Study plan

The state examination in the Bachelor of Social Work has two parts: a) a defense of the Bachelor's thesis, b) an oral examination.

The bachelor thesis is evaluated according to theoretical-methodological and formal criteria. These criteria are published on the Department's website and on the University's website (www.is.muni.cz).

The content of the oral SZZ includes two state subjects: 1/ Application of ethical context and values in social work and 2/ Application of theories and methods in social work.

The outcome of the examination is determined by the evaluation of the oral performance. In its evaluation, the committee takes into account in particular the following criteria:

- knowledge of the above mentioned state subjects;
- the ability to use this knowledge to reflect on life situations;
- the ability to apply this knowledge in designing interventions;
- the ability to name ethical issues, problems and dilemmas;
- ability to apply awareness of ethical contexts to intervention design;
- the ability to argue methodologically correct and using relevant knowledge and data in favour of the chosen interpretation of the client's situation and the chosen intervention procedure.

The committee also takes into account:

- Knowledge of theories and knowledge of social problems;
- knowledge of their contexts and ways of addressing them;
- knowledge of the methodological principles of scientific inquiry and their applied use;
- the student's ability to present the assigned topic in a logical, concise and structured manner.

A specific study obligation in the Bachelor of Social Work (main study program) is professional practice.

Practice and Supervision in Social Work (2nd semester of study) - the aim of the course is to strengthen the preparation for the choice of practice orientation of students in the Bachelor's study and also to increase the resilience skills of students in relation to practice and future professional orientation. The intention is to familiarize students with the differences in the application of social work methods and techniques as well as different models of supervision in social service organizations depending on the type of organization and the nature of the target group of social work clients. External lecturers are also involved in the teaching, they are supervisors and instructors from organisations that provide practice to students of the Department of Social Work. These experts convey to the students topics that are present in contemporary social work practice.

Professional practice and supervision I - basic questions (3rd semester of study) - practice in the scope of 156 hours + 26 hours of supervision, practice takes place mainly in Brno organizations, since this is usually the first practical experience of students with the field practice, it is organized within selected workplaces that guarantee internship positions for students of Social Work and at the same time qualified workers who become supervisors of practice. Regular evaluation of the conditions of the internship is carried out in these organisations or internship positions.

Professional practice and supervision II - individual work with a client (4th semester of studies) - practice in the scope of 104 hours + 26 hours of supervision (individual and group), the workplace of practice is chosen by the student according to his/her own choice and thematic focus.

Professional practice and supervision III - focus on group work or focus on community work (5th semester of study) - practice in the scope of 156 hours + 26 hours of supervision (individual and group). The student chooses one of the practice focus options, as well as the practice site is chosen by the student according to his/her own choice and thematic focus.

The thematic focus of the works is very varied and follows the topics offered by the teachers. Relevant topics that are outside the departmental offer are accepted. As mentioned above, one of the criteria for the evaluation of a thesis is its thematic focus on broadly understood research on "social work interventions", i.e. research on the characteristics of helping interventions, the target populations or individual clients of these interventions, the characteristics of the designers and implementers of these interventions, or the factors or contexts that influence the characteristics of helping interventions or actors.

Examples of defended bachelor theses:

- Professional boundaries of streetworkers within the dance party scene (https://is.muni.cz/go/jq3u4f)
- Spiritual Needs of the Dying as Seen by the Helping Professions (https://is.muni.cz/go/kmchbk)
- Collaboration of the staff of a selected home for the elderly in the Czech Republic in the activation of clients (https://is.muni.cz/go/68q379)
- Social work and support of self-actualization of clients of sheltered housing (https://is.muni.cz/go/yfj68s)
- Professional boundaries of helping workers in educational institutions (https://is.muni.cz/go/srvqkm)
- Social workers' attitude towards mental hygiene with emphasis on relaxation, mindfulness, and yoga (https://is.muni.cz/go/jq3u4f)