The Certificate in Applied Social Sciences (CASS) offers a supported entry into the Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences (BASS) degree for students who are either new to tertiary study or who have been away from tertiary study for some time. It allows such students to begin their studies by taking three degree courses in the semester prior to their full entry into the BASS degree and to receive additional academic support in the process. In addition to gaining the Certificate, students are able to credit their completed courses to the BASS degree, which offers majors in Counselling and Social Work. The Certificate courses also offer an entry point into the degree programmes of other providers, such as Massey University. The CASS courses are specifically selected to foster study skills and to introduce core social science concepts. Students successfully completing the Certificate are able to move more confidently on to their further degree studies. At the completion of the programme all successful students will be able to: - Demonstrate tertiary study skills
- Use critical thinking skills to analyse and evaluate information and solve problems
- Present academic writing to the standard required for degree courses
- Discuss key concepts and issues relevant to the selected core discipline paper
- Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills relevant to social services
- Enter the BASS at Level 5 with credit.
Three Level 5 social science core courses have to be taken to complete the Certificate. These comprise: - An Introduction to Study Skills and Academic Writing,
- Interpersonal Communication and
- Either Sociology of New Zealand or Social Psychology.
Students who proceed to the BASS would then complete the remaining five core Level 5 social science courses before entry into one of the major streams of the degree, Counselling or Social Work, at Level 6. Course Descriptions - Introduction to Study Skills and Academic Writing: A course to prepare students with the study, research and writing skills they will need to be successful in degree level study.
- Interpersonal Communication: A course enabling students to apply interpersonal communication theory and skills in a variety of communication situations in the social science context.
- Social Psychology: An introduction to psychology as the scientific study of behavior designed to assist students' understanding of the causes of behaviour.
- Sociology of New Zealand: This course examines the New Zealand social context and how our society is structured and functions.
There are two entry points each year:Semester One: February to June Semester Two: July to November 19 weeks full-time or equivalent part-time. Classes are scheduled between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. The student's work commitment will consist of approximately 17 hours per week.
 | | NZ Citizens/Residents | | | There are no formal entry requirements however a personal statement will be required. | | | International | | | IELTS 5.5 and, if required, English for Academic Purposes | | |
For more information see our International Section
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