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Master of Social Work

This programme is operated by the HKCT Institute of Higher Education (CTIHE).

Are you aspiring to enter the social work profession but did not major in social work during your undergraduate studies? CTIHE 'Master of Social Work' programme is specifically designed for bachelor's degree holders from non-social work disciplines who are committed to transitioning into the social welfare sector. The curriculum covers social science theories, social work practice, professional values, and ethics, equipping students with the essential knowledge and practical skills for a career in social work.

This part-time Master of Social Work can be completed in two and a half years, making it ideal for working professionals planning a career change. Students will complete a total of 900 hours, comprising preparatory workshops and placements in social service agencies, allowing them to apply their learning in real-world settings.

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Programme Details

Mode of Study

Part Time

Teaching Mode

Face to face

Commencement of Study

End of December 2026

Duration

2.5 Years

Location

HKCT Jockey Club Ma On Shan Campus

HKCT Jordan Learning Centre

Programme Information

Programme Features

01｜Professional Qualification as a Registered Social Worker

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Social Worker (RSW) upon successfully completing the programme. (The accreditation status of the programme is subject to the final approval of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications and the Social Workers Registration Board)

02｜Designed for Graduates of Non-Social Work Degrees

Admission to this master’s programme is open to graduates from all academic disciplines, providing systematic professional knowledge and practical training in social work for those aspiring to join the social welfare sector.
A dedicated module "Social work tutorial" is offered to facilitate a smooth transition for interdisciplinary students, helping them build a solid knowledge base to seamlessly transition into the curriculum and confidently become professional social workers

03｜900 Hours of Fieldwork and Preparation

Students will complete 100 hours of pre-placement workshops and 800 hours of supervised fieldwork.
Placements are arranged in at least two different service settings or with different client groups - such as young people, persons with disabilities, the elderly, or families - enabling students to accumulate practical work experience and apply their knowledge.

04｜Experienced Academic Team

The curriculum is designed and taught by a team of senior academics and practitioners from the social sciences and social service sectors. This includes:

Professor CHUI Yat Hung, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences
Professor CHAN Yuk Chung, Honorary Professor of CTIHE
Dr. LIT Siu Wai, Associate Professor of CTIHE
Dr. SHIU Wai Fan, Assistant Professor of CTIHE

With over 22 years of experience in training thousands of social workers, HKCT ensures high-quality teaching and learning.

05｜Bilingual Instruction・Without Final Examinations

The programme is primarily taught in English, supplemented with Chinese, to help students master professional concepts and apply them effectively within Hong Kong's social welfare service context.
Learning outcomes are assessed mainly through group discussions, reports, and thematic essays, without final examinations. The focus is on evaluating students' comprehension, application, analysis, and reflection of knowledge.

06｜Emphasis on Theory, Practice, and Situated Learning

Through situated learning, the programme cultivates students' ability to analyse real-world social situations and make professional judgements. The curriculum integrates:

Critical understanding of mainstream social science theories
Strong focus on practice and practice-informed knowledge
Situated learning tied to context
Holistic understanding of professional social work practice

Programme Structure

Featured Modules

Human Behaviour and Social Environment
Generic Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
Generic Social Work Practice with Communities
Generic Social Work Practice with Groups
Personal and Professional Development
Ethical and Legal Issues for Social Work
Research for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in Human Service
Social Welfare Policy in Hong Kong
Social Science Perspectives on Practice
Social Welfare Management
Integrative Social Work Seminar
Social Work as a Profession
Fieldwork Placement I
Fieldwork Placement II

Elective

Innovation and E-Practices in Human Service
Social Work, Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
Cognitive-Behavioural Interventions
Career Counselling and Practice Skills
Group Counselling
Assessment in Career Counselling
Theories and Practice of Counselling

Entry Requirements

General Admission Requirements

Local applicant with:

Holder of a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized University or tertiary institution, normally with an honour not lower than Second Class; and
If the medium of instruction of the Bachelor’s degree is not English, an IELTS score of 6.0 or other equivalent English Public Examination Score is required; and
Pass the admission interview.

Progression Pathways

Graduation Path

Graduates in Master of Social Work can pursue further studies at local or overseas universities, such as a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or a PhD in a related professional field.

Graduates may also choose to pursue HKCT Institute of Higher Education's 'Master of Social Sciences (Social Service Management)' or 'Master of Social Sciences (Career Counselling)', where they can enjoy credit transfer/exemptions and tuition fee waivers. This allows them to complete and obtain double / triple master's degrees in a shorter period and at a lower tuition fee.

Career Development

Graduates are qualified to take up positions requiring Registered Social Worker (RSW) status or a professional social work training background within the Social Welfare Department, various social welfare agencies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). For examples:

Assistant Social Work Officer (ASWO) or equivalent posts in the Social Welfare Department.
Roles such as Project Officer, Education Officer, and Programme Officer in social welfare organisations.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Tuition Fees

Year 1：$84,000 Year 2：$122,000 Year 3：$60,500
The tuition fee above is under 2026/27 Cohort.

Tuition fees and subsidies are to be reviewed and adjusted annually on various factors.

Scholarships

CTIHE Scholarship

Programme Advisor and Teaching Team

Professor CHUI Yat Hung

Former Programme Leader and Division Head at HKU, CUHK and PolyU
Immediate Past President, Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association (HKPCA)
Steering Committee on Service Projects for Individuals with ASD or ADHD and their Families, Heep Hong Society

Prof. CHAN Yuk Chung
Honorary Professor

Former Dean of the School of Applied Sciences, HKCT Institute of Higher Education
PhD Supervisor and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, PolyU

Dr. SHIU Wai Fan, Victoria
Assistant Professor

Lecturer and Fieldwork Supervisor at EdUHK and Caritas Institute of Higher Education
HKASERT Certified Sex Therapist
UCLA PEERS® Certified Provider

Dr. LIT Siu Wai
Associate Professor

About 25 years of teaching experience in Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Social Work programmes at PolyU; Former Assistant Professor, Principal Clinical Supervisor, and Programme Director
Former Head of the Office of Counselling and Wellness and the Section Head of the Counselling and Wellness Section of the Student Affairs Office at PolyU
Registered Social Worker; Certified Clinical Supervisor of the Hong Kong Marriage and Family Therapy Association (HKMFTA); Associate Fellow, Certified Counselling and Approved Counselling Supervisor of the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Assoication (HKPCA); Certified EFT Therapist of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

Dr. LEUNG Wing Yat, Mike
Assistant Professor

Over 20 years of teaching experience in higher education institutions
Board Member of Cultural Power Charity Foundation
Executive Director of HK Rehabilitation Power
Registered Psychologist of HK Psychological Society; Registered Social Worker

Dr. LAM Bik Che, Phoebe
Assistant Professor

Over 20 years of service experience in new arrival families from the Chinese Mainland, South Asian children, migrant domestic workers, and victims of human trafficking from Southeast Asia
Service Supervisor of 2 Family Service Centres in Guangzhou
Over 12 years of fieldwork supervision experience in HKU, CUHK, e.t.c.

Dr. TSE Ka Wo, Nick
Assistant Professor

Board of Directors of Network Engagement Liaison, Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainer, USA
Honorary Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Centre for Health Behaviours Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, CUHK
Adjunct Professor, Wenzhou Medical University

Dr. NGAN Man Yu, Frankie
Assistant Professor

Adjunct Professor, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, CityU
Chairman, Advisory Board for Master of Social Sciences in Comparative Social Policy, LU
Member, Consumer Council

Teaching Facilities

Social Work Practice Centre

This laboratory is equipped with an audiovisual recording system and multiple cameras for hybrid learning and teaching support. The live streaming and recording of practical work sessions could facilitate class discussion and enhance both learning and teaching effectiveness.

Social Work Skills Laboratory

This laboratory is equipped with an audiovisual recording system that features one-way mirrors and multiple cameras for students to record their practical work sessions from different angles. The recordings can be replayed to encourage discussions between students and instructor which helps enhance learning effectiveness.

FAQs

Can graduates of the Master of Social Work become Registered Social Workers in Hong Kong?

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Social Worker (RSW) upon successfully completing the master programme.

(The accreditation status of the programme is subject to the final approval of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications and the Social Workers Registration Board)

Do I need a social work or social science background to apply for the Master of Social Work?

The HKCT Master of Social Work (MSW) welcomes applicants with a recognised bachelor’s degree in any discipline who wish to pursue a career in social work or the social welfare sector.

Suitable for graduates from different academic backgrounds
Includes a 'Social Work tutorial' module to prepare students without a social science background for professional social work studies

How are fieldwork placements arranged for the part-time Master of Social Work?

The CTIHE part-time Master of Social Work (MSW) includes 900 hours of fieldwork training:

100 hours of pre-placement workshops
800 hours of social work internship
Placements in at least two different social welfare organisations or service settings
Service areas may include young people, persons with disabilities, older people, individuals and families, and other community services

The accreditation status of the programme is subject to the final approval of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications and the Social Workers Registration Board.

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