Master of Arts (Social Sciences, Human Services & Social Policy) - AUT University

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(incorporating the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts)

Three majors are available for general social sciences study, or for those wishing to study more closely the areas of Social Policy or Human Services.

Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (AK3740)
Students not wishing to continue with the thesis or dissertation may exit early from the Master of Arts programme after completion of 120 points.

Programme Code: AK3689
Level: 9
Points: 240
Duration: Two years full time / Five years part time
Venue: City Campus
Starting date: 3 March 2008 / 21 July 2008
Application deadline: 16 November 2007 / 27 June 2008

AUT encourages early application.
Late applications will be accepted if the programme is not full.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors degree in Social Sciences with a B average or better in papers at Level 7 or equivalent.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for whom English or Māori is not their first language are required to provide proof of an acceptable pass/grade gained in an accepted English language test. 

SOCIAL SCIENCES

This programme is designed to extend educational opportunities for graduates from social science disciplines. The range of options creates a very flexible course of study, with a strong research emphasis, focused on social research and the analysis of social policy in the broadest sense, from organisational through to international levels.

Papers
The Master of Arts in Social Sciences consists of a series of taught papers and a research component. It has been designed to fulfil a growing need for graduates who are able to apply a multidisciplinary approach with strong research skills to a wide range of policy issues (at local body, national, international and organisational levels). In the first year, students will complete a minimum of two research methods papers, a multi-disciplinary theoretical paper, reading papers and/or electives that relate to their specific area of interest. The degree concludes either with a full year thesis, or a combination of a 60-point dissertation and a 60-point site-specific research project, which is completed while being stationed within an outside organisation.

Career Opportunities
Graduates will be especially well placed for positions in social research, policy and market research. Successful completion of the programme will enable students to apply for doctoral study, and they will be well placed for further study at postgraduate level in New Zealand and internationally.

HUMAN SERVICES

The term Human Services refers to the full range of organisations that provide support services to individuals, families and communities, including support in relation to business, education, health, housing, justice, policing and social welfare.

The Master of Arts in Human Services is designed to provide an advanced level qualification for human services personnel working in (or seeking work in) managerial and/or policy analysis positions. The Master of Arts in Human Services provides an advanced body of knowledge and research regarding human services, including social policies relevant to human services, organisational and management issues as they relate to human services, and an understanding of the theoretical and research basis of the range of skills provided by human services practitioners.

Papers
The first year of the programme consists of taught papers, while the second year comprises either a 120-point thesis, or a combination of 60-point dissertation and 60-point practicum (an applied project within an approved organisation). The Master of Arts programme includes two papers or more, on research methods. Students select from additional papers on assessment and intervention, individual and cultural factors in human services management, human resource management, social policy, theory and analysis of social policy, and electives from other masters level courses. The core programme will provide background knowledge on human services (both in terms of individual and social development) and an understanding of the policy context in which human services are delivered. A strong research component will be maintained and candidates will be expected to undertake a fieldwork investigation.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Human Services will have strong academic and practice credentials to work at a management level in a wide range of human services organisations. These include the full range of organisations that provide support services to individuals, families, and communities, including services to business, education, health, housing, justice, policing and social welfare, including both social services with a primarily remedial function, and services with a preventative and/or a community development focus, as well as to those services delivered by non-government agencies.

SOCIAL POLICY

As an interdisciplinary subject, social policy is associated with programmes and policies aimed at advancing economic and social wellbeing. Health, education, justice, housing and welfare, encompass a wide range of programmes that are collectively referred to as social policy, with programme delivery involving the agencies of Government (central and local), the voluntary sector and private organisations. The applied nature of the programme prepares graduates to work in a range of social policy environments where a comprehensive and theoretically sophisticated knowledge of the field is desirable.

Papers
The first year of the programme consists of taught papers, while the second year comprises either a 120-point thesis or a combination of 60-point dissertation and 60-point site-specific research project (an applied project within an approved organisation). The Social Policy major includes two papers of research methods, papers on social policy, theory and analysis of social policy, economics, and two electives from other masters courses.

Career Opportunities

• Policy analysis
• Local government
• Community organisations
• Human services organisations
• Public services, such as Immigration, Internal affairs
• Programme development and evaluation
• Programme management

Further Study
Doctor of Philosophy