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Social Work and Human Services

Help individuals deal with difficult life situations and make a real difference in your community.

Social workers make a difference in people’s lives by providing advocacy, education and support to individuals, families, groups and communities.

At Ara you’ll be taught by a dedicated team of qualified professionals with extensive experience across a broad range of social work environments.

We cover a broad range of social work and human services subjects.

Social work and human services support are some of the most important vocations in the health and social services sector, and at Ara Institute of Canterbury, we believe it is vital to support our community with effective and relevant social services programmes.

Employers in the public and private sector respect our qualifications, knowing you have had both professional training on campus and real experience in the workplace. Graduates from these programmes succeed across a range of industry and community-based organisations. An Ara Institute of Canterbury qualification gives employers a clear signal that you have the skills and practical experience to contribute to the workplace from day one.

Workforce restrictions apply for those employed in sectors working with children. See the full workforce restrictions.

If you think you may require modifications in order to undertake the practical components of a particular course of study, we encourage you to discuss these with us so we can give them careful consideration.

As it may take time to consider and implement any modifications, please contact disability@ara.ac.nz as early as possible prior to the course starting. We’ll also need to check that there’s no risk of harm to you or anyone else before making a final decision.

Throughout this process we’ll communicate with you in a clear and timely manner.

Related programmes & courses

Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Supervision

Gain the expertise needed to supervise others effectively in professional contexts.

PART-TIME - 19 Weeks
Starts: July
Madras Street
Social Work and Human Services Nursing Midwifery and Medical Imaging

Bachelor of Social Work

Gain the skills needed to help and support people facing challenging situations and events.

FULL-TIME - 4 Years (Part-time options available)
Social Work and Human Services

Principles of Family Violence Intervention Micro-credential

Enhance your professional capabilities with knowledge and skills in an important area of social practice.

PART-TIME - 12 Weeks
Starts: September
Madras Street
Social Work and Human Services

Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) - Community Facilitation

Gain the skills to support change, growth and wellbeing at a community level.

FULL-TIME - 1 Year
Starts: July
MULTIPLE
Social Work and Human Services

Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) - Mental Health and Addiction Support

Help individuals in mental health and addiction settings to recover and build resilience.

FULL-TIME - 1 Year
Starts: July
MULTIPLE
Social Work and Human Services

Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) - Social Services

Help individuals and families to reduce vulnerability and build resilience.

FULL-TIME - 1 Year
Starts: July
MULTIPLE
Social Work and Human Services

Study and Career Preparation - Social Work Pathway, Level 4

Gain the academic skills required for higher-level study in social work.

FULL-TIME - 19 Weeks (Part-time options available)
Starts: July
Madras Street
Social Work and Human Services

Study and Career Preparation - Support Work and Social Work Pathway, Level 3

Gain the academic skills and entry required for higher level study in support work and then social work

FULL-TIME - 19 Weeks
Social Work and Human Services

Social Work and Human Services Information Session

Learn about careers focused on helping others

Starts: May
Madras Street
Social Work and Human Services