This page should answer any questions you have about both the Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing (Disability) and the Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing (Mental Health and Addiction)
If you cannot find what you are looking for here, please don't hesitate to contact us
Take me back to the Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing (Disability) qualification page
All workshops are compulsory. In exceptional circumstances such as serious illness an exemption may be considered but you will need to provide documented evidence e.g. Doctors Certificate.
You will do one at Level 6 (100 hours) and one at Level 7 (200 hours). You must successfully complete all study at Level 6 before you can move to study at Level 7.
No.
The process will be managed by the Open Polytechnic. You will be encouraged to investigate potential placements and will have some influence in the choice of agency for your placement. Final decisions about the type of agency where you complete your practicum are made on a case-by-case basis by the Open Polytechnic Course Leader, in consultation with you and the agency concerned.
Yes.
Travel and accommodation cost for workshops is the responsibility of students and not included in the course fee. Travel costs for the noho marae is the responsibility of students.
Yes, this is a mandatory part of the qualification.
The qualification is delivered using a mix of online learning and applied teaching. This includes access to courses online with academic support from lecturers and face-to-face skills workshops with your lecturers and other students. There is one noho marae experience at Level 5.
Yes.
The Open Polytechnic engaged in a significant amount of stakeholder consultation and engagement during the development of this degree. We are working in partnership with the sector to ensure that this qualification meets the needs of the sector. An established stakeholder advisory group has a wide range of representation from across the mental health, addictions and disability sectors and helps us to continue to develop a programme of study that will meet the rapidly changing needs of this workforce.
The qualification must be completed in no more than eight (8) years of the first enrolment, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Subject to approval, students may cross credit a maximum of 120 credits at Level 5 and a maximum of 100 credits at Level 6.
If you intend to apply for cross credits or recognition of prior learning, you will need to download and complete the relevant forms on the website.
Click the link below for information on cross crediting
openpolytechnic.ac.nz/how-to-apply/recognising-previous-study-and-experience/
Once we have received the completed online application and the supporting documentation we will confirm that you have been shortlisted for an interview within 5 working days.
Once your application has been approved you will need to complete the enrolment process and pay your fees before your enrolment can be completed.
The admission process includes completing an online application for enrolment, a police vet, providing two professional references, and an interview.
Your acceptance into the degree is subject to final approval by the Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing Programme Leader.
The Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing does not have an associated professional body that regulates the workforce. Social health and wellbeing is a new field that prioritises relationships, people and what is meaningful for them to live well, and working in multi-disciplinary ways.
In comparison the Bachelor of Social Work is recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) and is designed to meet their core competence standards. Upon successful completion of the qualification, learners will have met the academic requirements to apply for full registration with the Social Workers Registration Board.
You might be a support worker, care manager, community development worker, youth worker. You may work in other sectors such as education and housing.
Whatever the role this degree equips graduates to deliver people-centred models of care that facilitate access to services that people need in order to live the lives they want to lead.
This qualification is for people who are currently working in or are interested in beginning a career in the area of social health and wellbeing.
You will learn about how to work in people-centred ways, as part of inter-disciplinary teams while majoring in mental health, addictions or disability.
The degree will give you the knowledge and skills to work confidently and collaboratively with individuals, families, whānau and communities and support people to live well.