On Wednesday, March 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies, Fairfield University will host an Open House for individuals interested in pursuing a degree in social work. Attendees will have the opportunity to gather information about the new bachelor's and master's degree programs, and learn about their advantages for students interested in careers in social work.

Fairfield University launched the BSW major in the Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies in fall 2018, and it will begin the MSW program in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions (GSEAP) next fall, in response to the growing need for social work professionals. By offering both the BSW and MSW programs, Fairfield students can attain both undergraduate and master’s degrees in just five years.

The vision for the social work program is very much in keeping with the University’s Jesuit mission and its emphasis on Catholic Social Teaching. Common values shared by both the University and the social work profession include: a commitment to community service, respect for diversity, respect for the dignity of all people, the promotion of human rights, and social, economic, and environmental justice. 

The program will educate aspiring social workers, and prepare them to respond to inequities, organize resources in the community, address policy issues, and engage in research that can lead to creative and evidence-based solutions to social problems. This major offers the University's socially engaged student body the opportunity to receive an education and training for a profession that serves the common good and meets the needs of the most vulnerable members of society.

Kim Oliver, PhD, LCSW, director of the BSW Program explained what the new program means for the University, “We are excited by the opportunity to shepherd this new program, which is an important addition to the highly regarded nursing and public health programs already in the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. The interdisciplinary nature of the program is truly unique and offers students the opportunity to learn in collaboration with their peers in nursing, health studies, and public health, exposing them to the types interprofessional experiences they will encounter in real life practice.”

For more information on the BSW program, visit fairfield.edu/bsw.