Social Work Degree Programs in Connecticut

Situated as the southernmost state in the northeastern region of the United States referred to as New England, Connecticut is the third least extensive, yet fourth most densely populated state. With more than 360,000 acres of farmland, Connecticut is well-known for producing eggs, poultry, milk, Christmas trees, pears, tobacco, cattle, and cotton. Whether it is called the "Land of Steady Habits," the "Nutmeg State," or the "Constitution State," Connecticut has some of the top universities in the region with excellent programs for aspiring social workers. The following are the social work programs offered to students in Connecticut that have been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).


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Central Connecticut State University

School of Education and Professional Studies

As the largest of the four comprehensive universities within the Connecticut State University System, the Central Connecticut State University is a regional comprehensive public university that is committed to delivering a strong liberal arts education to its more than 12,500 students. Distinguished by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the U.S. News and World Report survey has ranked CCSU as the 116th best college and 36th top public school in the North region. Princeton Review has also selected it as one of the Best Northeastern Colleges and among the Best Value Colleges in America. Within the School of Education and Professional Studies, the Department of Social Work is dedicated to recruiting students from diverse cultural groups and educating them on all the core competencies established by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in School Work program are prepared for beginning entry-level generalist social work practice to engage in critical intervention activities to at-risk populations. The program aims to enhance course materials through experiential learning opportunities with a required minimum of 680 hours of supervised field experience in a variety of human service agencies that provide assistance to individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. In order to successfully complete the program, students are required to complete at least 122 total credits with a cumulative social work GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact Information

Barnard Hall Room 203
1615 Stanley St.
New Britain, CT 06050
(860) 832-3143
[email protected]
http://www.ccsu.edu/page.cfm?p=14455

Eastern Connecticut State University

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work

As a predominantly undergraduate university with more than 5,250 students, Eastern Connecticut State University is known as Connecticut's public liberal arts college. Independent of chosen majors and career aspirations, all Eastern students share a common interdisciplinary curriculum that serves as a strong liberal arts foundation to cultivate broad knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed for a successful professional career. The U.S. News and World Report survey ranks ECSU as the 108th best college and 33rd top public school in the Northern region of the United States. The ECSU Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work encompasses four academic disciplines with two major and three minor programs that contribute to several interdisciplinary career paths to practically apply the liberal education.

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Combined with a liberal arts perspective, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) program prepares bachelor-level beginning generalist social work professionals who are effective at advancing social justice and human rights. Whether students decide to begin professional practice or continue on with graduate studies, all graduates are ready to serve diverse client populations, especially among those most vulnerable and socially oppressed. Students are expected to engage in three separate field experiences, including a 20-hour introductory practicum, a 45-hour community practice internship, and a 400-hour generalist senior practicum in clinical settings throughout Eastern Connecticut.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Connecticut Chapter
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact Information

Webb Hall Room 421
83 Windham St.
Willimantic, CT 06226
(860) 465-4550
[email protected]
http://www.easternct.edu/socialwork/socialWorkField.html

Sacred Heart University

Department of Social Work

Known for being the second largest Catholic university in New England with more than 6,500 students enrolled annually, Sacred Heart University is a private comprehensive institution committed to academic excellence and strong Roman Catholic traditions. Drawing on the plentiful resources in New England and nearby New York City, Sacred Heart has been nationally recognized as being the 33rd best college in the Northern region of the United States by the U.S. News and World Report. Princeton Review has also included SHU among the best regional universities in the North and one of the top New England liberal arts colleges. Within the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Social Work has been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1981 for educating responsible and ethnical undergraduate students for social work practice.

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Designed to prepare students for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and the public at large, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) program consists of individualized learning, close faculty advisement, and a highly personal focus on students' unique learning needs. The rigorous curriculum is built upon Social Welfare Policy, Human Behavior, Social Environments, Social Work Practices, Cultural Competency, Diversity Services, and Research Methods. All students are required to participate in three semesters of field practicum experiences totaling at least 600 hours in various social service field agencies under the supervision of professional social workers.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact Information

Academic Building HC 219
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06825
(203) 371-7941
[email protected]
http://www.sacredheart.edu/academics/collegeofartssciences/academicdepartments/socialwork/bachelorofsocialwork/

Southern Connecticut State University

School of Health and Human Services

As the number one producer of graduates in health sciences, life sciences, education, and social public services in the state, Southern Connecticut State University strives to empower its more than 8,525 undergraduate and graduate students with the knowledge, skills, and global perspectives to actively participate in the rapidly changing society. Fewer than three miles from downtown New Haven in the artsy and historic Westville Village, SCSU enjoys a culturally rich and vibrant campus. Within the School of Health and Human Services, the Social Work Department has been recognized as having the 130th best graduate social work program in the country by the U.S. News and World Report.

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Based on a strong liberal arts foundation, the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) program is designed to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice as well as graduate social work education at an accredited school within the United States. Enrolled students in the program are required to complete all 41 credits of university requirements, 42 credits of social work major coursework, 24 credits of social work cognates, and 15 credits of free electives of their choosing. Southern Connecticut State graduates leave campus ready to assume entry-level positions after completing a 400-hour internship training experience with direct contact with clients in practical clinical situations.

Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program aims to provide students with the specific knowledge and skills necessary for advanced clinical practice in leadership roles in the field of social work. Within the 60-credit program, students can choose to specialize in Elders and Families, Children and Families, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, or School Social Work. For students who have previously earned a bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program within the last six years, there is also an Advanced Standing MSW program that involves a waiver of up to 21 credits and 300 less hours for field placement practice.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
  • Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education

Contact Information

101 Farnham Avenue
New Haven, CT 06515
(203) 392-6573
[email protected]
http://www.southernct.edu/academics/schools/health/academic-programs/socialwork/

University of Connecticut

School of Social Work

Located in the rural small town of Storrs surrounded by plentiful agricultural farmland about 30 minutes from Hartford, the University of Connecticut is one of the nation's leading public research universities. The university's diverse student body of more than 17,550 students enjoys state-of-the-art facilities spread over a picturesque vast 4,067-acre campus, vibrant with both living and learning opportunities within the classroom and beyond. The U.S. News and World Report survey currently ranks UConn as the 57th best college and 19th top public school in the nation. The UConn School of Social Work has also been nationally recognized for having the 37th best graduate program for social work in the entire United States.

Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed to seamlessly incorporate micro and macro practice methods that focus on the strengths of individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Building on this strong foundation, students are given the freedom to choose an advanced concentration in the field, including Casework, Group Work, Social Work Administration, Policy Practice, and Community Organization. Depending on students' unique learning needs and schedule, students can choose to complete the degree in two, three, or four years. Students who have received a Bachelor of Social Work degree within the last six years from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are also eligible for a one-year Advanced Standing program.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
  • Council for Higher Education (CHEA)

Contact Information

1798 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 570-9118
[email protected]
http://ssw.uconn.edu/our-programs/msw-program

University of Saint Joseph

School of Graduate and Professional Studies

Standing proudly on a beautiful 84-campus outfitted with Georgian brick architecture and picturesque landscapes located in West Hartford, the University of Saint Joseph is a private comprehensive institution enhanced by the Roman Catholic tradition of its founding Sisters of Mercy. According to the U.S. News and World Report survey, USJ is the 95th best college in the North region of the United States. The University of Saint Joseph has also been consistently selected by Catholic Colleges of Distinction for the last five academic years. The USJ School of Graduate and Professional Studies are committed to providing rigorous, relevant, and values-based education to a diverse student population that prepares skilled culturally-responsive professionals.

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Designed to educate generalist social workers who use culturally competent research and practice to promote social change, the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) program is strongly based on promoting a global civil society based on human rights, social equality, and economic justice. On top of the required coursework, students are required to actively participate in field practice experiences in the junior and senior year for 16 hours per week. Students in the program are able to choose from three main concentrations to focus their studies further to career goals, including Latino Community Practice (LCP), Criminal Justice, and Juvenile Justice/Human Rights.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact Information

1678 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 231-5264
[email protected]

Western Connecticut State University

Department of Social Work

Western Connecticut State University is an urban public comprehensive university spread over a rolling 398-acre campus located in downtown Danbury, with a satellite campus about three miles from the main campus called Westside. Although the university is home to more than 6,200 students from throughout the Tri-State Area, WCSU still boasts an intimate class environment with a small student to faculty ratio of 15:1. Within the School of Professional Studies, the Department of Social Work serves as an accessible, responsive, and creative intellectual resource for educating a diversified student body to provide intervention for the underserved populations in the region.

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) program provides students with a competency-based generalist education which exceeds all standards of accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program aims to prepare informed, culturally sensitive, skilled generalist social workers who are able to offer services to promote and strengthen the well-being of individuals, families, communities, groups, and organizations. Based on a broad liberal arts education, students may apply to the program in the junior or senior year. In the senior year field experience, students are required to actively participate in a two-day a week practicum each semester for 208 total hours with a licensed social worker supervisor.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact Information

White Hall Suite 101
181 White St.
Danbury, CT 06810
(203) 837-8410
[email protected]
http://www.wcsu.edu/sw/