New MSc in Social Work marks end of an era

A new MSc in Social Work will replace the highly successful Master of Social Work (MSW), which will come to an end this year.

The MSc builds of the strengths of the MSW while embracing an innovative integrated model of learning that forges links from academic learning to practice. The programme will utlise and develop new electronic learning systems, an area in which the University has established a reputation for innovation.

Staff and students in the Department of Social Work were joined by former colleagues in April to mark the end of the MSW, a course that has supplied hundreds of the UK's social workers over the past three decades.

"The MSW has been a hugely successful degree programme for the past 25 years, one which has produced many outstanding graduates," said Dr Brenda Gillies, head of the University's Department of Social Work.

"Throughout that time the MSW programme has adapted to meet the changing demands of the profession. But, the time has come to bring in a whole new programme which incorporates a new model of learning and which we are sure will be a worthwhile replacement."

In 1984 the University introduced the first Masters programme in Social Work in Scotland. This programme built on the existing successful graduate programme in social work.

Since then, graduates from the Dundee programme have gone on to very successful and effective social work careers with many moving into senior positions in the Scottish Executive, Local Government and voluntary organisations.

The new MSc incorporates many aspects of the MSW but with more inventive teaching and learning methods. The programme has already attracted a great deal of interest due to its exciting and innovative design.