Programme
Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) Programme
QF Level
5
QR Registration No.
15/003051/L5
Validity Period
5/10/2015 – 31/8/2025
MODE OF STUDY
Full-time (Year 1 or Year 3 entry)
Part-time Conversion mode (Year 3 entry)
PROGRAMME LENGTH
4 years (Full-time Year 1 entry)
3 years (Part-time Year 3 entry)
2 years (Full-time Year 3 entry)
FIELDWORK
Full-time:
- 2 Concurrent Placements of 400 hours each and
- 100 hours of placement preparation or related activities
Part-time:
- 1 Concurrent Placement of 400 hours and
- 50 hours of placement preparation or related activities
MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION
English unless otherwise required by specific courses
Programme Objectives
The Programme is designed to train and educate students who will pursue a professional career that serves people in need and contributes to social changes and reform. It aims to prepare students for professional practice in social work and to uphold the basic values, beliefs, principles and practices advocated by the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB).
The Programme objectives are as follows:
- Students are inspired to develop academically and spiritually, discover complementation between knowledge and faith, think critically with clarity, act professionally with integrity, and work in teams effectively with humility.
- They are nurtured to be servant leaders to exemplify the C.H.R.I.S.T. (Commitment, Humility, Resilience, Integrity, Service and Teamwork) values in various social services and NGO sector.
- They are equipped with the most updated theories, knowledge and skills to be competent professionals in their working environment.
- Through integrating the knowledge and skills gained and the servant leadership developed from this programme, graduates are committed to making significant contributions to the social welfare service organisations in Hong Kong.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)
The programme intended learning outcomes of the programme are classified into two aspects, “To do” and “To be” in line with the values and practices stipulated by the Social Workers Registration Board. The former focuses on instruction of knowledge and skills while the latter focuses on developing the character of students.
These two aspects of the PILOs are intended to equip students with the abilities and attributes to address social needs, respect individual diversities, facilitate self-realisation, advance social justice, enhance social development, empower people to make positive changes and promote social well-being. More specifically:
(To do)
Graduates will be able to:
- establish a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge of Social Work and to generate ideas through application of the knowledge and analysis of abstract information and concepts;
- apply a wide range of knowledge and specialised clinical, creative and conceptual skills to solve individual, group or community problems, and perform tasks in the social welfare organisations or service sector;
- communicate effectively through writing, presentation or discussion in English and Chinese tasks in the social welfare organisations or service environments;
- use information technology effectively for acquiring, learning, communicating and handling social welfare related issues;
- critically synthesise, analyse and evaluate data, information, issues, ideas and concepts; and
- be adequately prepared to pursue postgraduate training or chosen careers that require Social Work knowledge.
(To be)
Graduates of the programme will become:
- knowledgeable persons who integrate the “CHRIST” and professional values in the working environment;
- valuable citizens of society who have a good understanding of the world, of the communities and cultures in which they may live or work, and of current global issues of importance;
- competent professionals who take up careers in social welfare organisations or service sector with good social, communication and interpersonal skills;
- problem-solvers who have a broad base of general knowledge and solve problems with creativity and innovation;
- life-long learners who have the expertise and skills in gaining knowledge related to and beyond their profession; and
- servant leaders who apply the principles of servant leadership to contribute to the well-being of the world with Christian love.
Entrance Requirements
Year 1
- Attain Level 3 in English Language and Chinese Language, Level 2 in Mathematics, and level 2 in Liberal Studies or “Attained” in Citizenship and Social Development in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), i.e. 3322/332A, applicants’ scores in elective subjects will be considered as bonus points in the selection process; OR
- Attain Grade E in AS Use of English, AS Chinese Language and Culture and one AL subject/ two AS subjects in HKALE and 5 passes in HKCEE including English Language and Chinese Language or Chinese Literature; OR
- Hold equivalent qualifications; AND
- Pass an admission interview.
Year 3
- Completed an Associate Degree or Higher Diploma in Social Work from an institution in Hong Kong or overseas recognized by the Social Workers Registration Board of Hong Kong; AND
- Pass an admission interview.
Part-time Conversion mode
- Completed an Associate Degree, or Higher Diploma in Social Work from an institution in Hong Kong or overseas recognized by the Social Workers Registration Board of Hong Kong; AND
- At least 3 years of relevant work experience; AND
- Pass an admission interview.
Graduation Requirements
- completed and been assessed all required courses;
- obtained an overall GPA of 2.0 or above across all courses in which they were assessed;
- obtained a Grade D or better in all required courses;
- obtained a Grade C or better in all Practicum(s);
- completed 20 hours of community service (applies only to Year 1 entry);
- completed 20 hours of In-house service (applies only to Year 1 entry); and
- fulfilled an attendance requirement of not less than 80% in all courses and College Assembly (applies only to Year 1 entry).
Professional Recognition
Graduates are eligible for registration with the Social Workers Registration Board as Registered Social Workers (RSWs).
Career Prospect
The Programme is designed to meet the demands of NGOs and public organisations in the social welfare sector. Graduates are qualified for taking up the front line posts as a professional social worker at the equivalent rank of Assistant Social Work Officer (ASWO) in the Social Welfare Department or social welfare organizations.
Apart from working as social workers, graduates are also prepared for taking up posts in other fields such as:
a) (Assistant) Programme / Project / Education Officer;
b) (Assistant) Training / Development / Employment Officer;
c) (Assistant) Fund-raising Officer, Public Liaison Officer;
d) Community Organiser / District Liaison Officer / Assistant to District Council Members or Legislative Councillors;
e) Teaching Assistant / Instructor; and
f) Administrative Officer / Administrative Assistant.
Further Study Opportunities
Graduates can pursue further studies in postgraduate programmes such as Master of Social Science, Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy programmes in Social Work, Social Welfare, Counselling, Sociology, Development Studies, Political Science and other related fields.
Study Plan*
Year 1 Entry Full-time
Year 1
General Education
– Critical Thinking
– Introduction to Psychology
– Introduction to Sociology
– English for Academic Purposes
– Chinese for Professionals
– Lives of Servant Leaders
Foundation
– Social Issues, Social Welfare and Social Work
Major
– Introduction to Social Work
– Philosophy and Principles of Social Work
– Human Behaviour and Social Environment
– Social Work Intervention and Processes
– Social Welfare Policy
Year 2
General Education
– Public Speaking and Presentation
– Introduction to Statistics
– Information Literacy
– Research Methods for Social Sciences
– Servant Leadership
Foundation
– English for Social Work
Major
– Generic Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
– Skills for Social Work Practice
– Programme Evaluation and Assessment
– Generic Social Work Practice with Groups, Organisations and Communities
– Social Work Field Laboratory
– Skills for Clinical Social Work Practice
Integration
– Pre-placement Preparation
Year 3
General Education
– 2 Electives
Major
– Generic Social Work Practice Workshop
– Micro Social Work Theories and Practice
– Law for Social Workers
– Social Work and Mental Health
– 1 Elective
Integration
– Practicum I
– Pre-placement Preparation
Year 4
General Education
– 1 Elective
Major
– Macro Social Work Theories and Practice
– Administration in Human Service Organisations
– 1 Elective
Integration
– Practicum II
– Integrative Seminar
– Social Work Honours Project
Year 3 Entry Full-time
Year 3
General Education
– Lives of Servant Leaders
– Introduction to Statistics
– Research Methods for Social Sciences
Major
– Law for Social Workers
– Generic Social Work Practice Workshop
– Micro Social Work Theories and Practice
– Administration in Human Service Organisations
– Social Work and Mental Health
Integration
– Pre-placement Preparation
– Practicum I
Year 4
General Education
– Servant Leadership
– Critical Thinking
Major
– Macro Social Work Theories and Practice
– 2 Electives
Integration
– Integrative Seminar
– Social Work Honours Project
– Pre-placement Preparation
– Practicum II
Part-time Conversion mode
Year 1
General Education
– Lives of Servant Leaders
– Critical Thinking
– Introduction to Statistics
Major
– Skills for Clinical Social Work Practice
– Generic Social Work Practice Workshop
– Law for Social Workers
– Micro Social Work Theories and Practice
– 1 Elective
Year 2
General Education
– Research Methods for Social Sciences
Major
– Macro Social Work Theories and Practice
– Social Work and Mental Health
Integration
– Pre-placement Preparation
– Practicum
Year 3
General Education
– Servant Leadership
Major
– Administration in Human Service Organisations
– 3 Electives
Integration
– Integrative Seminar
– Social Work Honours Project
* The above study plan is subject to change.