Children & Family 

The children and families specialization prepares students for advanced practice with children and families coping with developmental needs at different stages of the life cycle, that is, in the children, families, and social institutional domains (child welfare, schools, and community services).

Using family as the organizing concept of this cluster, goals include differential clinical intervention with a broad range of family forms and structure in varying organizational arrangements, as well as development of and consistent application of a practice philosophy regarding families and children including use of self.

Advanced practice in the child domain reflects mastery of the central concepts of child development, direct social work treatment of children, research and law related to child issues, service delivery, and social work macro roles in child and family oriented settings.

Designation of an advanced practice cluster focusing on families and children reflects the clinical significance of these two major client groups without limiting the particular theoretical practice framework.

Health & Mental Health 

In the health and mental health specializations, the focus is on persons of all ages who are coping with stressful situations related to a physical and/or mental illness or disability, as well as on the support systems that are significant for those persons (families, residential care staff, etc.). While there is a particular focus on illness and disability, both functional and physical, the content of this cluster is also concerned with all who seek growth in bio psychosocial functioning through dealing with personal and environmental obstacles to fulfilling life choices and aspirations, and who desire to cope more adequately with stressful situations in their life context.

There is an emphasis also on health and mental health services which adequately responds to the needs of the physically and mentally ill as well as those with ongoing physical challenges or disabilities. Students are prepared to work in inpatient and outpatient health and mental health agency settings. This advanced clinical practice content prepares social workers for multiple roles, including conducting and /or participating in the bio-psycho-social diagnostic process as well as planning, implementation, and evaluation of practice. Social workers often function as a part of a team with professionals from other disciplines.

Health 

Leadership & Development in Social Services