Social Work

MSW Program Director: Elisa Martin
Assistant Director of Social Work Programs: Stacy Rogers

MSW Mission:

Siena’s MSW program provides a rigorous education that prepares graduates for practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. The advanced generalist practice curriculum is built on Siena’s strong Franciscan values and liberal arts tradition, takes advantage of our proximity to the state capital and diversity of the capital region, supports learning of our student body, taps expertise from faculty, students and alumni, and aligns with the expectations of the Council on Social Work Education.

Our Program:

Prepares students for effective advanced generalist social work practice, equipped with the requisite professional knowledge and skills grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics.
Grounds students’ assessments skills of client experiences using a person-in-environment framework that takes into account racism, oppression, power and privilege.
Infuses the curriculum with knowledge about social work practice, social policies, and social welfare systems in other countries, as well as the political and economic structures globally that impact clients in the U.S. and around the world.
Facilitates critical thinking and supports student creativity and natural curiosity to engage differences, respecting diversity of thought and lived experiences in order to make informed decisions.
Fosters students’ understanding of scientific inquiry, its usefulness in social work practice, as well as its limitations and biases.
Actively encourages students to continually work to understand and articulate how racism, privilege, and white supremacy operate in their life.
Provides students with knowledge and skills to support a commitment to social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and the protection of human rights.
Provides students with the strategies and tools to address human oppression, economic deprivation, discrimination and environmental degradation, with an understanding of their connection with micro and macro practice.
Graduates future leaders in creating a just world.

MSW Learning Goals:

In alignment with CSWE 2022 EPAS, upon completion of their BSW students will possess the knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive/affective processes to master the following:

Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior aligned with the NASW Code of Ethics
Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice through advocacy and activism
Engage anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion (ADEI) in practice being able to recognize and respond to social, economic, racial, environmental injustices
Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice in a diversity affirming and culturally competent manner
Engage in policy practice
Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Identify as an advanced generalist practice practitioner who is ready for the workforce and prepared to sit for the initial social work licensure exam

Siena’s Social Work Faculty:

Siena’s social work faculty are experienced practitioners who are guided by the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics and our Franciscan values. The faculty bring their practice experience to the classroom to illustrate how social work knowledge, values and skills are translated into the work students are doing as part of their field experience. Classes are designed to actively engage students in their learning through case studies, role plays, small group activities, to name a few. Social work faculty and staff work closely with students in the classroom, their field experience, and career advising to prepare them for their social work career post-graduation.

Experiential Learning:

Siena’s MSW students are required to complete 900 hours of field experience as part of their education. Placements provide students the opportunity to practice and build upon course content in a wide range of settings throughout the Capital Region.

Programs

Graduate Degree Program

Master of Social Work

Courses

Social Work