Focused Areas of Study

In addition to your area of concentration, you may focus on a current social work issue through our Focused Areas of Study (FAS) option. With elective credits you can focus your study on a particular population or social problem that complements your concentration. Students in good academic standing who complete all requirements in an area of study will receive a letter of recognition.

All FAS in the curriculum consist of the following components:

  • Successful completion of six elective credits. Requirements vary depending on the FAS; see below for a list of the courses that meet each area.
  • A year-long practicum placement in a field or practice relevant for the FAS (required). Students will work with their practicum coordinator to indicate interest in pursuing a particular area of study.

The School of Social Work offers the following Focused Areas of Study:

International Issues in Social Work

The FAS in International Issues in Social Work is designed for students who want to include a global perspective in their social work program. The International Issues specialization is useful for students considering careers in international development; working with immigrants, refugees, or inter-country adoption; advocacy work on global policy issues; and those who wish to broaden their domestic practice competence through understanding social issues internationally.

Students are required to take either:

SWEL 5348: International Social Work: Global Social Issues and the Profession OR SWEL 5345: International Development Theory and Practice

Students are required to take one of the following courses:

  • HBEL 5328: Ethnic Minorities and the Social work Profession: The Puerto Rican/Latin@ Experience
  • HBEL 5328: Germany Travel Study: Implications of the Holocaust for Social Work Practitioners
  • SWEL 5310: Services to Immigrants and Refugees and Cross-Cultural Helping
  • SWEL 5333: Travel Study for Social Work in Puerto Rico
  • SWEL 5345: International Development Theory and Practice
  • SWEL 5350: Comparative Social Welfare Policy between the United States and the Second World
  • SWEL 5385: Human Rights and Social Work
  • IS 5394: Independent Study for a maximum of three credits (requires advanced approval by the Focused Area of Study Chair)

Chair: Rebecca Thomas (rlthomas@uconn.edu)

Health and Wellness

This FAS  is designed to provide students the chance to enhance their knowledge and skills related to working within health, mental health and/or substance disorders settings. This focused area prepares students with the theory and practice needed to address a range of needs related to children; adolescents; adults with mental health or substance use disorders; or practice with older adults.

Students are required to take two of the following courses:

  • HBEL 5357: Social Gerontology
  • HBEL 5393: Emerging Issues in Mental Health and Substance Abuse (offered in Fall 2024 & Spring 2025)
  • HBEL 5300: Substance Abuse I
  • HBEL 5301: Substance Abuse II: Treatment and Prevention of Alcohol and Other Drugs
  • HBEL 5318: Grief and Loss
  • SPTP 5318: Health Equity and Disability Justice in Social Work Practice
  • IS 5394: Independent Study for a maximum of three credits (requires advanced approval by the Focused Area of Study Chair)

Chair: Regina Lester-Harriat, LMSW (regina.lester-harriat@uconn.edu)

Gender and Social Justice

The Gender and Social Justice FAS within the MSW program prepares students to critically engage with issues of gender, equity, and human rights across micro and macro social work practice. Through targeted coursework and practicum education, students explore feminist theory, LGBTQ+ experiences, social policy, and human rights frameworks to inform inclusive and justice-oriented practice from an intersectional perspective. Students select two electives and participate in a relevant practicum experience to support acquisition of the analytical tools and applied skills necessary to advocate for gender justice in diverse social work settings.

Students are required to take two of the following courses:

  • SWEL 5315 Gender and Social Work: Feminist Theory and Practice
  • SWEL 5317 Gender, Family, and Social Policies
  • SWEL 5370 The LGBTQ Experience: Sexual and Gender Diversities
  • SWEL 5385 Human Rights and Social Work
  • IS 5394 Independent Study for a maximum of 3 credits (Requires advanced approval by the Focused Area of Study Chair)

Chair: Kathryn Libal (Kathryn.libal@uconn.edu)

Please note: Some required FAS courses are not necessarily offered each semester, so plans must be made with your advisor and the FAS Chair with this in mind.