School of Social Work and Family Studies

• Arts and Sciences | 
• Education and Child Life | 
• Social Work and Family Studies

The School of Social Work and Family Studies embraces the mission of the College — to improve the lives of children and families —  by offering an intellectually stimulating educational experience and a range of professional career paths for students who wish to become change agents in the lives of children, families and communities.  Our graduates are prepared as social workers, juvenile justice and youth advocates, child development and early intervention specialists, parent educators and family support specialists — working in schools, human services agencies and community-based organizations.

Social Work

The undergraduate and graduate social work programs at Wheelock educate students who are critical thinkers and ethical practitioners, prepared for 21st century practice in an increasingly global, multicultural world.  Our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs are deeply grounded in the core mission of social work, which is the promotion of human rights and social and economic justice for all. 

In both programs, students master content in five areas:  Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Social Policy, Social Research, Social Work Practice and a Social Work Field Placement.  In the BSW program and the foundation year of the MSW program, students learn how to work with individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities through their courses and field placements. 

In the concentration year of the MSW program, students focus on preparing for advanced practice with children and families — especially those who are the most oppressed, discriminated against, and disadvantaged — with the ultimate goal of creating a more just world for everyone. Concentration areas include advanced justice-based practice, research and policy related to children and families through family-centered and community-based practices. These practices build upon people's strengths and respect for their cultures while fostering collaboration in health, education and social services settings.

Family Studies

Graduates of the programs in Child and Family Studies are effective and highly-sought-after professionals who, through the unique integration of classroom studies and clinical experience, have developed a strong understanding of human development, family structures and interactions, the socio-cultural contexts in which children and families function and develop, and specific skills to work in multicultural and diverse environments.

At the undergraduate level, Wheelock offers a professional concentration in Juvenile Justice and Youth Advocacy; and a certificate program in Community-Based Human Services.

At the graduate level, we offer a certificate program in Parenting Education.