SMITH COLLEGE
School for Social Work
SESS
Your first summer on campu theory and practice—and p
Inclusive Culture Intensive Coursework Inexhaustible Community At Smith, you’ll spend three summers in Northampton and two field years in your chosen part of the country. This is where you will develop the depth of knowledge and skills to be the very best kind of clinical social worker— one who will make a real difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities. Plus you’ll discover how three summers and two full-time field education placements open the door to a life-long professional community united by a passion for clinical social work.
ssw.smith.edu
Lo In
O u
SION ONE
us will give you the foundation you need in clinical social work prepare you for your first field internship in September.
A Sole Focus on Clinical Social Work Practice At Smith, our sole focus is on clinical social work. Our exceptional faculty will help you gain the conceptual understanding of issues facing oppressed and marginalized populations, the clinical acumen to rise to the challenge and a deepened commitment to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families.
ow-Residency Block Plan: nnovative Since 1918
Our 27-month M.S.W. curriculum employs a unique structure that separates coursework from fieldwork in five concentrated sessions. This allows you to give your undivided attention to academics during the summer and give your professional focus to full-time field internships from September to April. You’ll emerge with the skills you need—and a competitive advantage in the job market.
SESSIO
After your first summer—and fiel more than 150 Smith field affiliat
More Experience More Supervision More Recognition Field education is the heart of the Smith M.S.W. program. From September to April, you’ll be immersed in an agency where you will become a part of a clinical team, delivering clinical services to individuals, families or groups. Your hours in the field—more than any other program —provide opportunity to receive intensive clinical supervision, field advising and time to present your clinical cases in field seminars. You’ll experience first-hand your future career as a clinical social worker.
ssw.smith.edu
Our N of Fie
Your fiel educati Studen priori their stud wh in
ON TWO
ld orientation—you’ll be placed in an internship at one of tes around the country.
What Sets the SSW Field Experience Apart? In your first two summers, field orientations will prepare you for your internships. FIELD SEMINARS: Throughout your field internship you’ll participate in field seminars that help link summer coursework to experiences in the field. VARIETY OF INTERNSHIP SETTINGS: You may intern in a community clinic, K–12 school, college, hospital, VA center or other site. There are advanced clinical work placements for second year students. JOB OPPORTUNITIES: By commencement, you may have a job lined up at one of your internship sites. Many students do!
ORIENTATIONS:
National Network eld Affiliates
ld internship is designed to match your ional goals and your personal needs. nts who apply early decision are given ity in selecting the geographical location of r internships. In fact, over 80 percent of our dents are given their first choice. No matter here you train, you’ll be valued. Our partner nstitutions actively seek out Smith students.
SESSION TH
When you return to campus, you’ll bring new insights and practical que internship into the classroom, where our case-based pedagogical mod and prepare for your specialization year of field.
Our Commitm Racial and S
We share your commit the impact of unequa clinical work environ to evaluate clinical with an anti-racism standing of how b the interpretation care and lead a outcomes for a
Your Second Summer In your second summer, you’ll expand and deepen your understanding of clinical practice. Your courses will include an examination of families; psychological, developmental and social theories; and the history of racism in the U.S. Your agency and community course will prepare you for the community-based anti-racism project you will conduct during your second field year. In addition to the electives that will shape your focus, you’ll study evidence-based practices and explore proven research methods.
HREE
estions from your first field del will help you go deep
ment to Social Justice
tment to examining al power structures in the nment. You will be asked l interventions and research m lens, gain a deeper underbiases impact everything from n of research to the delivery of a career committed to improving all communities.
You’ll Be in Great Company Every year, you’ll come together with your cohort—people of all ages from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds—for opportunities to connect and collaborate. Every new perspective enriches the classroom dynamic. We also have many issue-centered and affinity-based student organizations that can give you a chance to explore your interests with people who, like you, are fiercely committed to social justice.
SESSION FOU
In your second field internship, you may specialize in an area of clinical p on a new kind of clinical setting or population.
Developing a Depth of Skill In each internship, you’ll spend 30 hours per week in the field, with up to 15 hours per week with clients. Your second internship will deepen your clinical skills, sharpen your ability to integrate theory and research into your practice and solidify your identity as a professional clinical social worker.
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For JP, th invalua years a Massa and i expe clin ica cl a
UR
practice or broaden your skills by taking
Part of a Lifelong Community Our alumni network spans virtually every state and 19 countries. It’s composed of skilled professionals who have developed into leaders in clinical social work. They are among the most satisfied in the field. As a Smith graduate, you will always find support as an alum of Smith College and through the School for Social Work’s Alumni Network.
atete, M.S.W. ’21
he field internships helped him gain able knowledge and skills. He spent both at the Jewish Family Service of Western achusetts working with the refugee immigrant populations. “My internship erience was very impactful to me as a future nician. I learned about use of self in my clinal practice as well as how to better support lients and families using micro skills. My time at Smith SSW helped me to think through my career path and make plans for how I will reach my goals.”
SESSION FIV
Your final summer is the culmination of a dynamic education and unforge experiences. You’ll look forward with confidence to commencement and your professional career.
Third Summer During your last summer on campus, you’ll select up to eight electives—from over 50— to specialize or broaden your knowledge base. Your 27 months of intensive coursework, engagement with anti-racism and immersive field training will shape your perspective in clinical work—and how employers at top agencies will view your résumé.
VE
ettable the start of
Life at Smith With 147 acres of natural and architectural beauty, Smith is a classic college campus in the heart of New England. You might begin your day in our state-of-the-art fitness center, find inspiration with a visit to the art museum and then recharge in Northampton—a peaceloving, queer-friendly, liberal community with diverse cuisine and music scenes.
Unwavering Support Through each of your summers, Smith’s exceptional student services will assist you with writing, learning, technology challenges, accessibility needs and much more. In your final summer, you’ll take advantage of our career services with mock interviews, résumé help and on-campus job interviews.
FAST FACTS
DEADLINES
• We have 336 M.S.W. and Ph.D. students united by a passion for clinical social work within an anti-racism framework. • Our student-faculty ratio is 7:1. • Nearly 26 percent of our students identify as people of color. • More than 70 percent of students qualify for financial aid, with grant awards ranging from $5,600 to $34,000. • Our graduation rate is more than 90 percent. • Most of our graduates secure jobs within three months of graduation.
EARLY ADMISSION Application deadline (non-binding): January 5
HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS? At Smith SSW you are never a number. From your first inquiry through your application our staff is available to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us anytime at sswadm@smith.edu.
Early admission decisions are mailed at the end of the first full week in February!
Financial aid deadline: January 18 REGULAR ADMISSION Application deadline: February 21 Financial aid deadline: March 1
SMITH’S COMMITMENT TO FINANCIAL AID We have a deep commitment to access and affordability for all students qualified to join the Smith SSW community. We know that student success can be tied to financial security and we continue to be dedicated to developing scholarship endowments and expanding resources which can provide living stipends and often even field awards. Learn more: ssw.smith.edu/affordingssw.
Ready to apply? Our online application makes getting started easy. Go to applyssw.smith.edu and take the first step today.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION AND RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Smith College School for Social Work’s Notice of Nondiscrimination and Religious Accommodations are available at ssw.smith.edu/policies.