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The Revival of Romanian Social Work Education and Its Prospects

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Social Work Education in Europe

Part of the book series: European Social Work Education and Practice ((ESWEP))

Abstract

This chapter will first introduce the historical context of social work activities in Romania and the establishment of social work education after World War I. Subject to various challenges (e.g. ideological, historical, political, social) which culminated with its being banned under communism, social work as a profession and an area of education and practice re-emerged in 1990. The evolution of social work education during the post-communist period under the influence of various factors will be analysed to offer a picture of current challenges and future perspectives. Despite university autonomy, centralised educational structures leave little room for variation of curricula among the social work education programmes. Social work framework curricula evolved from a generalist one focused on theories and policies in the early post-communist period to more specialised core courses adapted to changing social realities, as new generations of social work educators emerged within universities. Doctoral studies are possible in the field of sociology, with social-work-related topics, but there are prospects to establish social work doctoral studies, which could create the basis for greater academisation. Furthermore, research in social work is vital not only for establishing evidence-based practice but also gaining scientific recognition for the field.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    In Romania, professional doctorates are possible only in some arts and humanities areas.

  2. 2.

    See Doru Buzducea’s presentation in November 2018: https://dorubuzducea.ro/conferinta-internationala-strengthening-the-social-work-and-social-service-workforce-in-europe-central-asia-investing-in-our-childrens-future/ . This figure is based on statistical data from the National Institute of Statistics on the number of students enrolled each year (since 1999) in social work programmes minus about 30% considered average drop-out rate.

  3. 3.

    The master’s programmes offered by religious/theology faculties are not included in the social work field of study, but in theology.

  4. 4.

    Habilitation was introduced in 2011 by the new education law as a way of recognising the right to supervise doctoral students. The process itself requires that the candidate fulfil the criteria (mainly scientometric criteria) to be full professor/scientific researcher I. Although the candidate does not need to hold this position, he/she should at least be a lecturer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Social Work Research Commission of the National College of Social Workers, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

    Florin Lazăr

  2. Social Work Research Commission of the Nationall College of Social Workers, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

    Florin Lazăr

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  1. Florin Lazăr
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Correspondence to Florin Lazăr .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Social Work, Health Care, and Nursing Sciences, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Esslingen, Germany

    Marion Laging

  2. Faculty of Law, Department of Social Work, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    Nino Žganec

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Lazăr, F. (2021). The Revival of Romanian Social Work Education and Its Prospects. In: Laging, M., Žganec, N. (eds) Social Work Education in Europe. European Social Work Education and Practice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69701-3_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69701-3_10

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