The degree programme in social work began in 1982 at the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Social work is an applied science, with a strong connection between research and teaching.
Scientific knowledge is used to solve social problems and to support people to cope with their lives. The main task of the Department is to educate social workers for public and private services and to conduct research. Graduates also work as teachers, researchers, project leaders and planners. As an important part of the teaching is to carry in the fields of social work and social policy. The department is one of the six in Finland that teaches social work as the main subject for a high-level degree.