BA SOCIAL WORK

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Social Work at Central University is a combined degree programme with either Psychology or Sociology. The aim of the programme is to train the next generation of social workers who must be versatile and adaptable to work in a variety of fields. They must be able to conceptualize, implement and manage programmes at all levels of society in a manner that must produce measurable and positive impact on the lives of its beneficiaries.

Objectives of the Social Work Programme are to:

Introduce students to the discipline and practice of social work as a profession and/with other related programmes in contemporary times.
Produce professionals who are well-endowed with knowledge and skills for managing social challenges, inter alia, poverty, social injustice, human rights protection facing the vulnerable in the social change process.
Equip students with the diversity of options in the competitive job market to pursue professional careers as change and development agents.
Create an opportunity for students pursuing social work programme to combine with courses selected from psychology, sociology, communication studies, economics, and environment and developmental studies.

Admission Requirements

The minimum admission requirements of Central University (CU) apply. To enter the programme, applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

(a) West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Credit passes (A1-C6) in six (6) subjects comprising three core subjects, including English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science or Social Science plus three (3) relevant subjects. Students must pass Social Studies.

(b) Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE).

Credit passes (A-D) in six (6) subjects comprising three core subjects, including English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science or Social Science plus three (3) relevant subjects. Students must pass Social Studies.

(c) General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Levels.

Passes in three (3) subjects (at least, one of the passes should be Grade D or better). Also, the applicant must have had credit passes (Grade 6) in five GCE Ordinary Level subjects including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject (for non-science students) and Arts subject (for Science students).

(d) Mature Applicants.

(i) The candidate must be at least 25 years old by 31^st December of the year preceding the examination. A certified copy of birth certificate is required. The date of issue of the birth certificate should not be less than five years from the date of the completion of the admission forms.

(ii) The candidate must have G.C.E. “O” Level or SSSCE/WASSCE credit passes in English Language and Core Mathematics. Candidates who do not have the required “O” Level/SSSCE/ WASSCE passes will be required to take Special Entrance Examination papers in the two subjects.

(iii) Mature Students’ Entrance Examination

The candidate must write the Mature Students’ Entrance Examination which consists of a General Paper for all candidates and two papers in the area (s) of specialization desired.

(e) Foreign Applicants

To be considered for admission, applicants must have qualifications equivalent to the above. Their results must also be translated into English and they should be able to read and write in English. Prospective foreign applicants must also note that their certificates will be sent to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for evaluation and verification at a fee.

The Social Work Programme takes at least four (4) years and at most six (6) years to complete.

Professional applicants

The Social Work Programme is currently recruiting the following groups of professionals.

1. Persons with Diploma Certificates in Social Work or Social Administration will be interviewed and given admission to start from L300.

2. Persons with Certificates from Social Welfare Institutions or Related Institutions who have worked 3 or more years can apply. They will be interviewed and admitted to start from L200.

Target groups include:
Teachers
Custom officers
Police officers
Prison officers
Immigration officers
Military officers

Employment Opportunities

Social workers are professionals who work to ensure the well-being of all people in society. However, they are particularly concerned about the well-being of vulnerable people including children, aged, people with disability, youth, poor people, mentally challenged, prisoners, etc. Below are the places a social worker can be employed after training.

Department of Social Welfare and Social Development under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to manage government welfare services and programmes
Health institutions such hospitals as the hospital social worker, as guidance and counseling therapist, gerontologist, child health and welfare professionals, mental health and disability specialist
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as social intervention coordinator for vulnerable people, community project coordinators or directors, and counselors
Administration of local government and community development agencies as change agents
In basic and high schools as school social worker
In Security agencies (military, police, immigration, customs, and prisons) social worker
Labour groups and associations
In Shelters and homes for vulnerable children and adults such (orphan homes, homes for victims of trafficking, street children, the aged)

Dr. Margaret Amenuke-Edusei – Programme Coordinator

mamenuke@central.edu.gh