School of Social Work
School of Social Work Mission
To prepare social workers—through instruction in integrated social work theory, research, methods, and practice—to identify, dismantle, and resist all forms of social inequality and oppression, particularly issues of racism and its impact on social work practice. We are deeply committed to training social workers to think critically and intervene against cultural, social, political, and economic practices that do not advance human rights, justice, or the dignity and worth of every human being.
Graduate Programs Offered
The School of Social Work offers graduate programs to earn an MSW degree and Ph.D. in Social Work degree. The Master of Social Work program (MSW) is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and is delivered on-ground at the Fairfield campus as well as asynchronously online. The MSW degree prepares graduates for integrated and anti-racist direct clinical or direct community social work practice. Graduates obtain specialized skills in assessment, treatment planning, intervention, practice evaluation and are also prepared for leadership roles in generalist and specialized practice. The Ph.D. program is offered online, with on campus Orientation and week-long Summer residencies. The Ph.D. program prepares candidates for social work research, scholarship and education, as well as community-based leadership and service. The Ph.D. program promotes students as scholars who serve as stewards of the discipline.
Master of Social Work
Through education in empirically based, state-of-the-art methods rooted in social justice, diversity, and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, the MSW program prepares MSW students in the anti-racist, integrated practice skills and strategies necessary to engage with, assess for and intervene competently in the full range of micro to macro social work practice.
Ph.D. in Social Work
The Ph.D. in Social Work program emphasizes an integrated approach to social work and interdisciplinary curriculum rooted in the principles of social and racial justice. This program is specifically designed for social work professionals currently working in community-based organizations, governmental organizations, and institutions of higher education. The Ph.D. program and its faculty prioritize creating inclusive environments for students of diverse backgrounds and learning styles. Research, scholarship, pedagogy and mentorship are essential aspects of the Ph.D. program.
Faculty & Staff