DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

Dr. Prof. Ofili Ibobor ( Head of Department, Social Work)

BRIEF HISTORY OF SOCIAL WORK IN UNIVERSITY OF BENIN
Social Work was established in 1984 in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, with a Part-Time Diploma programme in Social Work (DSW). The success of the programme led to the introduction of a Part-Time Bachelor of Social Work Programme in 1996. In 2006, a proposal for a Department of Social Work was put forward. Still as a unit under Sociology and Anthropology, the Postgraduate programmes in Social Work (Masters and PhD) started in 2008. The proposal for a full department materialized in June 2011 after the Senate of University of Benin officially approved the Department. The department took off in July 2011 with the support of Social Work in Nigeria Project (SWIN-P) in collaboration with three Canadian Universities; University of British Columbia, York University and University of Windsor.
The Department of Social Work is committed to social work education that prepares graduates who can promote Social Justice, Fundamental Human Rights as well as addressing social issues.

Philosophy
The philosophy underlying the Social Work degree programme is to produce a crop of graduates and undergraduate equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills in the solution of social problems. To make contributions to social development in Nigeria, Africa and the global community, having been exposed to a broad foundation of knowledge in the field of Social Work and the various sub-fields, and social sciences in general.

Mission
The mission of the Department of Social Work, UNIBEN is to develop social work professionals and researchers; that will uphold its values, knowledge based, principles and skills through programmes, policies and practices that enhance the social functioning, promote human rights and social justices at all levels. Our programmes are built upon the social work ‘values of; service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry, which are among the core values of social work’. These values underpin the explicit and implicit curriculum and frame the profession’s commitment to respect for all people and the quest for social and economic justice. These standards strengthen our social work curriculum and the practices are carried out through its pursuit for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions, which limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the well-being of all persons.
Learning Outcomes
The Learning outcomes of the Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) Programme include the following competences, skills and attributes.

ADMISSION AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

(a) Admission Requirement
There are three different pathways by which candidates can be admitted into the programmes in the discipline: the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), the Direct Entry, and Inter-University Transfer.

Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)
To be eligible for admission through UTME, the candidate must pass the UTME in the following subjects:
(i) Candidates seeking admission into this programme should possess any of the following qualifications:
Acceptable passes in the Joint Matriculations Examination (UTME) must be in the following areas:

Use of English

Any of Economics, Commerce, Government/History, Civil Education, Geography, Literature in English, CRK/IRK, Biology, Agricultural Science, any Nigerian Language.
(ii) At least a minimum of five credits in West African Examinations Council (WAEC)’s or National Examinations Council (NECO)’s Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), or the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level, NABTEB or its equivalent including English, Mathematics, and any of Biology, Government/History. Civil Education, Agricultural Sciences, Geography, Literature in English, CRK/IRK, Commerce, Economics, Health Education/ Health Science, Social Studies, Computer Studies at not more than two sittings.

Direct Entry
Candidates for Direct Entry admission shall possess five credit passes in the senior secondary School Certificate, General Certificate of Education, National Examination Council or their equivalent including English and Mathematics of which at least two shall be at the advanced level or four passes of which at least three shall be at the advanced Level provided that such passes are not counted at both levels of the examinations.
Diploma in Social Work/Diploma in Social Administration, Social Welfare, Community Work and Community Development and other relevant areas passed at upper credit level or National Certificate of Education (NCE) social studies passed at ‘B’ level and above could also be considered.

In addition to the above, candidates who possess any of the following qualifications may be considered for admission:
(i) At least two Advanced Level Passes at the General Certificate of Education (GCE) or the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or any of their recognized equivalent at not more than two sittings. The subjects should include: Government or History.
(ii) At least a merit-level pass in the University of Benin Diploma in Social Work.
(iii) At least a credit –level pass in the University of Benin Diploma in any of the following: Public Administration (DPA), Law (DIL), International Studies and Diplomacy (DIS), Nursing Administration and Management (DNAM), Health Statistics (DHS), Health Administration and Management (DHAM), Health Education (DHE), Agricultural Economics (DAE). Public Health (DPH), Community Development (DCP)
(iv) Diploma with at least an Upper credit-level pass in any of the following: Social Work, Public Administration, Law, International Studies, and Diplomacy, Health Administration and Management, Health Statistics, Nursing Administration and Management, Health Education, Agricultural Economics from any other recognized University.
(v) Ordinary National Diploma (OND) with at least an Upper credit-level pass in relevant discipline from a recognized Polytechnic or College of Technology.
(vi) Higher National Diploma (HND) with at least a Lower credit level pass in relevant discipline from a recognized polytechnic or college of Technology.
(vii) National Certificate of Education (NCE) with at least a credit–level passes in a Social Science subject from a recognized College of Education. In addition, candidates should have at least an overall merit level pass.

WORKLOAD
A Student shall normally in any one academic year be allowed to register for and take a minimum of 30 Credits and not, more than 50 Credits. This means that no student can earn more than 50 Credits at the end of each academic year. However, for the avoidance of doubt, a student shall take between 15 and 16 Credits in each semester in any academic year. Credits as used here means a series of lectures/tutorials of one hour week lasting a Semester, or a three hour practical class per week of an equivalent amount of study, or any combination of these.

REGISTRATION OF COURSES
A. Students shall register for all courses they are taking as part of their degree programmes. Students attending lectures in courses that they are not registered for shall do so only at the express permission of the lecturers in charge of the courses. However, such students shall not earn any credit from such courses.
B. Any student who fails to register within the specified time shall not be allowed to register in that session and shall forfeit the benefit of taking examinations in any semester of that session except with the approval of Senate. Such a student shall be deemed to have voluntarily withdrawn from the university and may only be readmitted in any subsequent session with the approval of Senate.

General Provisions
(a) Students shall take examinations in all courses for which they are registered.
(b) Grade Point Average will be calculated on the basis of the total number of courses registered for at the registration time.
(c) Marks scored for any courses not originally registered for will be disregarded.

Withdrawal from the Faculty
Students will be required to earn the following minimum credit units as specified below: (including GST and CED).
(a) Minimum number of credits required to remain in the Faculty and to move to the next higher level.
(i) 100 Level 24 Credits
(ii) 200 Level 20 Credits
(iii) 300 Level 18 Credits
(b) Minimum number of credits required to remain in the Faculty on probation:
(i) 100 Level 12 Credits
(ii) 200 Level 10 Credits
(iii) 300 Level 9 Credits
(c) Any Student who accumulates less than the Credits specified in (B) (b) above will be required to withdraw from the University.
(d) Average Credit Units required to graduate: 160 credits: it however varies according to departments.
(e) Submission of Application for Temporary Withdrawal on Medical grounds: if at any time during the session, a student falls ill and desires to apply for temporary withdrawal, the Medical Report in support of such an application would be accepted if presented within one month (30 days) of the students’ absence from school.

Inter- Faculty/University Transfer Mode
Transfer of students from other faculties and recognized Universities are accepted on merit and at the discretion of the University. Students can transfer into 200-Level courses provided they have the relevant qualifications and the CGPA of 3.0

Graduation Requirements
This degree programme is a four year degree programme with three compulsory field practicum placements that are carried out at 300 and 400 levels for the total period of 34 weeks (656 hours). The uniqueness of the programme can be seen in its emphasis on field practicum. The courses of study have been categorized into “compulsory, required and “elective” courses. Candidates for the Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) programme must take and pass all the compulsory courses, including the General Studies and CED courses. Thus, candidates are required to take and pass the prescribed University-Wide General Studies Courses (GST) and the Entrepreneurship Development (CED), which are credit earning.

The units required for graduation must be earned from courses offered within the Department, and recommended elective courses offered within and outside the Department. The following table illustrates the recommended minimum spread of unit load from departmental and non-departmental elective courses in the social work degree programme spread over three or four years: