MSW Program: Introduction
The initial goal of SWEEP was to work in partnership with Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia to establish a Masters in Social Work. In 2004, Addis Ababa University started a new School of Social Work, followed by a PhD program in Social Work and Social Development in 2006. The Vision, Mission, Objectives and Goals, and Core Values of the School of Social Work were revised in 2007. The Rationale and Process for MSW Curriculum Revision was completed in 2007, and a new curriculum is in place to prepare students to work with disenfranchised populations within the Ethiopian society.
The graduate program in social work at AAU uses the Global Standards for the Education and Training of the Social Work Profession to guide the MSW curriculum. These guidelines were adopted at the General Assembly of IASSW and IFSW in Adelaide, Australia in 2004. They are available for download in PDF format (~382 KB).
Vision and Mission Statements of the School
VISION: Social justice is realized in Ethiopia with the Graduate School of Social Work, Addis Ababa University as a leading institution of social work education in Africa, excelling in teaching, research, consultancy and public service.
MISSION: The Graduate School of Social Work, Addis Ababa University exists to contribute to equity and social justice in Ethiopia by undertaking quality research, promoting excellence in teaching, developing a professional knowledge base, producing capable social workers and empowering people and communities.
Social Work Education Underlying Assumptions
The purpose of the MSW program is to prepare competent social work professionals who are prepared to alleviate poverty, oppression, and to promote social justice. To this end, the MSW is based on a body of knowledge, values, behaviors and professional skills that meet international standards in order to address the current and future needs of Ethiopia. The ultimate objective of the MSW program is to produce leaders of organizations charged with the responsibilities of developing and delivering social services; and preparing students to pursue doctoral studies. Finally, the program will maintain close, reciprocal and ongoing relationships with social work practitioners and organizations that promote or influence Social Work and social policies both at national and international levels.
Graduate Profile
The Graduate School of Social Work is expected to produce graduates who:
Admission Requirements:
Degree Nomenclature and Award Requirements
Successful graduates of this program will earn a "Master of Social Work (MSW)". The Amharic translation of this shall read as: ¾Te}` Ç=Ó] ufhM ¨`¡ The MSW degree consists of 34 credits taken over a two year period including the MSW thesis. Thirty (30) credits are delivered in a seminar format in the classroom. Global standards for the MSW degree in Social Work require the practical application of theory, knowledge, and skills through field placements in agencies and community organizations.
The award is given upon fulfillment of the following three requirements, subject to approval by the University Senate:
MSW Curriculum (Revised 2007)
SSWA 601 Integrated Social Work Methods I - Small Groups and Communities (3 credits)
SSWA 602-Integrated Social Work Methods II - Individuals and Families (3 Credits)
SSWA 661 Culture, Human Behavior, and Counseling (3 credits)
SSWA 642 Research Methods I (3 credits)
SSWA 611 Community Health & Social Work in the Health Field (3 credits)
SSWA 621- SSWA 621 Management and Leadership (3 credits)
SSWA 631 Social Policy Analysis (3 credits)
SSWA 682 Research Methods II (3 credits)
SSWA 671 Community Development, Capacity Building, and Planned Change (3 credits)
SSWA 681- MSW Thesis Project (4 credits)
SSWA 690/691/692 - Fieldwork Practice (no credits)