Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Gain the knowledge and practical skills to empower individuals, support communities, and advocate for social justice through ethical and compassionate social work practice.

Overview of the Program

The title of the programme is Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). It is a revised version of Social Work and Social Administration which was introduced in Uganda in 1960s, and later at Kyambogo University in 2006. The underlying motivation for its design hinges largely on the need to promote human well-being, social change, development, social cohesion, empowerment and liberation of people in Uganda and beyond. Therefore, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a professional programme that contributes to the essential human resources needed for poverty alleviation and addressing a multitude of social issues which create social dysfunctioning among individuals, groups and communities. It is within this context that this academic programme is offered.

The NCHE (2019) minimum standards for social work training and education in Uganda, NCHE (2007) Statutory Instrument 2007 No. 63 and the Kyambogo University admission regulations will be used during admission of students to the BSW programme. The following entry requirements and modes will apply:

a) Direct Entry

  • Candidates admitted for direct entry should have at least a Principal Pass in the following UACE subjects considered as Essential: Economics and History.
  • All Other UACE subjects are considered as relevant subjects.
  • Candidates admitted for direct entry should have at least a Credit in the following UCE subjects: English and Mathematics

b) Diploma Entry

  • Applicants with a diploma obtained with a credit or distinction in: Social work, social science, humanities and or educational sciences will be considered for admission to the BSW.

c) Degree Entry

  • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline will be considered for admission to the BSW programme.

In conformity with the NCHE (2019) minimum standards and framework for social work training and education in Uganda, the Bachelor of Social Work is a three-year full-time taught programme. The three years translate into six semesters as indicated in the programme structure below;

Year I Semester I Courses
Course Code Course Name Nature of the Course LH PH CU
LSW1101 Introduction to Social Work C 60 0 4
LSW1102 Contemporary Social Problems F 45 0 3
LSW1103 Sociology for social workers F 45 0 3
LSW1104 Psychology for social workers F 45 0 3
LSW1105 Economics for Social Work F 45 0 3
LSW1106 Communication Skills F 45 0 3
LSW1107 Orientation to Social Work Fieldwork C 45 0 3
Total 330 0 22
Year I Semester II Courses
Course Code Course Name Nature of the Course LH PH CU
LSW1208 Introduction to Social Policy C 60 0 4
LSW1209 Social Psychology F 45 0 3
LSW1210 Computer Skills F 45 0 3
LSW1211 Social Work Processes C 60 0 4
LSW1212 Social Work Ethics and Values C 60 0 4
LSW1213 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families M 45 0 3
LSW1214 Fieldwork Practice: Foundational (Recess semester) C 0 400 13
Total 315 400 34
Year II Semester I Courses
Course Code Course Name Nature of the Course LH PH CU
LSW2115 Human Behaviour, Growth and Development C 60 0 4
LSW2116 Social Work Theories and Perspectives C 60 0 4
LSW2117 Research Methods in Social Work C 60 0 4
LSW2118 Social Work Practice with Groups M 45 0 3
LSW2119 Social Work Practice with Communities M 45 0 3
LSW2120 Fieldwork Integration Seminar I C 30 0 2
Total 300 0 20
Year II Semester II Courses
Course Code Course Name Nature of the Course LH PH CU
LSW2221 Social Work Practice Models C 60 0 4
LSW2222 Social Welfare Programs C 60 0 4
LSW2223 Social Policy Analysis C 60 0 4
LSW2224 Statistics for Social Workers M 45 0 3
LSW2225 Management of Human Service Organisations M 45 0 3
LSW2226 Fieldwork Practice: Intermediate (Recess semester) C 0 400 13
Total 250 400 31
Year III Semester I Courses
Course Code Course Name Nature of the Course LH PH CU
LSW3127 Social Work and Social Justice I 45 0 3
LSW3128 Social Work and Mental Health I 45 0 3
LSW3129 Social Work and Forced Migration I 45 0 3
LSW3130 Fieldwork Integration Seminar II C 30 0 2
LSW3131 Concurrent Fieldwork I C 0 120 4
Total 165 120 15
Year III Semester II
Course Code Course Name Nature of the Course LH PH CU
LSW3232 Developmental Social Work I 45 0 3
LSW3233 Green Social Work I 45 0 3
LSW3234 Health Care Social Work I 45 0 3
LSW3235 Concurrent Fieldwork II C 0 120 4
LSW3236 Research Paper C 30 300 12
Total 165 420 25
Grand Total 1525 1340 147

By the end of this programme, the graduates of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) should be able to:

  • Understand the systematic body of knowledge, values, principles and techniques used in social work practice.
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically and logically analyse societal issues/problems in a coherent manner and make rational decisions in problem solving.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of one’s personal cultural values and beliefs and how these influence their helping relationships with other people.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Programme feeds directly into the Master of Social Work programme. With our demand-driven training and emphasis on professionalism, our graduates are positioned to perform confidently in government agencies, non-government organisations, non-profit organisations, and other fields.

A candidate shall pay tuition and other charges as may be determined from time to time by the Kyambogo University council. Ugandans and other East African nationals and foreigners shall pay tuition, including registration, library fees, etc. according to the University fees structure.

For any inquiries related to our academic programs, please contact Senkosi Balyejussa Moses (Ph.D). He is the Head of Department, Social work and Social Administration, Kyambogo University
Telephone: +256771849708
Email: senkosi.moses.b@gmail.com