MOBILITY IN SERBIA – ARE WE THERE YET? Vladimir Mihić, Marko Škorić, Aleksej Kišjuhas University of Novi Sad

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? One of the cornerstones of Higher education reforms (Bologna) It allows students to choose their profession after they are educated in social sciences in general (pre-graduate level, BA) Students have better general base in humanities and social sciences (but can lack some profession-based knowledge) Students specialize themselves for different areas of social work (but, can they choose their area of expertise in their work place?)

MOBILITY IN SOCIAL WORK At the moment, in Serbia only two Universities have Social work as one of their programs No faculty of Social work (in the region, only University of Ljubljana has this Faculty) Mobility is not a plausible option BA studies – fewer problems, especially in first two years MA studies – not possible, for now, at the University of Belgrade, but possible at the Singidunum University Do we need to change this?

WHAT ARE THE MAIN ISSUES? Social work is rather like a Serbian football team – every University has its own idea who can be in the “social worker” team In Serbia now – political sciences or media and communication? In Serbia in future – Faculty of humanities and social sciences and Faculty of Law? In Croatia – law? Educational-rehabilitation studies (Social pedagogy)? In Bosnia – political sciences In Slovenia – an independent studies Prerequisite for mobility – what studies are compatible with social work?

BA LEVEL Although we can find difficulties on this level, it seems self-evident that mobility in BA studies should be much easier Additional courses can be assigned, especially in: – political sciences and social policies (for students of psychology and educational sciences?) – psychology (for students of sociology and law?) But, further we go, problems multiply

MA LEVEL Enrolment at MA level is much more difficult, for now Number of additional courses becomes much higher It raises a question – can mobility become reality and how New program of social work in Nis – fewer problems, if any But, what about psychology, sociology, educational sciences, perhaps even those with BA in law? An issue: Is it wise to give two diplomas in two different areas, when students of Social work, basically, get only one?

WHAT CAN BE DONE? One idea, not very appealing for Serbian Universities (but, one I like the most ) instead of Why? It would allow someone to get the BA in some other social science, but study Social work for two instead of one year it can decrease, or even eliminate, additional courses BA after three years basically prevents a student to work as a licensed expert (psychologist, sociologist etc.), so, although he would have two diplomas, it is highly unlikely he can work as a professional with his BA level diploma

WHAT IS BEING DONE? In Serbia: – no admittance to MA level for students who do not have BA level diploma in Social work (University of Belgrade) – Three additional courses for anyone who has 240 ECTS (Singidunum University) In Croatia – BA studies have 240 ECTS (somewhat unusual for Croatia) – MA studies – open to all of the social sciences – Additional courses in law and social work (60 ECTS for psychology, sociology, philosophy, pedagogy, theology and Educational-rehabilitation faculty) BUT! All these BA level programs have 180 ECTS

DIRECT ACCESS TO MA LEVEL? University of Ljubljana – BA – 240 ECTS (but, 50 ECTS of practice) – MA – 60 ECTS – Direct access – social work, psychology, pedagogy, sociology, social pedagogy and law – All other – 20 ECTS (for BA no less than 240 ECTS); 60 ECTS (for BA no less than 180 ECTS; 20 ECTS if BA in social work, psychology, pedagogy, sociology, social pedagogy and law) – 20 ECTS – social work courses and practice University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Political Sciences (3+2)

SO ARE WE THERE YET? Not even close… But, questions are raised so that we can answer them in the best way possible both for students but also for the profession