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Social Work and Psychosocial Counseling
Institutions providing this programme
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Summary of the Profile
General Description:
Objective(s) of a study programme:
Based on the latest theories-driven practice of social work and counseling to prepare innovative and leading social work professionals for the rapidly changing national and international labor market, who are able to apply multidisciplinary methods of social work and psychosocial counseling to identify the psychosocial needs of individuals (groups), families, communities, solve interpersonal and social problems or help to prevent them, promote social change, improve the quality of life, ensure human rights and strengthen solidarity and social justice. After completion of study program, a social sciences bachelor's degree is awarded.
Learning outcomes:
Graduates of the program will be able:
1. To describe and analyze the newest research-based theories in the field of social work, explaining human psychosocial development and complex human interaction with the environment (at micro, mezzo, macro levels), linking human psychosocial functioning, problem solving and social changes in complex and unpredictable situations.
2. Critically apply the newest social work theories, intervention and prevention strategies, while adhering to the ethical values of social work and counseling in order to empower individuals and groups in complex and unpredictable situations.
3. To apply quantitative and qualitative research methods when conducting social work research which aims to identify interpersonal and social problems of various people groups people, model the potential for psychosocial support and solutions to psychosocial problems, implement human rights, and advance the field's knowledge.
4. To evaluate the situation and select appropriate social work interventions and psychosocial counseling methods to empower individuals (their groups), families and communities, enhance psychosocial functioning and quality of life.
5. To comply to the fundamentals of social justice, human rights, social work values, and professional ethics in the day-to-day practice of social work and psychosocial counseling, while also offering guidance for the advancement of professional practice.
6. To analyze the directions/aspects of social policies in Lithuania and other countries and national social security system, prepare and submit proposals aiming at equality and non-discrimination in the implementation of social policy.
7. To act according to the principles of interdisciplinary team cooperation, provision and organization of social services and psychosocial support, principles of project and program management, including effective communication and teamwork with professionals and other relevant systems.
8. To integrate various forms of professional development (reflections, professional supervision, training, conferences, etc.), take care of personal growth and professional development, responsibly use and evaluate national and international sources of information, and to promote social work as a profession that supports and empowers individuals and groups.
Activities of teaching and learning:
Learning and teaching activities are organized to support students to perceive the aim of learning, plan, assess and reflect on the learning process, progress, and achievements. Study methods include individual and group projects, solving problem situations, role play, case studies, critical analysis of literature, document analysis, analysis of video material, analysis of actual educational situations, thematic debates, discussions, focus group discussion, collaborative activities in small groups and pairs, critical reflection, reflection diaries, inquiry-based learning and elements of action research, preparation of the learning portfolio, etc. Time is spared for student consultations aimed at clarifying arising questions individually or in groups, getting advice on performance of self-study assignments. Interactive lectures, seminars, group supervisions, practical activities, independent individual and group/team work promote students’ active learning, encourage them to relate acquired new knowledge to practice and try them out practically. Studies grounded on the personalized learning paradigm emphasize the development of the learner’s experience. Therefore, considerable attention is paid to students’ practical activities and reflection on them.
Methods of assessment of learning
achievements:
Assessment methods and techniques are attuned to learning outcomes and competencies as well as relevant study methods. The following ways of assessment are used: the course teacher’s assessment, self-assessment of the student performed task, students’ assessment of each other’s tasks in pairs or groups, etc. Studies of the subjects of the study programme are completed with the evaluation of the student’s knowledge and skills on the 10-point grading system. Assessing student performance in individual subjects, assessment criteria are formulated in accordance with the summative assessment system for assessment of learning outcomes, applied at Vytautas Magnus University (including formative assessment too), defined in the Study Regulation of VMU. Evaluation of students’ academic achievements involves intermediate assessments and examination (or the defence of the student’s independent assignment). Students’ theoretical preparation and the ability to practically solve tasks of special educational support provision and improvement in the educational process are assessed. The final mark of the study subject consists of the marks for performance of intermediate tasks (individual projects/assignments, individual homework, tasks of solving problem situations, case study, written assignments, etc.) and for the examination (or the defence of the student’s independent project). The examination mark must constitute at least 30 per cent of the final mark, while the weight of individual constituents of intermediate assessments in the final mark is established / announced by the course teacher during the first lectures.
Framework:
Study subjects (modules), practical
training:
The study program consists of 240 credits: Artes liberales general study subjects (56 credits) and social work field study subjects are consisted of study subjects of other fields (psychology, sociology, law) (30 credits), specialty subjects and practices (154 credits). Specialty subjects consist of several blocks:
-Knowledge and its application (36 ECTS) includes the following study subjects: Basics of Social Work; Basics of psychology for social work; Personality Development; Basics of Law in Social Work; Critical Social Work; Social Work with Family and Individuals; Social Work in Health Care System.
-Study subjects for research skills (28 ECTS) include the following: Social work research methods; Pre-Diploma Social Work Practice; Project of Bachelor Final Research Paper; Social Work Bachelor Final Thesis.
-Study subjects for special abilities (84 ECTS) include the following micro-level social work study subjects: Practicum in Motivational Interviewing; Basics of Psychosocial Counseling; Social Work With Groups; Crisis Intervention; Alternative Counseling Methods In Social Work; Psychosocial Counseling in Child And Family Welfare; Family in Risk Society; Methods For Empowering and Counseling Older People; Introduction to Social Work Field Practice; Social Work Field Practice 1; Social Work Field Practice 2; Social Work and Counseling Ethics; and mezzo and macro social work study subjects: Human Rights and Social Work; Systems of Social Security; Leadership and Preventive Work In the Community; Social Entrepreneurship and Management in Social Services Organization.
-Study subjects for social abilities (20 ECTS) include the following:
Human Behaviour in the Social Environment 1; Human Behaviour in the Social Environment 2; Methods of developing social skills; Coaching methods in social work.
-Study subjects for personal abilities (16 ECTS) include the following: Practicum Of Group Supervision 1; Practicum Of Group Supervision 2; Professional Language and Academic Writing.
Internships: The program consists of three internships. The purpose of introductory social work practice (4 ECTS, in the autumn semester of the 2nd year) is to get acquainted with the main areas and directions of social work activity. Students get acquainted with social work in state and non-governmental organizations operating in the field of social security (social services, protection of children's rights, etc.), health protection, education (science and education), law enforcement (probation and execution of sentences), employment and national defense. The purpose of qualifying social work practice (12 ECTS, in the third year of study) is to develop individual social work skills, emphasizing the development of psychosocial counseling skills (active listening, conducting consultative interviews, etc.), working in a real institution of the chosen social work field. The experience gained during the qualifying practice is reflected during the group supervision practice. The purpose of the pre-diploma social work practice (3 ECTS, in the spring semester of the fourth year) is to integrate practical experience and theoretical knowledge, justifying the practical relevance of the selected thesis topic.
Bachelor thesis (15 ECTS).
Specialisations:
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Optional courses:
- General study subjects (56 ECTS), that the students can choose from a list of Artes Liberales subjects and from all study programs conducted at the university;
- Parallel studies, choosing from all the studies conducted at the university (psychology, pedagogy, sociology and anthropology, law, public administration, etc.).
- Social work subjects:
Psychosocial counseling in the field of child and family welfare;
Family in a risk society.
Distinctive features of a study
programme:
In comparison to other social work study areas, VMU's bachelor's degree programs in social work are exceptional and one-of-a-kind because they combine studies from various fields, fusing the theory and practice of psychosocial counseling in various social work fields (social services, health care, education, law enforcement), with an understanding of basic human rights and social justice principles, and encouraging the growth of critical thinking. Furthermore, sessions can be used to organize studies. numerous study options at universities abroad.
Access to professional activity or further study:
Access to professional activity:
A graduate with a bachelor's degree in social sciences can work as a social worker or manager in governmental and non-governmental organizations that are involved in social security (social services, protection of children's rights, etc.), health protection, education (science and education), law enforcement (probation and execution of sentences), the employment service, national defense, or even start their own social business. A program graduate is qualified to offer psychological assistance and counseling to a range of clientele, including children and adolescents, young adults, families, the elderly, those struggling with mental illness or addiction, migrants, the unemployed, etc.
Access to further study:
The program's graduates will be able to pursue master's degrees in social work, sociology and anthropology, social policy, criminology, integrated communication, as well as other social sciences, law, business and public management, and educational sciences (after completing additional courses, if necessary).
