Department of Social Work – Page 4 – NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Welcome

The Department of Social Work at FASS started in 1952 and provides professional social work education at the Undergraduate, Post-Graduate Diploma, Masters and PhD level. We have a dynamic team of faculty and students who are passionate about enhancing social well-being along the individual to societal levels using a variety of methods relevant to today's society.

Vision

To be a leading educational and research institution within the international social work community, providing a distinctive Asian perspective in social work and social development.

Mission

To produce and develop competent social work graduates who can contribute to the well-being of society by:
- Promoting the social functioning of people within the environment from the perspectives of the individual, family and community;
- Enabling the development of human potential to the fullest;
- Undertaking research and creating awareness and understanding of social issues and social change.
To lead in the development and promotion of regional social work education, practice and research in collaboration with Asian and other international partners.

What is Social Work?

Social work is a profession that seeks to improve the social functioning of individuals, families, and the community in general. Social workers are change agents informed by a belief in respect for the equality, worth, and dignity of all people, drawing on theories of human development and behaviour and social systems to facilitate this change.

Human rights and social justice serve as the motivation and justification for social work action. In solidarity with those who are disadvantaged, the profession strives to alleviate poverty and to liberate vulnerable and oppressed people in order to promote social inclusion.

What do social workers do? Where do they work?

As professionals, social workers provide developmental, preventive and remedial intervention utilising social work principles, knowledge, skills and ethics in discharging their responsibilities. This requires that the social worker attains a Degree in Social Work or a Graduate Diploma in Social Work or other accredited Social Work degree qualifications.

Social workers work in a variety of settings, including but not limited to:

CLICK HERE for information on general guidelines on the pay scale for a social worker.

Disclaimer: Any information displayed is correct at time of publication. Some information has been adapted from the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW).

Students: Get hands-on learning in your research interests/projects!

Research in the Social Work Department is integrated with our practice and teaching of social work. Many of our research projects analyse trends on issues of societal concern, and evaluate policies, programmes and services for populations in need.

Research also provides hands-on learning to students who are engaged in the projects. Our staff are involved in a variety of research projects. Students interested in a specific area or research interest can contact the respective Professors for more information.

CLICK HERE to hear what each of our Professors has to share!

Latest Updates for Undergraduates

News

August 8, 2023

The Cleansed Hearts Initiative Honours Cleaning Workers

About FASS undergraduate Nabil Zulkefly (NUS Social Work and NUS Sociology and Anthropology) and his initiative devoted to lifting the spirits of NUS campus cleaners, “The Cleansed Hearts”.

July 17, 2023

Helping Others Help Better: How this Social Work Graduate Found his Calling

While serving his National Service in the Singapore Police Force, Sim Jian Wen saw a side of the country that he had only ever seen in the movies – one involving loan sharks, violence and the occasional substance abuse. So he took the leap to pursue Social Work at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

June 20, 2023

From Passion to Purpose: Dr Khoo Kim Choo’s Impact on Early Childhood Education

Dr Khoo Kim Choo (NUS Social Work, ’70) has been recently inducted into the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame for her legacy and impact in the early childhood education sector.

May 10, 2023

FASS Honours Alumni for their Profound Impact on Community and Nation

This year’s honourees are Mrs Elizabeth Sam, a prominent banker; Mr Othman Bin Haron Eusofe, an influential unionist; Dr S Vasoo, a passionate social worker; Mr Benny Lim, a dedicated civil servant and policymaker; and Mr T. Sasitharan, a celebrated actor and respected voice in arts and culture – all of whom have dedicated their careers and lives to service and community in different ways.

April 24, 2023

NUS Researchers Propose Ways to Enhance Workfare for Low-income

The research team – comprising Associate Professor Irene Ng of NUS Social Work, and Dr Ong EeCheng and Research Assistant Tan Zhi Han of NUS Economics – made their recommendations at a joint NUS Social Service Research Centre and Leap201 roundtable on 20 April 2023.

March 21, 2023

NUS Social Work: Nurturing Change Agents to Serve the Community

To mark this year’s World Social Work Day on 21 March 2023, hear from two passionate NUS Social Work students, Year 2 undergraduate Freddy Ow Yong and Master’s student Jean Loo, about their aspirations in choosing social work as a career and profession.

March 12, 2023

NUS Open House: More than 7.7M Visitors Drawn to Action-Packed Showcase over 10 Days

NUS Open House 2023 saw a strong showing by visitors eager to find out about the University’s academic programmes, as it returned in from 25 February to 6 March. Some 7.71 million visitors attended the physical and online showcase which involved 3,071 faculty and staff, students and alumni.