Social Work
To avoid delays in completing your programme and incurring unnecessary costs, follow the enrolment guide below.
Programme list
- Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work – PGDipSW
- Master of Social Work – MSW (120 points - Thesis) Full-time and Part-time
- Master of Social Work – MSW (120 points – Research Portfolio) Full-time
- Master of Social Work – MSW (120 points – Research Portfolio) Part-time
- Master of Social Work – MSW (240 points - Thesis) Full-time
- Master of Social Work – MSW (240 points - Thesis) Part-time
- Master of Social Work – MSW (240 points – Research Portfolio) Full-time
- Master of Social Work – MSW (240 points – Research Portfolio) Part-time
For more course information, please visit Course Outlines and the course catalogue.
Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work – PGDipSW
Full-time
Year 1: New students starting in Semester One, 2025
If you are planning to enrol in a thesis or research portfolio for the Master of Social Work following the completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, you must enrol in EDUCSW 700 as this is a prerequisite for the Master of Social Work.
In Semester One, choose 60 points from the courses below:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| SOCWORK 713 | The Social Work Discourse (15 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 734 | Issues in Child Welfare and Protection (30 points) |
In Semester Two, choose 60 points from the courses below:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 | Family Counselling (15 points) |
| EDUC 787 | Māori and Indigenous Research (30 points) |
| PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 700 | Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 | Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
Part-time
Year 1: New students starting in Semester One, 2025
If you are planning to enrol in a thesis or research portfolio for the Master of Social Work following the completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, you must enrol in EDUCSW 700 as this is a prerequisite for the Master of Social Work.
In Semester One, choose 30 points from the courses below:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| SOCWORK 713 | The Social Work Discourse (15 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 734 | Issues in Child Welfare and Protection (30 points) |
In Semester Two, choose 30 points from the following courses:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 | Family Counselling (15 points) |
| EDUC 787 | Māori and Indigenous Research (30 points) |
| EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 700 | Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 | Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
Year 2
| Semester 1, 2026 (30 points) |
|---|
| A full list of course options in Semester 1, 2026 will be available from early November 2025. |
| Semester 2, 2026 (30 points) |
|---|
| A full list of course options in Semester 2, 2026 will be available from early November 2025. |
Master of Social Work – MSW (120 points - Thesis) Full-time and Part-time
Full-time
Year 1: New students starting in Semester One, 2025:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| SOCWORK 796A | Thesis (60 points) |
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| SOCWORK 796B | Thesis (60 points) |
Part-time
Year 1: New students starting part-time in Semester One, 2025:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| SOCWORK 798A | Thesis (30 points) |
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| SOCWORK 798B | Thesis (30 points) |
Year 2
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| SOCWORK 798A | Thesis (30 points) |
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| SOCWORK 798B | Thesis (30 points) |
Master of Social Work – MSW (120 points – Research Portfolio) Full-time
Full-time
Year 1 - New students starting full-time in Semester One, 2025 enrol in the following courses:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| SOCWORK 797A | Research Portfolio (45 points) |
Plus, a total of 30 points from the Semester One and Semester Two options. Semester One options:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 744 | Pastoral Care and Counselling in Schools (15 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 734 | Issues in Child Welfare and Protection (30 points) |
| SOCWORK 713 | The Social Work Discourse (15 points) |
*Course is available in both semesters.
** Please enrol in either a 30-point elective course in Semester One and 15-point elective course in Semester Two or vice versa.
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| SOCWORK 797B | Research Portfolio (45 points) |
Plus, a total of 30 points from the Semester One and Semester Two options. Semester Two options:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 | Family Counselling (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 | Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 700 | Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 700 | Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 736 | Health, Social Justice and Practice (30 points) |
Note:
If you have not previously completed a research methods course, you must enrol in EDUCSW 700.
Master of Social Work – MSW (120 points – Research Portfolio) Part-time
Part-time
Year 1: New students starting part-time in Semester One, 2025 choose 30 points from the following courses:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 744 | Pastoral Care and Counselling in Schools (15 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 734 | Issues in Child Welfare and Protection (30 points) |
| SOCWORK 713 | The Social Work Discourse (15 points) |
*Course is available in both semesters.
In Semester Two, choose 30 points from the following courses:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 | Family Counselling (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 | Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 700 | Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 736 | Health, Social Justice and Practice (30 points) |
If you have not previously completed a research methods course, you must enrol in EDUCSW 700.
Part-time
Year 1: New students starting part-time in Semester Two, 2025 choose 30 points from the courses below.
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 | Family Counselling (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 | Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 700 | Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 736 | Health, Social Justice and Practice (30 points) |
If you have not previously completed a research methods course, you must
enrol in EDUCSW 700.
A full list of course options in Semester 1, 2026 will be available from early November 2025.
Master of Social Work – MSW (240 points - Thesis) Full-time
Year 1: New students starting full-time in Semester One, 2025 choose 60 points from the courses listed below.
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 744 | Pastoral Care and Counselling in Schools (15 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 734 | Issues in Child Welfare and Protection (30 points) |
| SOCWORK 713 | The Social Work Discourse (15 points) |
*Course is available in both semesters.
In Semester Two, choose 60 points from the following courses:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 | Family Counselling (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 700 | Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 | Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 700 | Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 736 | Health, Social Justice and Practice (30 points) |
Please note that you must complete EDUCSW 700 (Research Methods course) before you can start your thesis. Further information can be found below.
Year 2
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| SOCWORK 796A | Thesis (60 points) |
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| SOCWORK 796B | Thesis (60 points) |
Master of Social Work – MSW (240 points - Thesis) Part-time
Year 1: New students starting part-time in Semester One, 2025 choose 30 points from the courses listed below.
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 744 | Pastoral Care and Counselling in Schools (15 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 734 | Issues in Child Welfare and Protection (30 points) |
| SOCWORK 713 | The Social Work Discourse (15 points) |
*Course is available in both semesters.
In Semester Two, choose 30 points from the following courses:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 | Family Counselling (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 700 | Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 | Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 700 | Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 736 | Health, Social Justice and Practice (30 points) |
Year 1: New students starting part-time in Semester 2, 2025 choose 30 points from the courses listed below.
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 | Family Counselling (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 700 | Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 | Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 700 | Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 736 | Health, Social Justice and Practice (30 points) |
A full list of course options in Semester 1, 2026 will be available from early November 2025.
Master of Social Work – MSW (240 points – Research Portfolio) Full-time
Year 1: New students starting full-time in Semester 1, 2025
Please note that you must complete EDUCSW 700 (Research Methods course) before you can start your thesis. Further information can be found below.
In Semester One, choose 60 points from the list below:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 744 | Pastoral Care and Counselling in Schools (15 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 734 | Issues in Child Welfare and Protection (30 points) |
| SOCWORK 713 | The Social Work Discourse (15 points) |
*Course is available in both semesters.
In Semester Two, choose 60 points from the following courses:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 |
Family Counselling (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 700 |
Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 |
Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 700 | Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 736 | Health, Social Justice and Practice (30 points) |
Year 1: New students starting full-time in Semester Two, 2025 choose 60 points from the following courses:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 |
Family Counselling (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 700 |
Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 |
Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 700 | Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 736 | Health, Social Justice and Practice (30 points) |
A full list of course options in Semester 1, 2026 will be available from early November 2025.
Master of Social Work – MSW (240 points – Research Portfolio) Part-time
Year 1
New students starting part-time in Semester One, 2025 choose 45 points from the courses listed below.
Please note that you must complete EDUCSW 700 (Research Methods course) before you can start your thesis.
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 744 | Pastoral Care and Counselling in Schools (15 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 734 | Issues in Child Welfare and Protection (30 points) |
| SOCWORK 713 | The Social Work Discourse (15 points) |
*Course is available in both semesters.
Choose 30 points from the following Semester Two courses:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 | Family Counselling (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 700 | Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 | Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 700 | Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 736 | Health, Social Justice and Practice (30 points) |
Year 2
| Semester 1, 2026 (45 points) |
|---|
| A full list of course options in Semester 1, 2026 will be available from early November 2025. |
| Semester 2, 2026 (30 points) |
|---|
| A full list of course options in Semester 2, 2026 will be available from early November 2025. |
Year 1
New students starting part-time in Semester 2, 2025 choose 45 points from the following courses:
| Course code | Course name (points) |
|---|---|
| *EDUCSW 700 | Research Methodologies (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 700 | The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| *PROFSUPV 701 | Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points) |
| EDPROFST 743 |
Family Counselling (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 700 |
Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points) |
| SOCCHFAM 735 | Intimate Partner Violence (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 732 | Working with Grief and Loss (15 points) |
| SOCHLTH 700 | Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points) |
| SOCHLTH 736 | Health, Social Justice and Practice (30 points) |
| Semester 1, 2026 (30 points) |
|---|
| A full list of course options in Semester 1, 2026 will be available from early November 2025. |
Year 2
| Semester 2, 2026 (45 points) |
|---|
| A full list of course options in Semester 2, 2026 will be available from early November 2025. |
More information and advice
For further assistance and advice, please email pgt@auckland.ac.nz or visit one of our Student Hubs. You can also access a range of information about the University of Auckland online at AskAuckland.