About the School
The Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research (GSSWSR) is distinctive for its dedication to fine teaching, individual attention, and high academic standards within a liberal arts tradition. Founded in 1915, the GSSWSR embraces scholarship, practice, and collaboration within social work and social welfare.
Strategic Focus
An educational program should equip professional social workers with the multidisciplinary knowledge, practical skills, and necessary values to provide leadership in addressing the growing and increasingly complex challenges that impact the biopsychosocial conditions of children and families.
By offering three degree programs, the GSSWSR makes it possible for students to experience and explore the full range of theories and skills necessary for today's social work practitioner, researcher, or academic. The program goals and objectives are designed to exceed the multiple expectations placed on social work professionals. The GSSWSR curricula are curated and constantly evolving with these objectives in mind.
Our Innovative Curriculum
The Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research prepares students to become effective social work practitioners, advocates for social and economic justice, and leaders in their fields.
Newly Designed Courses That Are Required for All Student
Trauma Informed Social Work
Trauma Informed Social Work explores trauma from multiple perspectives, including the individual, organizations, and communities. The course examines topics such as intersectionality and trauma, collective trauma and collective resilience, cross-cultural approaches, and pathways to healing.
Power, Privilege and Oppression
Power, Privilege and Oppression is a course in four modules: American Racism & White Supremacy, Systemic Oppression, Intersectionality and Social Identity Development, and Modes of Resistance. This course provides a foundation for developing skills of anti-oppressive social work practice and reflects a commitment to social justice, a key value of the social work profession.
Dean Janet Shapiro explains why the GSSWSR adopted a trauma-informed curriculum.
