Social Work University of Ostrava

Overview

The Master’s degree program in Social Work at the University of Ostrava is a two-year English-taught, consecutive graduate program designed for individuals aspiring to become highly qualified experts, researchers, and leaders in the field of social development and human rights. Reflecting the academic profile of the Faculty of Social Studies, the curriculum combines  research, critical contemporary theories, and hands-on international practice.

The program is fully accredited and officially recognized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic as a qualification for the regulated profession of a social worker.

What You Will Study

The curriculum is built around  reflection, research and evidence-informed practice. Rather than focusing merely on traditional methods, students are trained to address complex, multi-layered contemporary challenges through lenses such as feminist, critical, and ecological social work.

Key areas of focus include:

• Global Social Issues & Social Justice: Deep dive into global poverty, migration, climate justice, and international human rights.
• Advanced Research Methodologies: Mastery of both quantitative and qualitative research tools to design and evaluate social policies and interventions.

• Ethics & Supervision: Developing advanced reflective skills and ethical decision-making in diverse cultural environments.

Dual-Track Practical Placement

A distinctive  feature of this program is the intensive, structured Practical Placement (104 hours) in the first year. Students gain hands-on experience across at least three distinct types of social work fields (e.g., family care, senior care, social inclusion). To maximize the learning experience, international students are encouraged to work in tandems with domestic peers. The entire internship is documented via a modern, bilingual e-portfolio.

Exclusive Focus on Research: No State Exams, Only Thesis Defence

Standing out from standard Czech programs, this curriculum is tailored to European and international standards. Students are exempt from traditional state written/oral exams. Instead, the culmination of your studies and the sole requirement of the Final State Examination is the Master’s Thesis Defence. This ensures that your final year is fully dedicated to original, high-quality research under the guidance of leading international scholars.

Career Prospects

Graduates possess advanced  analytical, research, and social work practice  skills. You will be fully prepared for an international career in:

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international charities.
• Public administration, social policy design, and government ministries.
• Research institutes, think-tanks, and academic bodies.

• United Nations agencies, European Union institutions, and global human rights organizations.

Study Environment & Support

The Faculty of Social Studies collaborates closely with the European Research Institute for Social Work (ERIS), providing students with direct access to global academic networks, cutting-edge databases (Scopus, Web of Science, JSTOR), and advanced writing tools like Writefull. Additionally, students with specific needs receive tailored, premium support through the university's Pyramida Centre.