Programme description for Master's Programme in Social Work (2024–2026)

After completing the course, the candidate must have the following total learning outcomes defined in knowledge, skills and general competence:

KNOWLEDGE

The candidate must:

• have extensive knowledge of various forms of welfare and the institutions of the welfare state and how these shape the situations of users and professionals
• have in-depth knowledge of theories, methods, ethics and practical approaches in social work
• be able to apply social science theory and humanistic perspectives to new subject areas in social work
• be able to analyze issues based on academic perspectives that are relevant to social work, both historically and in various contexts in our time

SKILLS

The candidate must be able to:

• analyze and relate critically to various sources of information and be able to structure and formulate professional reasoning
• analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations within social work and work independently with practical and theoretical problem solving
• apply relevant methods for research and professional development work in an independent manner
• carry out an independent, limited research project under supervision in line with current research ethics norms

GENERAL COMPETENCE

The candidate must be able to:

• apply knowledge and skills within social work in new areas to carry out advanced tasks and projects
• reflect critically and independently on social and ethical issues, norms and relationships
• master the rules for fairness in research and professional presentations
• communicate your own work to others and accept feedback in a critical and reflective manner
• collaborate with others on professional issues, analyzes and conclusions within the subject area
• contribute to critical analysis, innovative thinking and development processes in social work in practice

The general admission requirement is a bachelor's degree or equivalent education of at least three years (180 credits).

The admission basis must include either:

Either: integrated bachelor's degree or equivalent education of at least three years' scope (180 credits), such as social work, foster care, child protection education or similar studies

or: bachelor's degree that contains a specialization unit of at least 80 credits in sociology or other social science studies where at least 20 credits in the specialization unit must be at supplementary level.

Social science method, at least 7.5 credits

A weighted average grade of C or better is required.

Otherwise, reference is made to UiA's regulations for admission to studies and courses at UiA: https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2021-11-243370?q=forskrift%20om%20opptak%20til%20studier.

The master's degree in social work provides a broad introduction to social science and humanistic ways of thinking and approaches as these are actualized in the subject. Through the course, you will learn about the interaction between people and society, about societal stability and change, and about the relationship between professionals and users in the welfare state. You will learn about the exercise of power and marginalization, and reflect on opportunities to challenge power relationships and improve clients' situations. You will gain insight into the nature and development of social work, what promotes and inhibits professional development, and how you can analyze and relate critically to practices in social work. This involves knowledge of value-based dimensions and ethics in social work. Before you start the master's thesis itself, you will have the opportunity to design a project outline for the thesis.

In the first year of study, emphasis is placed on interaction between theory and practice in social work, methodological skills and ethics. Core themes are deepening in the history of social work, as well as theory and practice in social work, with particular emphasis on understanding tensions between user and system in the welfare state. The first year of study also provides an in-depth study of ethics, and also involves creating a project outline for completion of a master's thesis. In the second year of study, through work on the master's thesis, you will independently explore a topic of your own choosing. You also have the opportunity to apply for an internship in an organization or company and gain experience from working life at the same time as you work on your master's thesis.

Through the course, you will develop your competence in analyzing complex issues and investigating, analyzing and critically assessing various forms of knowledge and knowledge development. The aim is that you develop practical and analytical competence, can apply ethically sound professional understandings and can contribute to new thinking and expanded perspectives on social work.

The study program uses international curriculum literature in relevant subjects, and global/comparative perspectives are central to several of the subjects taught. There is a particular focus on Nordic welfare policy in a comparative perspective. Parts of the teaching are given in English.

We recommend that all our students take advantage of the opportunity to go on exchange. Exchange takes place in the 3rd semester. Students who go on exchange write a master's thesis of 40 credits. There is a lot of flexibility in the choice of exchange subjects. The exchange stay is approved by the study program director and pre-approved subjects are incorporated into the student's education plan. The department has good exchange agreements with universities we collaborate with, including through Erasmus+.

Contact the International Office, study program manager or study supervisor for more information about exchange. See UiA's website about student exchange for an overview of where you can go on exchange: https://www.uia.no/student/uttvælsinghttps://www.uia.no/student/uttvælsing.

The study provides competence that is in demand in working life for tasks in the public sector, private companies and voluntary and non-profit organisations. With a master's in social work, you will be able to work within:

• Health and social services
• Public services and administration
• Planning and development work
• Communication and media
• The consulting industry
• HR and personnel work
• Voluntary and non-profit organisations

The study will be able to qualify for a further Ph.D. studies. Please note that the course does not qualify for the professional title social worker. Read more about career opportunities for social scientists at http://www.uia.no/karriereveierwww.uia.no/karriereveier