Message from the Department Chairperson to Prospective Students: The College at Brockport

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Message from the Department Chairperson to Prospective Students

Thank you for taking time to learn about the College at Brockport's Department of Social Work. Social work is an exciting and challenging profession. It's the right career choice for individuals with a strong desire to influence the world around them. If you are a prospective student who is motivated to make a difference, help others, create innovative social programs, or change public policy, then you are exploring the right path.

The study of social work is certainly not for the faint of heart. This course of study will lead you to some of the most demanding, yet most fulfilling, job opportunities. Social workers focus their attention on a variety of social problems. Whether it is child abuse, health and mental health issues, school violence, poverty, racial inequities, homelessness, or any of the many difficulties confronting our society, the study of social work prepares you to assist people as they struggle to improve their life situation. As you will see reviewing this website, the BSW and MSW curriculum helps students explore the problems in today's society from different perspectives and design solutions. You will be involved in direct field work with clients who may, in fact, teach you what your courses and textbooks cannot - how to be passionate about your work.

The U.S. Department of Labor notes employment in social work is expected to grow at a rate faster than average over the next five years, so it is a reasonable assumption that a job will be there when you graduate. The BSW degree is the minimum requirement for many entry-level social work positions. The MSW degree equips you for advanced and autonomous practice.

So if you are up to the challenge, permit me to brag a bit about what the Social Work Department at SUNY Brockport has to offer.

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1971, our's is the largest BSW program between Buffalo and Syracuse.
The MSW program is also accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and has been cited as a national model by recent accreditation site visitors.
Our experienced faculty enjoy excellent teaching, scholarship and community service reputations.
Graduation from an accredited BSW program can qualify you for advanced standing in most MSW programs. This means you may complete your Masters in one, instead of two years.
We offer full and part-time studies to suit your own particular learning needs.
With a large number of high quality field placement sites, we can tailor your experience to your career goals.
Stipends may be available for some field sites.
Depending upon the job you land after graduation, you may qualify for federal loan deferment and/or forgiveness.

The profession needs energetic, passionate, and competent social workers to meet the challenges facing our society. If you have the first two ingredients, please consider applying to the College at Brockport so that we may help you develop the third.

Sincerely,

Jason Dauenhauer, Ph.D., MSW, Chairperson

Last Updated 11/7/12