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KLAIPËDA UNIVERSITY |
SOCIAL WORK
Qualification awarded
Level of qualification
University studies, First cycle, undergraduate (Bachelor)
Specific admission requirements
Minimum access requirements: Secondary
Minimum access qualification degree:
Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (formal, non-formal and informal)
Study subjects or parts thereof, corresponding to formal and subject requirements of selected study programme, may be included to individuals who graduated, studied or are presently studying at institutions of higher education in Lithuania or other countries, accredited in accordance with Lithuanian higher education curriculum, and who want to continue their studies at the University at the same or inferior cycle or studies of other studies programmes.
Profile of the programme
Specialists of Social Work trained at KU acquire the knowledge and abilities laid out in Dublin Descriptor and Regulations of Social Work: knowledge of the essence and values of social work; of their ethical responsibility to clients; of the state and economic systems, the processes of socialization of an individual; human rights in the context of social justice; the methodology of research; abilities to carry out research and iterpret data, other special, personal and social abilities.
, having specialized in
- Social Work in a Community, Specialisation aims to train social workers who master competencies based on values and ethical principles of social work, able to work in a community with groups of social risk. Students will develop abilities to analyse social reality and the nature of social problems, design social programmes, reflectivelly assess social problems, solve these problems through client empowerment; develop competences of critical, analytical interdisciplinary thinking and methodology of social sciences.
- Social Work in Health Care, Specialisation aims to train social workers who master competencies based on values and ethical principles of social work, able to carry out functions of a clinical social worker: empower client to create a new life quality, participate in realisation of efective support strategies; students will acquire abilities to reflectivelly assess social problems in health care, search for solutions to these problems independently and within a team; carry out scientific research.
Key learning outcomes
Knowledge and Its Application
| For graduates of Social Work in a Community: | |
| A1 | Know theories of social, humanitarian and other sciences, are able to critically, systemically analyse them and apply in social work practice and research, are able to utilize said theories to evaluate social reality. |
| A2 | Acquire and practically apply knowledge of development of social work profession, national and international social policy, interprofessional cooperation, principles of ethics, human rights and social justice, social development and welfare of society. |
| A3 | Are able to analyze and apply in practice and research the newest knowledge of social work theory, methods, social problems and their manifestation in multicultural community. |
| For graduates of Social Work in Health Care: | |
| A4 | Know theories of social, humanitarian and other sciences, are able to critically, systemically analyse them and apply in social work practice and research, are able to utilize said theories to evaluate social reality. |
| A5 | Acquire and practically apply knowledge of development of social work profession and its links with medicine, national and international social policy, interprofessional cooperation, principles of ethics, human rights and social justice, social development and welfare of society. |
| A6 | Are able to analyze and apply in practice and research the newest knowledge of social work theory, methods, social problems and their manifestation in the sphere of personal health. |
Research Skills
| For graduates of Social Work in a Community: | |
| B1 | Are able to critically, systematically analyze and apply in practice and research the newest knowledge of different methods of scientific research. |
| B2 | Are able to conduct an independent scientific research and interpret its data in the context of social work and social policy. |
| B3 | Are able to apply research data to plan solutions of social problems, validate community social programmes, implement inovative social services. |
| For graduates of Social Work in Health Care: | |
| B4 | Are able to critically, systematically analyze and apply in practice and research the newest knowledge of different methods of scientific research. |
| B5 | Are able to conduct an independent scientific research and interpret its data in the context of social work, social policy and health care. |
| B6 | Are able to apply research data to plan solutions of social problems, validate social programmes within health care system, implement inovative social services. |
Subject–Specific Skills
| For graduates of Social Work in a Community: | |
| C1 | Are able to critically, systemically analyse models of social policy, explain their influence on reducing social exclusion and protecting human rights; prepare and implement plans, programmes and projects of community social services. |
| C2 | Practice the principles of social justice, social responsibility, human rights, social work values and ethics. |
| C3 | Are capable to represent client rights and interests, accumulate internal and external resources through effective communication within a community, motivate and empower a client for self-help and changes. |
| C4 | Are able to assess the quality of social services and the effectiveness of social work practice, coordinate actions of running social work support in a community. |
| C5 | Are capable to recognize and systematically assess the needs and strenghts of a client, plan, run and evaluate the process of social work support utilizing different methods and strategies, creating mutual social worker - client relationship. |
| For graduates of Social Work in Health Care: | |
| C6 | Are able to critically, systemically analyse models of social policy, explain their influence on promoting personal health and protecting human rights; prepare and implement plans, programmes and projects of social work support in health care system. |
| C7 | Practice the principles of social justice, social responsibility, human rights, social work values and ethics. |
| C8 | Are capable to represent client rights and interests, accumulate internal and external resources through effective communication within a health care institution, motivate and empower a client for self-help and changes. |
| C9 | Are able to assess the quality of social services and the effectiveness of social work practice, coordinate actions of running social work support in health care. |
| C10 | Are capable to recognize and systematically assess the needs and strenghts of a client, plan, run and evaluate the process of social work support utilizing different methods and strategies, creating mutual social worker - client relationship. |
Social Skills
| For graduates of Social Work in a Community: | |
| D1 | Are capable to uphold an image of social work, maintain the status of profession, fluently and suggestively express personal opinion orally and in writting in Lithuanian and at least one foreign language. |
| D2 | Are able to communicate and cooperate with representatives of different community groups exchanging information necessary for an effective social work process; know how to work in an interdisciplinary team modelling solutions for community social problems, taking social responsibility. |
| D3 | Have skills to participate in discussions on various professional issues in professional and interdisciplinary environments, create effective mutual interactions in professional practice taking responsibility for development and enhancement of social work profession. |
| For graduates of Social Work in Health Care: | |
| D4 | Are capable to uphold an image of social work, maintain the status of profession, fluently and suggestively express personal opinion orally and in writting in Lithuanian and at least one foreign language. |
| D5 | Are able to communicate and cooperate with representatives of different institutions and subdivisions of health care system exchanging information necessary for an effective social work process in health care; know how to work in an interdisciplinary team modelling solutions for social problems in health care, taking social responsibility. |
| D6 | Have skills to participate in discussions on various professional issues in professional and interdisciplinary environments, create effective mutual interactions in professional practice taking responsibility for development and enhancement of social work profession. |
Personal Skills
| For graduates of Social Work in a Community: | |
| E1 | Are able to find and utilize national and international sources of information, information technologies, appropriately deal with confidential information. |
| E2 | Are capable to critically evaluate own and colleagues' professional practice, systematically reflect on personal professional growth, create new ideas, adapt to new situations. |
| E3 | Are able to independently make decisions in complex situations, have trust in own self, constantly develop learning skills. |
| For graduates of Social Work in Health Care: | |
| E4 | Are able to find and utilize national and international sources of information, information technologies, appropriately deal with confidential information. |
| E5 | Are capable to critically evaluate own and colleagues' professional practice, systematically reflect on personal professional growth, create new ideas, adapt to new situations. |
| E6 | Are able to independently make decisions in complex situations, have trust in own self, constantly develop learning skills. |
Occupational profiles of graduates with examples
After completing the studies of Social Work at KU, students will have the following career opportunities:
• social work in the community, in the system of social care, in the system of health care, in educational, legal, and non-governmental institutions;
• studies can be continued in the graduate study programmes of Social Work, Social Pedagogy, Public Health, Public Administration, Marketing Management, and Penitentiary Law.
Access to further studies
Access to the second cycle studies
Course structure diagram with credits
1 semester
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Information Management (H000B040) | 3 |
| 2 | Introduction to Speciality and Professional Ethics (S000B220) | 8 |
| 3 | Modern Socialization (S000B047) | 6 |
| 4 | Human Rights and Social Work (S000B00E) | 5 |
| 5 | Caritative Social Work (S000B07Q) | 5 |
| 6 | Elective Study Subject 1 | 3 |
| Total: | 30 |
2 semester
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lithuanian Social Policy (S000B01F) | 7 |
| 2 | Basics of Communication (S000B044) | 6 |
| 3 | Introduction to Psychology (S260B046) | 4 |
| 4 | Social Work Theory and Methods (including practice) (S000B023) | 7 |
| 5 | Elective Study Subject 2 | 6 |
| Total: | 30 |
3 semester
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Public Health (B680B013) | 3 |
| 2 | Professional Speech and Expression (H592B002) | 3 |
| 3 | Course Paper 1 (S000B00G) | 5 |
| 4 | Basics of Sociology in Social Work (S000B00T) | 6 |
| 5 | Elective General Course 1 | 3 |
| 6 | Specialization Electives | 10 |
| Total: | 30 |
4 semester
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counseling in Social Work (S214B001) | 5 |
| 2 | Social Gerontology (S000B644) | 5 |
| 3 | Elective General Course 2 | 3 |
| 4 | Specialization Electives | 20 |
| Total: | 33 |
5 semester
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mental Health and Care (B650B004) | 4 |
| 2 | Course Paper 2 (S000B237) | 8 |
| 3 | Social Work for People with Disabilities (S000B00R) | 5 |
| 4 | Free Elective Course (3 cr.) | 3 |
| 5 | Specialization Electives | 10 |
| Total: | 30 |
6 semester
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social Risk Groups and Resocialization (S000B00S) | 7 |
| 2 | Sociology of Deviant Behaviour (S000B737) | 5 |
| 3 | Youth Social Work (S000B239) | 5 |
| 4 | Specialization Electives | 8 |
| Total: | 25 |
7 semester
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social Work with Family (S000B00U) | 4 |
| 2 | Social Programme Management (S000B326) | 5 |
| 3 | Bachelor Diploma Thesis (S000B176) | 15 |
| 4 | Independent Work in Practice Placements (S000B119) | 6 |
| Total: | 30 |
Specialization Subjects
| Course | ECTS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work in a Community | |||
| 1 | Practice in Education, Health Care and Law Enforcement Institutions (with Supervision) (S000B133) | 5 | |
| 2 | Psychosociology of Disability (S000B013) | 5 | |
| 3 | Practice in Social Work Agencies (S000B623) | 8 | |
| 4 | Personality and Social Psychology (S260B048) | 4 | |
| 5 | Individual and Group Social Work (S000B00Q) | 6 | |
| 6 | Socio-Cultural Activities in a Community (S000B01A) | 5 | |
| 7 | Practice in NGO (with Supervision) (S000B09N) | 7 | |
| 8 | Family and Social Environment (S000B068) | 5 | |
| 9 | 5 | ||
| Social Work in Health Care | |||
| 1 | Practice in the Third Level Health Care Institutionsn (with Supervision) (S000B00K) | 5 | |
| 2 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (B001B049) | 5 | |
| 3 | Practice in Health Centers (S000B00L) | 8 | |
| 4 | Social Work in Health Care System (S000B695) | 6 | |
| 5 | Health Psychology (S260B004) | 4 | |
| 6 | Introductory Practice in Health Care Institutions (with Supervisiosn) (S000B09O) | 7 | |
| 7 | Palliative Care (B001B045) | 5 | |
| 8 | Team Work in Health Care (S000B706) | 5 | |
| 9 | 5 | ||
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social Integration of Children with Special Needs (S000B086) | 5 |
| 2 | Social Work with Sexually Abused Children (S000B116) | 5 |
| 3 | Social Work in Educational Institutions (S000B235) | 5 |
| 4 | Existential Therapy in Social Work (S000B219) | 5 |
| 5 | Social Services (S000B221) | 5 |
| 6 | Social Support in Social Work (S000B073) | 5 |
| 7 | Disability and Ethics (S000B121) | 5 |
| 8 | Social Work with Refugees (S000B00V) | 5 |
| 9 | Dolphin Assisted Therapy (S216B002) | 5 |
| 10 | Social Occupational Therapy (S000B740) | 5 |
| 11 | Basics of Clinical Medicine (B680B121) | 5 |
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Existential Therapy in Social Work (S000B219) | 5 |
| 2 | Social Services (S000B221) | 5 |
| 3 | Social Occupational Therapy (S000B740) | 5 |
| 4 | Social Work with Sexually Abused Children (S000B116) | 5 |
| 5 | Social Work in Health Care System (S000B006) | 5 |
| 6 | Social Support in Social Work (S000B073) | 5 |
| 7 | Social Work in Educational Institutions (S000B235) | 5 |
| 8 | Disability and Ethics (S000B121) | 5 |
| 9 | Dolphin Assisted Therapy (S216B002) | 5 |
| 10 | Social Integration of Children with Special Needs (S000B086) | 5 |
| 11 | Social Work with Refugees (S000B00V) | 5 |
Elective General Course 1
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Public Relations (S170B063) | 3 |
| 2 | Spanish A1 (1) (H490B001) | 3 |
| 3 | German A1 (1) (H530B001) | 3 |
| 4 | Norwegian A1 (1) (H580B046) | 3 |
| 5 | Family Pedagogy (S000B373) | 3 |
| 6 | Leisure Physical Activity (S000B984) | 3 |
| 7 | Disability and Healthcare (S216B003) | 3 |
| 8 | Prospects for Water Transport (T003B086) | 3 |
Elective General Course 2
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwegian A1 (2) (H580B052) | 3 |
| 2 | Spanish A1 (2) (H490B002) | 3 |
| 3 | German A1 (2) (H530B002) | 3 |
| 4 | Personal Career Management (S000B713) | 3 |
| 5 | Leadership (S190B070) | 3 |
| 6 | Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (S000B09Y) | 3 |
| 7 | Disability and Healthcare (S216B003) | 3 |
| 8 | Climate, sustainable development and technology (P000B269) | 3 |
Elective Study Subject 1
| Course | ECTS |
|---|
Elective Study Subject 2
| Course | ECTS |
|---|
Free Elective Course (3 cr.)
| Course | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Supply Chain Management (S190B076) | 3 |
| 2 | Public Health (B680B013) | 3 |
| 3 | First Aid (B680B021) | 3 |
| 4 | Wellness Education (B000B001) | 3 |
| 5 | Human Safety (T500B100) | 3 |
| 6 | Quality Management (T210B100) | 3 |
| 7 | Applied Rhetoric (H000B305) | 3 |
Examination regulations, assessment and grading
The University applies cumulative grading in order to ensure objective evaluation, active students’ participation during the semester and their ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practice. Cumulative grading final evaluation consists of interim course assignments (test, individual work, paper, laboratory work defence, and etc.) and final exam grades. If the student fails the interim course assignments and does not make to transition grade−minimal grade of determined interim course assessments−he is not allowed to take the final exam. Each study programme is completed by defending final thesis (project) and (or) taking final exams.
A ten-point grading system is used at the University. Knowledge is assessed in the following marks
| Pass/fail system | KU grade* | Definition |
| Pass | 10 (excellent) | excellent performance, outstanding knowledge and skills |
| 9 (very good) | strong performance, good knowledge and skills | |
| 8 (good) | above the average performance, knowledge and skills | |
| 7 (highly satisfactory) | average performance, knowledge and skills with unessential shortcomings | |
| 6 (satisfactory) | below average performance, knowledge and skills with substantial shortcomings | |
| 5 (sufficient) | knowledge and skills meet minimum criteria | |
| Fail | 4, 3, 2, 1 (insufficient) | knowledge and skills do not meet minimum criteria / below minimum criteria |
Graduation requirements
Undergraduate and master student’s knowledge, skills and abilities, indicated in the study programme description, are examined and evaluated during the public defence of his Final thesis. Final thesis by its nature can be scientific research or scientific-applied. Final thesis is analytical work based on independent scientific or applied research. A Bachelor’s thesis comprises 12 credits; Master’s thesis comprises 30 credits in the study programme of 120 credits or 24 credits in the study programme of 90 credits. Final thesis and its defence is to demonstrate student’s creativity and the ability to critically evaluate theoretical and practical innovations, as well as others’ previously carried out researches and their results; to indicate student’s knowledge in social and commercial environment, legislation, and financial capacity; to show information sourcing and its qualified analysis skills, computational methods and specialized software and general-purpose information technologies using skills, as well as the ability to clearly and correctly orally or in written present their research results and (or) product designed to different audiences.
Final thesis is defended publicly in front of the Study Field Qualification Committee approved by the Rector. All members of the Qualification Committee evaluate the final thesis and its defence in separate grades in ten-point grading system. Weighted coefficient of defended grade is up to 0.2. The final grade is the arithmetic average of the grades given by the Qualification Committee members, rounded to the nearest whole number.
Mode of study
Full-time
Programme director or equivalent
Prof. Dr. Ingrida Baranauskienë
Department of Social Work