Bachelor's Programme in Social Work

Study programme code BACSOFAG

ECTS credits 180

Admission requirements Completion of a general upper-secondary education. Upon admission students must provide a (police) certificate of good conduct.

General description and profile of the programme

The programme is in line with the National Framework for Social Work Education. The purpose of this programme is to produce reflective professionals who put the human in the centre. The education integrates various fields, qualifying the student to plan and organise measures in cooperation with users and other service providers within social work. Through the education an individual's problem is seen in connection with both personal and societal factors.

The education emphasises the convergence of the practical implementation of social work with field and practice studies. This includes an eighteen week practice period in the 5th semester.

Please refer to the course plan, detailed course plans are made available to students through "Classfronter" at the start of term.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (formal, non-formal and informal) Arrangements for the recognition of prior learning are described in the information on the institution under "General arrangements for the recognition of prior learning (formal, informal and non-formal)".

Examination regulations and grading For a description of the examination regulations, see the Examination Regulations of the University of Agder.

For information about the Norwegian grading system, see ECTS credits and grades. Specific information on grading for each course is found in the individual course descriptions.

Graduation requirements The Examination Regulations of the University of Agder regulate the graduation requirements for each programme of study.

Learning outcomes

The bachelor programme in social work is a general education in social work. It aims at educating user-oriented professionals who are qualified to prevent, solve and reduce social problems.

The education seeks to promote the students' ability to critically reflect upon the field, ethics, professional role and society. A social worker should have competence with various social work methods, with special emphasis on working methods where the users are active participants.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods vary between lectures, seminars, proficiency training, field work and practice studies. Students may receive individually and group tutoring. Proficiency training and fieldwork are an integral part of some of the courses. While there is no compulsory attendance to most lectures, there are certain parts of the courses that are mandatory, for example proficiency training and fieldwork instruction. During the third academic year there is a semester-long work placement. The language of instruction is mostly Norwegian, but there may be some courses that are taught in English.

Assessment methods There is an examination for each course. Assessment methods will vary between individual in-school exams and at-home exams. Group and individual assignments should be handed in according to the instructions given by the tutor. Please refer to the individual course description.

Student exchange Students have the possibility to go on exchange programmes in the third and fifth semester. There are exchange agreements available with academic institutions in Australia, Lithuania, UK, USA and Namibia. Please see the International Education Office web-pages for further information.

Requirements for continuing in the study programme Students must have completed all courses in the first and second year of study, before they will be allowed to start their third year of study.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies

The programme prepares students for careers in social services, child welfare services, hospitals, mental health care, family counselling, educational and psychological counselling services, and organisational and institutional rehabilitation counselling services.

The programme qualifies the graduate for further studies at master level, for example the university's own programme offerings, such as the master's programme in Welfare Studies.

Qualification awarded Successful completion of the programme awards the graduate with the degree Bachelor of Social Work

Other information

All students are subject to suitability assessment during the course of their studies.

Contact person Head of Department Anne Halvorsen