Career Opportunities
Career options will be available to students who may use African American Studies as a primary interest or as a base on which to build related careers. African American Studies plays a key role in the college’s efforts to provide students opportunities to build good foundations of understanding and coping in our complex world and growing multicultural society
CPIT’s programme of study in Community Studies are:
Certificate in Community Studies
Level: 4 - This programme is about supporting people and features interactive and action-oriented learning. Skills, knowledge and values relevant to working with people are modelled in class. You will develop your self awareness in order to be an effective worker in helping and support roles. You will be required to do 300 hours of work placement in community agencies. You will have the opportunity to specialise in an area of choice: Social Services, Youth Work or Disability Support.
Adult Literacy
Level: 1 - An individual programme will be developed to suit your needs so you can improve skills in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics with a group of people with similar needs. Communicating in groups and basic computer skills are also part of the programme. Students who attend full or part time for one term or more will achieve a CPIT Statement of Attendance and record of any Unit Standards achieved (these will be working towards the Level 1 National Certificate in Employment Skills).
Why should I study Community Studies at CPIT?
CPIT has a long history of providing quality training in the social services field. “CPIT has very good relationships with practitioners in Christchurch community agencies. Students will have clinical placements in a range of community organisations throughout Canterbury, providing
a wide variety of experience and knowledge.
Our classes are relatively small and our rooms are designed to create a relaxed and welcoming environment.
The Certificate in Community Studies is able to be completed in one year full time
or up to four years part time.
Download an application form and referees form for the Certificate in Community Studies.
What are my career options upon completing the Certificate in Community Studies?
Graduates of the Certificate in Community Studies will be able to work with people
in a safe, competent and inclusive manner. As a graduate, you can choose to seek
work with a number of community agencies and organisations or continue your studies
at a higher level.
What will I study?
Certificate students will gain generic knowledge for working in agencies within the community, while also having the opportunity to specialise in one of the following areas:
Social Services
Youth Work
Disability Support
As a Certificate in Community Studies student, no matter what your chosen specialisation, you’ll study these fundamental courses which provide a platform for the rest of your study:
Culture and Diversity
Skills for Working with People
Human Growth, Hauora and Self Awareness
Ethics, Law and Abuse
Preparation for Study and Placement
For more detailed information, view the list of course options for this qualification.
Where will I study?
The School of Community Studies is based in the Faculty of Health and Sciences on CPIT’s central city campus. You will undertake fieldwork placements in a range of agencies throughout Canterbury which will provide you with a wide variety of experience and knowledge. Students
at the School of Community Studies have access to an extensive range of campus
facilities including:
24 hour computer access with internet and email for current students
CPIT’s well-resourced library
Learning Services
Two cafés
A health centre offering nursing, medical and counselling services
A recreation centre
The Christchurch Polytechnic Students Association (CPSA)
Applied Social Science
BA Single Honours / BA Combined Honours
2009 ENTRY
Why study Applied Social Science at Hope?
• Applied Social Science will be attractive to those interested in any of the specialist subjects taught under the broad umbrella of applied social science, such as sociology, health, health therapies, social care and psychology.
• The degree draws upon a wide range of modules taught in the Deanery of Sciences & Social Sciences.
• The contemporary curriculum is designed to fulfil the increased demand for alternatives to conventional therapies in the local community and beyond.
• You may also study Applied Social Science as part of a Combined Honours programme in which you can combine the core modules of the curriculum with a range of other subjects. Please see the Combined Honours Subject Combinations page for details of available combinations.
• The degree enables you to keep your career options open by allowing you to choose from modules in a wide range of disciplines, or follow your interest in one subject through an increased focus in that area.
What will I study?
Level 1
For Single Honours students, Level 1 comprises two year-long 60-credit modules. The focus in these is on introducing students to a wide range of issues in the area of applied social science.
Combined Honours students will study one year-long 60-credit module. The focus is on introducing students to fundamentals of applied social science across its many parent disciplines.
Level 2
At Level 2 you will study a number of 30-credit modules to a maximum of four. These will contain some core material but will include some element of choice, allowing you to follow your interest in one subject area.
Level 3
In Level 3 there is a far greater emphasis on self-directed learning. Students choose modules from a list of options, which includes a research dissertation. This option allows you to engage in first-hand social science research and thus to practise many of the skills you have developed during your time at Hope.
How will I study?
Applied Social Science utilises a range of teaching methods and forms of learning support, which include lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, presentations and, in the final year, the possibility of semi-independent study via a supervised dissertation. You will have access to a wide variety of resources, including The Sheppard-Worlock Library, The Writing Centre, our Virtual Learning Environment and other online resources, in order to develop the key skills required to complete your studies successfully.
How will I be assessed?
We use various methods to assess your learning. These may include portfolios, formal written examinations, learning logs, essays, reports, short papers, project work, presentations and dissertation.
What do our graduates do?
This degree is designed to produce graduates who are attractive to a wide range of employers in the private, public and voluntary sectors. In addition, graduates will be well placed to commence postgraduate study either at Masters or PhD level. Some graduates may want to progress their skills through study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.