Escuela Nacional de Trabajo Social

Amidst the vibrant energy of Mexico City, the Escuela Nacional de Trabajo Social (ENTS) stands as a beacon of social change. This institution, part of the prestigious Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), has a rich history intertwined with the evolution of social work in Mexico. The ENTS’s story begins not within its own walls, but in the halls of the Escuela Nacional de Jurisprudencia in the late 1930s. A special two-year course for social workers in juvenile courts sparked the idea for a dedicated social work program. Recognizing the nation’s growing need for trained social professionals, a group of professors, including Dr. Raúl González Enríquez and Dr. Rafael Santamarina, proposed a formal curriculum. This led to the establishment of a technical-level social work program within the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences. The desire for a more advanced program persisted. In 1968, the efforts of students, faculty, and practicing social workers culminated in the creation of a bachelor’s degree program in social work. However, the need for a dedicated institution became increasingly clear. Finally, on October 4, 1973, the UNAM formally established the Escuela Nacional de Trabajo Social as an independent entity. Dr. Manuel Sánchez Rosado, appointed in 1974, became the school’s first director, marking a pivotal moment in its history. The ENTS is more than just classrooms and administrative offices. Its beating heart is the Centro de Información y Servicios Bibliotecarios. This center houses a vast collection of specialized resources, including over 87,000 books, hundreds of journal titles, periodicals, and multimedia resources. It is a hub for research, learning, and intellectual exploration, providing students with the tools they need to delve into the complexities of social issues. The ENTS offers a robust curriculum, covering a wide range of topics. From the historical development of social work to contemporary social theory, economic theory, and the analysis of the Mexican state, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the field. The program also emphasizes practical skills, with courses on community practice, regional intervention, and specialized practice. In 2019, a new curriculum was introduced, comprising 49 courses. This program underscores the importance of research and practical application. It prepares students to not only understand social issues, but also to design and implement effective interventions. The ENTS has also expanded its offerings to include postgraduate studies, with a master’s program approved in 2004 and a specialization program with various orientations. The Escuela Nacional de Trabajo Social’s commitment to education, research, and community engagement is palpable. As you stand before this institution, you stand before a testament to the power of social work to transform lives and communities. It is a place where theory and practice converge, where knowledge is created, and where future generations of social workers are equipped to tackle the challenges of a complex and ever-changing world.