Programmes - Socialworks

ACADEMIC CONTENT (Programme)

Existing Curriculum for the Programme/Sub-Discipline/Discipline

(a) Programme Title:

B.Sc Social Work

(b) Programme/Sub Discipline/Discipline Philosophy and Objectives:

Philosophy, Objectives, Vision, Mission of the Department

Philosophy:

The philosophy of the Department is the enhancement of professional capacity and competence of students of the Department through wide exposure to the concepts, theories and practice of social work.

This professional competence training will provide the enabling environment for working effectively in both the public and private sectors of the economy.

Objectives:

The general objective of the Department is to produce students with adequate knowledge and skills in generic social work practice.

Specifically, the objectives are;

To produce students who can enter direct into social work practice in such public, voluntary and private agencies as general and specialist hospitals, family and child care services, the court and correctional institutions, schools, rehabilitation and care of the destitutes as well as other welfare services.
To continue to assume leadership roles in rural and urban community development efforts.
To strengthen and expand Post Graduate Programmes in Social Work.
To consolidate and sustain responsible positions in the field of social work education and research.

Vision:

To develop the knowledge and skills of individuals in both public and private sectors to help people cope with the social, economic and political problems of contemporary Nigerian society.

Mission:

The mission of the Department involves primarily to successfully create the conditions and enabling environment for the realisation of a higher quality of social existence throughout the country. This will be achievement through providing adequate training to students, updating professional knowledge and skills of practitioners and community members to accomplish their life tasks, alleviate their distress and maintain normal functioning in the society. It also involves assisting people develop ability and capacity to map out a prominent planning machinery, develop concrete ways in which people can be brought more effectively into development programme, propose policies as they affect the masses of the people in the material and other conditions of existence.

Departmental Information:

The department of Social Work offers two kinds of programmes

A 4-year B.Sc (Honours) Social Work and Community development Degree programmes by entrance examination
A 3-year B.Sc Honours Social Work and Community Development Programme by Direct Entry.

(a) B.Sc Programme

The courses are organised in such a way that students can graduate with emphasis in Social Work and Community development. The programme is aimed at producing Generalist Social workers who can fit into any sector of the economy both within and outside Nigeria. Students are given the opportunity to take relevant courses in the two areas of emphasis.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS FOR POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES IN SOCIAL WORK

1.1 Introduction

Social problems are on the increase in Nigeria. Some of these social problems are new (Examples; Terrorism, Migration, Kidnapping, Displacement etc) and so ways of dealing with them are not readily known. Therefore there is an increasing need for human service personnel who can help tackle these problems and lessen the effect on the people. Consequently, there will be rise in the demand for social workers who will be in a position to work with people who are affected by these social problems. Expanded career opportunities in social work are envisaged in Nigeria as in other developing countries. Social workers have opportunities to positively influence the lives of citizen. Employment opportunities for graduates in social work exist in Community Organization, Human Services, Healthcare Facilities, Federal, States, Local Governments, NGOs, Academia and other Educational and Research Settings. Other employment opportunities include business, industry and professional organizations.

The Department offers postgraduate programmes leading to the award of Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Social Work, Master of Science (M.Sc) in Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Social Work.

1.2 Philosophy

The underlying philosophy the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programme, Master of Science (M.Sc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in Social Work at the University of Nigeria is to produce academics and practitioners equipped with appropriate knowledge, attitude, skills, and competencies to effectively address issues and challenges that come with social problems in Nigeria and globally. It is also a way of producing individuals who are well-grounded in social work concepts, theories, and the methodology needed to analyse and proffer solutions to social problems at the local and global levels; and whose contributions to knowledge and learning will help to fulfil the promise of Social Work practice in Africa and the rest of the world for progressively engendering better human society.

1.3 Objectives

In line with wider objectives of University of Nigeria and the current benchmark of the Nigeria Universities Commission, the Postgraduate (PG) programmes in Social Work are designed to produce academics and practitioners equipped with appropriate knowledge, attitude, skills, and competencies to effectively address issues and challenges that come with social problems in Nigeria and globally. The general objective of the Department is to produce students who can apply social work knowledge and theories in practice situation.

Specifically, the objectives of the postgraduate programmes in Social Work are:

To produce graduate who are well grounded in theories and practice of Social Work

To produce graduate with ability to expand the frontier of knowledge as they relate to Social Work.

To produce graduates with the ability to apply knowledge in ameliorating the effect of social problems on individuals

To produce students with adequate knowledge and skills not only in general social work practice but in specialized areas of practice

GENERAL REGULATIONS

2.1 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) Programme

Admission

(a) Admission Requirements

The criteria for admission into the postgraduate-diploma programme are as follows.

Candidate must satisfy the matriculation requirements of the University, including English Language.
A minimum of third-class (Hons.) Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related discipline awarded by an approved and accredited university.

Higher National Diploma (HND) at the lower Credit level or equivalent professional qualifications cognate to Social Work from a recognized institution.

Degree holders from other disciplines from recognised universities

(b) Areas of Specialization

There is no area of specialization in postgraduate Diploma (PGD).

(c) Duration of Programme

Full–time PGD shall run between 2 (minimum) and 4 (maximum) semesters for the postgraduate diploma
The part-time PGD shall run for a minimum of four (4) semesters and a maximum of six (6) semesters.

(d) Requirements for Graduation

A Candidate must have fulfilled the following conditions to be awarded the Post Graduate Diploma (PGD)

The candidate must pass a minimum of 36 credit units made up of the following:

30 units of core courses
6 units of project

(e) Domiciliation of the Programme

The postgraduate diploma programme shall be domiciled in the Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

(f) Students’ Enrolment

The Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) admission is not more than 40% of postgraduate enrolment of the Department in any academic session.

2.2 Master of Science (M.Sc.) Programme

The Department offers Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree programmes in Social Work.

Areas of Specialization

Candidates can specialize in any area of specialization available in the department and where supervisors are available. They include:

Social Gerontology
Community Development
Medical Social Work
Social Policy/Industrial Social Work
Social Work Administration
Family Social Work
Psychiatric Social Work
Clinical Social Work
School Social Work
Migration

2.2.2 Admission

(a) Admission Requirements

The criteria for admission into the M.Sc. programmes are as follows:

Candidates must satisfy matriculation requirement of the University including mathematics and English language.

Candidate must have a minimum of second class (lower division) Bachelor’s degree in social work from an approved university, or a postgraduate diploma with a CGPA of not lower than 3.5 on a 5-point scale, or its equivalent, from an accredited university.

Candidates with a PGD at credit level pass (i.e. 3.5 on a 5point scale) or 60% on weighted percentage average.

(b) Duration of Programme

A full-time MSc programme of the Department runs for a minimum of four semesters and a maximum of six semesters. The part-time programme runs for a minimum of six semesters and a maximum of eight semesters. For extension beyond the specified maximum period, special permission of the Board of School of Postgraduate Studies shall be required.

(c) Requirements for Graduation

The candidate must pass a minimum of 48 credit units made hours made up of the following:

30 units of core courses
12 units of elective courses
6 units of project (a student go through a proposal and if successful, carry out research in any area of specialization after which he/she must submit an acceptable project of 6 credit units)

(d) Domiciliation of the Programme

All Masters Programmes are domiciled in the Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

(f) Student Enrolment

Student enrolment into the M.Sc. programme of the Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka are determined by the carrying capacity of the department subject to availability of supervisors.

2.3 Doctor of Philosophy Programme

The Department offers Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree programmes in Social Work.

2.3.1 Areas of Specialization

The core areas in which candidates may specialize are:

Gerontology
Community Development
Medical Social Work
Social Policy
Social Work Administration
Family Social Work
Psychiatric Social Work
Clinical Social Work
School Social Work
Migration

2.3.2 Admission

(a) Admission Requirements

The criteria for admission into the Ph.D. programme are as follows.

Candidate must satisfy the matriculation requirements of the University, including English Language and Mathematics.
Candidate must have a minimum of Master’s degree in social Work, depending of the specialization the candidate aspires to, from an approved university, with a CGPA of not lower than 3.5 on a 5-point scale, or equivalent, from an accredited university.
Candidate must demonstrate adequate intellectual capacity, maturity and effective decision making and problem-solving potentials.
Candidate must write a concept proposal of not less than five A-4 pages in his/her area of specialization.
For Candidate to be eligible for Ph.D. admission, he or she must have scored nothing less than a ‘B’ in his/her dissertation.

(b) Duration of Programme

A full-time Ph.D. programme of the Department runs for a minimum of six semesters and a maximum of ten semesters.

A part-time Ph.D. programme of the Department runs for a minimum of eight semesters and a maximum of twelve semesters.

For extension beyond the specified maximum period, a special permission of the Board of Postgraduate Studies is required.

(c) Requirements for Graduation

For a candidate to graduate, he/she must pass a minimum of forty-five credit units made of the following:

21 units of course work
12 units of elective courses
A candidate shall present at least one seminar, submit and defend a thesis proposal.
12 units from thesis.
A candidate must attend a national or international conference, where he or she will present his/her work; and the candidate must publish his/her work in an Impact Factor (recognized by the University) journal to be eligible for graduation.
A candidate must as part of the minimum credit units take the course PGC. 701 – Synopsis and Grant Writing, and attend a solution-based interactive workshop to be organized by the School of Postgraduate Studies for a practical demonstration and application of the knowledge acquired (from the course, PGC. 701).

(d) Domiciliation of the Programme

All Doctoral Programmes are domiciled in the Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

(e) Student Enrolment

Student enrolment into the Ph.D. programme of the Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka are subject to the carrying capacity of the Department.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

3.1.1 Academic Regulations

Academic session

An academic session shall consist of two semesters. Each semester shall normally comprise of 15 weeks of teaching and two weeks of examinations

Modular system

All Masters programmes run on a modularized system, commonly referred to as course unit system. All courses are sub-divided into more or less self- sufficient and logically consistent packages that are taught within a semester and examined at the end of that particular semester. Credit units are attached to each course.

Definition of credit unit

Credit units are weights attached to a course. One credit unit is equivalent to one hour per week per semester of 15 weeks of lectures.

Course nomenclature

All first semester courses shall end with odd numbers while second semester courses shall end with even numbers

Stress Areas

Foundation Courses 0

Social problem, policy and legislation 1

Human behaviour and the social environment 2

Social work intervention techniques and practice 3

Field work and areas of practice 4

Community development/organisation 5

Research Project 6

Programme Requirements

Registration procedure

Students will complete registration for courses for the semester not than two weeks after the start of the semester. A student cannot withdraw from a course after five weeks of lectures in a given semester without permission from the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies. A student who withdraws after this time or who fails to seek for permission from the Dean shall be deemed to have failed that course. A student who fails to sit for more than two courses at the end of a given semester shall be deemed to have withdrawn voluntarily from the programme.

Good Standing

To be in good standing, a student must in each semester have a cumulative Grade point of Average (CGPA) of not less than 3.00.

3.2.4 Withdrawal

Candidates with less than 3.00 CGPA shall remain in the programme for the 1^st semester but shall be withdrawn if he/she fails to attain 3.00 CGPA at the end of the second semester.

Attendance

In order to be eligible for examination in a particular course, a student shall have attended a minimum of 75% of the total periods of formal instructions delivered for the course.

Course Evaluation

In the Masters Programmes, assessment of student’s achievements shall be based on:

Course examination
Term papers/seminars
Other assignments

Continuous Assessment

Continuous assessment shall be done through essays, tests, tutorial exercises, quizzes and homework.

Scores from continuous assessment shall constitute 30% of the final marks for courses which are primarily theoretical and not filed work courses

Examination, Grading Procedures & Results

(i) Examinations

In addition to continuous assessment, final examination shall be given for every

Course at the end of every semester.

The total scores obtainable for every course (except for field work practice) continuous assessment and final examination is 100%

Continuous assessment 30%

Final examination 70%

Total 100%

Each course shall normally be completed and examined at the end of the semester in which it is offered.

Field practicum shall be the reverse

Continuous assessment (Field visit) 70%

Final examination 30%

Total 100%

(ii) Pass Mark

The minimum mark in any course shall be 50%

GRADING SYSTEM

Grading of courses shall be done by a combination of percentage marks and letter grades translated into a graduated system or grade point equivalents (GPE). For the purpose of determining a student’s standing at the end of every semester, the GPA system shall be used. The GPA is computed by dividing the total number of credit points (TCP) by the total number of units (TNU) for all the courses taken in the semester. The credit point for a course is computed by multiplying the number of units for the course by the grade Point Equivalent of marks scored in the course. Each course shall be graded out of a maximum of 100 marks and assigned appropriate Grade point equivalent.

Credit units (a)

% scores (b)

Letter grades (c)

Grade points (GP) (d)

Average (GPA) (e)

Vary according to contact hours assigned to each courses per week per semester, and according to load carried by students

70-100

60-69

50-59

45-49

40-44

Derived by multiplying (a) and (d) and dividing by Total Credit Units

(c) External-Examiner System

An external examiner is invited at the end of the PGD, M.Sc and PhD programmes to assess the courses and projects. The external examiner is an academic in the relevant discipline that is not less than senior lecturer’s rank and who holds a Ph.D in the discipline.

The project shall be subject to oral examination where the student is required to show evidence that he/she carried out the work and had pertinent knowledge of the subject matter. A score is awarded at the end of the examination.

(d) Postgraduate Diploma Classification

The determination of the PGD class for candidates is based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) earned at the end of the programme.

Distinction ……………………………………………….. 4.50 – 5.00

Upper Credit …………………………………………….. 4.00 – 4.49

Lower Credit …………………………………………….. 3.50 – 3.99

Merit ……………………………………………………… 3.00 – 3.49

Fail ……………………………………………………….. 0.00 – 2.99