Overview
Evolving societal, community and individual needs bring about heightened expectations of contemporary social workers, from both clients and employers.
To meet these challenges of the new era, leaders in the social services sector are required
to play a vital role in guiding and grooming fellow social workers as well as to possess a wealth of knowledge in a specific field. This programme offers the key to satisfying this new role.
The Graduate Diploma and Master of Social Work programmes are practice-based programmes designed to prepare social workers aspiring to take up leadership positions in the social service sector. They aim to equip graduates with clinical social work skills, administration skills and supervision
skills to function at management positions in the sector.
Unique Features of the Programme
- A special feature of this programme is the option of exiting with a graduate diploma or graduating with a master’s degree. Upon completion of the six compulsory core courses plus three pre-requisite courses and practicum, if applicable, students may choose to exit with a graduate diploma. Re-entry to the master’s programme may be allowed within the maximum candidature of 4 years.
- All courses are taught by established academics and professionals in leadership positions with vast real-time experiences, ensuring that issues discussed are always kept current and relevant for practical application.
The programme offers a specialisation track in Couple and Family Therapy which will train the student to work with couples and families having relational issues. The various models of family therapy like systemic, structural, strategic, experiential and others will be covered.
Career Prospects
Graduates from the Graduate Diploma programme will be recognised social work professionals with administrative and supervisory abilities, as accepted by the Social Work Accreditation and Advisory Board (SWAAB) and the main employers of social workers namely the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). Those who proceed to complete the master's programme will become domain specialists as well.
Programme Structure
Master of Social Work
Students are required to complete a total of 60 credit units (cu) with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 to graduate. The breakdown of the cu to be completed is:
- 30 cu of Core courses
- 20 cu of Electives courses1
- 10 cu of Applied Research Project2
1 The electives included in the programme are identified
to enhance the expertise of social work professionals by allowing for specialisation
in specific settings and with specific client groups.
2 The applied research project may be substituted for two
other elective courses.
Graduate Diploma in Social Work
Students are required to complete a total of 30 credit units (cu) with a minimum
CGPA of 2.5 to graduate.
- 30 cu of Core courses
Master of Social Work with Couple and Family Therapy specialisation
Students are required to complete a total of 60 credit units (cu) with a minimum
CGPA of 3.0 to graduate. The breakdown of the cu to be completed is:
- 30 cu of Social Work Core courses
- 20 cu of CFT Core courses
- 10 cu of CFT Elective courses
Pre-requisite courses (for students without social work degree)
Three pre-requisite courses are designed to prepare the non-social work degree holders
for entry into the graduate diploma/master's programme. A supervised practicum (400 hours) is also
required for graduates to apply their knowledge in an actual social service setting.
Curriculum
Admission Requirements
Refer to general admission criteria for graduate programmes.
For Couple and Family Therapy specialisation track, applicants should have good individual counselling skills, with at least one year of working experience with couples and families.
In the event of overwhelming demand and limited vacancy, priority will be given to eligible applicants who applied early. You are encouraged to submit your application early to avoid disappointment.
This programme is currently unable to take in international students, i.e., you must be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or a resident in Singapore (e.g., Employment Pass holder) in order to apply for admission.
Financial Assistance
Concession
The University offers course fee concession for selected graduate programmes. Please click here for more details.