About the Master of Social Work in Psychosocial Software Engineering
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What is the Master of Social Work in Psychosocial Software Engineering?
The "Master of Social Work in Psychosocial Software Engineering" program is a pioneering initiative designed to address the pressing need for digital solutions in psychosocial and mental health services within Ethiopia. This interdisciplinary program integrates principles from social work, psychosocial, and software engineering, equipping students with the necessary skills to develop innovative technology-driven interventions tailored to the unique challenges faced in the field.
The project aims to establish a five-year graduate-level curriculum that will train 100 students as the first generation of Psychosocial Software Engineers. Graduates will be prepared to leverage mobile technologies, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to create scalable interventions that enhance psychosocial and mental health service delivery. The curriculum encompasses foundational courses that cover essential theories and principles, applied and technical courses focused on digital tools and ethical considerations, and practical components that include supervised research and fieldwork.
Collaboration with Ethiopian and international universities will enhance academic exchange and research opportunities, fostering a rich learning environment. The program emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that technology is developed with a deep understanding of human behavior and social needs. This approach aims to address the shortage of psychosocial and mental health professionals in Ethiopia, particularly in underserved and rural areas, by expanding service accessibility through digital platforms.
The initiative also seeks to strengthen the psychosocial and mental health services sectors by integrating data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics and diagnosis, delivery of services, and integrating technology in therapy using different platforms, such as, augmented and virtual reality employing devices such as computers, biosensors, wearables, implants, etc., into practice. This focus on evidence-based approaches will empower professionals to make informed decisions that improve client-centered, customized, and easily available and accessible service delivery for vulnerable populations
The project is hosted by the School of Social Work within the College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities at Addis Ababa University, with the School of Information Technology and Engineering serving as a key partner. A dedicated team of experts from various disciplines will oversee the project's implementation, ensuring that it aligns with the strategic goals of the university and meets the needs of the community.
Through this innovative program, Ethiopia aims to develop local expertise in psychosocial software engineering, reducing reliance on foreign training and fostering self-sufficiency in psychosocial innovation. The establishment of this program represents a significant step toward enhancing the country’s capacity to address critical gaps in psychosocial and mental health service delivery through technology and initiating the first steps in instating an African training hub in psychosocial software engineering for students from different regions of the continent.
To produce competent graduates with a strong foundation in psychosocial theories, digital technologies, and human-centered design to develop digital solutions that prioritize human dignity, mental health, social equity, and data ethics.
To cultivate a new generation of interdisciplinary professionals who integrate social work, psychosocial and software engineering to design ethical, inclusive, and impactful digital technologies for psychosocial well-being.
Required Resources
Human Resource
Potentially, there are staff members from the School of Social Work, School of Psychology and School of Software engineering who shall offer courses independently or collaboratively. Given that the program is new and contains more hybrid courses from social work and psychology; and more stand-alone courses from software engineering, recruitment and employment of expatriate staff will be mandatory until home grown staff will develop the necessary specialization to teach in the program. The following table summarizes the number of required academic staff in the program.
Number of required staff to teach in the program
| Courses | Expatriate staff | Local/national staff | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole-teaching | Team Teaching | Staff | |
| Prerequisite Courses | |||
| Python Programming Language & Problem-Solving | - | 1 | - |
| Introduction to Web Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) | - | 1 | - |
| Core Courses | |||
| Digital Social Work and Mental Health Foundations | 1 | - | 1 |
| Human-Tech Interaction and User-Centered Design | 1 | - | 1 |
| Intermediate Python for Psychosocial Applications | - | 1 | - |
| Databases and Data Security for Psychosocial service Applications | - | 1 | - |
| Psychosocial Aspects of Technology & Digital Ethics | 1 | - | 1 |
| Agile Development and Project Management for Social Impact | - | 1 | - |
| Mobile App Development (React Native or Flutter) | - | 1 | - |
| Advanced Web & Mobile Frameworks (React, Django, or Node.js) | - | 1 | - |
| APIs and Integration for Digital Psychosocial & Health Solutions | 1 | - | 1 |
| Community-Centered Design Studio | 1 | - | 1 |
| AI and Machine Learning for Psychosocial Interventions | - | 1 | - |
| Low-Code/No-Code Tools for Rapid Prototyping | - | 1 | - |
| Cloud Computing & Scalable Deployment for Digital psychosocial services | - | 1 | - |
| Testing, Debugging, and Software Quality Assurance | - | 1 | - |
| Cyber-security and Policy Compliance in Psychosocial Services | - | 1 | - |
| MSW-PSE Capstone Project (Design, Development, Deployment) | - | 5 | - |
Facilities
The program will be equipped with administrative office, classroom, and laboratory facilities to support teaching, research, and program administration.
- Administrative Office: Equipped as per the specification in the project proposal (see Annex B for details).
- Classrooms: Equipped with inputs as per the specifications in the project proposal (see Annex C for details).
- Technical Software Engineering Laboratory: Equipped with the necessary inputs as per the specification in the project proposal (see Annex D for details).
- Psychosocial Software Engineering Laboratory: Equipped with the necessary inputs as per the specification in the project proposal (see Annex E for details).
Financial Resources
The program is funded by outside sources. Students’ tuition fees will be fully covered by the program through external funding. In the future, students might be sponsored by specific organizations or join the program as self-sponsored students.
Stakeholders Engagement
Relevant government ministries, such as, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopian Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Ethiopian Telecommunication are key stakeholders since their involvement is essential for aligning the project with national policies and priorities in psychosocial and in mental health services.
Organizations and institutions that provide financial support for the project are critical stakeholders. Their investment is necessary for the project’s sustainability and growth, and their expectations must be considered in project planning and reporting.
NGOs that focus on psychosocial and in mental health services are important partners since their insights and collaboration can enhance the project’s relevance and impact in addressing community needs
Access reliable data for educational planning and policy development, monitor system-wide performance, and ensure accountability in the education sector.
Project Goal
The goal of this project is to establish a five-year graduate-level program in Psychosocial Software Engineering Program in Addis Ababa University and train 100 students as the first generation of Psychosocial Software Engineers that fosters innovation at the intersection of mental health, social work, and technology.