Social work is a dynamic profession concerned with the changing needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and society. For those who are interested in this professional commitment, social work offers a broad range of practice settings: community mental health agencies, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, employee assistance programs, family service agencies, and community service agencies. In addition, professional social workers serve as administrators of various social service agencies. They also work in all levels of government, education, and a number of social workers have assumed political or legislative careers. The education and training they receive in a Master of Social Work (MSW) program provides them with the skills they need to choose a career within the broad area of social work. The School of Social Work MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Students in this focus area understand at an advanced level mandates of the children, youth, and family serving systems and learn to effectively intervene within the current framework of state and federal legislation. They are able to assess the impact of trauma and assess for risk and resilience with children, youth, and families and design effective interventions that build on best-practices and strengths with individuals, families and communities. They identify and apply interventions that address trauma, risk and resilience in advanced practice with children, youth, and families. They evaluate the impact of the forms, mechanisms, and consequences of oppression and discrimination in the systems that impact children, youth, and families, including the impact on people of color, women, lesbian women and gay men, and other populations at risk as well as those groups distinguished by age, ethnicity, culture, class, religion, region, gender identity, and physical or mental ability.