The University of the West Indies, Mona

We are dedicated to engendering a more just Caribbean Society by:

• Facilitating the lifelong, professional formation and development of students and staff,
• Strengthening the capacity of human service and social justice organisations that serve Caribbean people and
• Fostering regional and international partnerships.

We will achieve these goals utilizing dynamic relevant teaching and learning practices, committed and competent social work educators and leadership with a global perspective.

We affirm:

• Excellence
• Mutual Accountability
• Self-Care
• Respect
• Commitment to Socially Excluded Groups
• Student Centeredness

Doing Social Work at Mona means developing a critical perspective on issues challenges faced by some of the most vulnerable sectors in Caribbean Society. Students not only learn the theory but have multiple opportunities to acquire practice skills in working with individuals especially children and their families, groups and communities. Whatever the sector, the focus is on strengthening problem-solving skills, promoting self-determination and working with allies to secure resources to make dreams a reality.

Students and staff members in the Social Work Programme at the UWI, Mona have been involved in a range of activities including early childhood development, school social work as well as various outreach activities done in collaboration with numerous social service agencies.

Intramural social work education began at Mona in 1961 and has evolved into the current offering of a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, a Diploma in Social Work for persons who have a first degree in other fields wanting to transition into the profession; and the Master of Social Work and a Doctoral programme which will be onstream soon.

The Social Work Programme is a founding member of the Association of Social Work Educators (ACSWE) and hosted the Association’s Biennial Conference in 1999, 2005 and 2017.

• Council of Voluntary Social Service (CVSS) Social Work Prize 

Awarded to the student with the best overall performance in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work final examinations.

• Jamaica Association of Social Workers (JASW) Prize 

Awarded to the best overall performance in Year 2 of the Bachelor of Science in Social Work programme.

• Social Work Alumni/June Dolly Besson Memorial Award 

Awarded annually to a Mona student with the best performance in Level I of the Bachelor of Science in Social Work examinations.