Social Work

Overview

Location: Masterson Hall, Portland

Director: Jeanette Andonian

B.S.W. Coordinator: Paula Gerstenblatt

M.S.W. Coordinator: Dorothea Ivey

Professors: Johnson,Kohli; Associate Professors: Andonian, Gerstenblatt; Assistant Professors: Casey, Gentles-Gibbs, Giamportone, Ivey, Shanti, Wampole

Emeritus Professors: Belicose, Faherty, Fineran, Healy, Lazar, Rich, Wagner

Manager of Field Education: Fitch

Field Coordinator: Gramlich

Administrative Specialist: Kim Dominicus

The University of Southern Maine’s School of Social Work educates culturally-responsive/informed, strengths-oriented, community-embedded social workers. Our graduates are prepared for direct practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, promoting social justice through critical inquiry and civic participation.

The School, which is part of the College of Management and Human Service, serves southern Maine by responding to the social work education, leadership, service, and evaluation and research needs of the region. The commitment to social and economic justice and to diversity and multiculturalism are integrated. The School strives for excellence in teaching and learning.

Graduates are prepared for entry-level professional practice in protective services, corrections, residential services to various populations, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, neighborhood and community centers, child welfare, and drug and alcohol programs, etc. The social work curriculum of the School is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education at the baccalaureate and master’s levels. Students who receive a degree from an accredited undergraduate program in social work may apply to selected graduate schools of social work for Advanced Standing. It is important to consult individual institutions for their acceptance criteria and procedures, which may vary. In most schools, a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution allows the student to waive the first year of the Master of Social Work (MSW).

Because social work is a values-based profession whose principal commitment is to vulnerable clients and communities, a student’s suitability for the profession will be assessed during the process of his or her education. MSW students are encouraged to participate in the School’s Social Work Student Organization. The organization seeks to facilitate communication between students and faculty, ensure student involvement in school activities, provide for professional growth, and respond to issues and problems in the community. Student representatives may attend faculty meetings and may serve as advisory members on the school’s curriculum committees.

Programs

Social Work, M.S.W.