聽and
  • 10 Literacy credits at聽Level 2 or above, made up of:
    • 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing,聽and
  • 10 Numeracy credits at聽Level 1 or above, made up of:
    • specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects聽OR
    • package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627-聽all聽three required).

• You must submit references and a health declaration, declare any criminal convictions and give permission for a Police Check (to demonstrate good health and good character sufficient for safe and effective practice in social services).

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:

  • 爆走黑料 University Entrance聽OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.5 (achieved in聽one聽test completed in the last two years),聽OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (听补苍诲听).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a聽.

Selection process

Applications will be assessed when they鈥檙e received, and you will be invited to attend an interview from September onwards. Selection will be made on the basis of the applicant being able to demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success in the programme.

If the number of applicants who meet the entry criteria exceed the number of places, we鈥檒l create a waitlist based on the date order of applications.聽聽

Being ready for study

If you have had experiences of trauma or abuse, mental health challenges or life events causing emotional harm, you may experience some emotional risk during this programme.

Otago Polytechnic聽have services available to support you in this situation. We'd recommend that you ensure you're ready for studying at this time and that you have your personal support network in place before beginning this programme.

Don't meet the entry requirements?

We offer a bridging certificate to this programme which has open entry. When you complete that programme, you'll have the academic requirements you need to apply for the Bachelor of Social Services. Remember, this degree also has non-academic entry requirements so make sure you plan ahead.聽

Vaccination information

You don鈥檛 need to supply evidence of your vaccination status to apply for this programme.

However, the placement component of this programme has a higher risk of exposure to vaccine preventable diseases.聽

Evidence of immunity to vaccine preventable diseases is ascertained by your vaccination records.

Placements are an integral part of this programme, and you鈥檒l need to complete the vaccine requirements to be able to successfully achieve your qualification.

If you have concerns or questions about this requirement, please feel free to contact us.

Want your existing skills recognised?

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in the social service or related fields, please ask us about our Recognition of Prior Learning process (RPL). You may have already gained credits towards this qualification.聽

Once you've read this info, if you have further questions or want to chat about this option, please email聽[email protected]

Work-based learning

If you have work experience and skills in this area, you may be able to complete an independent learning pathway to achieve this qualification in a shorter timeframe.聽

We currently offer a 10 month full-time / 18-20 month part-time, work-based learning option through our assessment of prior learning centre, Capable NZ.聽

This option is available for the Career Practice, Health and Wellbeing Practice or Social Services specialties. You cannot study the Counselling specialty through this method.