Social Practice

The School of Social Practice is the home of Counselling and Social Work qualifications at BTI. If you feel like you are called to serve others through both heart and mind, or make a difference in the lives of those in your community, then our Social Work or Counselling programmes will be enriching and fitting for you.

Practitioners trained at BTI, who are able to integrate a Christian worldview, biblical principles, bi-cultural competence and professional standards, will be able to deliver high-quality social services to our communities.

Our programmes have a strong work integrated learning component to complement the learning undertaken in the classroom or online. Many courses are shared across the Counselling and Social Work programmes so that students participate in a diverse learning community.

Counselling and social work degree programmes at BTI are professionally recognised and NZQA accredited, and graduates from the programmes are acknowledged for their contributions within their respective communities of professional practice. 

Graduate of social work

Our educators

The team of educators in the School of Social Practice are knowledgeable, skilled and relational, and their teaching practice is informed by their experience in the field as counsellors or social workers, bringing students the benefit of a range of professional perspectives.

The wisdom and knowledge of both tangata whenua (people of the land) and tangata tiriti (people of the treaty) are woven throughout the curriculum to enrich the student learning experience.

Our educators are research active and the team is committed to the highest pedagogical and professional standards.

Richard Cook (Head of School of Social Practice – Mātauranga) and Tauha Te Kani (Head of School of Social Practice – Kaitiaki)

Counselling

BTI’s degree in counselling offers students a unique blend of courses that allow growth in heart, mind and awareness. Counsellors journey with individuals, couples, and whānau as they face their challenges, grow and make changes. 

Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work at BTI is the only faith-based social work programme in Aotearoa and students are challenged to develop a holistic approach to practice that incorporates their own sense of faith and spirituality.