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Social Work

Medische Zorg & Welzijn

Duration

2 years

Level

Associate DegreeAlso part-time

Outlook

Stabiel

What will you learn?

(Sociaal Werk) In the AD Social Work program, you learn to support people with personal problems and challenges in their daily lives. You develop skills in conducting conversations, client guidance, and creating care plans. The program combines theoretical knowledge about human behavior, social systems, and assistance methodologies with intensive practical training. You learn to work with different target groups such as young people with behavioral problems, people with disabilities, or families in crisis. Core subjects include communication and conversation skills, social psychology, care ethics, and case management. What makes this AD unique compared to the full HBO bachelor's degree is the direct focus on practical assistance and quick entry into the job market. You complete extensive internships at institutions such as youth care, mental health services, housing corporations, or welfare organizations. Practice-oriented projects include guiding real clients under supervision and developing educational materials. This program is perfect for you if you enjoy working directly with people, are empathetic, and want to quickly start working as a professional in the social sector.

Required Education

For admission to AD Social Work, you need at least an MBO level 4 diploma, preferably in a social direction such as Social Care or Pedagogical Work. You can also enter with a HAVO diploma, where the Culture & Society (C&M) profile fits best because this profile contains subjects like social studies, history, and Dutch that are directly relevant to social work. The C&M profile already gives you insight into social structures and social problems. In secondary school, subjects like Dutch (for communication skills), social studies, and history are valuable because they prepare you for understanding social contexts. Some universities of applied sciences require a motivation interview or intake to assess your suitability for working with vulnerable people. Alternative admission routes are possible through an admission test for people without formal diplomas but with relevant work experience in care or welfare, or by completing a bridging program from another MBO direction.

Core Subjects

Career Prospects

After completing AD Social Work, you can immediately start working as a social worker level 4+ at various organizations such as municipalities, youth care, mental health institutions, housing corporations, or welfare organizations. Typical positions are client counselor, youth worker, debt assistance counselor, or trajectory counselor at reintegration companies. Your starting salary ranges between €2,200 and €2,800 gross per month, depending on the employer and collective labor agreement. Growth opportunities include progressing to the full HBO bachelor's Social Work degree, for which you can often enter directly in the third year, or specializing in specific target groups through additional courses. With experience, you can advance to coordinating positions or become a team leader.

Impact of AI on this program

AI can support AD Social Work with case management and signaling, but the core — human contact, empathy, and building trust — is not automatable. Ethical knowledge about AI deployment with vulnerable groups becomes important.

Where can you study this?

Marnix Academie

UTRECHTHBO

De Haagse Hogeschool

'S-GRAVENHAGEHBO

Hotelschool The Hague

'S-GRAVENHAGEHBO

Design Academy Eindhoven

EINDHOVENHBO

Iselinge Hogeschool

DOETINCHEMHBO

ArtEZ

ARNHEMHBO

NHL Stenden Hogeschool

LEEUWARDENHBO

Hogeschool van Amsterdam

AMSTERDAMHBO
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