The Department of Social Work and Family Studies offers a major in Social Work and a concentration in Family Studies.

Social Work and Family Studies are fields of study that build upon the liberal arts to prepare students to identify the needs and strengths of individuals, families, groups and communities, develop the knowledge and skills to satisfy those needs, and explore policies and programs that prevent and address social problems. Our courses integrate cross cultural, global, and experiential learning.

Fall 2012 Party

Photos from the party

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In the Departmental News

Congratulations to our 2013 Distinction Winners

Kate Westwood, Social Capital Development in Hispanic Communities

Sarah Busch, The National Bullying Prevention Center

Libby Barrett, Social Work Principles and Street Youth Philosophy

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Congratulations to our 2013 Kimer Award for Excellence in Social Work

Holly Rocha

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Laura McKibbin, Instructor in Social Work & Family Studies,
was quoted several times, discussing her work on body image and body acceptance.  Here’s the link: http://www.socialworktoday.com/news/enews_1212_01.shtml   “Brian Thoes”

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Upcoming Events

Social Work and Family Studies New Student Lounge

 

Day at the Capitol April 8, 2013

Photo of our 2013 contingent of Social Work students on the steps of the Capitol

2013 Social Work Student with Representative David Bly

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Awards

Mary Carlsen receives the
President’s Civil Engagement Steward Award

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Piper Center 

Pathways to Social Science Careers

clink for this year’s events. 

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Social Realities in South Africa

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Laura McKibbin  presented at the National Associationg of Social Workers (NASW) -
Iowa Chapter’s annual symposium on April 19th. The topic of her workshop is “Culturally competent practice and the War on Obesity.” She is also presenting a similar topic at the NASW Minnesota Chapter’s State Conference on June 8th.

Laura is also the recipient of the SSS 2012 Senior award for Outstanding Professor. This is the second time she has received this award from our SSS students. Congratulations Laura.

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Valerie Rose Smith

I am honored to be receiving the National Association of Social Worker’s Student of the Year Award this evening for the University of New Hampshire Master of Social Work program. It makes all those almost sleepless nights worthwhile–and no, those have nothing to do with procrastination, student of the year’s don’t procrastinate, we “process”.

http://www.nhnasw.org/pdfs/2012_annual_meeting.pdf

This is the website for the annual NASW meeting in New Hampshire. Val’s name appears in the list of Award Recipients just above the Registration form on pg 2.

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Ever wonder what a Social Worker Makes? Click here to find out.

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Stories foster connections for Social Work Class

Meeting regularly with residents of the Northfield Retirement Center this fall provided one group of St. Olaf students studying the “how-to” of social work with a valuable hands-on learning experience.
For the Full Story click here