Studying Social Work at Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University appears in our ranking of the 20 High-value BSW Degrees in Metro Areas with Top Salaries for Social Workers.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate social work degrees to students and is the only school in the state system of universities to offer multiple versions of the degree. Students in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program will have the knowledge necessary to obtain entry-level professions. The graduate-level program, the Master of Social Work, helps students with the knowledge necessary to engage in clinical practice in a specialization of the student's choosing. The university also has a Doctor of Social Work program for individuals seeking leadership positions within the industry.
The Bachelor of Social Work program is a 45-credit program and features a field practicum of at least 400 hours. Some of the areas where graduates may work after receiving their BSW include adoption agencies, adult day care centers, family service agencies, private & public child welfare agencies, and elementary schools. Students may also choose to move onto a graduate degree program after earning a BSW if they want to become licensed and attain a clinician position. During the bachelor's degree program, students will receive a field placement in an internship that will be accompanied by a weekly class seminar. The field assignment will be within 50 miles of the student's home.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program features a plan of study that requires 60 credits of study, as well as 1,100 hours of field practice. The program is designed to take two to three years, depending on a student's course load. Some of the fields in which a student may focus during his or her time in the program include Children & Families, Elders & Families, Social Work in School Settings, and Mental Health & Substance Use: Co-occurring Disorders. The first field practice session features 500 hours of general social work practice, and the second placement requires 600 hours of field work in the student's chosen specialization. Students may take up to 9 credits of classes in the MSW program when they are non-matriculated.
For students interested in the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program, students who already have master's degrees work toward advanced knowledge in one of three areas of focus that include Advanced Clinical Practice, Leadership & Management, or University Teaching. Southern Connecticut State University is the only college in New England to offer a Doctor of Social Work degree. The plan of study for the degree program includes a three-year format in which students enroll part-time while maintaining an outside job. Students enroll in two courses each semester in the summer, fall, and spring, as well as complete a five-day residency in person at the campus that occurs at the start of each summer term.
About Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University is a state university that is part of the official university system in Connecticut. The school was founded in 1893 and is under the guidance of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. When it opened its doors, the university was called the New Haven State Normal School and was a training college for teachers. Located in the town of New Haven, the university has around 8,400 undergraduates attending and 3,200 graduate students attending. The urban campus covers 168 acres in the West Rock neighborhood of town. The official colors of the school are white and Reflex Blue. Students on sports teams play as the Owls in NCAA Division II games. The school's official mascot is The Southern Owl.
Southern Connecticut State University Accreditation Details
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education has accredited Southern Connecticut State University to award degrees. This accreditation ensures students are eligible for financial aid and that their degrees will help them continue their studies at other institutions of higher learning or transfer their credits to other regionally-accredited colleges. Several individual programs at the school are also accredited. For example, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education accredits the programs in marriage & family therapy at the masters and doctoral levels. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits the school's nursing program and all social work programs at Southern Connecticut State University are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Southern Connecticut State University Application Requirements
Admission to Southern Connecticut State University for freshmen requires a completed application, personal essay, and a non-refundable application fee. Students must also submit one letter of recommendation from a school counselor or teacher, as well as standardized test scores for the SAT or ACT. Admission to a graduate program at Southern Connecticut State University requires that students have a degree from an accredited institution, as well as the appropriate academic background for the program to which they want to apply, as well as the recommendation from the graduate program coordinator. Students must also submit the official application, a non-refundable application fee, and test scores from the GRE. Graduate programs like the one in social work may require extra items like two recommendation letters, a resume, personal statement, field evaluation, and departmental application.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition at Southern Connecticut State University for undergraduate, in-state students is $5,477 per semester. Out-of-state students pay $11,732 per semester. Graduate tuition for Connecticut residents is $6,072 per semester and non-residents pay $12,244 per semester. Students in the MBA program, MLS/MLIS program and the AMBA program will pay slightly more each semester for tuition. Students living on campus will pay between $2,572 and $5,513 for room and will pay between $354 and $2,795 for a dining plan. Students will also pay for various other fees, as well as textbooks, which will cost varying amounts each semester depending on how many books are purchased and whether they're new or used books.
Financial aid at Southern Connecticut State University features all the expected options like loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study awards. Grants and loans are available through the federal student loan program, and students must submit an official FAFSA form to ensure they are awarded financial aid. Students who can demonstrate financial need may be awarded grants like Federal Pell Grants or work-study. There are also a variety of scholarships available through private parties, so students should look at those offered to social work students attending colleges like Southern Connecticut State University.