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Social Work

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What is the objective of the course? What is it?
What does it train you for?

The aim of this Degree Course is to train professional social workers, professionals capable of reading the dynamics and social processes at work in the territory they work in critically, reflectively and autonomously, preparing adequate action on social problems, working within the public and private social services, taking into account the operating methods used in a given organisational system. Within the training pathway, fundamental importance is accorded internships at organisations or services in agreement with the University of Palermo, as well as the various activities organised within study workshops - Social Service Laboratory and the Interdisciplinary Applied Research Laboratory on Bodies, Rights and Conflicts for the Palermo campus and Laboratorio LAPP (Social Research applied to Social Work) for the Agrigento campus.

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What do you learn?

The Degree Course curriculum offers complete core and specific training via related scientific-disciplinary sectors and an attention to the overall coherence of training through contents targeted to class objectives. The course includes a core of sociological subjects with particular reference to general sociology and social science methodology, public policy analysis, the sociology of culture and communication and the sociology of deviance, as well as the fundamental social work disciplines (principles and ethics, methods and techniques, organisation, international social work). The course also includes psychology, law and public health subjects. The curriculum also provides for at least 18 ECTS in internships and internship guidance, giving priority to supervision by social workers.

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What can you do with it?

The Degree provides access to the State Examination for registration in section B of the professional register of social workers. The occupational openings provided by a Degree in Social Work are in public and private social organisations and in the liberal professions. Social workers can work in public or private structures, local health authorities, prefectures, government departments such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Health, etc. They can also work in local authorities, territorial services, personal service centres and rehabilitation centres; services for minors with justice problems and adults in penitentiaries; older people’s homes, family homes and shelters for battered women. Finally, they can work in the various structures that work with immigrants, both EU and non-EU, especially in a region like Sicily, a land of access for migrants. Our course pays particular attention to specific training in this regard, with a view to working in reception centres and temporary detention centres. Graduates in Social Work can also continue their studies by taking a Master Degree in Social Work and Social Policies, which qualifies them for the State Examination for enrolment in section A of the Professional Register of Social Workers.