The Social Welfare and Justice major is designed to provide students with the knowledge and experience needed to pursue successful careers in social service, social policy analysis, mediation and intervention and social justice advocacy. Through course work, service learning and internships, students gain understanding of the complexities of a range of social welfare and justice issues and learn the analytic and practical skills needed to develop, evaluate and transform social welfare and justice policies and services. Students gain competency in the roles, ethics and values of the social work profession and in the core issue of global human needs and social development. Graduates have the knowledge base to work with culturally diverse groups and understand how social justice issues affect particular communities in specific ways. The major is flexible, allowing students to pursue their specific interests as they develop skills in service, advocacy and social change that form them as leaders in generating positive social justice outcomes. The major also prepares students well for graduate study in conflict resolution, education, health care, law, public health, nonprofit management, public policy analysis, social service administration, social work and student affairs.
Make a difference before you graduate. Our social justice and welfare major includes one- and two-semester internships at a wide variety of sites, including the Milwaukee mayor's office, schools, health services, and programs for domestic abuse victims, immigrants and persons struggling with drug addiction. Study with professors who research current legal issues surrounding immigration, family dispute resolution or sexual assault cases. Develop the skills to evaluate the effectiveness of social agencies and policy. Learn from professionals who provide examples from their work in diverse social work contexts, such as aging, child welfare, education, and courts/corrections. With the major in social welfare and justice and internship experience, you will graduate ready to be a change agent for social justice.
