Chair: Haksoon Ahn PhD
Social workers have always led society’s efforts to support families and children. Those specializing in service to families and children understand that not only do children need protection but also that families need help in changing their behaviors and in sustaining those changes. Social workers respond directly to problems within families while also working at the macro level to advocate for laws, programs, and public understanding of the special needs of children, the most vulnerable group in our society. In addition, social workers are also deeply involved in efforts to strengthen families.
The University’s social work faculty is nationally recognized in the areas of foster care, adoption, adolescence, divorce, child abuse and neglect, custody disputes and parental kidnapping, single parents, and families of color. The faculty has an outstanding record of research, publication, grant funding, and community service.
The Families and Children Specialization prepares students for clinical, community organization, and social administration practice in a range of professional settings, including child protection and child placement, home-based services to families at risk, children’s group and residential care, school social work, child guidance, child and family services, parent education, juvenile and family courts, family violence programs, child and family advocacy, and policy development. Families and Children graduates also serve in leadership positions in local, state, and federal agencies.
This Specialization is available to students in both the Clinical and Macro Concentrations. It is also the Specialization for students participating in the Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare program.