The Department of Social Work at Governors State University instills a unique and empowering philosophy in its students.
Welcome to the Department of Social
Work at Governors State University (GSU). Our programs the Bachelor
and Master of Social Work are dedicated to the idea that social
justice and human rights go hand-in-hand. Our curriculum is dedicated to a
social justice ethos and centers on vulnerable and
marginalized client systems to empower them and enhance client
functioning. We teach our students how to partner with communities to
challenge the dehumanizing effects of poverty and disenfranchisement. Our goal
is to eliminate oppression of every kind the recognized and unrecognized,
institutional, and social.
Social work faculty are deeply
committed to social justice and comprise a diverse group of licensed clinical
professionals and highly regarded scholars who are well-respected partners in
the practice community. Our faculty have expertise in a variety of settings,
including medical/healthcare, criminal justice, violence prevention,
trauma-informed care, school social work, ethnic identity, and more.
By choosing to study social work at GSU, you've shown that you are ready to
take an active role in changing your community; you’re ready to advocate for
children and families; and, if you believe that social work should be
grounded in an uncompromising social justice ethos—you've come to the right
place!
Giesela
Grumbach, PhD
Chair, Social Work Department
SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT MISSION:
The mission
of the Social Work Department is to prepare the next generation of competent
practitioners grounded in a social justice ethos to challenge and transform
existing social structures to build, sustain, and support healthy communities
for children, adults, and families.
SOCIAL WORK FACT:
Employment of social workers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 74,700 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
(visited May 10, 2023)
2023 Outstanding Social Work Alumni
Pictured Above: Latesha Newson and Jerry Dave-El
Accreditation
The College's Master and Bachelor of Social Work degree programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).