Location:

Chicago, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Social Work

Program Overview

Program Description:

The Master of Arts program, continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and its predecessor organizations since 1919, prepares students for advanced professional practice. The AM is equivalent to an MSW degree. The SSA Master of Arts program prepares students to become leaders in the field of social work. It does this by providing a sophisticated understanding of the person-in-environment and by developing competencies and practice behaviors to effect change. Individual distress is seen in social context, influenced by biological, economic, familial, political, psychological, and social factors. This perspective recognizes that economic, organizational, political, and social factors shape the work of social welfare professionals. Effective helping requires a broad understanding of possible responses, ranging from short-term strategies for gaining new resources and skills to long-term social and psychological interventions. The professional must be aware of and able to act within the web of relationships that link individual well-being with wider social and political forces to achieve social and economic justice. Flexible program options include a full-time day program, part-time day program, extended evening program, and 15-month accelerated program. Since 1920, the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago has provided training for students who are interested in pursuing an academic career in social work and social welfare. SSA's doctoral graduates are leaders in the field of social work and social welfare scholarship. The program is designed to deepen students' mastery of both social science theory and research methods to prepare them to contribute to scholarly knowledge in innovative ways. The program accommodates students who are interested in developing and evaluating practice methods and interventions, as well as students who are interested in understanding social problems and accompanying institutional and political responses. The diverse theoretical approaches of SSA's faculty makes it uniquely positioned to support an interdisciplinary course of study. Flexible program options include a full-time day program, part-time day program, extended evening program, and 15-month accelerated program.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

Since 1913, the University of Chicago has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

Financial Aid:

Yes