Department of Social Work

SOCIAL WORK

Social work is a practice-based profession and academic discipline that supports social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of individuals. It is founded on principles such as social justice, human rights, valuing human life, respect for social diversity, combating discrimination, and promoting participation.

Graduates of the Social Work Department are awarded the title of Social Work Specialist and/or Social Worker. Their employment opportunities are diverse and include positions in ministries such as the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Justice, as well as local government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and universities.

The department was established in 2010 and began accepting students in 2011. As the first Social Work department established in Istanbul, it has been graduating students since 2015. After extensive efforts in the 2018-2019 academic year, the department implemented a comprehensive change to its curriculum, creating a unique educational program. The department has been a member of the European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW) since 2019.

The language of instruction in the department is Turkish.

MISSION

To provide students with a transformative and participatory education using contemporary teaching methods, with a universal perspective, enabling them to critically analyze social issues, develop rights-based social policies aimed at improving the welfare of individuals, groups, and communities, and carry out empowering professional practices. Additionally, to engage in collaborative projects and scientific research at both national and international levels.

VISION

To become a department that provides high-quality education and conducts research, aimed at enabling social work professionals to contribute more effectively to the creation of a participatory, egalitarian social order based on human rights and social and environmental justice.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neşe Şahin Taşğın
Head of the Department of Social Work