INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (SOCIAL WORK)_Professional Master_Postgraduate_Programmes_College of International Education, ECUST华东理工大学国际

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (SOCIAL WORK)

Start date

2026/09/01

Duration

1.5 years (Part Time)

Fees

Fees for 2026/27: CNY 150,000 in total

Degree Conferred Professional Master Degree, Master of Social Work

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 ＞ Programmes＞Postgraduate＞Professional Master ＞ INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (SOCIAL WORK)

Page contents

Major Overview

East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) offers a part-time, 1.5-year Master of International Development (Social Work) program, designed specifically for global learners. Combining comprehensiveness with intensity, the program prepares students to become advanced, practice-ready professionals equipped with international perspectives and cross-cultural competencies in the field of international development and social work. Building on ECUST’s established strengths in social work education and research, the curriculum integrates rigorous academic training with hands-on practical experience, preparing graduates for leadership roles in diverse social service and development contexts in China and worldwide.

Educational Objectives

This program is designed to cultivate professionals who:

• Uphold the core social work values of being people-centered, promoting self-help, and ensuring fairness and justice.

• Develop interdisciplinary insight and the ability to integrate knowledge across fields.

• Master advanced theories, methods, and practical skills in international development and social work.

• Understand social policy and demonstrate strong competencies in international development and social service innovation, planning, implementation, evaluation, and research.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate a strong sense of social responsibility, professional ethics, and a rigorous, pragmatic approach to practice.

• Command a solid theoretical foundation and broad professional knowledge in international development and social work, enabling them to independently undertake specialized technical tasks.

• Apply evidence-based methods or practice research methods to analyze and address complex social issues effectively.

• Drive innovation and change in the intersecting fields of international development and social wor

Credit Requirements

Total 36 credits. The thesis or practice achievements count as 2 credits and are not included in the mid-term review

Module Information

Course module	Course Title	Credits	Properties	Semester
Public Courses (6 Credits)	Basic Mandarin	64/4	Compulsory	1 & 2
	Chinese Culture	32/2	Compulsory	1
Core Courses (12 Credits)	Social Work Practice in international development (Micro)	32/2	Compulsory	1
	Social Work Practice in international development (Macro)	32/2	Compulsory	1
	Research Methods (Quantitative)	32/2	Compulsory	1
	Research Methods (Qualitative)	32/2	Compulsory	1
	Thesis & Practice Achievements Writing	64/4	Compulsory	1 & 2
Compuslory Courses (6 Credits)	International development Theory	32/2	Compulsory	1
	Social Development in China	32/2	Compulsory	1
	AI and Social Development	32/2	C	1
Professional Practice (10 Credits)	Pre-placement Workshop	32/2	Compulsory	1
	Professional Practice	800/8	Compulsory	2

Graduation Requirements

Thesis or Practice Achievements Proposal and Mid-term Inspection

Thesis or Practice Achievements Proposal: The thesis or practice achievements proposal is scheduled at the end of the second semester and is organized by the MSW Education Center. Students should prepare a thesis proposal. They must present and defend their proposal publicly as arranged by the MSW Education Center. Only those who pass the review can proceed with the thesis (practice achievements) writing. • Mid-term Inspection: The mid-term inspection is scheduled at the end of the second semester and is organized by the MSW Education Center. • Course study must be completed and the corresponding credits (34 credits) obtained before the mid-term inspection. • Within the specified time, students should fill in the “Mid-term Inspection Form”. The inspection includes course credits and grades and the thesis or practice achievements proposal.
Thesis or Practice Achievements and Degree Conferment

Students must complete all required courses and the professional practice component to qualify for the degree. To fulfill graduation requirements, students must complete one of the following two options:
Option A: Master’s Thesis

The thesis should address a practical issue in social work, demonstrating the student’s ability to comprehensively apply scientific theories and methodologies to solve technical problems in the field. Conducted under faculty supervision, the thesis must be original and represent a sufficient academic workload.
Option B: Practice Achievements

Students may submit a portfolio of practice achievements that showcases advanced competencies and significant outcomes achieved through field practice. The portfolio must include thorough documentation, critical analysis, and reflective evaluation of a major project or intervention, in accordance with standards set by the national MSW Education Steering Committee. All students are required to participate in a pre-defense of thesis or a pre-evaluation of practice achievements portfolio, typically held 1–2 months before the final defense or evaluation. Both the pre-defense/pre-evaluation and final defense/evaluation are scheduled during the third semester. Degree conferral follows the Academic Degree Law of the People’s Republic of China and the ECUST Degree Conferment Implementation Guidelines. Students who successfully pass the final assessment (thesis defense or portfolio of practice achievements evaluation) will be awarded the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

Entry Requirements

1 . Proof of English proficiency is required, with minimum scores of TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.0, or Duolingo 105. Alternatively, applicants may provide proof that their previous degree was taught in English.
2 . Applicants must hold a completed bachelor’s degree or a higher academic qualification.
3 . Applicants must have no criminal record and must be in good physical and mental health.
4 . Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Fees and Scholarships

Application Fee

600 CNY

Tuition Fee

150,000

Application Process

1. No supervisor acceptance letter is required.

2. Submit the online application.

Visit the ECUST online application system, register an account, and submit the required application documents according to the system instructions. Each applicant may submit only one application; duplicate applications are not permitted.

3. Pay the application fee of 600 CNY.

If online payment is not available, applicants may transfer the fee to the official bank account of East China University of Science and Technology and uplaod the proof. Note: Applications will be considered invalid if the application fee is not paid. The application fee is non-refundable once paid.

Student Experience