Master of Applied Social Work

About this programme

Develop your passion for helping others. Massey’s Master of Applied Social Work will prepare you for practice and registration as a social worker in Aotearoa New Zealand and other English-speaking countries, subject to their registration regulations.

Entry requirements

• All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University. Massey University entry requirements The Master of Applied Social Work is a selected entry qualification. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet. To enter the Master of Applied Social Work you will: have been awarded or qualified for an undergraduate degree, either in the social sciences (such as social and cultural studies, psychology, human development) or an alternative degree with substantial relevant experience in a social or community setting be selected into the qualification on the basis of a process which includes: providing a personal statement explaining why you wish to enter the social work qualification and profession providing 2 character referees – these must not be family or friends providing a curriculum vitae that includes your academic and work history over the last 10 years (including things like parental or caregiving leaves) if you are transferring into the MASW from another social work qualification, you will be required to provide a referee from that social work qualification as an additional referee undertaking an interview.
• You will provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University. Once you are successful at gaining a place in the Master of Applied Social Work qualification, you will also need to complete further tasks. These are to meet the requirements set down by the Social Workers Registration Act 2003 for registration as a social worker in Aotearoa New Zealand (to ensure you are a “fit and proper person to practise social work”).
• You will need to: complete the vetting service request and consent form for an Aotearoa New Zealand Police check. Please note that the Criminal Records 'Clean Slate' Act 2004 does not apply to all qualifications. provide a current police certificate from any overseas countries you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. If English, Māori or Aotearoa New Zealand sign language is not your first language, you will need to provide official evidence of your English language competency in the form of: an IELTS test with an overall academic score of at least 6.5, with no band score less than 6.5, taken within the preceding 2 years, or a TOEFL internet-based test (IBT) score of 85 or higher with a writing score of 22, or at least 2 years of successful study in a Aotearoa New Zealand secondary school, with at least 10 Level 2 NCEA credits in literacy (5 reading and 5 writing), or equivalent. A bachelor’s degree from a Aotearoa New Zealand university will meet English language competency requirements. Application closing date Applications for this qualification close on 31 January of the year of study (Semester 1).