Mountains of the Moon University

Introduction

Uganda has experienced significant economic growth for over a decade and poverty has decreased substantially. Expansion in the agriculture, construction and communications sectors has fuelled growth, which averaged 7% for much of the 1990s, nearer 5% since 2002 to date. Nevertheless Uganda remains one of the poorest countries in the world with 31 per cent of the population living below the poverty line and a per capita income of around $300 per annum (DFID, 2007). The majority of Uganda’s population (almost 88%) leaves in the rural areas and the bulk of urban dwellers subsist in poor conditions in slums around and within metropolitan centers (UBOS 2002).

From this milieu it is apparent to construe that the government of Uganda urgently needs support from all development partners to supplement its efforts in the quest to eradicate mass poverty levels and raise the country to a middle income country by in the next twenty years (PEAP, 2004). As a partner in development Mountains of the Moon University in an attempt to complement government efforts has decided to introduce another demand driven and community focused program the Bachelor of Social and Community Development (BSCD).

Social and Community Development is the process or effort of increasing the positive outcomes within a community by linking individuals and organizations working toward common ends. The people who are marginalized or living in poverty work together to identify their needs, create change, exert more influence in the decisions which affect their lives and work to improve the quality of their lives, the communities in which they live, and the society of which they are part. Organizations on the other hand build the capacity of the communities and provide financial assistance for sustainable development.

Course Objectives

The ultimate goal of this program is to install knowledge, skills and attitudes as well as provide tools focused on responding to the social and economic needs of the populace as identified by the masses themselves. The expectation is that in the longrun it will bring about sustained improvement in the well-being of the individual, family, community and society at large.

Course Duration

The course is conducted both in the evenings and on the weekend. The entire period of study for the program is three years. Each academic year comprises of two semesters of seventeen weeks each, fifteen weeks dedicated to study and the last two weeks dedicated to examinations.

Course Structure

Admission Requirements

Applicants are eligible for admission to the BSCD degree program ought to have:

• A Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) or equivalent
• A Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education with at least two principle passes with an average point of 3.0 or more in Arts subjects or its equivalent.
• A 1st or 2nd class diploma or its equivalent in a relevant field from a recognized tertiary institution
• Through the University Bridging Program (for foreign students who do not satisfy the above listed requirements). Refer to the MMU Bridging Program

Career Prospects for Graduates

The Social and Community Development courses prepare graduates for diverse employment environments including both the government, private and non government, non for profit organizations. These may include international organizations dealing in development based interventions like Oxfam, SNV, Red Cross, Care International, World Vision as well as a variety of United Nations funded programs.  Locally the graduates can be absorbed in Local Governments as Community Development Officers, social workers not to mention the thousands of NGOs operating in the country and the region.