​Social Work

​David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

The social work program prepares you to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities in today’s diverse society. Gain hands-on experience through an extensive field placement program, which allows you to complete a year-long internship in local human service agencies.

Graduates pursue careers in such areas as:

  • Public policy: Develop and execute on social laws for the betterment of society.
  • Gerontology: Work with the elderly and increase their quality of life.
  • Mental health services: Treat those suffering from mental disorders and work to uncover treatments and preventative care.
  • Child welfare: Protect children and encourage family stability.

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“I have had a remarkable experience in the Social Work program with one of my favorite experiences being the annual NYC Social Work Immersion Trip. Learning about career opportunities through talking to working professionals in the field was inspiring"

Emily Carlson ’18, Social Work major, Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies minor

About Falk

Social justice principles are at the foundation of programs in child and family studies, food studies, marriage and family therapy, public health, nutrition, social work, and sport management. Academics, service learning projects, internships, research opportunities, and clubs connected to our majors prepare students for careers to make a difference in the communities where they will live and work.

Learn more about the social work program.

Courses

Core coursework includes biology, psychology, and human behavior. Sample courses include:

  • Persons in Social Context
  • Processes of Aging
  • Violence, Bullying, & Trauma: Clinical Perspectives
  • Social Work Case Management Practice
  • Family Violence: Policy, Practice and Research
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs in Social Work Practice

View official major requirements.

Practical Experience

Field experience is a signature pedagogy of social work education. Falk College’s social work program includes ample opportunities for students to develop their skills.

  • Study the development of U.S. social welfare on a visit to New York City for the Social Welfare History Tour, sponsored by the Alan B. and Barbara Mirken Foundation.
  • Engage in leadership discussions and current major legislative issues with political and governmental leaders during the annual James L. Stone Legislative Policy Day.
  • Service the school, students, and the community as a member of the student-run Social Workers United group.
  • Attend the annual Social Justice Forum where students honor a member of the community who has provided leadership for social justice in arenas such as poverty, domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS.

Study Abroad

Broaden your perspective and enhance your resume with a study abroad experience during your college experience. Consistently ranked among the top 25 international education providers in the U.S., Syracuse Abroad has more than 100 programs in 60 countries. 

Social work majors most often go abroad to Syracuse University centers in Florence, London, Madrid, and Strasbourg, and to our World Partner programs CET Brazil (Sao Paulo), DIS Copenhagen, SIT South Africa: Multiculturalism and Human Rights, and the University of New South Wales.

Summer programs of interest may include Drug Policy and Harm Reduction in Global Perspective (Vancouver), South Africa Immersion: A Global Health Education Experience, and Global Cities and Transnational Identities (Mexico City). Explore all study abroad opportunities.

Life After Syracuse University

As a graduate with a degree in social work, you can begin a future as a:

  • Case manager
  • Habilitation specialist
  • Adoption agency administrator
  • Mental health specialist

Or, pursue graduate studies in social work, psychology, or counseling. With a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), a graduate can also earn a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) in ten months.