HES-SO - Social Work

The programme at a glance

Degree awarded
Master of Arts HES-SO in Social Work
Admission requirements
Qualification in Social Work (Bachelor’s or equivalent) awarded by a Swiss or foreign UAS or university or qualification (Bachelor’s or equivalent) awarded by a Swiss or foreign UAS or university in a field other than Social Work
Application
Apply for the academic year 2022-23 here >>>

Deadlines: until 20.02.22 for those who need a visa, until 30.04.22 for the other candidates
Location
HES-SO Master
HETS Partners
Start
Mid-September
Type
Full time or part time
Duration
3 semesters (full time) or 4 to 6 semesters (part time)
ECTS credits
90 ECTS credits
Language
French
Fees
CHF 500 per semester (tuition fees)
CHF 250 per semester (study expenses)
CHF 150 (registration fee)

Bank details
Info session
20.01.22, 17:45 (in French) >>>

FAQ

About HES-SO Master

Social Work (MATS)

Course
Study plan
Admission requirements
Modules
Show more

Career prospects

Testimonials

Student mobility

Partner schools

Course

The adaptability and capacity for innovation of social work institutions and departments rely largely on the skills of experts who have studied social work at Master’s level.

The Master of Arts HES-SO in Social Work (MATS) has been designed to follow on from the Bachelor of Arts HES-SO in Social Work awarded by the HETS schools of social work at HES-SO. It enables students to develop a cross-cutting, comprehensive, interdisciplinary and critical view of practices and organisations in social work and the audiences they serve, as well as the social policies that shape them.

Among other things, it helps to deepen students’ understanding of current social issues, extend and enhance their existing theoretical and methodological knowledge, and strengthen their research, analytical and evaluative skills and ability to manage various measures and interventions.

Study plan

A modular programme with two options

This is a modular course, which outlines and takes a critical approach to a range of themes and methodologies. These help to expand students’ palette of tools, prospects and creativity, acquire and use skills in implementing practical projects, and develop appropriate professional instincts and the ability to deal with complex situations involving professionals from other fields.

Students must complete four compulsory modules, four elective modules, a themed research workshop (ART) or a research placement and their Master’s thesis to be awarded the qualification.

There are two options to reflect two different areas of professional expertise: Analysis of Fields and Dimensions of Social Work or Coordinating Interventions and Innovations in Different Social Work Fields.

The Master’s Thesis is worth 30 ECTS credits and allows students to work on a topic that reflects their individual interests.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to the MATS course, applicants must:

Hold a qualification in Social Work (Bachelor’s or equivalent) awarded by a Swiss or foreign UAS or university.

Hold a qualification (Bachelor’s or equivalent) awarded by a Swiss or foreign UAS or university in a field other than Social Work.*

* These applications are subject to an admissions procedure based on a portfolio of evidence. Applicants in this category may be required to take additional classes before or during their Master’s course (modules from the Bachelor’s in Social Work). In addition, applicants must provide evidence of at least 20 weeks’ professional experience in the field, completed prior to the start of the course.

Note also:

Applicants may seek recognition of equivalence for ECTS credits earned previously on a Master’s level course in a field similar to the MATS study plan or for a Master’s qualification gained in another field.
French is required at level B2.
A (non-refundable) registration fee of CHF 150 is required when you submit your application.

The MATS course can be completed flexibly on a part-time basis, to help students balance their family and working lives.

Modules

Compulsory modules

Elective modules

Social participation and disability
Action research and evaluation
Welfare and transformations in the world of work
Issues of ageing and innovations in social work
Social relationships and social work
Social work and communications
Summer school in social work (annual theme)

Themed research workshops and placements

Master’s Thesis

Master’s thesis
List Master’s theses produced

Career prospects

The MATS is aimed primarily at graduates who hold a Bachelor’s in Social Work.

Combined with existing, simultaneous or subsequent professional experience in the field, the MATS prepares students to take on new responsibilities in the public, semi-public or community sectors, such as:

Project / programme / sector manager (e.g. in a social care institution or social work department)
Evaluation manager (e.g. analysing the implementation of a social policy for a research centre)
Information and/or training manager (e.g. in an area of social work or for a professional association)
Assistant, member of academic staff or member of a research team in a higher-education institution.

MATS graduates are also eligible to study for a PhD.

Testimonials

Alumni

“After three years’ professional experience as a social worker, I decided to stop work to start the Master of Arts HES-SO in Social Work full time. I felt that I wanted to further my knowledge of social issues. The course helped me to find a new job, which I wouldn’t have got without the qualification. The overarching view and analytical skills I developed through the assessment work, in particular, are essential in managing the complexity of human relationships. Now that I have a better theoretical understanding, I can also be more creative in my interventions. ”

Varuna Mossier, social worker, vice chair of Avenirsocial Vaud

“I’ve always questioned the meaning of my activities as a youth worker and that’s why I signed up for the Master’s in Social Work. The course has helped me gain a better understanding of the contexts and issues I face in my practice, with and for service users. Afterwards, I felt I wanted to carry on and try to pass on what I had learned. After working as an assistant lecturer at EESP for two years, I’m now a senior lecturer. I get a lot of enjoyment from working with students as they professionalise their practice and dealing with the day-to-day issues in social work, across the wide variety of practices it encompasses. ”

Matthieu Krafft, Senior lecturer, Haute école de travail social et de la santé | HETSL | Lausanne

“I decided to pursue the Master’s in Social Work after working at a migration centre for a few months. The experience really made me question my role and the effects of certain policies on my actions as a professional. I wanted a chance to think about it and by examining a range of topics, the Master’s gave me the opportunity to analyse the issues in social policies in more detail, compare them and above all, discuss them with other students from different backgrounds, using critical theoretical input. Today, the discussions and teaching we had on the course feed into and support my thinking about my professional practice. ”

Raphaël Rivier, Employment integration specialist

“I started the Master’s in Social Work to bring fresh thinking to my professional practice. I studied part time and it gave me the chance to test and expand my skills, as well as my breadth of knowledge. Getting the qualification was an opportunity for me to think about new career prospects. I’m employed by a municipal administrative authority, in a job that hasn’t existed until now. My role is to organise our existing sociocultural services and improve their visibility with local partners. Coordinating community projects is a key part of my work. ”

Céline Beetschen, Sociocultural activities coordinator, city of Pully

Student mobility

International Summer Universityin Social Work (ISUSW)

HES-SO is a partner of the International Summer University in Social Work (ISUSW)

Every year, Master’s students have the opportunity to take part in the International Summer University in Social Work (ISUSW) organised by the universities and other higher-education institutions that have joined the consortium, all over the world.

International Master’s degree in Migration (MIM)

HES-SO has entered into a partnership agreement with the universities of Valencia, Lille, Lorraine and Calabria to deliver an International Master’s degree in Migration . The MATS regularly welcomes exchange students from the MIM, which is delivered and coordinated by the University of Valencia, and encourages MATS students to study at other partner universities.