About the Department

Our Department at Glance

The Department of Social Work is located in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Gondar. The department was established in 2010 with the opening of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. The Department is the second public institution next to the School of Social Work at Addis Ababa University in commencing social work education in Ethiopia. In 2013, the Department has launched Master of Social Work (MSW) program in the regular, extension and summer programs. In 2022, we revised the MSW program and developed three specialization areas: MSW in Children, Youth and Family; MSW in Health Care and Mental Health; and MSW in Social and Community Development.  

Since September 2017, the Department has launched PhD program in Social Work in collaboration with national and international partner universities. In our PhD program, Professors from School of Social Work at Addis Ababa University; College of Social Work at Ohio State University; School of Social Work at Boston University; School of Social Work at Loyola University at Chicago; School of Social Work at State University of New York at Albany; Louisiana State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary, School of Social Welfare at City University of New York, and University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

University of Gondar is one of the eight research universities differentiated by the Ministry of Education. The University aspires to be one of the top 10 research universities in Africa by 2030. Concomitant with the University’s endeavor as a research university, the Department of Social Work is one of the potential and rapidly growing institutes in this regard. The department has lots of potential for program development and expansion, research and community engagement areas. The department is committed to work to enhance quality of research and program standardization and relevance. The department is strongly working to enhance the quality and relevance of postgraduate programs [three MSW specializations and PhD program]. In this regard, we strongly believe that working collaboratively with national and international universities and other partners is highly important to share and exchange knowledge and skills to contribute for research productivity and improve program quality. The department is interested to work in partnership in the areas of joint research projects [mental health, child protection, child and family welfare, social policy and social welfare, community and social development], joint teaching in PhD program, faculty and student exchange, short term and long term study abroad programs, etc.

To this end, the department is planning to establish a center for community learning and development which will serve as a community field laboratory where social work students practice their field education and faculty members conduct their field action research projects. Besides, we are planning to establish a social justice research center where social work educators, researchers and practitioners would contribute for social work knowledge generation and dissemination in various areas. The department values diversity, competence, service and social justice.

Message from the Head, Department of Social Work

Welcome to the Social Work Department at the University of Gondar!! As a Department, we are building from our strong past; working to wipe out complex psychosocial problems in the present and to work for justice, as we move forward to promote social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people.

The current issues facing our globe underline the fundamental necessity of social work and social workers. We are confronted by the unequal effects of a public health pandemic, disparities in economic impact, disproportionate burden of risk, and the long history and current incarnation of systemic oppression. In many ways, this feels overwhelming. But the glory of social work is that it confronts these issues directly – at the micro level (with a focus on direct practice) and at the macro level (with its focus on policy, administration, and community organizing). We take the anger, pain, and frustration and turn it into action, momentum, community building, and progress.

No matter what your area of interest, Social Work can help you achieve your dreams. We bring a strong synergy of education, research, and community engagement. Our faculty is exemplary teachers, scholars, and collaborators who bring expertise in a wide range of topical areas – from mental health, to child welfare, to inter professional health, to aging, to community organizing, to public administration, to evidence-based practice, to innovative methods and research approaches. Our BSW, MSW, and PhD programs thrive in a rich mix of resources within the department, the university, and the community. We insist on centering community-engaged work. And we do all of this with a focus on advancing a more equitable, anti-oppressive, inclusive, and welcoming department, and community.

Come and change the world with us!