Our History
The Department of Applied Social Sciences is the largest social sciences academic department in Hong Kong. It began as the Institute of Social Work Training in 1973. The Institute was placed under the management of the Hong Kong Polytechnic in 1977 and became the School of Social Work. In 1986, it was renamed as the Department of Applied Social Studies, which became the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) in 2000. APSS will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023.Our Logo
The APSS logo design incorporates the images of three people. The combined images illustrate the abbreviation “S” for social sciences and symbolises the Department’s close connection with families, the community and the society. It also symbolizes the Department’s commitment to education, research and service.
Our Development
1977
School of Social Work was established
The School was formed from the Institute of Social Work Training, which was first founded by the Hong Kong Government in 1973. The School first offered three programmes: a two-year full-time Diploma in Social Work; one-year full-time Certificate in Child Care; and one-year part-time Certificate of Proficiency for Instructors of Mentally Retarded Children.
1983
2+2 Full-time Bachelor of Social Work was introduced
The 2+2 study mode, which allowed credit transfer from diploma programmes to a degree programme, was introduced as a unique pathway to higher education. The School also launched a four-year night-time Diploma in Social Work programme.
1986
Department of Applied Social Studies was established
The Department was previously known as the School of Social Work.
1989
Postgraduate Diplomas in Mental Health and in Student Guidance were introduced
1994
Master of Social Work was introduced
2000
Department of Applied Social Sciences was established
The Department of Applied Social Studies was renamed as the Department of Applied Social Sciences.
Master of Social Work (China) was introduced
The Department co-offered the programme with Peking University.
2001
Three-year Bachelor of Arts in Social Policy and Administration was introduced
2005
China Research and Development Network was established
The Department also set up the PolyU–Yunnan University Design and Social Development Centre (2007), Peking University–PolyU China Social Work Research (2008), PolyU–Sun Yat-Sen University South China Rural Research Centre (2008), and PolyU–Peking University China Social Research Centre (2010). All of these Centres have laid a solid foundation for the Department to conduct research on social work in mainland China. The China Research and Development Network was renamed as China and Global Development Network since 2021.
2005
Postgraduate Scheme in Applied Social Sciences introduced
2008
Doctor of Social Work was introduced
2010
Master of Arts in Social Service Administration (China) was introduced
The Department co-offered the programme with East China University of Science and Technology.
2012
Four-year Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Social Policy and Administration were introduced
2016
Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, Peking University Department of Sociology and APSS was signed
2017
Two-year Bachelor of Arts in Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management was introduced
2018
Dual degree program of Master of Arts in Social Policy and Social Development and Master of Social Policy from Brown School of Washington University in St. Louis was established
2019
Four-year Bachelor of Arts in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship was introduced
2021
Master of Arts in School and Community Psychology was introduced
2022
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Scheme in Applied Social Sciences was introduced
2023
Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Warsaw (Poland) was signed
Established an collaboration Agreement with International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW)
