Master of Community Action & Social Impact

Ako Matatupu: Teach First NZ

Subject area

Society and Culture not elsewhere classified

Qualification

Check out Fees Free to see whether you are eligible for a year of fees-free study or two years industry training. Contact your provider to confirm your study options meet the criteria.

Entry requirements

Applicants must: Be working in a community or school context that enables them to undertake a Social Impact Project with a collaborative, community focus Hold a Bachelor's degree at level 7 on the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF), or recognised equivalent Have EITHER completed a Postgraduate Diploma in education or another field related to social justice with a grade point average of at least a B, OR have at least 5 years experience serving in education or another field related to social justice with proven leadership and service In addition to meeting the entry criteria, to be admitted to the programme applicants must meet the selection criteria for this degree.

About the course

What can I expect out of this qualification?

The Master of Community Action & Social Impact (MCAS) programme is dedicated to nurturing knowledgeable, skilled, and reflective agents of change who will work tirelessly towards social justice in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. By fostering a deep understanding of their own positionality, agency, and purpose, graduates will be equipped to critically analyse social issues, engage in meaningful partnerships with communities and organisations, and develop creative, innovative and impactful solutions to address systemic injustices. The programme emphasises interdisciplinary learning, incorporating research methodologies and perspectives from Māori, Pacific, and other indigenous contexts. Through rigorous intellectual analysis and the development of advanced research skills, MCAS candidates will undertake rangahau and research, applying their findings to their own unique contexts. The capstone of the programme, the Social Impact Project, enables candidates to demonstrate their comprehensive understanding of social justice through practical application, drawing on a wide range of disciplinary perspectives. This transformative experience fosters authentic connections with communities, fostering candidates as integral agents in a larger network dedicated to creating widespread, systemic change. Ako Mātātupu is committed to nurturing students who are deeply aware of the challenges faced by Māori and Pacific Peoples, and low-income, high-deprivation communities in Aotearoa and around the world. By translating sophisticated theoretical knowledge into actionable social change, graduates of the Master of Community Action & Social Impact will champion the vision of fair and equal opportunities for every child, effectively contributing to the ongoing pursuit of social justice on a local and global scale.