School of Social Work

General Information

Social work, one of the fastest growing occupations in the State of Hawai‘i, is a profession concerned with the prevention and resolution of problems for individuals, families, groups, and communities. At the School of Social Work (SSW), students are provided with the knowledge, skills, and values that facilitate the prevention or resolution of such problems as mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, crime and delinquency, poverty, and other social problems. Students who are committed to social justice, social change, improving the quality of life for society’s most vulnerable and working with people would find this curriculum stimulating.

The SSW has been providing quality social work education in Hawai‘i for 70 years. It is recognized nationally and internationally for its award-winning faculty, research and publications, and the wide range of specialty areas. The school also boasts a training academy, the ability to provide program evaluation, a distance education MSW option, a focus on Asian and Pacific Islander groups in Hawai‘i, growing opportunities for international practicum placements, and specializations in health, mental health, child and family, and gerontology.

Mission

The mission of the SSW is to contribute to the advancement of social work practice in its many forms for the purpose of preventing or resolving the most critical social problems. Within this general purpose, the school reaffirms social work’s historic commitment to increase social justice and availability of opportunity for underrepresented and oppressed groups.

The principal responsibility of the school is the generation, transmission and application of knowledge that will benefit the state of Hawai‘i. In addition, it is the school’s responsibility to contribute to knowledge for use by the profession as a whole. In particular, it is the goal of this school to increase comprehension of the ways in which social policy, social work practice, and research can be improved through the understanding of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander and Asian cultures of our communities, state, and the Pacific

Accreditation

The school’s BSW and MSW programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The UHSSW is the only CSWE accredited school of social work in Hawai‘i and the Pacific.

Degrees

Bachelor’s Degree: BSW
Master’s Degree: MSW
Doctoral Degree: PhD in social welfare

Advising

Henke 230
1800 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7182

Freshmen and sophomores who are interested in a career in social work and/or who intend to apply to the school should consult with a BSW advisor who can assist students in academic planning and provide information on career opportunities.

The school’s bulletin contains information on admissions and degree requirements for the MSW and PhD programs. For a copy of the bulletin or additional information, write to the School of Social Work at the above address or visit the website at www.hawaii.edu/sswork.

Financial Aid

There are a number of opportunities for financial aid, including scholarships, stipends, and limited tuition waivers.

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Please note: This Catalog was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. The University reserves the right to change or delete, supplement or otherwise amend at any time and without prior notice the information, requirements and policies contained in this Catalog.