Master in Social Work

General Objectives of the Course

The proposal to establish the SW Master at FPCE-UC follows the philosophy of the Bologna Process and stems from the determination to ensure, in the context of public higher education which ensures training in the area, the progression to an advanced learning level, in theoretical and reflective terms, and the consequent acquisition of skills, which the generalist and transversal nature of the 1st Study Cycle does not allow to accomplish.
The SW Master enhances skills in social analysis and managing of contexts in change, vulnerability and psychosocial risk, in order to contribute to the construction, implementation and evaluation of public policies targeted to new audiences, through innovation capabilities, expertise and professional proficiency. It ensures a professional profile grounded on scientific analysis capabilities and on the mastery of competencies of research and innovative social intervention individually and collectively, in an organization and community context.

Admission Requirements

Candidates who want to apply to the Master in Social Work in FPCE must fulfill the conditions set out in paragraph 1 of article 17º, of LD 115/2013, 7th of August:
a) Holders of a degree or legal equivalent;

b) Holders of a foreign academic degree obtained after a 1st Cycle of Studies organized according to the principles of Bologna Process by a State participating in this Process;

c) Holders of a foreign academic degree that is recognized as meeting the objectives of a degree by the statutorily competent scientific department of the higher education institution where they wish to be admitted;

d) Holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting the capacity to carry out this study cycle by the statutorily competent scientific department of the higher education institution where they wish to be admitted.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

The intervention areas of Social Work are very diverse, both in terms of institutional framework, and in terms of target population, objectives and work methodology, namely: Health, Mental Health, Justice, Social Security, Local Government, Education, Private Institutions of Social Solidarity or Non-governmental Organizations, Applied Research projects, Education and Scientific Research.
With the Masters, the professionals acquire the skills to take on increased functions at different levels, including responsibilities involving the direction and management of equipment, projects and policies: Social Assistance, Social Facilities Management, Local Development and Social Action, Management and Evaluation Projects and Social Policy, Social Mediation, School and Community, Social Support and Monitoring of Children, Families, Youth and Seniors in Situations of Vulnerability or Risk of Social Exclusion, Intervention in Community Projects Social Inclusion.

Mode of Study

Full-time / Face-to-face / Daytime

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

In accordance with the article 24º of Law-Decree 115/2013, 7th of August, in the 2nd Study Cycle it is given a final rating, expressed in the range 10-20 of the whole range 0 to 20, as well as in its equivalent in the European scale of comparability of ratings.
The final classification is obtained by the weighted arithmetic mean (rounded to) curricular units (including the Dissertation/Project or Internship), and the weighting factor the number of ECTS.
In the final Cycle of Studies, after the defense of the Dissertation/Project or Internship, may be associated, according to article 17º of Decree-Law 42/2005, of 22th February, a qualitative expressed in terms of Sufficient (10-13 points), Good (14-15 points), Very Good (16-17 points) and Excellent (18-20 points).

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

The Master in Social Work continues the training philosophy underlying the Degree taught at the University of Coimbra and aims to develop new and updated skills and competencies, including those related to:

- deepening of theories, methodologies and specific processes of Social Work and reflection on their suitability;

- the development of innovative and creative methodologies;

- the research development, in order to produce knowledge and manage their own scientific and professional future learning process;

- the identification, analytical understanding and measurement of social needs and critical contexts for later decision on appropriate intervention procedures;

- the integration of knowledge in case of complex issues, aiming to propose and develop solutions or to make judgments;

- conflict/social problems mediation, in contexts of family, school and community intervention;

- to build skills that enable learning throughout life.

Course Coordinator(s)

Clara Maria Rodrigues Cruz Silva Santos
clarasantos@fpce.uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Bruno Cecílio de Sousa
uc41501@uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

LD 115/2013, 7th of August amends previous legislation (LD 74/2006, 24th of March, and following amendments, Decree 782/2009, 23rd of July).

Graduation Requirements

In order to obtain a Master degree in Social Work it is necessary the registration and approval in all curricular units of the Specialization Course and the preparation and oral defense of an original scientific Dissertation prepared for this purpose, or a Social Intervention Project or a professional Internship followed by a Final Report (Monograph), with a research component.

Access to Further Studies

Pursuant to LD 115/2013, 7th of August (article 30º, nr. 1, paragraph a) and article 38º), the 2nd Study Cycle allows access to a 3rd Study Cycle.

Study Programme

Social Work

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Lifelong Learning Master Programme

DGES Code: 9330

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 3 Semester(s)

ECTS Credits: 90.0

Category: Lifelong training second cycle


Applications

Call for Applications


Calendar

1st Semester
Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 14-12-2024
2nd Semester
Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior
2020-07-31 a 2026-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior

Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 31/2014/AL01

2022-04-06

Documents