费尔菲尔德大学

The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people. Social work is rooted in the core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, and the importance of human relationships.

The master of social work (MSW) at Fairfield University focuses on the promotion of social justice and social change on behalf of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Fairfield’s MSW is a clinical specialist program. Clinical social workers have specialized knowledge and skills in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of emotional, mental, and behavioral health problems. Clinical social workers provide services in a variety of settings including private practice, hospitals, community mental health, primary care, and agencies.

Fairfield offers two tracks of study including a two-year, full-time program, and for graduates of a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited bachelor of social work (BSW) program, the advanced standing three-semester, full-time program. Graduates of any accredited CSWE BSW program may apply for advanced standing. Fairfield’s MSW curriculum is offered in a low residency format with hybrid and online courses. The MSW is a widely recognized degree offering students the opportunity, once licensed, to work in a range of social service settings including gerontology, social and human services, veterans services, private practice, hospitals, advocacy and coalition groups, addiction support services, social policy and community organization, and more.

Fairfield’s MSW is currently in initial phases of accreditation with the CSWE. All students admitted to the MSW program will graduate from an accredited social work program. All faculty members are licensed clinical social workers in the state of Connecticut and maintain national and international recognition in the field through published works, research presentations, and service on numerous professional, state, and national committees.

MSW courses are offered in an online/in-person hybrid model. As this is an advanced clinical degree, to ensure high quality, intensive clinical training, most courses are hybrid (online and in-person seminars) and therefore have a low residency component. Students are required to participate in on-campus seminar hours which are determined by course requirements and will consist of multiple day residencies between 8 - 12 hours. All fieldwork requires students be present on-site and be engaged in clinical social work practice. Fieldwork is fundamental to social work education and training, and provides the opportunity for students to integrate the theoretical and conceptual learning in the classroom with clinical practice. Field experiences enable students to gain clinical competency, while providing clinical services to clients and communities in need.