SilbermanSchoolofSocialWork
atHunterCollege
FIELDSOFPRACTICE
SPECIALIZATION
2016-2017
“Recognitionoftheinherentdignityandtheequalandinalienablerightsofallmembersofthe
humanfamilyisthefoundationoffreedom,justiceandpeaceintheworld.”
—PreambletotheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(1948)
“Where,afterall,douniversalhumanrightsbegin?Insmallplaces,closetohome—socloseandso
smallthattheycannotbeseenonanymapsoftheworld.Unlesstheserightshavemeaningthere,
theyhavelittlemeaninganywhere.Withoutconcertedcitizenactiontoupholdthemclosetohome,
weshalllookinvainforprogressinthelargerworld.”—EleanorRoosevelt(1958)
“Ithinkitisnecessarytorealizethatwehavemovedfromtheeraofcivilrightstotheeraofhuman
rights.”—TheReverendMartinLutherKing,Jr. (1967)
“WehavetheBillofRightsandwehavecivilrights.NowweneedaRighttoCare,andit'sgoingto
takeamovementtogetit.”—DeborahStone(2000)
TheSchoolofSocialWorkrequiresSecondYear,Accelerated,andTimeFrameIIOneYearResidency
Programstudentstochooseaspecializationinafieldofpractice(FOP). Asareflectionofbothour
commitmenttoasocialjusticeandhumanrightsframeworkandthe natureoftheservicesystems
wherewedoourwork,theSchoolhaschosenthefollowingfiveFOP specializations.Eachofthese
areasislinkedtoauniversalhumanright.
Aging
ChildWelfare:Children,Youth,andFamilies
GlobalSocialWorkandPracticewithImmigrantsandRefugees
HealthandMentalHealth
WorldofWork(**sub-specializationstartingfall2017)
Thisguideprovidesessentialinformationforstudentstounderstandandselectafieldofpractice
specializationandmeetitsrequirements.
HUMANRIGHTSANDSOCIALWORK
Humanrightsarenecessaryforeveryhumanbeingtoliveinfreedom,withdignity,security,and
equality,andforpeopletohavetheirneedsmet.Theyareuniversalandindivisibleandapplyno
matterwhereapersoncomesfromandregardlessofhisorherage,race,gender,sexual
orientation,genderidentity,incomelevel,orability.Humanrightsarenotprivileges.Theyapply
equallytoallsimplybecausewearehumanbeings. BoththeCouncilonSocialWorkEducationand
theNationalAssociationofSocialWorkershaveconcludedthatthepurposeofsocialworkis
actualizedthroughsocialworkpracticethatdevelopsthecapacityforindividuals,groups,and
communitiestoexercisetheirhumanrightsandthroughthedevelopmentofsocialpolicies,
programs,andorganizationsthatameliorateconditionsthatlimittheexerciseofthese rights.In
effect,theworkthatwedo“isthetechnicalmechanismthattransformshumanrights from
universalprinciplestorealexperienceinthelivesofchildren,families,andcommunities.”
TheU.S.participatedincreatingtheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR),muchofwhich
drewonthevisionofPresidentFranklinD.RooseveltandtheworkofEleanorRoosevelt.Typically
viewedasaninternationalprogram,thehumanrightsmodelisnowbeingintegratedintosocial
workandsocialservicesintheUnitedStates(SeetheNASWInternalAffairsDepartment,CSWE
competency2.1.5;TheHeartlandAlliance[alargeChicago-basedsocialserviceagency];the
KensingtonWelfareRightsOrganization[agrassrootsgroup];theNationalEconomicandSocial
RightsInitiative[NESRI];andthemanyotherorganizationsthathavesuccessfullyappliedthe
humanrightsframeworktotheirworkintheU.S.).
HUMANRIGHTSANDFIELDSOFPRACTICE
Eachofouridentifiedfieldsofpracticereflectsattentionandcommitmenttoauniversalhuman
right:
TheRighttoHealth(andMentalHealth)Care:TheRighttoHealthCare,anindispensable
componentofthebroaderrighttohealth,isuniversallyrecognizedasfundamentaltohuman
dignity,freedom,andwell-beingandindispensablefortheexerciseofotherhumanrights.It
recognizes“therightofeveryonetotheenjoymentofthehighestattainablestandardofphysical
andmentalhealth”withoutdiscriminationofanykindanddependsontheeffectivedeliveryof
qualityhealthcare.TheWorldHealthOrganizationdefineshealthas“astateofcompletephysical,
mental,andsocialwell-beingandnotmerelytheabsenceofdiseaseorinfirmity.”Manyexternal
factorsinfluenceourhealth,suchastheenvironment,housing,workplaceconditions,andmedical
care.Insofarastheseareshapedbysociety,thegovernmenthasanobligationtoprotectour
health(seeArticle25,UDHR,Article12,TheInternationalConventiononSocialandEconomic
Rights).
TheRightsofChildrenandFamilies:Thechildisviewedasanindividualandasamemberofa
familyandcommunitywithrightsandresponsibilitiesappropriatetohisorherageandstageof
development.Childreneverywherehavetherighttosurvival;tothefullestdevelopment;to
protectionfromharmfulinfluences,abuse,andexploitation;andtofullparticipationinfamily,
cultural,andsociallife.Children'searliestexperiencessignificantlyinfluencetheirfuture
development.Toassuretheirfullandharmoniousdevelopment,childrenshouldgrowupinafamily
environmentthatpromotesanatmosphereofhappiness,love,andunderstanding.Sincechildren
havetherighttoastandardoflivingadequatefortheirphysical,mental,spiritual,moral,andsocial
development,familiesmustbeaffordedthenecessaryprotectionandassistancesothattheycan
fullyassumetheirresponsibilitieswithinthecommunity,includingfosteringthegrowthandwell-
beingofalltheirmembersandparticularlychildren.Thebestinterestsofthechildshallbea
primaryconsiderationinallactionsconcerningchildren,whetherundertakenbypublicorprivate
socialwelfareinstitutions,courtsoflaw,administrativeauthorities,orlegislativebodies.
Governmentsareobligedtorespectparents’primaryresponsibilityofprovidingcareandguidance
fortheirchildrenandtosupportparentsinthisregard,providingmaterialassistanceandsupport
programs(adaptedfromConventionontheRightsoftheChild).
TheRightsoftheAging:TheMadridInternationalPlanofActiononAging(MIPAA),adoptedbyUN
MemberStatesin2002,recommendsmanyspecificrightsforolderpersonsinawiderangeof
areas.InitsPriorityDirectionI:OlderPersonsandDevelopment,theMIPAAspecifiesthefollowing
areasamongothers:“activeparticipationinsocietyanddevelopment”;“workandtheaging labor
force”;“accesstoknowledge,educationandtraining”;“intergenerationalsolidarity”;and
“eradicationofpoverty.”Inaddition,PriorityDirectionIII:EnsuringEnablingandSupportive
Environmentsfocuseson“housingandthelivingenvironment”;“neglect,abuseandviolence”;and
“imagesofageing.”GlobalActiononAgingadvocatesfortheprotectionofolderpersonsasakey
elementofthehumanrightsmovement.Increasinglysubjecttotheft,physicalandemotional
abuse,negativestereotyping,anddiscrimination,olderpersonsoftenfeelvulnerableand
frightened.Inaddition,olderpeopleoftenfaceseriousdiscriminationintheworkplace.Whilemany
rightsissuesaffectthemnegatively,olderpersonsareclaimingnewsetsofentitlements,including
choiceofsexualityandsexualactivity,appropriatehousing,innovativecare-givingprograms,and
morecontroloverend-of-lifedecisions.
TheRightToWork:TheRighttoWorkguaranteesthefreechoiceofemploymentandtherightof
everyonetotheopportunitytogainalivingbyworkwhichisfreelychosenoracceptedandwilltake
appropriatestepstosafeguardthisright.Itincludestherighttofairwagesthatensureadecent
livingforoneselfandone’sfamily,safeandhealthyworkingconditions,protectionagainst
unemployment,theabsenceofdiscrimination,equalpayforequalwork,andtherighttoformand
tojointradeunionstoprotectone’sinterests.Thefullrealizationoftheserightsincludesaccessto
technicalandvocationalguidanceaswellastrainingprograms,policies,andtechniquestoachieve
steadyeconomic,social,andculturaldevelopmentandfullandproductiveemploymentunder
conditionssafeguardingfundamentalpoliticalandeconomicfreedomstotheindividual.Everyone
alsohastherighttorestandleisure,includingreasonablelimitationofworkinghoursandperiodic
holidayswithpay(adaptedfromArticle23,24UDHRandArticle6,7,8InternationalCovenanton
Economic,Social,andCulturalRights).
TheRighttoFreedomofMovement:Everyonehastherighttomovementandresidencewithinthe
bordersofeachstate,toleaveanycountryincludinghisorherown,andtoreturntoanycountry.
Everyonehastherighttoseekandenjoyprotectionfrompersecution,includingasylumandrefuge.
Therightsofimmigrants,refugees,andeconomicmigrantswereoriginallysetdowninthe
UniversalDeclarationofHumanRights,Articles13and14.The1951ConventionontheStatusof
Refugeesguaranteedtherightofpersonstoleavetheircountryoforigin“owingtothewell-
foundedfearofbeingpersecutedforreasonsofrace,religion,nationality,membershipofa
particularsocialgrouporpoliticalopinion.”TheCharteroftheOrganizationofAfricanUnity
extendedtheseprotectionstoincludethoseescapingexternalaggression,occupation,foreign
domination,orsituationsofviolenceornaturaldisasterentailingdisturbanceofthepublicorder.
Theseconventionsrequirethatunificationoffamilymembersinsafetybeahighpriorityincaring
forthosewhoareforcedtomigrate.TheGeneralAssemblyResolution46/182of1991established
standardsandimplementationbodiestoaddresstheneedsofpeoplearoundtheglobeintimeof
emergency,whetherbecauseofarmedconflict,climatechange,ordisaster.
TheInternationalConventionontheProtectionoftheRightsofAllMigrantWorkersandMembers
ofTheirFamiliesenteredintoforceinJuly2003.Thisconventionrecognizestherealityofan
increasinglyinterdependentworldthatrequirespeopletoleavehomeinsearchofeconomic
opportunity.Theprimaryobjectiveofthisconventionistoprotectmigrantworkersandtheir
families,aparticularlyvulnerablepopulation,fromexploitationandtheviolationoftheirhuman
rightsandtoextendtheprotectionsformerlyaffordedonlytorefugeestopeoplewholeavehome
insearchofimprovedeconomicopportunity.
Itshouldbenotedthatthisfieldofpracticerecognizesthathumanrightsstandardsareglobal,
informedandestablishedworldwidebypeoplefromarangeofculturesandsocietiescoming
togethertosupportoneanotherinaninterdependentworld.
WHYISTHEREAFIELDOFPRACTICESPECIALIZATIONREQUIREMENT?
Buildingupontheknowledgeandskillsacquiredinfirst-yearcourses,aFOPspecializationprovides
studentswiththeopportunitytodevelopadvancedcompetenciesastheyenhancetheirknowledge
ofdistinctiveinstitutionalsettings,particularclientpopulations,orsocialproblems.Thegoalsofa
fieldofpracticespecializationaretoaccomplishthefollowing:
Ø Providestudentswithopportunitiestodevelopadvancedcompetencies:in-depthknowledgeand
skillinanareaofsocialwork.
Ø Preparestudentsforacompetitivejobmarketgiventheorganizationofservicedeliverysystems.
Ø Bringtogetherfaculty,students,andfieldagencieswithsimilarintereststoshareanddevelop
knowledgearoundcontemporaryissuesandtrendsinsocialwork.
Ø Provideanadditionalvehicleforgeneratinginnovationandnewcoursematerialinthecurriculum.
Ø MaintainthefocusoftheSchool,thefaculty,andthecurriculumonthechangingneedsofthe
urbancommunity.
REQUIREMENTSFORCOMPLETINGAFIELDOFPRACTICE(FOP)
PlanningandinformationgatheringforaFOPspecializationbeginsduringthefirstsemesterofthe
firstyear.Allstudents,exceptAdvancedStandingstudents,willbeaskedtochooseanFOP
specializationaspartoftheirFieldPlanningForm.OYRstudentswillmaketheirFOP
determinationaspartoftheirFieldPracticumPacket.Studentsarestronglyencouragedtodiscuss
theirinterestina fieldofpracticewiththeirFieldand/orAcademicAdvisorandtheChairofthe
fieldofpractice specializationinwhichtheyhaveaninterest.Studentsmayalsoaccess
informationaboutthefield ofpracticespecializationsthroughpodcastsonBlackboard.
Therequirementsforcompletingafieldofpracticespecializationarethefollowing:(a)an
appropriatesecondorresidencyyear(OYR)fieldpracticum,and(b)enrollmentinthe
corresponding platformcourse.Whenstudentscompletetherequirementsoftheirfieldof
practicespecialization,theywillhavethisrecognizedintheirfinalevaluationsummary;theymay
addthisachievementtotheirresume,andtheywillreceiveacertificateupon graduation.A
descriptionofeachapprovedfieldofpracticefollows.**Pleasenote:Althoughitis notanFOP
requirement,studentsareencouragedtotakepolicyandelectivecoursesthat supporttheir
fieldofpractice.**
DESCRIPTIONOFPLATFORMCOURSES
Theplatformcoursesdevelopedforeachfieldofpractice(FOP)aredesignedtoprovideabroad
foundationforpractice,policy,advocacy,andresearchineachfieldofpractice.Theplatformcourse
preparesstudentsforadvancedpracticeandpolicycoursesbyemphasizingfoundationalpractice
theories,socio-politicaldynamics,andprofessionalcontextsthatstudentswillencounterintheir
FOP-specificfieldplacementsandintheirfuturecareersintheirchosenarea.Theclassemphasizes
specificopportunitiesandchallengesineachareaaswellasthehistorical,political,economic,and
socialforcesthatshapecontemporarysocialworkpracticeintherelevantfieldofpractice.
FIELDSOFPRACTICESPECIALIZATIONS
I. AGING
Consistentwiththehumanrightsframework,theAgingFieldofPractice(FOP)isguidedbythe
principlethatolderadultsareindividuals—andmembersofafamilyandcommunitywithrightsand
responsibilities—whomustbeaffordedthenecessaryprotectionandassistancetoparticipatefully
infamily,cultural,andsociallife.Althougholderadultsareclientswhocanbeservedinavarietyof
fieldsofpractice,thisspecializationisdefinedbyitsformalandinformalservicestructure;itssocial
andlegislativesanctions;thepopulationitserves;itsspecificpolicydebates;anditspractices.
TheAgingFieldofPractice(Gerontology)addressestheagingprocessfromalifecourse
perspective.Thisspecializationexplorestheagingprocessandthevarietyofissuesaffectingolder
adultsandtheirfamilysystems.Courseselectionsprovidecontentwithafocusonissuessuchas
healthandmentalhealth;socialservicedeliveryinclinicalandcommunity-basedsettings;
assessmentofriskandprotectivefactorsassociatedwithhealthyaging;assessment,intervention,
andevaluationofspecializedservicesforolderadultsandtheirfamilysystems;caregiving;long-
termcarepolicy;andtheimplicationsofthegrowingdemographicoftheagingsociety.
RangeofClientele:Anyonewhoisanolderadult,thosewhomightbedependentonanolderadult,
orthosewhoprovidecareorsupporttoanolderadult.
FieldPlacementOpportunities:
Fieldplacementswillprovidestrongpracticeopportunitiesacrossthevariousmethodsofcasework,
groupwork,communityorganization,andadministration.Placementsvaryfromthosewhich
providearangeofservicesforavarietyofclientneedstoplacementsthataremorespecializedin
theirfocusontheagingpopulation.Studentscompletetheirfieldinstructioninapprovedfield
settingsthatspecializeinworkingwiththeissuesrelatedtoaging.Environmentsmayincludepublic
agenciesthatspecializeinworkingwithindividuals,families,andgroups;community-basedcenters
(i.e.,seniorcenters,adultdaycare,etc.);agenciesthatareprivatelyand/orpubliclyfunded;
agenciesthatcombinedirectservicewithpolicywork;preventiveandprotectiveservicesprograms;
health/mentalhealth(medical/psychiatric)centers;andhospicesettingsandhousingcourt.Field
practicumsettingshaveaprimaryorientationtowardsprovidingservicestoolderadults,withsome
agenciesthatprovideservicesforimmigrantsorrefugeesandlesbian,gay,bisexual,andtrans
families.
Coursesthatmaybetakentosupportthisspecialization(pendingavailability):
SSW702.13 WomenandSocialWelfarePolicy
SSW702.16 SocialWorkwiththeHomeless:ImplicationsforPolicyandPractice
SSW702.17 SocialWelfarePolicyintheFieldofAging
SSW713
HBSEIII(AdultsandOlderAdults)
SSW724
SocialCaseworkIV:FamilyTreatment;BriefTherapyandCognitive-
BehavioralTherapy
SSW735
GroupWorkforNon-Majors(ProjectmustbeinGerontology) SSW770
AlcoholandDrugAbuse:SocialWorkPractice
SSW797.72 FieldofPracticePlatformCourse
SSW791.57 SocialWorkwithVictimsofViolenceagainstWomen
SSW791.76 SocialServicestotheGay&LesbianCommunity
SSW791.89 PerspectivesontheAgingProcess:ImplicationforSocialWorkPractice
SSW794
SocialWorkPractice:FamilyTreatment
SSW796.60 ClinicalIssuesinSocialWorkPracticewiththeAged
SSW797.01 ClinicalSocialWorkPracticeinHealthSettings
SSW791.58 HumanSexuality
SSW702.18 SeminarinSocialWelfareSection1:ChangingtheParametersofthe
Possible:BringingHumanRightsintoSocialWelfarePolicy
SSW702.22 InternationalSocialWelfarePolicyandServices
AGINGFIELDOFPRACTICECHAIRS:
NancyGiunta
Room453 212-396-7552 nancy.giunta@hunter.cuny.edu
II. CHILDWELFARE:CHILDREN,YOUTH,&FAMILIES
Consistentwiththehumanrightsframework,theChildWelfare:Children,Youth,andFamilies
(CWCYF)FieldofPractice(FOP)takestheviewthatthechildoryouthisanindividual—anda
memberofafamilyandcommunitywithrightsandresponsibilitiesappropriatetohisorherage
andstageofdevelopment—whomustbeaffordedthenecessaryprotectionandassistanceto
participatefullyinfamily,cultural,andsociallife.Althoughchildren,youth,andfamiliesarethe
typicalclientsofmostfieldsofpractice,thisfield/specializationisdefinedbyitsparticularservice
structure,itssocialandlegislativesanctions,thepopulationitserves,itsspecificpolicydebates,and
itspractices.
Thus,theCWCYFFOPisdesignedforstudentsinterestedinworkinginpublicand/orprivatechild
welfareagencies;schools;orchildren,youth,andfamilyorganizationsindirectservice,supervisory,
andadministrativecapacitiesaswellasorganizingonbehalfofallchildren,youth,andfamiliesfor
access,socialjustice,andequality.Itpreparessocialworkerstoprovideabroadrangeofservicesto
individuals,groups,andfamiliesinallphasesofthefamilylifecycle.Familyandindividual
counseling,parenteducationandengagement,school-basedinterventions,andthefullspectrumof
childwelfareservicesareemphasizedinthisspecialization.StudentswhoelectaCWCYFFOP
developaplanofstudywhichincludesaCWCYFPlatformcourseandafieldpracticuminchildren,
youth,andfamilyservices-relatedplacement.
RangeofClientele:Anyonewhoisachild,youth,orfamilymember.
FieldPlacementOpportunities:
Studentscompletetheirfieldinstructioninapprovedfieldsettingsthatspecializeinworkingwith
theissuesofchildren,youth,andfamilies.Environmentsmayincludepublicagenciesthatspecialize
inworkingwithindividuals,families,andgroups;community-basedcenters;agenciesthatare
privatelyand/orpubliclyfunded;agenciesthatcombinedirectservicewithpolicywork;child
guidanceclinics;preventiveservicesprograms;school-basedprograms;familytherapyprograms;
health/mentalhealth(medical/psychiatric)centers;groupcareandresidentialtreatmentcenters;
multipleorneighborhoodservicecenters;daycareprograms;familycourt;andchildren’sor
parents’rightsgroups.Fieldpracticumsettingshaveaprimaryorientationtowardsproviding
servicestochildrenandadolescentsinbiologicalfamilies,fosterkinship,oradoptivefamilies;group
homesettings;homelessordisplacedfamilies;immigrantorrefugeefamilies;lesbian,gay,bisexual,
andtransfamilies;andfamilieswithserioushealthandmentalhealthproblems,includingchild
sexualabuseorsubstanceabuse.
Coursesthatmaybetakentosupportthisspecialization(pendingavailability):
SSW702.13 WomenandSocialWelfarePolicy
SSW702.15 PolicyandPracticeinChildWelfare
SSW702.16 SocialWorkwiththeHomeless
SSW702.18 SeminarinSocialPolicy:DrugsandAlcoholPolicy
SSW702.18 SocialWelfarePolicyAnalysis,Development,andChange
SSW713
HBSEIII(Child&Adolescent)
SSW715
SeminarinPsychodynamics
SSW724
ClinicalPracticeElective:Family;Child&Adolescent;Traumaor
Cognitive/BehavioralApproaches
SSW734
GroupWorkIV(field-basedprojectmustfocusonCYF)
SSW735
GroupWorkfornon-majors(field-basedprojectmustfocusonCYF)
SSW770
AlcoholandDrugAbuse:SocialWorkPractice
SSW797.70 FieldofPracticePlatformCourse
SSW791.57
SSW791.71
SSW791.76
SSW792
SSW794
SSW796.53
SSW796.61
SocialWorkwithVictimsofViolence
ServicestoImmigrantsandRefugees
SocialWorkPracticew/Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,&TransgenderPeople
SocialWorkPracticewithChildrenandAdolescents
SocialWorkPracticewithFamilies
ClinicalPracticeIssuesinChildWelfare
SocialWorkPracticeinSchoolSettings
Enrichmentseminarswillbeofferedtwiceasemester(eveningorweekends)onacutting-edge
childwelfaretopicfromleadingexpertsinchildwelfarefromNewYorkCity,includingvoluntary
childwelfareagencies(StateorCounty).ForClinical,COP&D,andOML,the2nd yearField
Instructionexperiencewilltakeplaceinachildren,youth,andfamilyservicesagency.
StudentsareencouragedtobecomeinvolvedintheCWCYFFOPStudentAlliancetobeconnected
tothenetworkofstudentsinthesameFOPandtotakeadvantageofvariousopportunitiesand
activitiesorganizedbythisalliance.
ChildWelfare&Children,Youth,andFamiliesFieldofPracticeChair:
MarinaLalayants
Room 451
396-7550
mlalayan@hunter.cuny.edu
III. GLOBALSOCIALWORK&PRACTICEWITHIMMIGRANTSANDREFUGEES
The21stcenturyischaracterizedbyunprecedentedlevelsofglobalinterdependenceinwhich
people,communities,andtheirinstitutionsareengagedwithinternationalforcesaffectingtheir
livesinveryintimateways.Fromclimatechangetoeconomicadversity,theserealitieshavecalled
forthresponsesbasedonanincreasingawarenessofhumaninterconnectedness.TheGlobalSocial
WorkandPracticewithImmigrantsandRefugees(GSWPIR)fieldspecializationisdefinedbyits
missiontoincorporateindigenoussocialworkperspectivesfromaroundtheglobetoinform
learningandpracticeininternationalcontexts—withimmigrantsandrefugeesaswellasintheU.S.
urbanenvironment.Manyfamiliesaretransnationaltoday,withmembersintheUSandinother
countriesaroundtheglobe,andsocialworkersmustbepreparedtoengagefamiliesand
communitiesastheynavigatethesecomplexities,redefiningconceptsalongtheway.Inthecontext
ofinternationalstandardsofsocialjusticeandhumanrights,studentswillbecomeawareofthe
differingdiscoursesinthisfieldandthevariedunderstandingsofandresponsestoadversity.
TheGSWPIRFOPisdesignedforstudentsexperiencedinaglobalcontextwithimmigrant,refugee,
andothermulticulturalcommunitiesorwithinternationalorganizations.TheFOPwillprepare
studentstoworkflexiblyinmultipleroles,informedbymultiplewaysofknowingandbasedontheir
chosensocialworkmethod.Studentswilldevelopcompetenciesneededtopracticeinaglobal,
multiculturalenvironmentandaddresseitherclinicalissueswithindividuals,families,andgroups;
thoseofpolicyleadershipandplanning;orcommunityorganizationpolicyanddevelopment.The
conceptofcommunityiscentraltothefield,andstudentswilllearninpracticehowtoutilize
methodslearnedfromglobalexperience.StudentswhoelecttheGSWPIRFOPdevelopaplanof
studywhichincludesafieldpracticuminaglobal,immigrant,and/orrefugeerelatedplacementand
theGlobal(GSWPIR)platformcourse. RangeofClients:Immigrants,refugees,andtheirfamilymembersaswellaspeopleand
organizationsengagedwithoraffectedbyglobalizationandglobalinterdependence.
FieldPlacementOpportunities:
Studentscompletetheirfieldinstructioninapprovedfieldsettingsthatspecializeinworkingwith
immigrants,refugees,asylees,and/orglobalpractice.38%ofNewYorkerswerebornoutsideofthe
U.S.,andmanyothershavefamilymemberswhoremaininorhavereturnedtofarawayhomes
abroad.Therefore,mostofthecity’simportantsocialagenciesseekspecialistsinworkwiththis
population.Fieldeducationtakesplaceincommunityagenciesworkingwithpeoplethroughoutthe
lifespan;schoolsandothereducationprograms;healthfacilitiesincludinghospitals,clinics,and
communityhealthfacilitiesorsubstanceabuseandotherspecializedprograms;publicandprivate
socialwelfareinstitutions;legalsettings;andselectedinternationalorganizationsincludingthe
UnitedNations.SpecialpopulationsincludesurvivorsoftraffickingandHIV/AIDS,LGBTQasylum
seekers;andundocumentedworkers. Someplacementswillrequireproficiencyinalanguageother
thanEnglishand/orpreviousgrassrootsexperiencesincross-culturalcontextsorwithimmigrants,
refugees,ormulticulturalpopulations.AllfieldplacementsarelocatedintheNewYork/NewJersey
m e t r o p o l i t a n areaanditsenvirons.
Coursesthatmaybetakentosupportthisspecializationinclude(pendingavailability):
SSW702.22 Internationalsocialwelfarepolicyandservicesor
SSW702.19 ImmigrantsandRefugees;PoliciesandIssues
SSW702.13 WomenandSocialWelfare(canbesubstitutedfortheabovebystudentsin
thePolicyspecialization)
SSW797.73 FieldofPracticePlatformCourse
SSW791.88 SpiritualityandHealing
SSW798.02 SocialWorkandtheLatinoCommunity
SSW791.71 ServicestoImmigrantandRefugee
SSW796.70 WorkwithVeteransandMilitaryServiceMembers
SSW791.57 SocialWorkwithVictimsofViolence(workmustfocusonglobalor
immigrationissues)
SSW791.76 SocialWorkPracticew/Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,&TransgenderPeoplework
mustfocusonglobalorimmigrationissues)
SSW797.60 NeighborhoodLab:StrengtheningCommunityCapacity
SSW798.10 MulticulturalSocialWorkPractice(Alsosometimeslistedas795.55)
SSW724.00 SocialCasework4-Trauma
SSW724.00 SocialCasework4–RelationalTherapy
SSW791.75 SocialWorkandAIDS(workmustfocusonglobalorimmigrant/refugee
issues)
SSW780
AdministrationforNon-Majors(workmustfocusonglobalorimmigration
issues)
SSW725
Caseworkfornon-majors(studentsmustbeworkingwithimmigrants,
refugees,orasylumseekers)
SSW735
Groupworkfornon-majors(groupmustincludeimmigrants,refugees,or
asylumseekers)
SSW747
CommunityOrganization/Non-Majors(mostfocusonglobalorimmigrant
issues)
SSW702.00 SocialPolicy,SocialActivism,andCommunityChangeintheU.S.andIsrael
CourseTutorialSPRING2017—ToBeAnnounced
Otherstudyabroadcoursesif/whentheyareofferedattheSilbermanSchoolofSocialWork
Othercoursesarepossiblewithappropriateassignments–justask.
StudentsareencouragedtobecomeinvolvedintheGlobalSocialWorkAlliancetobeconnectedto
thenetworkofstudentsinthesameFOPandtotakeadvantageofvariousopportunitiesand
activitiesorganizedbythealliance,includingspecializedlectures,films,andotherexperiences,and
toreceivemailingsaboutrelatedeventsaroundtown.
GlobalSocialWorkandPracticewithImmigrantsandRefugeesFieldofPracticeChair:
KatharineBloeser
Room:431
212-396-7534
kb1568@hunter.cuny.edu
IV. .HEALTH/MENTALHEALTH
Inthisfieldofpractice,healthandillnessareconsideredaspointsalongacontinuum.Healthisnot
merelytheabsenceofdisease.Itistheabilitytofunctionincompleteharmonywithone’s
environmentandthecapabilityofmeetingtheordinaryphysical,social,andemotionalstressesof
life.Thegoalsofthisspecializationaretopreparesocialworkerswhocanresponsiblymeetthe
changingneedsofpeoplefacedwithhealthconcernsandwhocaneffectivelyadvocateforquality
health/mentalhealthpoliciesandpracticesinNewYorkCity.Studentsinthisspecialization
generallyhavetheopportunitytoparticipateinamultidisciplinaryhealthcareteam;workwiththe
rangeofclientneeds(illnesstowellness)andthecontinuumofcare(preventiontolong-termcare)
tomeetthoseneeds;learnaboutpublicandprivatehealth/mentalhealthlaws,programs,
resources,benefits,andservices;useskillsnecessarytoprovidequalityhealthcareservicesin
existingoralternativehealthcaresystems;andparticipateinconsumerandprofessionaladvocacy
networksandorganizationsestablishedtoprotectpatients’rights.
FieldPlacementOpportunities:
Fieldplacementsettingsinthisspecializationincludelargehospitals;ambulatorycareorprimary
carefacilities;hospitalout-patientandin-patientclinicsorcommunity-basedhealthcenters;day
treatmentprograms;substanceabusetreatmentfacilities;andspecializednursingcarefacilitiesfor
thechronicallyill,aged,orthoseinneedofintensiverehabilitationand/orhospicecare.Some
settingsfocusonhealtheducationorpatientadvocacy.
SomeexamplesofHealth/MentalHealthSpecializationsincludeworkwithMICA/CAMIclients;
cancerpatientsandtheirfamilies;end-of-lifedecisionsinpalliativecaresettings;groupswith
personsdiagnosedwithHIV/AIDS;discussiongroupsforparentsaroundfamilyhealthneeds;
communityhealtheducationprograms;personswithmentalillnessadvocatingfortheirmental
healthneeds;trainingprogramsforworkersprovidingintensivecasemanagement;orolderadults
andtheirfamiliesinextended-carefacilities.
Coursesthatmaybetakentosupportthisspecialization(pendingavailability):
SSW702.14 SocialPolicy:HealthorMentalHealthSystems
SSW715
SeminarinPsychodynamics
SSW724
BriefTherapiesorCognitive-BehavioralTherapiesORFamilyTherapyOR
AdvancedClinicalPracticewithChildrenORAdvancedPracticewith
SurvivorsofTrauma
SSW735
SSW770
SSW797.73
SSW791.57
SSW791.58
SSW791.75
SSW791.93
SSW794.00
SSW796.58
SSW796.60
SSW796.62
SSW797.01
Groupworkfornon-majors(grouporprojectmusthaveH/MHfocus)
AlcoholismandDrugAbuse
FieldofPracticePlatformCourse
SWwithVictimsofViolence
HumanSexuality
SocialWorkPracticewithPeoplewithAIDS
CommunityMentalHealth
SWPractice:FamilyTreatment
PsychosocialApproachesintheTreatmentofChronicMentalIllness
ClinicalIssuesinSocialWorkPracticewiththeAged
SocialWorkPracticewithPeoplewithAIDSandChronicIllness
ClinicalSocialWorkPracticeinHealthSettings
Health/MentalHealthFieldofPracticeChairs:
AlexisKuerbis
Room435
396-7538
RufinaLee
Room437
396-7540
ak1465@hunter.cuny.edu
jl2280@hunter.cuny.edu
V. WORLDOFWORK
***PLEASENOTE:GiventheintersectionalityoftheWorldofWorkSpecializationwiththeotherField
ofPracticeSpecializations,wewillbedevelopingWorldofWorkasasub-specialization.Students
planningtheirFOPSpecializationsforthefall2017semesterandbeyondwouldnotchoosethisas
theirprimaryFOPSpecialization.
TheWorldofWorkFieldofPracticeSpecializationunderscorestheimportanceofwork,income,
andemploymentinoursocietyandinthelivesoftheclientsandcommunitiesweserve.
Increasinglyinthiscountry,“youarewhatyoudo”;therefore,workissuesarealwayscentraltoour
clients.Indeed,thethemeofworkcoverstheentirelifespanandoffersopportunitiesforsocial
workinterventionwithadults,olderadults,adolescents,theirfamilies,andthecommunities
involved.ThisFOPadoptsaholisticapproachtowork,incomegeneration,andemployment:
throughinvolvementinthelaborforce,individualsbenefitfromtimestructure,asenseof
responsibility,andsocialcontacts—allofwhichpositivelyinfluencetheirhealth,mentalhealth,and
socialandcommunitynetworks.
FieldPlacementOpportunities:
Fieldplacementswillprovideopportunitiestodevelopandstrengthenclinical,community,and
organizationalpracticeskillswithindividuals,families,smallgroups,communities,and
organizations.Placementsareinawidearrayofclinicalandmacro(communityorganizing,
planning,development,research/evaluation,andleadership)settings,includinglaborunions,non-
profitagencyemploymentprograms,universitylaborresearchcenters,labor-management-based
MemberAssistancePrograms(MAPs),andmanagement-sponsoredEmployeeAssistancePrograms
(EAPs)undertheauspicesofhospitals,universities,tradeunions,cityagencies,andexternal
corporateproviders.Inaddition,thereareplacementopportunitiesinemploymentagencies,
welfare-to-workprograms,andsupportedemploymentandvocationalrehabilitationsettings.Many
ofthesefieldplacementsprovidestipends.Theseplacementsofferaparticularlygoodopportunity
forstudentswishingtoconsiderEAPsandotherworkplacesettingsforemploymentupon
graduationbecausemanyofourWorldofWorkalumniareemployedinthesesettings.However,
experienceshowsthattheWorldofWorkspecializationalsopreparesstudentsexceedinglywell
withtheskillstheyneedforcareersuccessinallsocialworksettings.Studentscompletingthe
WorldofWorkSpecializationwillreceiverecognitionatgraduationcertifyingtheircompletionof
therequirementsforthisspecialization,andtheymaynotethisontheirrésumé.
Coursesthatmaybetakentosupportthisspecialization(pendingavailability):
SSW702.10 TheOrganizationandDeliveryofSocialServicestoWorkersandTheir
SSW702.11 ThePoliticalEconomyandSocialWelfare SSW702.13 WomenandSocialWelfarePolicy
SSW702.18 SocialWelfarePolicyAnalysis,Development,andChange
SSW702.19 ImmigrationandRefugees
SSW702.21 SocialWelfareandDisabilities
SSW713
HBSEIII(AdultsandOlderAdults)
SSW724
CaseworkIV:BriefTherapies;Trauma;orCognitive-Behavioral
SSW727
SocialWorkwithClientsinAuthoritarianSettings
SSW770
AlcoholandDrugAbuse:SocialWorkPractice
SSW
FieldofPracticePlatformCourse
SSW791.71 SocialWorkPracticewithImmigrantsandRefugees
SSW791.83 SocialWorkPracticeandtheDisabled
SSW796.52 SocialWorkPracticewithWorkersandtheirFamilies
SSW748.00 Grantsmanship
SSW796.66 PoliticalAdvocacyandSocialWork(CO4)
WorldofWorkFieldofPracticeChair:
PaulKurzman Room434
212-396-7537 WorldofWorkFieldofPracticeAdvisor:
JoshuaLivingston
jl1683@hunter.cuny.edu
pkurzman@hunter.cuny.edu
HOWTOCHOOSEAFIELDOFPRACTICE
STEP1: FALLSEMESTER(orfirstsemesterintheprogram)—SelectinganFOP
1. Pleasereadovertherequirementsforeachfieldofpracticespecialization;attendmeetings
withthefieldofpracticefaculty(orviewtheinformationalpodcasts).
2. DiscussyourfieldofpracticepreferenceswithyourFieldAdvisorinthespringsemesteras
partofthefieldplacementplanningprocessfornextyear. OYRstudentsshouldalsodiscuss
FOPpreferencewiththeiradvisors.
STEP2:SPRINGSEMESTER(orsecondsemesterintheprogram)—MakingaCommitment
1. PriortothestartofthespringsemesterofyourfirstyearorOYRTimeFrame1 year,you
willbeaskedtochooseafieldofpracticeandconfirmwithyourFieldAdvisor(aspartof
submittingtheFieldPlanningForm);youmayalsowishtoconsult anAcademicAdvisorto
discusscoursesthatwillenhanceyourFOPexperience.
2. IndicateaFieldofPracticePreferenceonyourfieldplanningform/OYRpacket.Pleasereview
howyourchoicewillinformyourfieldplacement-aswellasdictatewhichsectionofthe
Platformcourse(SSW797)youwillregisterforduringthefirstsemesterofyour2nd(TF2)year.
STEP3:BEFOREGRADUATION—CompletingtheFieldofPracticeRequirements
Inthesemesterofyourexpectedgraduation(April15forspringgraduates,July15forfall
graduates,andDecember15forJanuarygraduates),submitthefollowing:
1. OnecopyoftheFieldofPracticeCompletionform(foundintheStudentServices
sectionoftheSilbermanwebsite:http://sssw.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/).
2. Acopyofyourunofficialtranscriptonwhichyouindicatethespecificsectionofthe
PlatformcoursetakentofulfillyourFieldofPracticerequirement.
3. Ifyouhavemadechangesinyouragencyorfieldplacementassignments,itwillbe
necessaryforyoutoupdateyourSpecializationPlan.Pleasefollowtheoutlineonthe
applicationformandusetheheadingsprovided.AskyourFieldAdvisortosignoffonthe
fieldplacementdescriptionONLYifyourplacementhaschanged.
STEP4:FINALSTEP—SubmittingtheCompletionForm
Pleaseturninyourcompletedapplicationinaself-addressed9”x12”envelopetoStudentAffairs,
Room301.Keepcopiesofyourpaperworkincaseanythingislostormisplacedintheprocess.
TheFieldofPracticeChairwillreviewyourmaterial,giveapproval,andsignyourcertificate(which
willbemailedtoyouaftergraduation).