Prepare to understand social problems, work with individuals, families and communities, contribute to social policy and social protection, and support public, nonprofit and humanitarian institutions.
The Department of Social Work is an academic unit within the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at Ilays University. The Department is designed to prepare graduates who can understand social problems, work effectively with individuals and families, mobilize communities, contribute to social policy and social protection, and support public, nonprofit and humanitarian institutions.
Its curriculum combines social work, sociology, psychology, public administration, governance, management, research, public health, peacebuilding and communication in order to provide an interdisciplinary foundation for professional social service practice.
The curriculum gives particular attention to the realities reflected in contemporary Somali society and the wider region. Courses in poverty and social inequality, community development, family and child welfare, migration and displacement, disaster management, social protection, conflict management, governance and NGO management position the Department to contribute to human development, social resilience and inclusive public service. At the same time, students develop practical competencies through case management, counselling skills, monitoring and evaluation, research, a capstone project and a fieldwork internship.
To be a respected centre of social work education that develops ethical, competent and socially responsive graduates who strengthen social services, community resilience and inclusive development in Somalia and beyond.
To provide interdisciplinary, practice-oriented education in social work through a strong social-science foundation, applied case management and community practice, professional ethics, research and supervised field education that connect learning to real social needs.
Respect for the inherent worth, rights and agency of every person.
Ethical conduct, responsible use of information and professional accountability.
Commitment to equity, participation and protection of vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Empathetic, responsive and culturally sensitive engagement with people and communities.
Use of research, data, monitoring and reflective practice to improve decisions and services.
Collaboration with families, communities, government, civil society and development institutions.
Social problems rarely arise from a single cause, so learning is organised around the interaction between individuals, families, communities, institutions and public policy.
Integrates social work with sociology, psychology, public administration, governance, management, public health and communication.
Addresses poverty, inequality, peacebuilding, displacement, social protection, family welfare and community development.
Includes case management, counselling skills, community intervention, monitoring and evaluation, capstone research and fieldwork.
Combines social-service knowledge with project management, public finance, procurement and NGO management.
Explicit attention to professional ethics, human rights, inclusion and legal issues in social work.
Builds from social statistics and research methods toward monitoring and evaluation, capstone research and data analysis.
Provide students with a strong foundation in social work theory, social welfare, sociology, psychology, public administration and related social sciences.
Develop the ability to assess social needs and apply appropriate case management, community development, counselling and crisis-response approaches.
Prepare students to understand and respond to poverty, inequality, gender and inclusion, family and child welfare, migration, displacement and other forms of vulnerability.
Build competence in social policy analysis, planning, governance, public financial management and the management of nonprofit and social programs.
Develop research literacy, social statistics, data analysis and monitoring and evaluation competencies for evidence-informed practice.
Strengthen communication, advocacy, public relations, leadership, project management and collaborative decision-making skills.
Promote professional ethics, human rights, social justice, accountability and culturally responsive practice.
Prepare students for effective service in government, civil society, NGOs, humanitarian agencies, community organizations and development programs.
Provide structured opportunities for applied learning through fieldwork, community-based activities and a capstone research project.
Develop graduates capable of lifelong learning, professional growth and responsible contribution to social development in Somalia and beyond.
On successful completion of the curriculum, graduates should be able to:
Explain major social work theories, social welfare concepts and the roles of social workers in diverse service environments.
Analyze how social, cultural, economic, political and institutional factors influence individual, family and community wellbeing.
Apply structured approaches to case management, needs assessment, referral, community intervention and social advocacy.
Use foundational counselling and crisis-intervention skills within appropriate professional and ethical boundaries.
Analyze social policy, social protection, public programs and governance arrangements affecting vulnerable populations.
Demonstrate understanding of family and child welfare, mental health, disability, ageing, migration, displacement and disaster-related vulnerabilities.
Plan and contribute to community development, social entrepreneurship, nonprofit and public-sector initiatives.
Use social statistics, research methods, data analysis and monitoring and evaluation to support evidence-informed decisions.
Communicate professionally in oral, written and public-facing formats and engage effectively in advocacy and stakeholder relations.
Apply project management, leadership and organizational behaviour concepts in social and development organizations.
Demonstrate ethical judgement, respect for human rights, confidentiality, inclusion and professional accountability.
Integrate academic knowledge with practical experience through capstone research and supervised fieldwork.
The total required/core curriculum is 165 credits, with a 10-credit elective pool, bringing the total credits represented to 175.
The source curriculum states 18 credit hours for this semester but does not itemise individual course titles.
| Curriculum Component | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Foundation Year — Semester I | 18 |
| Foundation Year — Semester II | 18 |
| Semester I | 15 |
| Semester II | 17 |
| Semester III | 16 |
| Semester IV | 17 |
| Semester V | 16 |
| Semester VI | 16 |
| Semester VII | 17 |
| Semester VIII | 15 |
| Required / Core Curriculum Total | 165 |
| Elective Course Pool | 10 |
| Total Credits Represented | 175 |
| Domain | Representative Courses |
|---|---|
| Foundational & General Education | Academic English, communication, study skills, computer fundamentals, mathematics, Islamic studies and Somali context. |
| Social Work Practice | Social work theory and practice, social welfare management, case management, community-based intervention, ethics and fieldwork. |
| Sociology, Policy & Development | Sociology, anthropology, poverty and inequality, social policy, gender and inclusion, social protection and community development. |
| Psychology & Human Services | Human growth and development, counselling, crisis intervention, social psychology, mental health, family and child welfare. |
| Governance & Management | Public administration, governance, public finance, procurement, organizational behaviour, project management, leadership and NGO management. |
| Research & Evidence | Social statistics, research methods, monitoring and evaluation, capstone research and data analysis. |
A blended, practice-oriented model connects theory with real social issues and service environments.
Conceptual foundations, professional frameworks and guided academic discussion.
Critical reading, policy dialogue, communication and professional argumentation.
Observation, community mapping, needs assessment, advocacy and service-oriented projects.
Social statistics, field data, research design, M&E tools and evidence interpretation.
| Assessment Mode |
|---|
| Written examinations and quizzes for foundational knowledge and conceptual understanding. |
| Individual assignments, reflective papers, policy briefs and analytical essays. |
| Case analyses, community profiles, needs assessments and intervention plans. |
| Group projects, presentations, debates and facilitated seminar participation. |
| Practical demonstrations and role-play assessment for selected counselling and case-management skills. |
| Research proposals, data exercises, field reports and monitoring and evaluation tasks. |
| Capstone research assessment using approved academic criteria and supervision procedures. |
| Fieldwork internship assessment incorporating student performance, field-supervisor feedback and a structured report or reflective portfolio. |
The interdisciplinary curriculum supports roles across social services, community development, humanitarian action, public administration and nonprofit organizations.
Case management, needs assessment, referral and direct support to individuals and families.
Community mobilisation, participatory planning, advocacy and service-learning projects.
Family and child welfare, safeguarding and protective services.
Programme design, project management and NGO and nonprofit management.
Social statistics, M&E tools, data analysis and evidence-informed reporting.
Policy analysis, social protection, planning and governance arrangements.
Displacement, migration, disaster response and protection programming.
Counselling skills, crisis intervention, mental health and psychosocial support.
Community initiatives, social enterprise and development programmes.
A separate 10-credit elective pool from five 2-credit courses; the selection requirement follows university policy.
Admission follows the general bachelor-degree admission requirements of Ilays University. Applicants are expected to have completed recognised secondary education or an equivalent qualification and to satisfy university requirements for registration, placement, language readiness, documentation and orientation.
Contact AdmissionsTo be eligible for admission into the Ilays University undergraduate programs, applicants must meet the following criteria: