The Department of Social Welfare was established with the primary goal of developing proficient social welfare professionals who can effectively address various social problems caused by capitalism and industrial society. Furthermore, as the world experiences rapid industrial changes, including the fourth industrial revolution, the Department of Social Welfare is dedicated to seeking innovative ways to address emerging social problems resulting from these changes and to contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities.

The Department of Social Work was first founded in 1981 under the College of Theology. In 1995, it was integrated into the College of Social Sciences and renamed as the Department of Social Welfare, with the purpose of encompassing both social policy and social work practice.

Our graduates have established themselves as experts in diverse fields of social welfare, including social welfare education and research institutions, international development organizations, public agencies, legal professions, public corporations, social contribution departments of large corporations, NGOs and social enterprises, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, social welfare institutions, and related private organizations.

The department currently has eight professors. In 1984, a general graduate program for master's and doctoral degrees was established, and a social welfare major was introduced in the Graduate School of Public Administration in 1995. In 2001, it became the first in Asia and domestically to establish a professional graduate school of social welfare to lead social welfare research and education. The Graduate School of Social Welfare has been recognized for its excellence in social welfare education and research, having been selected for the Brain Korea 21 (BK21) and BK21 PLUS projects in 2006 and 2013, respectively. In 2020, it was selected once again for the BK21 Four project, further attesting to the department's distinction and excellence in terms of its distinguished faculty, diverse scholarship programs, and innovative curriculum.

To apply theories and problem-solving techniques of social welfare in real-life situations, the department was entrusted with the operation of the "Gayan 4 Comprehensive Social Welfare Center" from 1996 to 2018. In addition, the department established the "Social Welfare Research Institute" in 1990, contributing to the academic development of social welfare.

Detailed Major and Focus Areas

1. 'Social Welfare Policy' offers a comprehensive exploration of the theoretical underpinnings, methods, forms, and contents of social welfare policy. Through this study, students gain a deep understanding of existing policies and alternative possibilities and are equipped to propose effective directions for future social welfare policy in Korea.

2. 'Social Welfare Administration' provides students with a thorough understanding of the historical background, significance, organization, and basic principles of social welfare administration as a scientific and professional field of study. The curriculum is designed to enable students to assess the operating conditions of facilities and institutions in Korea and to develop the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this dynamic field.

3. 'Social Welfare Practice' offers a comprehensive understanding of various areas of social welfare, including but not limited to family welfare, workplace welfare, elderly welfare, disability welfare, mental health, as well as welfare for women and marginalized groups such as immigrants. Through this program, students gain in-depth knowledge of social welfare practices and models, enabling them to develop effective intervention plans tailored to the specific needs of individuals, families, and diverse groups.

Prospects and Career Paths after Graduation

Social welfare is a discipline that deals with society and human beings, playing a broad role in understanding and solving social problems while exhibiting expertise in various fields. Many graduates continue to pursue social welfare as an academic major by either entering graduate school or working in social welfare-related research institutions to develop specialized skills and systems suitable for our country's reality.

In related fields of social welfare, various direct service organizations, including community welfare centers, strive to understand the needs of residents and work to solve social problems.

Social welfare professionals work in a variety of fields, such as government officials through civil service examinations, employees of public institutions such as the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, experts in various social contribution organizations, international organizations, and non-profit organizations, as well as lawyers through law school. The field of social welfare is expanding widely.

Additionally, they may work in medical settings such as hospitals and mental health centers, helping patients and their families who may face financial difficulties due to treatment or who experience psychological shock due to sudden accidents or illnesses. They may assist in obtaining economic resources and provide support to help alleviate psychological shock and recover to normal life as soon as possible.

Address

Room 215, Yonsei University Yonhee Hall, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea.