The Department of Sociology and Social Work is one of the largest educational and research centers in the country for the training of specialists in the field of sociology and social work at three levels of education in bachelor, master and PhD programs. The preparation of students in sociology has a strong analytical, empirical and comparative orientation. It includes statistical analysis of social surveys, demography, data collection, design and analysis, macro- and microsocial experiments and research. We also provide quality professional and academic training in social work, developing students' knowledge and competencies related to social security and social policy.

Professional reputation of the faculty of the Department of sociology and social work of al-Farabi KazNU remains widely recognized for consistently delivering high rankings and academic performance.

The Department of Sociology was founded in 1988 with the aim of providing a renewed focus on sociological research and teaching at the university. In 2009, the Department of Sociology was renamed the Department of Sociology and Social Work. The department has a Center for Sociological Research and Social Engineering (there is a Laboratory for Youth Research at the center), a Center for Gender Education, which conducts scientific and educational research on a wide range of problems and act as a base for research practices for bachelor, master and doctoral students.