This programme is offered in a full-time study mode. As a full-time student you will study 9 modules plus a dissertation. A standard module is equivalent to 200 hours of learning and on successful completion of each module you will achieve 20 credits towards your award. You will also undertake research in the completion of a dissertation to gain 40 credits towards your master’s degree.
Year 1: Developing an understanding of the social work role
The first year of the programme sets the foundations for understanding the social work role by exploring its legal and ethical context and by establishing some of the key knowledge, skills and values you will require to involve people who have experienced different forms of ill-health, abuse, adversity, and other forms of vulnerability and social injustice in the assessment of their needs and in decision making around their support. The importance of research and evidence is highlighted throughout, and a practice placement at the end of the first year provides the opportunity to integrate theory with practice and to consolidate all of your learning throughout the year.
Year 2: Challenging the social work role and shaping the future
The second year of the programme builds in complexity by addressing challenges of risk assessment, public protection and decision making within the context of social work theory and practice. You will further develop your communication and assessment skills while involved with a range of people receiving services and/or carers. In doing so, you will explore issues of conflict and risk, and consider the possibility that children and adults who are in need of our care and support may also present risks to others. The final year will focus on the research proposal and dissertation allowing you to develop specific areas of professional interest and expertise. You will undertake a final practice placement which will enable you to make the transition into the workplace as a competent, confident and autonomous practitioner.
Subjects include:
Year 1
- Applied Social Work Models and Methods (20 credits)
- Working with Individuals, Families and Communities (20 credits)
- Legal, Policy, and Ethical Frameworks (20 credits)
- AHP & Social Work Research Questions and Methodology (collaborative) (20 credits)
- Social Work and Assessment (20 credits)
- Practice Placement 1: Part A and Part B (20 credits)
Year 2
- Changes and Challenges in Social Work (20 credits)
- Safeguarding and Public Protection (20 credits)
- Dissertation (40 credits)
- Practice Placement 2 (20 credits)
Lead academics
Dr Jana Králová (‘Yana’, she/her) is Social Work academic, practitioner, author of peer-reviewed publications, researcher and publicly engaged social death preventer. Jana's scholarly interest in Social Death and its prevention includes all individuals and communities that are dehumanised, marginalised, discriminated against, oppressed, excluded, stigmatised, and otherwise considered worthless by others. Jana is interested in thinking, writing, and practising with these populations in ways which promote unconditional positive regard for all human beings. Jana uses dialogical approach to teaching, whereby all students are equal partners engaged through critical dialog and reflection in addressing the changes and challenges in contemporary social work.
Dr Hadijah Mwenyango is a Lecturer in Social Work at Edinburgh Napier University. Originally, a social work academic from Makerere University Uganda, she obtained her PhD in Social Work from The University of Edinburgh and her MSc in Social Work and Human Rights from Gothenburg University. Her research centres on the health needs and challenges of forced migrants/refugees. She is passionate about giving a voice to socially excluded populations. She is excited to welcome you to the MSW and will be the module leader on Applied Social Work Models and Methods, Social Work and Assessment and Social Work Practice 2.
Dr Sarah Rose a qualified social worker and practice educator and worked for over a decade in local authority adult services in Scotland before moving into social work research and education. Sarah's PhD was in the emotional resilience of social workers, and she has subsequently been part of a research project concerned with the inclusion of self-care into social work curricula. Sarah's ongoing research interests centre on resilience, workforce wellbeing, professional integrity and ethical practice. She joined Edinburgh Napier University in 2022 and is the programme leader for the Graduate Certificate in Practice Learning, and the Master of Social Work module leader for Legal, Ethical and Policy Frameworks, and Safeguarding and Public Protection.
Dr Evangelia Petropoulou has been a qualified social worker since 2004. She has experience of working with children and families in a range of settings in the statutory and voluntary sector. She completed a MSc in Inclusive and Special Education at the University of Edinburgh in 2012, and her PhD at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2018. Her research interests and expertise include identifying the predictive and protective factors of injuries of people with learning disabilities and developing risk injury and risk fall injury assessment tools tailored to this population in order to implement the most promising interventions on a broad scale. She is also particularly interested in service provision and the involvement of people with learning disabilities in the design and delivery of health and social care services and education.
Evangelia joined Edinburgh Napier University in 2022 and she is the module leader for ‘Working with Individuals, Families and Communities’, ‘AHP & Social Work Research Questions and Methodology’ and ‘Practice Placement 1: Part A and Part B’ modules. She is passionate about supporting social work students to develop their skills and knowledge in person-centred approaches. Providing an inclusive learning environment where students feel respected, valued, and academically stimulated motivates her approach.
Kate Fennell is a social work lecturer and a research doctoral candidate (so, she's a student too!). Her practice experience spans 3 decades in Scotland and England. Specifically, Kate was a Mental Health Officer, practice teacher and adult protection lead officer in Edinburgh. Because of her practice experience, Kate teaches across a number of the programme modules but has a particular interest in mental health & capacity law and public protection. She is collaborating with people who use services, to provide authentic, informed, and inclusive learning experiences for MSW students in preparation for the reality of social work practice. Kate cycles everywhere, to work, across the UK, Europe and more significantly throughout Scotland’s fabulous Highlands and Islands.