Analysis of Social Work Educational Programs in Ukraine: Institutional Aspect

Education in social work in Ukraine is gradually becoming institutionalized, as evidenced by the standardization of educational programs and the expansion of educational entities providing both formal and informal learning. The purpose of this desk study, conducted within a critical research paradigm, is to analyze the current state of social work education programs, including an examination of their geographic distribution, levels of training, and alignment with existing educational and professional standards. The analysis reveals that as of 2024, Ukraine has 127 higher education institutions (HEIs) offering training in the specialty 231 “Social Work” and 43 vocational education institutions preparing qualified workers in the specialty 5133 “Social Worker.” Additionally, one qualifications center has the authority to confer professional qualifications such as “Social Worker,” “Social Work Specialist,” “Early Intervention Specialist,” and “Veterans and Demobilized Persons Support Specialist.” At the same time, certificate programs and other forms of informal learning are being implemented. Educational programs at HEIs largely lack specialization (one of the most common being social pedagogy). Furthermore, a notable asymmetry between supply and demand in the social work labor market in Ukraine is observed. The analysis also shows that educational programs face challenges due to the lack of harmonization among national higher education standards, professional standards, and state social service standards, while procedures for awarding professional qualifications remain unclear and inconsistent. Key recommendations have been formulated to harmonize professional and educational standards, expand educational program specializations, and standardize procedures for awarding professional qualifications.