Social Work

Mode of studies: Full–time, daytime studies

Credits: 120 ECTS credits

Format: the program consists of two academic years – four semesters. The amount of 30 ECTS of studies modules is included in each semester.

Qualification awarded: Master of Nursing Science

Programme objectives and competencies acquired

The strategy: (1) the deepening and upgrading of the professional competence of social worker, and (2) the consolidation and extension of the competence of research work.

On the basis of the said components, the major aim was formulated: to train highly qualified specialists ready to assess the polyfunctional character of social work as a specific social activity and a new trend of studies and science from the theoretical and practical viewpoints in the context of problems of the changing society and to educate professionals able to methodologically analyze and scientifically interpret problems, to model strategies of practical solutions, and to open opportunities to the development of the studies of social work on all stages.

The tasks set in the graduate programme of social work reflect the strategy of the aim setting and the aim itself.
General tasks that extend the functions of a general social worker and identify their professional competences:

* to create conditions to deepen the knowledge, abilities, and skills of social work that allow to better understand social phenomena, the causes of social problems, the fields of intervention of social policies, and the social-cultural context of positive and negative socialization;

* to establish supervision as a prospect of professional consulting and a possibility of formation of the studies of a new field of social work;

* to develop personal and social competences of Master students significant for their scientific and professional activities (communication and collaboration, life-long learning and professional development, social responsibility based on values and ethics, creativity, innovative activity, etc.);

* to extend their managerial abilities with the help of all possible resources (individual, those of community members and of social institutions); to enable them to design and implement social programmes and projects that influence the prospects of upgrading social policies.

Professional tasks related to the consolidation of the research skills:

* to educate the skills of independent research that would enable Master students to understand the relationship of the theoretical analysis of a phenomenon (problem) with the practical opportunities of the solution of a social problem (consolidation of the reflective method);

* to teach to constructively justify the methodology of the research as the basis of interpretation of scientific data;

* to consolidate the techniques of research methodologies (the selection of research instruments; qualitative and quantitative analysis; and data interpretation revealing the level of practical significance);

* to enable the application of research methods in the upgrading of practical activity and forging the relations of collaboration in the context of supervision and implementation of the model of productive social work in Lithuania.