Identified Competency Focus

Areas and Core Courses for National Exit Examination

Program: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Prepared By:

Wassie Kebede (PhD) (Addis Ababa University)

Mesele Mengsteab (PhD) (Addis Ababa University)

Tesfamariam Mebratu (MSW) (University of Gondar)

Nigusu Ayehualem (MSW) (Bahir Dar University)

09 December 2022

Addis Ababa
Ethiopia

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Objectives of Exit Examination.............................................................................................1
1.2 Significance of the Document................................................................................................2
3. Competencies and Learning Outcomes.......................................................................................2
3.1 Competencies.........................................................................................................................2
3.2 Learning Outcomes................................................................................................................5
4. Categorizing Courses of the Program into Themes.....................................................................8
4.1 Theme Summary....................................................................................................................8
4.2 Courses to be Included in the Exit Examination....................................................................8
5. Conclusion...................................................................................................................................9
Appendix: Course Catalogue in Social Work Program.................................................................10
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1. Introduction
Nowadays, the presence of social problems are rampantly burgeoning than ever before in all
corners of the world; and the same is true to Ethiopia. The ramifications of those existential and
circumstantial personal problems, family disintegration, human trafficking, child trafficking,
child labour, child abuse, alcohol, drug and substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, youth unemployment,
poverty, crime, violence, environmental pollution, and war and internal displacement, in general,
are calling for professional social work interventions. Challenges confronting Ethiopia and the
world at large make the social work profession more compelling to prepare highly qualified
social workers who can help to addressing those multilayered problems with innovative and
effective practices. Therefore, the discipline of social work remains vital in today’s world of
rapid social change coupled with its unforeseen emerging social problems.

Higher learning institutions, hence, should produce qualified graduates with the required
knowledge, skills and values/attitude of the social work profession that can comprehensively
contribute to the process of resolving of complex social problems and addressing the needs of
vulnerable people. In doing so, the implementation of a national exit examination will have a
great implication to objectively gauging and qualifying the competency of social work graduates
who are able to assess, understand, make intervention and evaluate the complex relationship of
people in the context of their environment.

Accordingly, the National Exit Examination (NEE) is expected to measure the program’s
learning outcomes to assess students’ overall understanding of their educational experience.
Hence, competence-based comprehensive examination/s is conducted upon the graduates’
completion of the program. In this regard, the Ministry of Education (hereafter MoE) has been
working on a strategy to implement a national exit examination for undergraduate programs
beginning from the 2015 E.C (2022/23 G.C).

Therefore, the preparation of this guideline is to evaluate the required competencies of social
work graduates in line with the working ethic, principles and procedures issued by the Ethiopian
Federal Democratic Republic Ministry of education.

1.1 Objectives of Exit Examination

1. To ensure students’ achievement and improve the quality of education;
2. To improve the relevance of academic programs and institutional performance;
3. To assess whether higher education graduates attain the graduate profile or not
4. To produce skilled and competent manpower for local, national, and international
markets;
5. To ensure that graduates achieve the required learning outcomes and hence meet the
graduate profile of the curriculum; and
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6. To provide a platform as a quality monitoring tool in the form of certification of

competence for employment.

1.2 Significance of the Document

This guideline on the identification of competencies, focus areas and core courses have the
following significance.
1. To standardize the competencies of social work graduates at a national level;
2. To establish a set of key graduate profiles, based on which the knowledge, skills and
values/attitudes of successful graduates will be measured;
3. To identify major themes which shall serve as focus areas of competencies; and
4. To identify and specify core courses, in light of the focus areas, for preparing the national
exit examination.

2. Expected Profiles of Graduates

The following are expected profiles of graduates in the BSW program that are relevant for the
national exit exam:
1. Understand the professional code of ethics approved by the IASSW and the IFSW;
2. Understand the value base of the social work profession and its ethical standards,
principles and practices;
3. Understand the social work history, its contemporary structures and issues;
4. Acquire the ability to develop and apply appropriate intervention with individuals,
families, groups, organizations and communities;
5. Demonstrate the ability to identify emerging and continuing practice areas to address
poverty and other pressing social problems;
6. Able to work in collaboration with aligned professionals in inter-disciplinary settings;
7. Comprehend the basic essence of research and contribute to the process of essential
data gathering;
8. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination with the
application of strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic
justice;
9. Be culturally competent in using communication skills across diverse social work client
population;
10. Acquire the ability to analyze, contribute to and influence the development of social
policies; and
11. Demonstrate the capacity and capability for exercising leadership in the communities,
human service organizations and public sectors.

3. Competencies and Learning Outcomes

This section presents competencies and learning outcomes of the BSW program, which are
relevant for the national sit exam.
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3.1 Competencies
Social Work as a profession is devoted to bringing about social change by addressing social
problems that people are facing in their social environment. The program is designed to produce
Social Work professionals that have developed integrated knowledge, wisdom, skills and ethical
values to address the current and future needs of Ethiopia. As a result, obtaining the basic
knowledge, theories, skill and ethical values related to the very nature of human behaviours and
social systems are unprecedented. Thus, students will be engaged in the problem-solving
process, empowerment, and liberation of individuals, groups, and communities from different
oppressions. The program introduces students to the makings of interventions at individual,
family, group, and community levels and builds their capacity by providing them with the
opportunity to develop their skills. Students holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree
will be able to contribute to the enhancement of the nation’s general social welfare and social
development process. Generally, graduates of the Social Work Bachelor’s degree program
expected to achieve the competencies and learning outcomes listed out in the table below.

Areas of Competency Expected Competencies to be achieved:

The graduate will be able to:
Understand the professional code of ethics of social work as approved by
the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) & the International
KNOWLEDGE Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW)
Understand the value base of the social work profession
Understand ethical standards, principles, and practices of social work
Understand social work theories, perspectives and models
Understand the history of the social work profession
Recognize the extent to which culture, structure and values may oppress,
marginalize, alienate or enhance privilege and power
Describe contemporary structures and social issues
Understand the forms of oppression and discrimination
Understand the role of spirituality and religion in social work practice
Acquire the ability to develop and apply appropriate intervention at micro,
mezzo and macro levels
Demonstrate the ability to identify emerging and contemporary practices
areas
Able to work in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and clients for
effective social work practice
Apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advances social and
economic justice
Be culturally competent and use communication skills across diverse social
SKILLS work clients population
Demonstrate the capacity and capability to exercise leadership in
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communities, human service organization and public sectors

Demonstrate personal reflection and self-correction to assure continuing
professional development
Make ethical decisions and address ethical dilemmas by applying social
work standards and procedures
Analyse models of engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, and
evaluation & termination
Use evidence based practice and practice based evidence
Critique and apply knowledge of human behaviour to understand the
person-in-environment context
Analyze, formulate, design and advocate for social policies that advance
social well-being
Develop empathy and use other interpersonal skills to serve clients
Help clients resolve their problems
Negotiate, mediate, and advocate for clients
Apply critical thinking and reflexivity in the process of professional use of
self
Be able to translate and transfer knowledge from theory into practice
Apply appropriate techniques to reduce group thinking (crowd psychology),
aggression, prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination
Be able to advocate for clients’ access to the services of social work
Be able to mobilize resources to support individuals, groups, families, and
communities
Be able to provide social work counselling
Apply social work skills to educate clients to improve their wellbeing
Recognize and appreciate to work in collaboration with interdisciplinary
teams
Elevate services to others above self-interest
Pursue social change, particularly, with and on behalf of vulnerable and
oppressed individuals and groups in communities
Engage in career-long learning
Treat each person in caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual
differences and cultural and ethnic diversity
Promote the importance of human relationship as important vehicle for
VALUES/ATTITUDES
change
Be aware of the Social Work profession’s mission, values, ethical
principles, and ethical standards
Recognize and manage personal values that allow professional values to
guide practice
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Elevate sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the influence of personal

biases and values in working with diverse groups
Respect for clients’ self-determination
Be sensitive to clients’ presented issues
Be non-judgemental
Respect for confidentiality of clients’ information
Promote social justice

3.2 Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes in the Bachelor of Social Work program are described under the following
five themes:

Theme 1: Theories and Models of Social Work

1. Understand the salient essences, purposes, and features of the social work profession;
2. Describe the basic concepts, terms, theories, and paradigms in the social work profession;
3. Identify and demonstrate the roles and functions of social workers;
4. Describe and analyze the social work practices in various client populations and contexts;
5. Describe the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Approach and its applications;
6. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment and other
multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis and evaluation of behavioral
assessment; and
7. Demonstrate and apply an understanding of alternative theories and indigenous
knowledge systems pertaining to human development.

Theme 2: Social Work Research Methods

1. Explain the similarities and difference between qualitative and quantitative research
methods;
2. Identify and compare different qualitative research approaches;
3. Demonstrate skills of different interviewing techniques;
4. Demonstrate skills of quantitative and qualitative research analysis and report writing;

5. Able to develop quantitative and qualitative research designs;

6. Apply the techniques of developing research proposals;
7. Demonstrate skills of developing data collection instruments or tools; and
8. Identify and apply the research ethics.

Theme 3: Methods of Social Work Practices

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1. Be able to identify and analyze the knowledgebase considerations of social work

practices with different clients;
2. Be introduced to the foundation, values, principles, and ethical considerations of social
work practice;
3. Be able to acquire the underlying philosophies, values, and technical methods of the
generalist social work approaches;
4. Understand the role of spirituality and religion in social work practice;
5. Demonstrate the skills of social work practice and the professional use of self;
6. Identify and address barriers and challenges of social work practice;
7. Apply the social work phase specific problem-solving skills;
8. Understand types of groups, group development, and dynamics;
9. Develop the utilization of engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, and
termination skills for working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and
communities;
10. Understand basic information about major illnesses and health concepts;
11. Develop knowledge of biological, socio-cultural, and psychological bio-psycho-social
and spiritual theories and models of illness;
12. Understand the range of health related needs;
13. Demonstrate the impact of organizational or structural elements of the health care system
on services and client outcomes;
14. Develop knowledge and skills of the basic terms and concepts of case management;
15. Identify and analyse the primary roles and responsibilities of case managers;
16. Distinguish between the different models of case management;
17. Examine methods of assessment and interviewing as a case manager in the human
services setting;
18. Identify and apply culturally appropriate and informed case management interventions;
19. Understand and apply ethical decision-making as a case manager;
20. The knowledge base practice with children and families, ethical and policy context in
Ethiopia;
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21. Understand the normal course of child development and developmental issues;
22. Understand attachment and parenting style for the development of the child;
23. Acquire basic skills on the rights of children with special needs;
24. Understand and apply strength-based and ecological approaches in child and family
assessments and interventions;
25. Apply knowledge of community practice;
26. Critically analyze and evaluate theories and models to apply for community
development;
27. Be able to apply different community practices including participation, coalition, and
mobilization;
28. Develop leadership skills in order to empower diverse communities to facilitate change;
29. Analyze community’s cultural, social, political, and economic context; and
30. Able to collaborate with community development partners.
Theme 4: Diversity and Contemporary Social Issues
1. Understand the theoretical perspectives for multicultural social work practice;
2. Develop knowledge on the dimensions of diversity;
3. Develop multicultural competences (knowledge, skills and values) to work with diverse
groups;
4. Apply techniques of social work intervention with diverse groups;
5. Be able to apply social work skills to work in multicultural society;
6. Understand the indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews and its contribution to the
social work practices;
7. Acquire understanding of the nexus between indigenous knowledge system and the
various contexts of the Ethiopian realities;
8. Develop the skills of providing services recognizing and honoring the Ethiopian diverse
indigenous knowledge system;
9. Develop the capability of effectively advocating social work practices to promote social
and economic justice for local communities using indigenous knowledge;
10. Identify and explain the roles and functions of social workers in the lives of persons with
disabilities;
11. Describe and apply the concepts, perspectives, and models of rehabilitation with persons
with disabilities;
12. Identify the socio-political, cultural, economic, and environmental challenges and barriers
of persons with disabilities;
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13. Be able to promote reasonable accommodation, and adaptive/assistive technologies in

addressing the priorities and needs of persons with disabilities;
14. Understand and explain different forms and types of rehabilitation services; and
15. Understand and apply ethical issues in working with persons with disabilities and
populations-at risk.

Theme 5: Social Policy Analysis, Formulation and Practice

1. Understand the basic concepts, definitions, philosophical arguments, theoretical
background and policy issues of social welfare services;
2. Explain the nature and causes of poverty, descriptions of the poor, and the need for social
welfare;
3. Understand, analyze and evaluate social welfare policies, strategies, programs and
frameworks in Ethiopia;
4. Assess and explain contemporary issues that require policy and social welfare
interventions in Ethiopia;
5. Acquire the knowledge and skills in designing and evaluating social welfare
programs/projects;
6. Develop the basic skills of advocating policy practices; and
7. Assess and explain structural factors affecting the lives of different population groups.

4. Categorizing Courses of the Program into Themes

The National Exit Exam in the Bachelor of Social Work has five themes which are summarized in Table
4.1 below.

4.1 Theme Summary

List of Thematic areas in Social Work Cr.h
1 Theories and Models of Social Work 7
2 Social Work Research Methods 6
3 Methods of Social Work Practices 18
.
4 Diversity and Contemporary Social Issues 9
5 Social Policy Analysis, Formulation, and Practice 6
Total 36

4.2 Courses Included in the Exit Examination

This document has been compiled with 5 themes and fifteen courses for exit examination for
achieving the competencies level of graduates that are expected to acquire. According to the
direction suggested by the Head of the Quality and Competency Improvement Desk (at MoE),
during the preparation of this document, there was a general consensus that a specific program
should consider a total of 10-15 lists of courses. In the Social Work Bachelor’s Degree Program,
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there is plenty number of courses. Accordingly, this exit examination document has identified 15
courses delivered at different semesters and academic calendars.

S. No List of List of Courses Course Code Cr.

Thematic Hrs.
Areas in Social
Work
1 Theories and Introduction to Social Work BSWC - 3
Models of Theories of Human Behaviour and the Social BSWC
2011 2012 4
Social Work Environment
Total 7
2 Social Work Qualitative Research Methods BSWC- 2042 3
Research Quantitative Research Method BSWC- 3011 3
Total 6
3 Methods of Methods of Social Work Practice I BSWC 2021 3
Social Work Methods of Social Work Practice II BSWC 2031 3
Practices Health Social Work BSWC- 2042 3
Case Management BSWC 4011 3
Working with Children and Families BSWC 4041 3
Community Practice and Mobilization BSWC 4061 3
Total 18
4 Diversity and Diversity and Social work BSWC 3021 3
Contemporary Indigenous Social Work BSWC 4042 3
Social Issues Rehabilitation Services and Disability BSWC 4012 3
Total 9
5 Social Policy Social Welfare Services BSWC 3031 3
Analysis, Social Policy Practice BSWC 3051 3
Formulation,
and Practice
Total 6
Overall Total 36

5. Conclusion
This guideline has been developed as a requirement set by the Federal Ministry of Education to
standardize the exit exam of social work education graduates at national level. In preparing this
guideline, the task team considered, the nationally harmonized BSW curriculum, the national
exist exam preparation guideline, the social work education core competency areas as stipulated
by Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) and sample exit exam documents provided by the
Ministry. The Addis Ababa University School of Social Work, the University of Gondar
Department of Social Work and Bahir Dar University Department of Social Work took part in
the preparation of the guideline. This guideline has been presented to be validated by
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representatives from the Mizan-Tepi University Department of Social Work and the Wolita Sodo
University Department of Social Work, assigned by the Ministry of Education.

Validators:
Nigist Belay, MSW
Mizan-Tepi University Department of Social Work
Degu Paulos, MSW
Wolita Sodo University Department of Social Work
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Appendix: Course Catalogue in Social Work Program

Table – 1: Year I, Semester I

Course Name Course Code Cr. Hrs. CP Remarks
Communicative English Language FLEn 1011 3 5 Freshman Course
Skills I
Economics Econ-1011 3 5 Freshman Course
Moral and Civic Education MCiE1012 2 4 Freshman Course
Entrepreneurship MGMT 1012 3 5 Freshman Course
Introduction to Emerging Technology EmTe 1012 3 5 Freshman Course
Global Trends GITr 1012 2 4 Freshman Course
Social Anthropology Anth 1012 2 4 Freshman Course
Sub-Total Semester ECTS 18

Table – 2: Year I, Semester II

Course Name Course Code Cr. CP Remarks
Hrs.
Communicative English Language Skills FKEn 1012 3 5 Freshman Course
II
Critical Thinking LoCT 1011 3 5 Freshman Course
General Psychology Psyc 1011 3 4 Freshman Course
Mathematics for Social Sciences Math 1012 3 5 Freshman Course
History of Ethiopia and the horn Hist-1012 3 5 Freshman Course
Geography of Ethiopia and the Horn GeES 1011 3 5 Freshman Course
Physical Fitness SpSc 1011 P/F 5 Freshman Course
Sub-Total Semester ECTS 18

Table – 3: Year II Semester I

Course Name Course Code ECTS Remark
Introduction to Social Work BSWC 2011 5 Social Work Course
Methods of social Work Practice I BSWC 2021 5 Social Work Course
Methods of social Work Practice II BSWC 2031 5 Social Work Course
Introduction to Population Studies BSWC 2041 5 Social Work Course
Contemporary Social Issues and Social BSWC 2051 5 Social Work Course
Work
Introduction to Sociology SOCI 2011 5 Other Relevant
Discipline
Sub-Total Semester ECTS 30

Table – 4: Year II, Semester II

Course Name Course No. ECTS Remark
Theories of Human Behavior and the BSWC 2012 7 Social Work Course
Social Environment
Health Social Work BSWC 2022 5 Social Work Course
Criminal Justice Social Work BSWC 2032 5 Social Work Course
Qualitative Research Methods BSWC2042 5 Social Work Course
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Gender Issue BSWC 2062 5 Social Work Course

Field Education I BSWC2052 7 Social Work Course
Total Semester ECTS 34

Table – 5: Year III, Semester I

Course Name Course No. ECTS Remark
Quantitative Research Methods BSWC 3011 5 Social Work Course
Diversity and Social work BSWC 3021 5 Social Work Course
Social Welfare Services BSWC 3031 5 Social Work Course
Social Policy Practice BSWC 3041 5 Social Work Course
Migration, Refugee and Social Work Practice BSWC 3051 5 Social Work Course
Statistics for Social Workers BSWC 3061 5 Social Work Course
Total Semester ECTS 30

Table – 6: Year III, Semester II

Course Name Course No. ECTS Remark
Hospital Social Work BSWC 3012 5 Social Work Course
Psychiatric Social Work BSWC 3022 5 Social Work Course
Organizational Management and Leadership BSWC 3032 5 Social Work Course
Project Design and Management BSWC 3042 5 Social Work Course
Law for Social Workers BSWC 3052 5 Social Work Course
Field education II BSWC 3062 7 Social Work Course
Total Semester ECTS 32

Table – 7: Year IV, Semester I

Course Name Course No. ECT Remark
S
Case Management BSWC 4011 5 Social Work Course
Counselling in Social Work BSWC 4021 5 Social Work Course
Correctional Rehabilitation and Administration BSWC 4031 5 Social Work Course
Working with Children and Families BSWC 4041 5 Social Work Course
School Social Work BSWC 4051 5 Social Work Course
Community Practice and Mobilization BSWC 4061 5 Social Work Course
Senior Essay I BSWC 4071 5 Social Work Course
Total Semester ECTS 35

Table – 8: Year IV, Semester II

Course Name Course No. ECTS Remark
Rehabilitation Services and Disability BSWC4012 5 Social Work Course
Gerontology BSWC4022 5 Social Work Course
Indigenous Social Work BSWC4042 5 Social Work Course
Social Development and Social Change BSWC 4052 5 Social Work Course
Field Education III BSWC3032 7 Social Work Course
Senior Essay II BSWC4072 5 Social Work Course
Total Semester ECTS 32