Faculty
Senior Vice Dean and Director, Professor
Victoria Rizzo, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Associate Dean for Academic Programs
Crystal A. Rogers, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Chair, Undergraduate Program
Jildyz Urbaeva, Ph.D., Arizona State University
Assistant Director of the Undergraduate Program
Elizabeth Crowe, LCSW-R, University at Albany, SUNY
Assistant to the Dean: Communications & Engagement
Alyssa Lotmore, LMSW, University at Albany, SUNY
Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Dawn Knight-Thomas, MSW, University at Albany, SUNY
Assistant Dean and Director of Field Education
Lisa DeLaMater, LCSW-R, Columbia University
Director, Community and Public Service Program
Sharon Stevens, LMSW, University at Albany, SUNY
Professors
Katharine Briar-Lawson, Ph.D., University of California, Berkley
Nancy Claiborne, Ph.D., University of Houston
Lani V. Jones, Ph.D., LCSW, Boston College
Hal Lawson, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Carmen Morano, Ph.D., Florida International University
Loretta Pyles, Ph.D., University of Kansas
Lynn A. Warner, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Associate Professors
Eric Hardiman, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Julia Hastings, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Heather Horton, Ph.D., University of Chicago
Heather Larkin-Holloway, Ph.D., The Catholic University of America
Catherine K. Lawrence, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Eunju Lee, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Wonhyung Lee, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Barry M. Loneck, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
Robert L. Miller, Jr., Ph.D., Columbia University
Sarah Mountz, Ph.D., University of Washington
Blanca M. Ramos, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Jildyz Urbaeva, Ph.D., Arizona State University
Assistant Professors
Lindsey Disney, Ph.D., University of Georgia
Cheng Ren, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Angie Wootton, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Instructor
Mary McCarthy, Ph.D., Memorial University of Newfoundland
Professional Staff
Assistant Directors of Field Education
Makisha Brown, MSW, University at Albany, SUNY
Elizabeth Crowe, LCSW-R, University at Albany, SUNY
Heather Dora, LCSW, Adelphi University
Project Coordinator
Linda Mertz, LCSW-R, Boston College
The objective of the undergraduate social work major (B.S.) is to prepare students for beginning social work. The program serves the liberal education needs for students interested in the social sciences and human services professions. Part-time study is possible. Upon application to the undergraduate major, students can apply for conditional acceptance into the MSW Advanced Standing program. The B.S. in social work qualifies graduates for advanced standing in some MSW programs.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree prepares students for advanced social work practice. These positions generally require advanced theoretical, practice, research, management and/or policy analysis skills.
The School of Social Welfare offers programs leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in social welfare, a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The School offers minors in Social Welfare Studies and in Social Justice Studies, which are open to all students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. The School of Social Welfare also sponsors the Social Work Education Consortium, the Community and Public Service Program, and the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI).
Both the B.S. and MSW degree programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the national accrediting body for all U.S. schools of social work.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Social Welfare
General Program B.S. for students matriculating Fall 2024
A combined major and minor sequence consisting of a minimum of 65 credits as follows:
Elementary Base: 15 credits
- Human Biology (one course from): A BIO 117, 130, A ANT 211, 312, 319
- Introduction to Psychology: A PSY 101
- Introduction to Sociology: A SOC 115 or Social Problems: A SOC 180
- American Politics: R POS 101
- American Social Welfare System: R SSW 210
Advanced Base: 18 credits:
- Elementary Statistics (one course from): A MAT 108, A PSY 210, A SOC 221, or R CRJ 281
- Perspectives on Globalization: A GLO 103 or World Cities: Geographies of Globalization A GLO 225
- Social Psychology: A PSY 270 or A SOC 260
- Developmental Psychology: A PSY 203 or A PSY327
- Psychopathology: A PSY 238
- Community Service: R SSW 290
Core Requirements: 32 credits
- R SSW 301, 305, 306, 322, 400, 401, 405Z, 406Y, 408, 409, 410, 411.
A grade of C (S) or higher in all core courses is required (see Termination Policies below).
Admission Requirements
Students interested in the social welfare major must complete an application process. Admission to the program is competitive. Applications are accepted in the Spring semester of the student’s sophomore year for entrance into the Fall semester of the junior year. Transfer students who will have completed 56 credits should apply during the spring of the year for which they are seeking Fall admission. Information on the admissions deadline and application process is available on the School of Social Welfare’s website.
It is strongly recommended that those wishing to enter the major complete as much of the required elementary base and advanced base as possible prior to entrance into the program in the junior year. Admissions decisions are based on the following criteria:
- Adequacy of the liberal arts base
- Application essay
- Progress toward completion of elementary and advanced base requirements or their equivalents
- Grade point average
- Personal/professional references
- Social welfare/human service experience
The relative merit of any one criterion is considered in light of all others when admissions decisions are made. The overall quality of the application will provide the basis for admissions.
Termination Policies
In the Social Welfare major requirements, the core courses, R SSW 301, 305, 306, 322, 401, 405Z, 406Y, 408, 409 and 411, are graded A-E. Majors cannot repeat a graded core course more than once and cannot repeat more than a total of two courses within the major.
A student receiving a grade C- or lower for a social work practice course will be asked to retake it to continue their BSW studies. A student who receives a grade of C- or lower in other core courses will be given a warning by the Chair of the Undergraduate Program, School of Social Welfare that a C- or lower in any graded core course in any subsequent semester will result in termination from the major.
Core Field Instruction courses, R SSW 400 and 410 are graded S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory). If a student receives a U in Field Instruction courses, the student will be terminated from the major.
Any student who is terminated from the major will receive a letter from the Chair of the Undergraduate Program. The letter will specify the reason for the termination from the major and include information about the School’s procedures for grieving a grade or seeking readmission after termination from the major.
The procedures governing Standards for Social Work Education, scholastic performance, procedures for addressing violations of or failure to meet the Standards for Social Work Education by students at the School of Social Welfare, student grievance procedures, and readmissions procedures are contained in the Baccalaureate Social Welfare Program Student Handbook. All students receive a copy of the handbook at orientation and again when they enter field education. The Handbook is also available online through the BSW Program Wiki site.
Field Instruction
Field instruction – a structured internship in a social services agency - is an integral part of the total educational process. It offers a student the opportunity to develop, apply, and integrate the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes for work in social welfare settings. During the senior year, each student is provided field instruction by a qualified instructor in an agency designated by the School. Placements are selected by the School for the students on the basis of their educational needs and, wherever possible, their area of interest. The field placements represent a variety of settings under public and private auspices and are located throughout the Capital District. Students are responsible for the expenses involved in placement.
Typical Program of Core Courses for Junior and Senior Social Welfare Majors
| Fall (6 credits) | Spring (6 credits) |
|---|---|
| R SSW 301 | R SSW 306 |
| R SSW 305 | R SSW 322 |
| Fall (10 credits) | Spring (10 credits) |
|---|---|
| R SSW 400/401 | R SSW 406Y |
| R SSW 405Z | R SSW 409 |
| R SSW 408 | R SSW 410/411 |
Undergraduate Program Minors
Social Welfare Studies, Social Justice Studies: View All Minors.
All courses listed in this section are understood to be preceded by the school’s letter R.