Over 70 universities across Vietnam offer social work programs, primarily using combinations of subjects that include a foreign language, such as D01 (Math, Literature, English), D66 (Literature, Civic Education, English), D14 (Literature, History, English), and D15 (Literature, Geography, English).
Some universities, like the Hanoi University of Public Health (HUPH), also offer combinations like B00 (Math, Chemistry, Biology) and C00 (Literature, History, Geography).
Associate Professor Doctor Pham Tien Nam, senior lecturer and head of the Social Work Department at HUPH’s Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, notes a sharp increase in demand for social workers in healthcare, education, social welfare, and community development.
Within the healthcare system, according to Circular 03/2023 from the Ministry of Health, social work positions are considered a specialized professional occupation, comprising 1-3% of the total staff at public health facilities.
By the end of last year, nearly 10,000 people worked in social work within the healthcare sector. However, only about 10% have formal training in the field and meet professional standards.
"This figure reveals a significant gap in qualified personnel, presenting both a challenge and a substantial career opportunity for students pursuing this field," Nam said.
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Students at HUPH. Photo: HUPH |
Students at HUPH. Photo: HUPH
According to Doctor Dang Kim Khanh Ly, head of the Department of Sociology and Social Work at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), many parents and students mistakenly believe that social work graduates solely engage in volunteer work and charity, earning low salaries. This perception is incomplete and inaccurate.
"Social work is a recognized profession with a stable job market and income potential. Those with advanced expertise can earn very well," Ly said.
Nam added that new regulations mandate professional registration certificates for social workers, marking a crucial step in establishing entry and exit standards for the workforce.
What do social work students study?
Social work programs typically require 127-132 credits over four years. In addition to core knowledge, each university tailors its program based on its strengths and objectives.
At HUPH, students are trained to become professional social workers, capable of providing support, intervention, and connecting services for vulnerable groups, contributing to social equity and development.
HUPH claims to be the first university to offer a health-oriented bachelor's program in social work. Students gain foundational knowledge in medicine, sociology, psychology, and specialized social work intervention methods.
"Modules on management and communication are also integrated into the curriculum," Nam said.
Throughout their studies, students develop practical skills through real-world scenarios, particularly with patients and their families.
At USSH, the social work program has received AUN-QA certification, the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance standard.
Beyond specialized knowledge, students also engage in interdisciplinary thinking across sociology, psychology, anthropology, and philosophy. According to Ly, the program emphasizes innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
"These are new, trendsetting elements. Students develop technological skills in data analysis, gain an understanding of innovation, and cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit," Ly said. She believes this better prepares graduates for the job market.
Furthermore, universities focus on developing soft skills such as practical intervention, critical thinking, communication, planning, interpersonal skills, listening, teamwork, information analysis and processing, research, and report writing.
Career paths and salaries for social work graduates
According to universities, social work graduates can pursue the following careers:
: Social workers in hospitals, social welfare centers, prisons, etc.
: Staff at the Ministry of Health, Department of Health, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and preventative health centers.
: Project officers, community development specialists, consultants, etc., at businesses and international organizations.
: Recruitment specialists, human resource managers, school counselors, skills development advisors, motivational speakers, etc.
According to Ly, employers seek candidates with strong expertise, critical thinking, flexible and effective decision-making, and excellent communication and organizational skills. Additionally, those with planning and management skills, technological proficiency, and the ability to work in multicultural environments with foreign language skills have an advantage.
According to Nam, the starting salary for HUPH social work graduates is around 8-10 million VND per month. At USSH, Ly stated that depending on the workplace, new graduates can earn 10-30 million VND per month.
"For those working in businesses or international organizations, salaries can range from 15-40 million VND or higher," Ly added.
Binh Minh
