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Social Work

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

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Earn a Social Work Degree That Makes an Impact

Marist Social Work students want to help people. For Marist students, social work is more than just a job–it is a means with which to improve lives and communities. With the expert faculty, research opportunities, field experience, and community focus of our Social Work Major, you’ll have the tools to do just that.

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Student Learning Outcomes

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Practicum Education Internship >

Social Work grounded in service...

In the Marist Social Work degree, we place a great deal of emphasis on service-learning, which brings together faculty, students, and community organizations in order to link learning goals with civic responsibility and community empowerment. As a part of the curriculum, students are engaged in either a consciousness-raising project on campus or work with a community organization to address a social need. Students have worked to stomp out stigma against mental health illness, increase equity for the LGBTQ+ community, raise awareness about sexual assault and harassment on campus, and push for fossil fuel divestment on campus. Hasion Gaston '20, featured below, created a series of social-emotional workshops for local youth during his Tarver Internship. He facilitated eight seminars ranging from value trees to personal reflections on leadership to vision boards.

Hasion Gaston ‘20 created a series of social-emotional workshops for local youth. He facilitated eight seminars ranging from value trees to personal reflections on leadership to vision boards. Reflecting on his experience, Gaston said, “Many words come to mind when I think of my experience. Of them all, insight, exposure, and clarity best describe my journey.”

Social Work Professor Daria Hanssen

Social Work Faculty Focused on You

Each member of Marist’s Social Work faculty is either a former or practicing social worker. They are all at the top of their field with a diverse range of experiences working with a variety of populations. But the most important quality that our faculty provide is their dedication to your future. Our small class sizes allow our faculty to attain one-on-one relationships with each student and to closely advise you throughout your academic career at Marist.

For example, Associate Professor of Social Work Daria Hanssen was recently recognized for her teaching philosophies. She said, “I’m guided by the importance of human relationships, dignity and respect for students, integrity, and social justice. I’m a student-centered teacher.”

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Develop the Skills You Need to Succeed

Clinical Skills

Students are ready to work as generalist practitioners with a variety of populations coping with a range of challenges.

Cultural Competence

Students integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion to support effective practices in their fields.

Professionalism

Experience hones workplace demeanor and guides ethical decision making in employment settings.

Public Presentation

Students become engaging public speakers, able to read an audience and generate productive discussion.

Technological Skill

Students master the technology platforms that will support their success in any work environment.

Scientific Reasoning

Students use empirical tools to develop hypotheses, collect and analyze data, and form evidence-based conclusions.

...and put them to work in the field.

Marist’s Social Work major, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), requires and inspires our students to gain sufficient experience in the field. In fact, our students engage in a year-long Practicum Education Internship their senior year with placement opportunities specific to your interests and career goals. Below are only a few examples of internship placements our students have utilized to not only meet their fieldwork requirement, but to experience their future while still in college.

Abilities First, Astor House, Alzheimer's Association, Mental Health Association, Mid-Hudson Addiction Recovery, Millbrook Early Childhood Education Center
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dutchess BOCES, Hudson River Housing, Inc, Project MORE, Safe Homes of Orange County, Vassar Brothers Medical Center

Utilize internships to find your focus.

The Marist Social Work Degree program provides you with numerous opportunities for undergraduate research, something that would ordinarily be reserved for graduate students at other institutions. But our students don’t conduct research simply for the sake of an assignment. Marist Social Work majors have the opportunity to conduct research with and for real non-profit clients from the local area which not only gives our students necessary research experience, but also provides organizations with useful material for their businesses.

Marist Social Work by the Numbers

Ninety-nine percent of School of Social and Behavioral Sciences graduates are employed or attending graduate school within the first 6 months of graduation.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow eleven percent in the next 10 years, much faster than the national average for employment rate.
New York State has the second highest employment rate in the nation for child, family, and school social workers.
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The Value of a Marist Education

Marist cultivates the intellectual growth and well-being of its students through unique and personalized combinations of coursework and experience in and out of the classroom. These experiences provide valuable personal growth and occupational expertise to reflect students' individual passions. 

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Employed or attending grad school 6 months after graduation

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Of Marist Graduates Participated in one or more internships

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Graduation rate, higher than the average for public and private colleges

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Marist study abroad is the national leader for academic year programs, per Open Doors Report.

Top 10 Regional Universities-North

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Top 20 for Most Innovative Universities-North Region, per The Princeton Review.

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