USF to meet community need with new master’s in social work program
To meet a growing need in the Will, Grundy and Kendall counties area, the University of St. Francis has instituted a new master’s degree in social work that will be offered beginning this fall.
The U.S. Department of Labor, in 2000, identified social work as the second most needed profession after home health aides. The need for social workers could increase as much as 33 percent by 2012. The burgeoning population of the tri-county area combined with the area’s urban growth and development will create a need for social workers to help residents of all ages address a variety of societal pressures, according to Kathylene Siska, Ph.D., who will join the University of St. Francis faculty in June as program director for the MSW program.
The new master’s degree in social work at the University of St. Francis is unique, said Siska, in that it will focus on knowledge and skills for advanced generalists who will be trained in a holistic approach to provide therapy for individuals and families. Graduates of USF’s MSW program will understand the impact that multiple systems have on an individual and family, and plan treatment that addresses all aspects of life, explained Siska.
Working professionals will have easy access to USF’s MSW program, in which classes will meet on Fridays and Saturdays. The program can be completed in about two years. Those entering the MSW program must have a bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 grade point average.
To learn more about the new master of social work program at USF, potential students can attend an information session from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the university’s Joliet campus. For information or make a reservation, call (800) 735-7500 or email www.stfrancis.edu/msw.
Social workers with an MSW degree and no experience can expect to make about $10,000 more in salary than those with a bachelor’s degree. Starting salaries for social workers with master's degrees is the mid- to high- $30,000 range.
The need for social workers will continue to grow as more and more societal pressure is put on families and individuals. Also, as the baby boomers age, there will be more need for people to assist the elderly.
"Of particular need in the Midwest is substance abuse treatment," said Siska. "One of the focuses that will evolve in our program is treatment for methadone and amphetamine abuse, which is a real area of concern throughout the Midwest. Studies show that 100 percent of kids in foster care have substance abuse in their families. The cultural clashes in urbanization throughout the Midwest have resulted in a serious substance abuse problem, one that will need to be addressed through social work programming in our area," she added.
Siska, who holds a Ph.D. in social work from Columbia University in New York, has extensive experience in social work having spent 19 years as a social worker and 16 years as a faculty member. USF’s program is the third that she has started. Her goal is to have the program fully accredited in two years when it produces its first graduating class. The university’s bachelor of science in social work is already accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Siska says that, like most social work faculty members, her goal is a healthier client and society. "Social work is committed to economic and social justice, which is inherent with the mission and values of Catholic higher education and especially with the University of St. Francis and its founders the Sisters of St. Francis," said Siska. "By preparing advanced practitioners, we have greater outreach and greater opportunity to help make our community and society better for all."
"We expect USF’s master in social work program to grow quickly," said Siska, "both in the number of students and in the partnerships we build and expand upon with community agencies. Our students will be out in the community doing internships and other work. We plan to be a resource for the profession and the community."
A Catholic, Franciscan institution, the University of St. Francis serves more than 4,100 students nationwide with more than 60 areas of undergraduate study and 13 graduate programs. For more information about the master of science in social work or other University of St. Francis programs, visit www.strancis.edu.