Professional Programs students at commencement

School of Professional Programs

Menu Display

Social Work at Marist

Building on over 20 years of experience in social work education this program is delivered in an alternative format for adult students who cannot attend the regular program. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the graduates of this program are prepared for entry-level social work practice and/or graduate school.

The program emphasizes:

  • A sociological perspective for understanding human problems
  • The development of self-awareness
  • Personal and professional values
  • Preparation for generalist social work practice and/or graduate study, specifically the MSW

The Social Work Career

Social workers are committed to improving the human condition by maximizing human potential and the quality of the social environment. Social workers advocate for social justice and serve oppressed populations and society's most vulnerable people. BSW education prepares graduates in generalist social work practice methods to serve individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities with a range of problems. Social workers often practive in agencies that provide services to those dealing with problems in social functioning, substance abuse, mental health issues, domestic violence, child protection, aging and health concerns, school, employment, and legal issues.

Curriculum

Social work education is built on a broad liberal arts foundation that is generally completed through the 60 credits students transfer in as they enter the program. In the second 60 credits, students will focus on the following content areas:

  • Ethics
  • Human behavior and the social environment
  • Social policy
  • Research
  • Practice theories and methods
  • Related content from liberal arts and specifically from biology, political science, economics, and psychology

Internship

Coursework is enhanced by applied experiences in the field, culminating in a 500-hour internship under professional social work supervision. The rich array of regional human service agencies provide students with a range of flexible and challenging field education opportunities.