Diploma in Social Work
The Diploma in Social Work program is designed for professionals engaged in social welfare and social development work who wish to pursue graduate studies to gain a higher level of competence in their field of practice. This program is open to those with a bachelor’s degree in social work and those who do not, with a different track for each. An above-average performance or the successful completion of the degree qualifies students without a bachelor’s degree in social work to enter the Master in Social Work program should they wish to take this course of study.
Objectives
The program aims to:
• Provide a higher level of competence in direct practice and supervisory capability in social work, social welfare and social development; and
• Equip students with appropriate knowledge and skills in a chosen field of specialization (social administration, clinical practice or community organizing).
Mode of Instruction
All courses, except for the field instruction courses, will be delivered mainly by distance education mode. Field instruction courses, an integral part in social work education, requires face-to-face supervision and this will be accomplished with the support of local preceptors working under the overall direction of the faculty-in-charge of the course.
Prospective applicants are advised that the program requires at least one field instruction course requiring work in an assigned agency 10 hours as week, for 17 consecutive weeks, usually on regular work hours.
Those without a BSSW will need two field instruction courses, with the first one, SW 280.1, requiring 20 hours a week for 17 consecutive weeks.
Those without a bachelor’s degree in social work and intend to pursue a Master of Social Work and complete the 1,000-hour requirement for professional social work training will be required to enroll in a total of five field instruction courses.
Those whose employment will not allow for an adjustment of their work schedule may find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to complete this program.
Admission Requirements
• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution;
• A high level of intellectual capacity and integrity;
• A high English proficiency level (as evidenced by a TOEFL certification) for foreign applicants
These will be determined through (1) an examination of an applicant’s undergraduate credentials, (2) a review of references from former professors and professional supervisors, and (3) an interview.
Curriculum
The Diploma consists of 27 units of core and major courses for holders of a bachelor’s degree in social work and 33 units for those without such a bachelor’s degree. This can be competed between five to six semesters on a part time basis, at six units per semester. Upon completion of all courses, students must take and pass an integration examination to earn the degree.
For BSSW Holders – 27 units
Core Courses (15 units)
SW 201 Social, Economic & Political Structures and Processes (3 units)
SW 202 Human Behavior and Social Change (3 units)
SW 210 Social Administration and Development (3 units)
SW 220 Social Work Theory and Practice in the Philippines (3 units)
SW 299.1 Social Work Research I (3 units)
Major Courses (6 units)
SW 211 Social Policy Development (3 units) AND
SW 212 Social Planning and Program Development (3 units) OR
SW 221 Clinical Social Work Practice I (3 units) AND
SW 222 Clinical Social Work Practice II (3 units) OR
SW 230 Theory and Practice of Community Organization (3 units) AND
SW 231 Strategies in Community Mobilization
Field Instruction (3 units)
SW 280 Field Instruction I (3 units)
Elective (3 units)
SW 253 Supervision in the Social Services or a major course apart from area of specialization (3 units)
Integration Exam (Prerequisite: must have completed 27 units of all courses)
For Non-BSSW Holders (33 units)
Core Courses (15 units)
SW 201 Social, Economic & Political Structures and Processes (3 units)
SW 202 Human Behavior and Social Change (3 units)
SW 210 Social Administration and Development (3 units)
SW 220 Social Work Theory and Practice in the Philippines (3 units)
SW 299.1 Social Work Research I (3 units)
Major & Survey Courses (12 units)
SW 211 Social Policy Development (3 units) AND
SW 221 Clinical Social Work Practice I (3 units) AND
SW 230 Theory and Practice of Community Organization (3 units) AND
SW 212 Social Planning and Program Development (3 units) OR
SW 222 Clinical Social Work Practice II (3 units) OR
SW 231 Strategies in Community Mobilization (3 units)
Field Instruction (6 units)
SW 280.1 Field Instruction: Generalist Social Work Practice (3 units)
SW 280 Field Instruction I (3 units)
Integration Exam (Prerequisite: must have completed 33 units of all courses)
