Social Work - Bachelor's Degree Programme

The Bachelor in Social Work is a three-year long programme that gives candidates the professional title of social worker. As a social worker, one must have a strong interest in other people, and be able to show respect for and collaborate with users of different ages, backgrounds and in different life situations. The social worker programme qualifies candidates for social work throughout the entire spectrum of health and welfare services at both state and municipal levels. The vast majority of social workers work in the public sector. Most work in municipal health and care services, child and family welfare and the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). Social workers have also become an increasingly important occupational group in the correctional services, schools and care for the elderly.

The purpose of the social work programme is to educate user-oriented and reflective professionals. Through the programme, students will acquire knowledge, values and skills in order to work on preventing, reducing and solving social and personal problems together with individuals, families, groups and communities. They must be able to show understanding of and work towards strengthening people’s resources and capacity, so that they can master their life situation in the best possible way. Students will develop the ability to reflect on themselves and their work methods and be able to evaluate their own work.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing the bachelor’s degree, social workers will have theoretical knowledge, profession-specific skills and general competence to practice professional social work.

Knowledge

• has broad knowledge about social work’s theory, methods and legal basis that targets individuals, families, groups and communities
• has broad knowledge about the relationship between social conditions and the life situation of individuals and groups
• has broad knowledge about welfare policy goals and instruments, and their significance regarding social work practice
• has broad knowledge about conditions for coping and development in children and young people, and about caring skills and various forms of neglect
• has knowledge about the inclusion of marginalised groups in civil society and work
• has knowledge about the status and rights of the Sámi people and other minorities in society
• has knowledge about social science methodology and about relevant research and development wor

Skills

• can apply academic theories in professional practice
• can apply different social science methods and legal rules in encounters with individuals, families, groups and communities
• can use child welfare methods and legal rules to work systematically in relation to children in a vulnerable care situation
• can work with the inclusion of individuals and groups in civil society and the labour market, and contribute to the development of local communities
• can acquire new knowledge and apply it so that it contributes to innovative thinking and innovation in the services

General competence

• has insight into people’s different starting points and vulnerability, values and lifestyles
• has insight into views of humanity, values and professional ethics in social work
• has insight into and can reflect critically on their professional role in relation to academic, institutional and political requirements in professional practice
• has insight into the exercise of power in society and in conditions that contribute to inequality, and can promote social justice and inclusion together with people in vulnerable positions
• can disseminate professional knowledge that promotes equality and diversity, and contribute to gender equality, inclusion, mastery and participation in all areas of society

Syllabus

The programme description is based on the National regulations relating to a common curriculum for health
and social care education established by the Ministry of Education and Research on 6 September 2017, and the Regulations relating to national guidelines for social work education established by the Ministry of Education and Research on 15 March 2019.

The two regulations define the national framework for social work education, and have the aim of ensuring that educational institutions offer a practice-oriented and research-based education of high academic quality and relevance.

Career prospects

The social worker programme qualifies candidates for work in the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV), child welfare, specialist health services, municipal care services, substance abuse services, migration, correctional services, schools and leisure services. Social workers also work in non-profit organisations and private companies that provide social and care services.

The Bachelor’s degree in Social Work qualifies candidates for further studies at master’s degree level.

Course assessment

To ensure the quality of the programme of study and a good learning environment for students and educators, students are asked to provide feedback on all courses early in the semester, in addition to the standardised evaluation of courses that takes place at least every three years. The evaluation of the programme of study and the courses is established in the University’s quality assurance system.