(Full-time / Part-time)
Message from the Programme Director
Prof. Ngai Sek-yum, Steven
Programme Director
MSSc Programme in Social Work
The Master of Social Science in Social Work (MSSc) Programme is a professional training programme leading to a professional qualification in social work. Upon graduation, students are eligible to become a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Hong Kong.
The Programme is designed for students with a bachelor degree not majoring in social work, and is suitable for those who wish to develop a career in social work through postgraduate training. Course work of the Programme aims to provide students with solid conceptual framework and theoretical foundation for social work practice. Apart from developing social work knowledge and skills, the Programme also aims at helping students cultivate a positive identification with social work values and ethics.In addition to the academic content, all students are required to undertake a period of supervised practice in two different social service organisations during the training. We consider the high quality coursework and placement training to be the most valuable components of this professional programme.
Meanwhile, our Department endeavours to encourage cultural sensitivity among students through international experiences and cultural learning. Suitable students will be selected for international exposure in non-local field placements (such as placement at Canada, Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom, etc.). It is our mission to develop dynamic and visionary social work practitioners and leaders who can use effective clinical, community and policy methods to promote social well-beings.
Prof. Ngai Sek-yum, Steven
Programme Director
Master of Social Science in Social Work
Introduction
The Master of Social Science (MSSc) in Social Work Programme is a professional programme recognised by the Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board. Students of this Programme are eligible to become Registered Social Workers (RSW) in Hong Kong upon graduation. Students who hold a first degree in any discipline and wish to pursue a professional career in the social services field can apply to the Programme.
Programme Characteristics - Field Instruction
The MSSc Programme in Social Work includes 900 hours of field instruction in which 100 hours are pre-placement preparation training and 800 hours are supervised practice, in compliance with the requirement for students to be recognised as “Registered Social Worker” upon graduation. The major objective of field instruction is to provide students with an opportunity to apply social work theories in practice in a real agency setting. Students are also expected to learn different uses of community resources, and familiarise themselves with agency administration through the practicum.
Each student will be placed in two different service settings of different social welfare service agencies in fulfilling the requirement for supervised practice. Non-local placements can be offered, if appropriate, in order to help students develop an international perspective and wider vision.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Programme, students are expected to:
1. Possess foundational knowledge and skills in social work, social policy, and management to promote social well-being and solve personal and social problems.
2. Identify with humanistic and professional social work values and ethics in services of all people with special concern for the vulnerable groups in society.
3. Synthesize and integrate theories and practice in working with individuals, groups, families, organisations, and communities.
4. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research in delivering effective social work services and interventions to address the needs and problems of people.
Programme of Study
Study mode available
Full-time: 2 years
Part-time: 3 years
The Programme consists of 12 required courses including 2 field instruction courses (Field Instruction I and Field Instruction II), plus 2 elective courses:
Remarks:
1) SOWK6415 / SOWK6416 Field Instruction are supervised field practicum. Each practicum requires not less than 400 hours of supervised practice
2) Regarding the 100-hour pre-placement preparation requirement of the Social Workers Registration Board, students are required to attend pre-placement workshops, briefings and preparatory sessions. Some of these activities will be conducted on weekday evenings and Saturdays.
Remarks:
* Students are required to take two elective courses.
* Not all elective courses will necessarily be offered in a given year. Elective courses will be offered in accordance with resources available. Only those courses that meet the minimum enrolment quota will be offered.
Scholarships
The following scholarships are available to students of the MSSc Programme in Social Work:
1) Admission Scholarship: Master of Social Science in Social Work Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to outstanding students admitted to the full-time and part-time MSSc Programme.
2) Ma Lai-chong, Joyce Scholarship
The Scholarship is to support one/ two non-local full-time recipients of “Master of Social Science in Social Work Scholarship”, who are with financial needs, for their living expenses in Hong Kong during their study period.
3) The Big Fish Award
4) Distinguished Academic Scholarship for Master of Social Science in Social Work Students
5) Eva Wong Li Bik Chi Social Work Memorial Scholarship
6) Non-local Field Placement Award, Madam Tan Jen Chiu Fund
Continuing Education Fund (CEF) - for students admitted in 2020-21 and thereafter
This course has been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund. This course is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF Level 6).
CEF course no : 44M122813
CEF course title : Master of Social Science in Social Work
For details of eligibility and reimbursement procedures of CEF, please visit here.