Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Applied Social Work (MAppSW) is designed for graduates who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline but do not have a bachelor’s degree in social work.
• Relevant backgrounds specifically identified by Massey include psychology, education, law, medicine, nursing, sociology, anthropology, theology and case management. Relevant social or community work experience is an advantage.
• The qualification is designed to prepare students for professional social-work practice and registration in Aotearoa New Zealand, subject to the requirements of the relevant registration authority.
• Students develop advanced knowledge of social-work theory, practice, community development, social policy, leadership, research and professional practice.
• The programme has a strong practical component, including a minimum of 120 days of supervised field education across two placements.
• Massey describes the teaching as practical, research-informed and interactive. Teaching can include field trips and Noho Marae experiences, and assessment is assignment-based rather than examination-based.
• The qualification can also support practice in other English-speaking countries, but graduates must satisfy the registration requirements of the country in which they intend to practise.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

Year 1:

• 179781 Social Work Theory and Practice — 30 credits
  • Social-work theory and the profession.
  • Application of theories, models and practice skills with individuals, wh?nau, families, groups and communities.
• 179782 Wellbeing and Sustainable Development — 30 credits
  • Community development, social policy, wellbeing and sustainable development.
  • Relevant history, theory, strategies and stakeholders.
• 179783 Manu Tute — 30 credits
  • Personal and professional identity as Mana Whenua or Mana Tiriti.
  • Social citizenship and responsibility.
  • Tangata Whenua theories and models of practice.
• 179789 Field Work Practice I — 30 credits
  • A 60-day supervised placement in a social-service setting.

Year 2:

• 179784 Advanced Study of Fields of Practice in Social Work — 30 credits
  • Advanced study of selected social-work practice areas, including current issues, theory, practice and research.
• 179792 Organisations, Leadership and Social Work — 15 credits
  • Management and organisational theory and practice.
  • Leadership, administration and professional practice in social-service agencies.
• 179891 Applied Research in Social Work — 15 credits
  • Applied research methodologies and methods used in social work and social policy.
• 179890 Field Work Practice II — 30 credits
  • A second 60-day supervised social-service placement.
• 179895 Research Report — 30 credits
  • Applied research on a topic relevant to social work, social policy and/or social services in the Aotearoa New Zealand context.

Disciplines / Specialisations

• The Master of Applied Social Work is awarded without a formal specialisation.
• Massey states that, although the overall qualification structure is set, students have scope within courses to develop a particular emphasis from fields of social or community-work practice.
• Relevant practice areas identified by Massey include hospitals and primary healthcare, iwi and kaupapa Maori services, mental health and addictions, community and voluntary organisations, government organisations, child protection, youth justice, housing, residential care, offender services, community development, refugees and migrants, schools and tertiary education.

Programme Highlights

• 240-credit Level 9 master's qualification.
• Designed specifically for graduates from related disciplines who want to enter professional social work.
• Two years full-time.
• Minimum 120 days of supervised professional field education.
• Two separate field placements of 60 days each.
• Applied research component and 30-credit research report.
• Interactive and practical teaching approach.
• Block-mode/contact-workshop teaching for many courses.
• Opportunities for field trips and Noho Marae.
• No traditional examinations are used according to Massey's current programme description; assessment is through assignments.
• Designed around professional social-work registration requirements in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The qualification is accredited by the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board, and Massey states that graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Applied Social Work can immediately apply for provisional registration as a registered social worker. Registration itself remains subject to the regulator's requirements.

Career Outcomes

Graduates may pursue social-work and related roles in areas including:

• Hospitals and primary healthcare
• Mental health and addictions
• Child protection
• Youth justice
• Housing services
• Residential care
• Iwi and kaupapa M?ori organisations
• Government organisations
• Community and voluntary organisations
• Refugee and migrant services
• Schools
• Community development
• City councils
• National and international NGOs
• Management and supervision
• Tertiary education
• Social-work and social-policy related practice and research

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current programme status: selected-entry qualification.
• Current Semester 1 application closing date: 31 January of the year of study; the published 2027 deadline is 31 January 2027.
• International applicants are advised by Massey to apply at least 6 months before their planned start date.
• Police vetting and overseas police certificates are required after selection as part of the professional requirements.
• A New Zealand-valid driver's licence is specified in the qualification regulations unless an exemption applies.
• Two character referees and an interview form part of the selected-entry process.
• A minimum of 120 days of supervised field education is mandatory.
• Students must continue to meet the registration requirements of the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board throughout the programme.
• International students intending to study on campus require the appropriate New Zealand student visa and insurance.
• Any additional IPU-specific admission, documentation or counselling requirements: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying the MAppSW on campus in New Zealand will normally require a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Massey states that new international students must have:

• An accepted Offer of Place from Massey.
• Paid tuition fees.
• Evidence of payment/Receipt of Payment for the visa application.
• Appropriate medical and travel insurance.
• The documents and evidence required by Immigration New Zealand.