Aims and Characteristics

Programme Aims

This programme has two main aims: first, to educate students to become effective, efficient and caring social policy practitioners who are responsible for analysing, formulating and implementing policies for the improvement of social well-being; and second, to enable students to become competent, innovative and ethical social entrepreneurs who can turn social problems into opportunities. Students are also expected to develop their informational literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills and to uphold core social values. The programme will also facilitate students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for lifelong learning. 

Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge and skills in social policy analysis and social enterprise operation. Students are also expected to develop social empathy, moral sensibilities and a critical capacity, and a sustained interest in understanding the main issues and challenges faced by social policy practitioners and social entrepreneurs.

Characteristics

This programme is designed to integrate theory and practice. The curriculum is heavily geared towards meeting the growing demands for trained professionals and practitioners in the fields of social policy and social enterprise. Students are expected to be equipped with the theoretical knowledge necessary for working in a wide range of organisations dealing with labour and welfare issues, health care and housing needs, advocacy and cultural and environmental protection, and also to have real-life exposure to these areas through specially designed professional attachments. They will learn to balance and resolve the competing values of bureaucratic versus human concerns and private profit-making versus public good and well-being.

In addition, overseas placement opportunities, exchange-out and study tours are available for high-achieving students.