Master of Social Work
The primary mission of social work profession is to enhance human wellbeing by helping to address the basic and complex needs of all people, but with a focus on vulnerable groups and the poor. Most of the factors that affect the wellbeing of these categories of people are outside their control. In this regard, the MSW programme provides training to social work practitioners on areas that enhance their ability to fulfil their mandate to society. The MSW programme provides knowledge and skills in two key areas and these are social work administration and social work programme thematic areas. The Administrative knowledge and skills of social work practitioners are enhanced by providing training that covers theory and practice of social work, social policy, social structure and project planning and management. Crosscutting courses that enhance effectiveness and efficiency in social work administration including statistical methods for social work, research methods and computer applications are provided. In addition to the above, social work programme thematic areas of focus in the MSW include medical, social welfare, industrial social welfare and community development. The fieldwork is a pre-requisite in the programme. These focus areas are provided as areas of specialization. Students also present dissertations on topics relevant to their areas of specialization. The overall outcome of the programme is for social work professionals having the knowledge, skilled and attitudes that enhance the wellbeing of individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
Overview
| Code | MSW |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Study time | Weekend |
| Intake | August |
Entry requirements
The following are the minimum entry requirements to the MSW programme:
- Holder of at least Second Class honors undergraduate degree in Social Work
- Holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and other related discipline.
- Holders of a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work
- Proven Prior-learning in Social Work
Fees structure
| Tuition Fees per Semester (East African) | UGX 1,325,000 |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees per Semester (Non East Africans) | UGX 1,987,500 |
| Fieldwork/School Practice/Industrial Training/Internship/COBERS Fees (per year) | UGX 350,000 (Years 1 & 2) |
Functional Fees
| Compulsory fees | UGX |
| Application fee | 50,000 |
| Registration fees (per Academic Year) | 60,000 |
| Identity Card (Payable once in the 1st Semester) | 20,000 |
| Student Manual (Payable once in the 1st Semester) | 20,000 |
| Library fee (per Academic Year) | 50,000 |
| Medicare fee (per semester) | 30,000 |
| Computer Laboratory fee (per Academic Year) | 100,000 |
| Laboratory Fee for MSc in Chemistry (Per semester) | 200,000 |
| Examination fee (per semester) | 100,000 |
| Innovation fund (per year) | 100,000 |
| Research fee (per Academic Year) | 200,000 |
| Development Fund (per Academic Year) | 100,000 |
| Student Games Union fee (Academic Year) | 20,000 |
| Student Guild fee (per Academic Year) | 20,000 |
| Contribution to the Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA) (per Academic Year) | 2,000 |
| Certification (per copy) | 5,000 |
| Graduation fee (Payable on Completion of Studies) | |
| a) Ceremony | 80,000 |
| b) Transcript | 50,000 |
| c) Certificate | 50,000 |
| d) Convocation | 20,000 |
| Total | 200,000 |
| Consequential fees | |
| Late Registration (per semester; after the deadline for official registration) | 50,000 |
| Replacement of Transcript (per issue) | 50,000 |
| Replacement of other University Credentials (Admission Letter, Identity Card, Library Card, etc…) | 20,000 |
| Retake/Supplementary/Missed/Special Exam fee (per course) | 50,000 |
| To be remitted to NCHE via www.ura.go.ug | |
| Contribution to National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) Collections (per Academic Year) | 20,000 |
Fees Structure 2025-2026
Course details
- LH Lecture Hours
- CH Contact Hours
- TH Tutorial Hours
- CU Credit Units
| YEAR ONE SEMESTER ONE COURSES (CORE COURSES) | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | LH | TH | PH | CH | CU |
| MSW8111 | Theory and Practice of Social Work I | 45 | 30 | 00 | 60 | 4 |
| MRTM8000 | Research Methods | 45 | 30 | 00 | 60 | 4 |
| MACA8000 | Academic Scholarly Writing and Publishing Skills | 45 | 30 | 00 | 60 | 4 |
| MCAR8000 | Computer Applications in Research | 45 | 30 | 00 | 60 | 4 |
| MSW8112 | Social Work Field Practice (Generic) I | 00 | 00 | 240 | 120 | 8 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS | 24 | |||||
| YEAR ONE SEMESTER TWO COURSES (CORE COURSES) | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | LH | TH | PH | CH | CU |
| MSW8121 | Theory and Practice of Social Work II | 45 | 30 | 00 | 60 | 4 |
| MSW8122 | Social Policy and Social Problems | 45 | 30 | 00 | 60 | 4 |
| MSW8123 | Communication Skills for Human Services | 30 | 30 | 00 | 45 | 3 |
| MSW8124 | Administration of Social Work | 45 | 30 | 00 | 60 | 4 |
| MSW8125 | Social Work Field Practice (Generic) II | 00 | 00 | 240 | 120 | 8 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS | 23 | |||||
| YEAR TWO SEMESTER ONE COURSES (AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION) | ||||||
| MEDICAL | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | LH | TH | PH | CH | CU |
| MSW8211 | Social Work Practice and Community Psychiatry | 30 | 30 | 00 | 45 | 3 |
| MSW8212 | Social Work Practice in General Health | 30 | 30 | 00 | 45 | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS | 6 | |||||
| SOCIAL WELFARE | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | LH | TH | PH | CH | CU |
| MSW8213 | Practice Family Oriented Social Work | 30 | 30 | 00 | 45 | 3 |
| MSW8214 | Crime and Institutional Rehabilitation | 30 | 30 | 00 | 45 | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS | 6 | |||||
| COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | LH | TH | PH | CH | CU |
| MSW8215 | Community Planning and Action | 30 | 30 | 00 | 45 | 3 |
| MSW8216 | Principles and Practice Community Organization | 30 | 30 | 00 | 45 | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS | 6 | |||||
| YEAR TWO SEMESTER TWO COURSES (CORE COURSES) | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | LH | TH | PH | CH | CU |
| MSW8221 | Research Writing (Dissertation) | 00 | 30 | 120 | 75 | 5 |
| MSW8222 | Social Work Field Practice (Specialization) III | 00 | 00 | 420 | 210 | 14 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS | 19 | |||||
| TOTAL MINIMUM GRADUATION LOAD | 72 | |||||
Career opportunities
Social work offers a broad range of career opportunities across diverse settings. Depending on your interests, education, and specialization, here are several career paths and roles in the field of social work:
Clinical and Direct Practice Roles
- Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Provides mental health therapy and counseling to individuals, families, or groups.
- School Social Worker: Supports students’ academic and social success by addressing psychological and social issues. Design and implement head start education program.
- Medical Social Worker: Works in hospitals or clinics, helping patients and families navigate healthcare, treatment plans, and discharge planning.
- Substance Abuse Counselor: Specializes in helping individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders.
- Mental Health Social Worker: Works in psychiatric hospitals or mental health clinics offering support and interventions.
Community and Administrative Roles
- Community Organizer: Mobilizes community members to address social issues or influence policy changes.
- Program Manager/Coordinator: Oversees social service programs in NGOs, government agencies, or nonprofits.
- Policy Analyst or Advocate: Works on developing, analyzing, and advocating for social policies to improve social conditions.
- Grant Writer/Fundraiser: Secures funding for social programs through proposal writing and donor engagement.
- Community workers: Advocating for communities’ development.
Academic and Research Roles
- Social Work Educator: Teaches at universities or colleges and mentors future social workers.
- Researcher: Conducts studies on social issues, intervention effectiveness, or policy outcomes.
- Field Education Coordinator: Manages student placements and supports supervision in educational settings.
Specialized Areas of Practice
- Child Welfare Worker: Works with children and families in need of protection and support.
- Gerontological Social Worker: Specializes in working with older adults, addressing aging-related issues.
- Forensic Social Worker: Engages with the legal system to support clients in criminal or family courts.
- Disability Social Worker: Supports individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities in accessing services.
- Social Welfare: Supports individual, families and communities by promoting their wellbeing.
International and Humanitarian Roles
- Development/Humanitarian Aid Worker: Works with international organizations (e.g., UN, NGOs) in crisis zones or development projects.
- Refugee and Migration Specialist: Supports displaced populations with resettlement, legal aid, and trauma counseling.
Corporate and Private Sector Roles
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor: Offers workplace-based support for employee mental health and wellness, gratuity and pension.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officer: Designs and implements socially responsible initiatives within companies.
- Community Relations: Develops and implements strategies to foster strong, collaborative linkages between the organization and the community.