SWIN1514 Introduction to Social Work

(Core module; NQF-level 5; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1; From 2022)

SWIN1514 is an introductory module to social work. It covers all the basic social work concepts and the primary and secondary social work methods. Furthermore, students are introduced to decolonised social work practice theories and theories from different disciplines relevant to social work.

SWWL1612 Introduction to Welfare Law

(Core module; NQF-level 5; Credits 8; Notional hours 80; Semester 1; From 2022)
This module aims to introduce students to human rights, social policy, courts and court proceedings, and some legislation about social work in South Africa so that they can use ethical and accountable legislation to improve the quality of life of client systems from a social work perspective.

SWAI1624 Social Work Issues, Ethics, and e-Social Work

(Core module; NQF-level 5; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2; From 2022)
This module includes content that relates to standards (1) the development of a professional identity as a social worker, (2) the application of core values and principles of social work, (4) demonstrate competence in the use of the code of ethics and (7) knowledge, practice skills and theories. Attention is given to the SACSSP code of ethics, social issues that social workers might be exposed to and the use of e-social work.

SWAD1622 Anti-discriminatory Practice

(Core module; NQF-level 5; Credits 8; Notional hours 80; Semester 2; From 2022)  
A designated module in anti-discriminatory social work aims to create a focal discussion around diversity as a concept, its’ sister concepts, and its underlying theories. The social work student will then be able to develop a scholarly understanding of difference and power, privilege, human rights, social justice, and anti-discriminatory practices. This module will sensitise students so they do not discriminate against their clients unwillingly.

SWPP1604 Social Work Professional Practice 1

(Core module; NQF-level 5; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Year; From 2022)
The module aims to introduce the social work student to social work practice. Two themes are addressed. Firstly, a process is facilitated to assist the student in developing a professional social work identity. Secondly, students are introduced to academic writing as a vital component of their professional identity so they can write high-standard social work reports.


UFS Compulsory Modules

UFSS1504

(UFS compulsory module; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Year)
UFSS1504 equips first-year UFS students with academic skills (study habits, time management) for success and career exploration in the second semester.

CSIL1561 Introduction to Computer Usage

(UFS compulsory module; Credits 4; Notional hours 40; Semester 2)
By completing this module, students gain hands-on experience with essential computer skills, including using Windows operating systems, creating reports in MS Word, analysing data in MS Excel, crafting presentations in MS PowerPoint, navigating the internet, and understanding basic microcomputer hardware.

EALH1508 English Academic Literacy for Humanities

(UFS compulsory module; Credits 32; Notional hours 320; Year)
This program hones students' critical thinking, reading, writing, and oral communication skills.

BSW Compulsory Modules

PSIN1514 Introduction to Psychology

(Compulsory module; NQF-level 5; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1)
This module aims to expose students to a basic introduction to psychology as a science.

PSDE1624 Developmental Psychology

(Compulsory module; NQF-level 5; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2)
This module explores human development across physical, cognitive, personality and social domains. It examines key theories, controversies, and factors influencing child risk and resilience.

Choose One Elective and Register It for Both Semesters

- CRIM1514 Introduction to Criminology

(Elective 1; NQF-level 5; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2)
This module explores African criminology: its evolution, schools of thought, and policy approaches to crime, conflict, victims, and justice. Analysing crime patterns, causes, and victimisation aims to enhance societal safety.

- CRIM1624 Introduction to Criminal Justice

(Elective 1; NQF-level 5; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2)
This module explores core Criminal Justice concepts, history in South Africa, and contemporary issues like police accountability, court proceedings, and correctional challenges. It examines alternative sentencing options to address overcrowding.

OR

- SOCI1514 Introduction to Sociology

(Elective 2; NQF-level 5; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1)
This module introduces sociology: sociological imagination, research skills, culture, socialisation, stratification, race, and ethnicity.

- SOCI1624 Social Institutions and Social Change

(Elective 2; NQF-level 5; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2)
This module introduces students to the complex interaction between stability and change. Various institutions, such as political institutions, family institutions, and economic institutions, will be scrutinised from a sociological perspective, enabling students to analyse different social institutions. In addition, the ever-changing character of society will be examined, allowing students to comprehend the dynamics of social change.

SWCA2714 Social Work with Individuals

(Core module; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1; From 2023)
The module provides a theoretical underpinning for the intervention with individuals and families and familiarises the student with casework intervention models, specifically focusing on the Problem Management Model. The strengths perspective as a theoretical underpinning provides an alternative to the pathology-based approaches. It guides students to build relationships with client systems that are more equitable and based on discovering possibilities.

SWGR2624 Social Work with Groups

(Core module; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1; From 2023)
This module will provide students with the necessary knowledge and, to a lesser extent, skills to apply group work as a method of social work. The basics of group work are discussed, as well as how to develop an educational group and the techniques associated with this method.

SWCO2604 Social Work with Communities

(Core module; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Year; From 2023)
The main aim of this module is to introduce the student to the world of community work as one of the primary methods of social work. To achieve the aforementioned aim, attention will be paid to the following themes:   community work as a method of social work, the theoretical components of community work, and aspects related to facilitating a community work project. 

SWPP2706 Social Work Professional Practice 2

(Core module; NQF-level 6; Credits 24; Notional hours 240; Yea; From 2023)
The module aims to provide students with knowledge and skills on the stages and steps of the problem management model. It covers the strengths perspective as a theoretical framework for the intervention model. The module includes introducing cultural wealth theory as a theoretical strengthening of the strengths perspective. This will enable students to become therapeutically involved in the client’s living world and to base assistance rendering through the casework method on theory relevant to the client’s context.

PSS02614 Social Psychology

(Compulsory module; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1)
This module explores the importance of relationships for wellbeing & applying social psychology to South African contexts.

PSIH2724 Introduction to Health Psychology

(Compulsory module; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2)
The module provides students with basic knowledge concerning the nature of various biological systems and functions and how these influence human development.

Choose One Elective and Register It for Both Semesters.

CRIM2614 Penology

(Elective 1; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester)
This module explores core penology concepts and theories, focusing on punishment development, South African sentencing practices, and their practical application.

CRIM1624 Victimology

(Elective 1; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Year)
This module explores victimisation in Africa and its impact on individuals, communities, and development. It analyses victimisation within various contexts (cultural, legal, etc.) and emphasises empowering victims of crime and abuse.

OR

SOCI2614 The Sociology of Social Movements and Collective Behaviour (Elective 2; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1) Using a sociological lens, this module explores collective behaviour (including service delivery protests) in a rapidly changing South Africa.	or	SOCF2614 The Sociology of the Family and Domestic Life (Elective 2; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1) This module explores families as a key social institution, examining their diverse forms and impact on members' well-being. Students will gain a sociological framework to analyse family and domestic life.
SOCL2624 Industrial Sociology (Elective 2; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2) This module explores the world of work through a sociological lens, examining both workplace dynamics and the impact of industrialisation on individuals and society.	or	SOCP2624 The Population-Environment-Development Interface (Elective 2; NQF-level 6; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2) This module explores the social and environmental crisis in Southern Africa, focusing on human impact, population trends, and development challenges.

SWFA3712 Social Work with Families

(Core module; NQF-level 7; Credits 8; Notional hours 80; Semester 1; From 2024)
This module will develop the student’s knowledge and skills in using systems theory to deal with the family by doing developmentally based family assessments and structural family therapy and applying ethical and professional issues in the field. Students will also develop their skills and knowledge to intervene in prevention, early intervention and treatment levels using a developmental social work focus.

SWCH3714 Social Work with Children

(Core module; NQF-level 7; credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1; From 2024)
The content of SWCH3714 encompasses child-related conceptual frameworks, like the Circle of Courage approach and the Blom Gestalt play therapy practice model. The conceptual frameworks’ underlying theoretical principles and intervention techniques are dealt with.

SWRE3824 Social Work Research

(Core module; NQF-level 8; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1; From 2024)
The module’s focus is the social sciences research process, and the following aspects are dealt with: the research proposal, aims of professional research, research paradigms, research designs, research methodology, and the composition of the research report.

SWCP3714 Child Protection and Safeguarding

(Core module; NQF-level 7; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Year; From 2024)
This module will develop the student’s knowledge and skills in using the systems theory in dealing with the family through the application of the Children’s Act no 38 of 2005 as amended by Children’s Amendment Act no 41 of 2007 and related policy and procedures in the child protection system.

SWPP3704 Social Work Professional Practice 3

(Core module; NQF-level 7; Credits 16; Notional hour 160; Year; From 2024)
The purpose of the module is to provide the student with the opportunity to integrate the theory, principles, and skills of Social Work with Groups introduced in SWGR2624 with practical application. This module also includes the June/July holiday fieldwork and content on Social Work Administration.

Choose One of Two Subjects Completed in the First & Second Year

PSPA3714 Psychopathology

(Elective; NQF-level 7; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1)
The module introduces students to the basic theoretical knowledge of the nature, description, and classification of conditions within the study of abnormal psychology.

PSRM3714 Research Methodology

(Elective; NQF-level 7; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1)
This module introduces research methodology in the social and behavioural sciences.

PSPE3724 Personology

(Elective; NQF-level 7; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2)
The module introduces students to different paradigms and theories concerning personality development and behaviour that contributed to the Western, African, and Eastern corpus of knowledge on psychology.

PSTH3724 Introduction to Psychotherapy and Ethics

(Elective; NQF-level 7; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2)
This module equips students with core therapeutic skills: intervention techniques, case analysis, therapeutic dialogue, self-awareness, and applying diverse approaches ethically.

OR

CRIM3714 Research Methodology for Criminology and Criminal Justice

(Elective; NQF-level 7; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1)
This module equips students with research skills in criminology and criminal justice. While developing an ethical research project, you'll explore qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.

CRIM3734 Criminal Behaviour: Biopsychosocial Perspectives

(Elective; NQF-level 7; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 1)
This module explores core criminology concepts: offender analysis, bio-psychosocial factors, intervention methods, and crime reduction. It examines life-span development, mental disorders, and specific crime patterns.

CRIM3724 Understanding Child Justice

(Elective; NQF-level 7; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2)
This module explores child justice: victim-offender dynamics, risk factors, and human rights considerations. It analyses South African sentencing, child justice indicators, and reforms.

CRIM3744 Forensic Criminology

(Elective; NQF-level 7; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Semester 2)
This module trains students to present evidence in criminal justice (including case studies and behavioural analysis) and adhere to ethical principles.

OR

SOCT3718 Sociological Theory

(Elective; NQF-level 7; Credits 32; Notional hours 320; Semester 1)
This module builds on existing theory knowledge, focusing on applying it to real-world situations. It explores various sociological paradigms, preparing students for the research methods course in the second semester.

SOCR3728 Social Research and Practice

(Elective; NQF-level 7; Credits 32; Notional hours 320; Semester 2)
This module equips students with the skills to design, conduct, and analyse social research (both quantitative and qualitative) through hands-on practice.

SWPO4812 Social Work Poverty and Policy Development

(Core module; NQF-level 8; Credits 8; Notional hours 80; Semester 1; From 2025)
This module aims to analyse the policy development process by addressing the manifestations of poverty as a specific social issue within the South African context.

SWSM4812 Social Work Supervision and Management

(Core module; NQF-level 8; Credits 8; Notional hours 80; Semester 1; From 2025)
This module provides the student with essential background information and skills on supervision and management practices in the welfare setting.

SWFA4812 Social Work with Families

(Core module; NQF-level 8; Credits 8; Notional hours 80; Semester 1; From 2025)
This module aims to bring students up to date with family systems theory so that they can assess and do social work interventions with families.

SWLT4812 Loss and Trauma

(Core module; NQF-level 8; Credits 8; Notional hours 80; Semester 1; From 2025)
The module is about loss and trauma experienced by individuals, families, groups, and communities, as well as social work practice intervention for prevention, early intervention, and treatment.

SWOA4812 Social Work with Older Adults

(Core module; NQF-level 8; Credits 8; Notional hours 80; Semester 1; From 2025)
This module will develop the student’s knowledge and skills in using developmentally based approaches to deal with older adults.

SWPR4804 Social Work Research Report

(Core module; NQF-level 8; Credits 16; Notional hours 160; Year; From 2025)
The module provides a practical application of the social work research process through writing a research proposal, chapters, a semi-final, and a final research report on a chosen subject of limited scope.

SWPP4800 Social Work Professional Practice 4

(Core module; NQF-level 8; Credits 480; Notional hours 480; Year; From 2025)
The purpose of the module is to provide the student with the opportunity to integrate the knowledge, theory, principles and skills of the social work profession into the practice context under the supervision of a field instructor who is a registered social worker.