www ucollege edu/ socialwork

Transcription

1 social work program introduction www ucollege edu/ socialwork

2 2 overview kylie lowe experience the fast track to grad school experience christian compassion graduate now a family specialist at Cedars Home for Children in Lincoln, Neb., and grad student experience influence for good Social workers are people who care about people. They use their influence to relieve suffering and make a difference through their work. That s what makes becoming a social As part of my education at Union, I completed a nine-month internship at Cedars, a leading child welfare agency just down the street from Union. I now work as a social worker there and love it! Experience is everything. My bachelor s degree means so much with my practicum and experience in my field which Union helped provide. The social work program at Union is accredited through the nationally recognized Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This nationally recognized accreditation means students completing a Bachelor of Social Work can enter graduate school with advanced standing. You may be able to complete your Master of Social Work degree At Union, we believe we each hold value in Christ s sight as His children. This is the foundation for learning and applying Christian perspective to social problems in social work practice. Volunteering opportunities, class lessons and discussions, and practicum experiences are all vital places to learn and promote the worth of all worker appealing. in less time than you think. people. By diagnosing and treating mental, behavioral and emotional Study social work at Union and get on the fast track to grad school! issues as a clinical social worker or helping people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives as a direct-service worker, social workers are agents of change for individuals, families and communities. Social work is more than a profession it s a ministry and a calling to use your influence for good.

3 4 experience demand for social justice 5 experience social work now At Union, you ll make a difference in people s lives with a variety of practical and real-life training opportunities before you put on a graduation cap. Assist a social worker in creating and restoring relationships, providing education and support, connecting patients to a multitude of services, organizing events, allocating resources or caring for the homeless. The practicum gives you the opportunity to help clients reach their highest potential and enhance their lives. Union s capital city location gives you big-city opportunities with small-town accessibility. You will find federal, state, county and private nonprofit agencies within a 10-minute drive from campus. Opportunities include the challenging and dynamic career areas of youth services, mental health, health care, school social work, child welfare, gerontology, refugee work and many others there is sure to be a practicum experience to suit you. Professional social workers are the nation s largest group of clinically trained mental health specialists. They provide more mental health services than psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses combined. And, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for them is on the rise. At Union, we understand offering social justice as a social worker is more than a career it s an opportunity to fulfill Jesus command to serve the poor and the forgotten. When you study social work at Union, you put your Christian faith and your professional career together in one package to meet the demand for social justice. experience community effort At Union, we pair knowledge with connections because we know making a difference takes a community effort with professors, professionals and peers. Starting with your classes, enjoy a professor-to-student ratio that makes it easy for you to interact with your professors. Ask questions, get feedback and experience what personal attention from your professors will do for your education. Take a break from the classroom to get involved in the community. Practicum experiences and volunteering opportunities provide direct contact and training with real colleagues and clients. Social work career preparation also happens with your friends. Enjoy social and professional activities through the Social Work Club. Build lifelong friendships and connections to support you as you seek a career in supporting others.

4 6 salvador armendariz amy widicker thom careers graduate now a research assistant at Butler Institute for Families in Denver, Colo graduate now a licensed clinical social worker at Northland PACE in Bismarck, N. D. experience Union College It s just different here, and we mean that in a good way. Students notice the difference almost immediately, and even their families can see it without trying. We love it the difference, that is though we don t always know what to call it. What s more, we re not exactly sure what it is. But whatever it is, it s here and it is life-changing. We are a Seventh-day Adventist school and our faith is part of it. You don t have to be an Adventist to attend here, and we think you ll like our focus on you as a whole person your learning experience, your health and your relationships. Studying social work at Union provided all I needed to succeed in entry-level jobs in the social work field, as well as in competitive MSW programs. The professors were accessible, personable and involved in my academic career. I especially appreciated the balance between their knowledge of clinical social work interventions and macro interventions such as community organization and policy advocacy. My social work supervisor at Union was an instrumental part of my educational journey. He spent countless conversations listening to my dreams of working with our elderly population, encouraging me in these goals and helping to create rich practicum experiences for me. He encouraged me to continue my education, which motivated me to earn my master s degree in social work and pursue a job I love. Social workers are uniquely qualified to help people in their own environments. They ensure personal well-being by preventing and resolving crises for individuals, families and communities. Social work is done in a variety of settings, including hospitals, police departments, schools, mental health clinics, military facilities, corporations, refugee services and public social agencies. If you re looking for a career with meaning, action, diversity, satisfaction and an abundance of options, consider social work. possible career paths Geriatric social worker improves quality of life for the elderly by working with them or their families to help them obtain services and make plans for future care. Child welfare case worker ensures health and well-being of children, primarily by supporting and strengthening their families and intervening in crisis. Developmental disabilities specialist helps parents of children with disabilities understand their legal rights, learn to be advocates for their children and help them find services. So for lack of a better word (anything is better than it), we call it the Spirit. Come experience it. Experience the Spirit. Community organizer works with an existing organization to tackle issues that concern people in a building, neighborhood, workplace or community. International social worker serves directly in refugee programs, relief efforts, inter-country adoptions and development health care and education, or advances efforts of national governments, intergovernmental organizations and voluntary agencies.

5 8 contact Contact us to learn more about the social work program at Union College. social work program p ext union college Admissions Office Union College 3800 South 48th Street Lincoln, NE p f