A Master of Social Work (MSW) is the gateway to most professional opportunities in the field, but new MSW graduates face some choices. Most MSW graduates complete coursework in a wide range of subjects, including clinical practice, social policy, human behavior, research, advocacy, and specific populations such as children or older adults.
So you have already earned your bachelor’s degree and have decided to pursue the next stage of academia — the master’s degree. You’re interested in direct practice and helping individuals, families, groups, and communities to improve their well-being and achieve success in areas of their lives where they may be struggling. You may be torn between getting a master’s degree in psychology or in social work, and are wondering what each degree can do for you.
The need for professional social workers continues to grow. It’s important to understand the different types of social work — clinical or non-clinical — so that you can make an informed decision about which area of practice is the best fit for you. While both types of social workers are educated at the graduate level, there are key differences.
While most ethnic and racial groups acknowledge that racism and discrimination exist in the U.S., they have differing opinions about the effects on specific communities. SocialWork@Simmons Professor Shari Johnson shares her tips to ensure that discussions about race and discrimination are productive rather than destructive.
As members of the SocialWork@Simmons community, our backgrounds are unique, with a shared dedication for our work and for the Simmons School of Social Work. What does social work mean to each of us? Why did we become social workers? Why did we join the SocialWork@Simmons community? “Why I Do It” tells these stories.
As the ongoing civil war in Syria drove steady growth in the global refugee population, the number of new refugees admitted to the United States increased significantly in calendar year 2016. With lawmakers, advocates, and the general public debating how best to address refugees, it is important to first and foremost recognize who they are and where they are coming from.
As most social work students learn, the diagnosis of “homosexuality” was removed from the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1973 by the board of the directors of the American Psychiatric Association. After this, strength-based, positive therapeutic frameworks such as Gay Affirmative Therapy, were introduced as ethical alternatives to conversion, reparative and aversion therapies.
Self-care isn’t just about eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep. While important, these elements only scratch the surface of an intentional and successful wellness plan. Maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health is vital for everyone, but it can be particularly important for those working in helping professions like social work, nursing, and counseling.
