Social Work: specialization Social Work in the Context of Global Crises

The Master in Social Work aims to train highly qualified social workers with the knowledge, skills, and methods needed to effectively apply social work interventions that are based on social justice and human rights for peoples‘ empowerment, structural changes, social inclusion, and social cohesion. The specialization “Social Work in the Context of Global Crises” provides an opportunity to deepen the knowledge of social work interventions by combining the immediate and long-term emotional, relational, social, and practical needs of individuals, families, communities, and society, the provision of social services, the trauma’s overcoming, community (re)building and advocacy in the context of intercultural conflicts and global crises. The specialization is delivered in English. The degree is a Master of Social Sciences.

It has an extensive network of highly ranked partners all around the globe, enabling its students to participate in many international mobility programmes, explore and gain first-hand experience of the international and transnational processes. One of VMU’s principal goals is to become a leading university in the Baltic region. VMU participates in the cultural and social life of the city and the region. It aims to nurture creativity and engage with socially active and conscientious citizens, building information society with democratic values at its core. VMU strives to encapsulate the concept of a creative university, where all stakeholders are involved in a continuous process of learning and improvement. VMU has 12 academic subdivisions and covers all study areas (Agricultural Sciences, Arts, Biomedical Sciences, Humanities, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Technological Sciences) with the only exception of Medicine. Thirty research and art centres and 50 high-tech laboratories operate at VMU. Over 30 percent of all Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes are taught in English. VMU's Foreign Language Institute offers all students to learn one or more out of thirty languages.

Undergraduate diploma (or higher) Bachelor or equivalent degree in social sciences or humanities. Bachelor degree diploma in other sciences – additional courses will be required. Minimum 60% CGPA

Admission score is counted based on: Arithmetic average of Bachelor degree diploma supplement all subjects * 0,4 + grade of the of Bachelor thesis or final examination * 0,3 + Motivation Letter and Interview * 0,3. Minimum admission score to qualify: 5,4.

Vytautas Magnus University is seeking ambitious, intelligent, and talented students and offers them various scholarship opportunities for full-time Bachelor´s and Master´s degree studies.

Social work offers a wide range of career opportunities in many walks of life and careers. Social workers provide social work services in the fields of social services, education, health, corrections and justice system, and armed forces, working in non-governmental, private, public, and governmental settings, including but not limited to national and global social work contexts. Graduates of the Master of Social Work program organize and manage social work activities, carry out social work research, implement prevention programs, administer, develop, and implement national and international projects and programs, initiate new social services, participate in social workers’ training and qualification programs, and plan, implement, and evaluate intervention processes all through the work with the individual, the family, the group, and the community. Social workers work in many areas of development of society, including but not limited to child protection and welfare, gender equality, aging populations, international migration, global crises (i.e. armed conflict and climate change), the empowerment and social inclusion of people with disabilities and other groups at risk. Professional domains covered by social work practice include psychosocial counseling, work with families and groups, community organization, preventive work, policy analysis and policy building, advocacy. Graduates of the specialization “Social Work in the Context of Global Crises” will be ready to join social work professional community at the international level, while graduates of the specialization “Transformative Social Work” will be prepared to join social work professional community at the national and international level. Graduates of the master’s degree in social work can pursue doctoral studies in doctoral programs in social work, sociology, education, and other social science doctoral programs in Lithuanian universities and internationally.

Vytautas Magnus University is one of the top public universities in Kaunas, Lithuania. It is ranked #741-750 in QS World University Rankings 2025.