The Department of Sociology and Social Work was established in 1990, focusing on the professional education and career goals of students of social work in Western Chins. Its mission is "to provide help and empower people at risk, and to promote the development of social work in western China." As one of the first 33 universities which are the polit units where MSW education has been developed, we based on western area and local condition to stimulate the professional education and research in social work. The DSS offers BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) and MSW (Master of Social Work) programs in Xi'an. During the past ten years, we has also established close relationship with the relevant government agencies, social work organizations, and some universities. A group of senior social workers and experts have been employed to work as part-time teachers at the school, and specialty practice will be arranged under the supervision in accordance with international standards. The target of MSW education in DSS is to develop candidates’ compound talents of specialty, capability and knowledge, focusing on social work research of western China. There are three professional emphases including social work for western poverty alleviation, community development in west, elevation and management of social project.The professional goal of Master of social work program in SPS is to educate social workers and non-social work who first-degree holders for professional knowledge and practical training. Through two years learning, students will demonstrate the ability to: 

 

━━Understand the professional values of SW and its ethical standards and principle,

━━Practice with the professional value base "people-oriented, helpful and self-reliable, fair and just", 

━━Understand and interpret the theories and methods of social work,

 ━━analyze and influence the specific knowledge about China's national conditions and social policies, 

━━Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions. 

━━Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities.

━━Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice.The graduates with the degree will be qualified for management positions in state ministries, social welfare departments, social organizations, NGO, NPO as well as grass-roots communities. They will also be competent for teaching and research work, or going to enterprises and institutions engaging in social work practice.The Institute of Master Social Work's education was established in 2009 under the direction administration of DSW, aiming to advance the profession of social work for the well-being of community of Western China by providing high-quality social work training. The IMSW has responsibility for governance of MSW program including enrollment, instruction and curriculum management, exchange and oversea relationship, and discipline construction. Professor Chen Guoqing, president of SPS (School of Philosophy and Sociology), serves as director of IMSW.