Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
UCOL launching new Social Services degree
18 October 2019
UCOL is launching its new Bachelor
of Social Services degree with an event where potential
students can meet the academic team and find out more about
the programme.
The launch event, taking place on 30 October is also an opportunity for people to enrol in the programme.
The Bachelor of Social Services is set to be offered at UCOL’s Manawatū campus from 2020, pending NZQA approval and accreditation.
Feedback from NZQA has been positive, with its panel praising UCOL for stepping into a challenging sector and developing a programme that caters to a community need.
UCOL Social Services Senior Lecturer Kim Fry says the new degree is designed to fill the skill gaps in social support and assistance that organisations and agencies are currently facing throughout UCOL’s regions.
“The idea behind the Social Services degree is that it provides skills needed for those who work alongside social workers in a supporting role.”
“There is a high demand for social service staff in New Zealand currently, which means employability is also high. A qualification like this sees graduates come out with the ability to work with factors such as mental illness and addiction in the community.”
Students will be able to study the programme full-time over three years, or part-time over six years.
In the first year of the degree, students can expect a wide range of study including placement work, policy, and sociology. Students can also choose to in Mental Health, Addiction Practice or Disability Support.
Graduates of the programme could go on to work in a variety of roles including support worker, care worker, and rehabilitation facilitator.
Fry says there has already been plenty of interest from potential students, and industry organisations are positive about the programme.
Subject to NZQA approval and accreditation, the programme is due to start in February 2020. Expressions of interest can be made at UCOL’s Bachelor of Social Services web page.
UCOL Bachelor of Social Service Launch
Wednesday 30 October, 4.30pm – 6.00pm
UCOL Manawatū Atrium
ENDS
NZ Drug Foundation: Two New Studies Show A Concerning Increase In Drug Use And Availability
Emirates Team NZ: Emirates Team New Zealand Ranked #5 In Global Sports Technology Power List
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited: Discover The Treasures Of Tāmaki Makaurau - Making Māori Tourism Accessible To All
International Writers' Workshop NZ Inc: Ōtepoti Poets Top The Kathleen Grattan Prize For A Sequence Of Poems
NZ Amateur Sport Association: 22 Amendments Proposed For 2022 Act Lodged On 22 November
Auckland University of Technology: Reading Helps Children Face A Difficult Future