School of Social Work Set to Host Open House October 20
The Springfield College School of Social Work (SSW) will be holding open houses for prospective students. They will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Brennan Center, 45 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA on October 20, 2016; December 1, 2016 and on March 2, 2017. They will also be held on these same dates from 4 to 6 p.m. at Saint Vincent Hospital, 123 Summer Street, Worcester, MA.
The SSW offers multiple programs for students including a full-time, two-year, weekday master of social work program in Springfield, and a part-time, three-year, weekend master of social work program in Springfield and Worcester. There are also options for graduates of Council on Social Work Education-accredited bachelor of social work programs to choose either a four-semester weekend or three-semester weekday advanced standing program. The combined master of social work/juris doctorate is a four-year, full-time program in conjunction with Western New England University School of Law. Students can also work toward a post-master’s certificate in advanced practice with children and adolescents.
“Your decision to pursue a master of social work degree (MSW) is timely as Health Guide USA predicts that employment of social workers is expected to increase by 25 percent from 2010 to 2020,” said Springfield College SSW Dean Francine J. Vecchiolla. “Our master of social work program offers a single concentration in advanced generalist practice, which is ideal preparation for direct practice, group work, community development and organization, and administration in a wide variety of settings including adoption agencies, schools, hospitals, veterans’ services, senior centers, prisons, mental health clinics, military support programs, public social agencies, hospice care and corporations. The school is student centered, community focused, and committed to diversity and cultural competence and to promoting continuous learning.”
At the informal information session, prospective graduate students may meet faculty members and current students and learn about admissions and financial aid. Refreshments will be served. Advance registration for the open house is available by calling the admissions coordinator at (413) 748-3060 or prospective students may RSVP online at springfieldcollege.edu/ssw.
Since 1989, the Springfield College SSW has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the official accrediting body for social work programs in the United States. Graduates are eligible for professional social work licensure in all 50 states. The M.S.W./J.D. program is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Graduates are eligible for professional social work licensure and bar examination.
The home of the SSW, the Brennan Center, is a state-of-the-art teaching and conference facility that underwent a $2.2 million renovation in 2002. The facility was again renovated in 2012 to include more classroom and office space. It includes technologically enhanced classrooms, a computer lab, a tiered auditorium, faculty offices, and a large, light filled atrium, which is the site of school events and also serves as a student lounge. Easily accessible, it is located 1.45 miles from the main campus, and has on-site parking. The weekend program in Worcester is located at Saint Vincent Hospital.
