The University of Maine Presque Isle’s Student Organization of Social Workers will host two graduate school informational sessions, featuring graduate school representatives from the University of New England and the University of Maine, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Jan. 22 and 29.
Wanda Anderson, LCSW, Coordinator of Online Field Education and Clinical Associate Professor at UNE, MSW program, will give the Jan. 22 presentation in Room 118 of the Campus Center. The following week, Susan Reisman (Kaye), MS, MBA, Split Cohort Coordinator at UMaine, will deliver her presentation, also in Room 118 of the Campus Center.
“SOSW is a dynamic student organization involved in giving back to the community while fostering professional development on campus,” Shirley Rush, UMPI BSW Program Director, said. “Networking and sharing resources is part of our professional, collegial process.”
Social work is a profession concerned with promoting the well-being of people and includes assisting individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to achieve life-enhancing goals. The profession is especially concerned with the advancement of economic and social justice. The BSW program at UMPI is nationally accredited with the Council of Social Work Education as are the MSW programs at UNE and UM. Although a completed Bachelor’s degree is required to apply for graduate school, the degree may be in a number of related fields.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2015 Edition, employment of social workers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2012-2022, faster than the average for all occupations.
Commonly, UMPI students graduating with a BSW have relevant employment lined up before they leave campus. In the past three years, most UMPI BSW students have moved directly into their employment at the close of the school year.
Many BSW holders choose to continue their education at the Master’s level. Currently, one UMPI BSW alumna is enrolled in the Master’s degree program at UNE and seven UMPI BSW alumni are enrolled in the MSW program at UMaine. Another BSW/UMPI alumna is enrolled at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Both presentations are accessible, free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Rush at 768-9427.
For more information on how to become a social worker, visit http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-4. To learn more about the UNE MSW program, click here. To learn more about the UMaine MSW program, click here.