Dr Eliphas C. Machacha
Head of Department
About the Department
Welcome to the Department of Social Work and Sociology. Our department is a distinguished collective of lecturers, researchers, consultants, and practitioners excelling in social policy, social protection, human rights, disability, child protection and welfare, social planning and administration, case management, project management, criminology, refugees, migration and development, disaster management, participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation, programme evaluation, social research, social entrepreneurship, and social innovation management.
We are dedicated to advancing applied social, behavioural, and academic research, policy advisory, graduate education, and professional development management.
About the Department
The Department of Social Work and Sociology, a cornerstone of the University of Zambia and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, is one of the university's oldest departments. Initially established as the Department of Social Development Studies, it offered three fields of study: Demography, Social Work, and Sociology. Following the transformation of Demography into its own department, it was renamed the Department of Social Work and Sociology.
Situated within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, our department aims to deliver top-tier training and conduct both basic and applied social science research in social work, sociology, and related development issues. We are a leader among university departments globally, uniquely designing and delivering courses tailored to the training, education, and development needs of professionals in the social development sector.
Our department boasts extensive experience in training and conducting social and economic research across Zambia and the sub-Saharan region. Our faculty members actively engage in research and development projects, individually and collaboratively, with various organizations. Our research endeavours contribute to solving human problems, refining development practitioners' approaches, and updating the knowledge and skills imparted to both full-time students and specialized practitioners. We pride ourselves on our internationally recognized, highly qualified personnel who engage in multidisciplinary social science research, teaching, and coaching.
As the oldest applied social science-based research and teaching department at the University, we are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the Zambian and regional environments.
Our Programs
At the undergraduate level, our flagship programs include the Bachelor of Social Work and the Bachelor of Sociology. The Bachelor of Social Work, a four-year degree program, aims to produce highly skilled professionals equipped with a comprehensive understanding of development problems and analytical tools. Graduates are prepared to serve as direct service providers, social service planners and managers, policy analysts, and researchers. The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program aims to equip graduates with a deep understanding of societal issues and solutions, enabling them to become innovative leaders in various roles such as managers, service providers, planners, policy analysts, or researchers in a rapidly evolving world.
At the graduate level, we offer advanced training in Social Work and Sociology through our Master's programs. These programs are designed to equip postgraduate students with broad skills relevant to contemporary society, providing advanced training beyond the undergraduate level. Our goal is to prepare students for successful careers as applied social scientists by emphasizing competence in advanced theory and research methods while allowing for the development of individual interests.
Thank you for choosing the Department of Social Work and Sociology. We look forward to supporting your academic and professional growth.