The sequence includes prerequisite courses in psychology, sociology, and economics and then background courses in public policy and the economic aspects of public welfare. The first practice-oriented course is Social Welfare and Social Work, which has a fieldwork component. This is followed by Methods of Social Work and a 3-credit supervised fieldwork course. Additional electives round out the concentration. The minor provides academic and practical experience as preparation for employment or for graduate studies.
Details are available from the coordinator of the social work program.
Field placements are available in a variety of local settings, including the Ithaca Youth Bureau, Southside Community Center, Tompkins County Social Services, Tompkins Community Hospital, Prisoners Legal Services Offender Aid and Restoration, and Tompkins County Probation Department. Independent study experience is arranged between the professor and student. Internships Internships are designed to provide students with a supervised and structured experience. Often these can be arranged by students and specific agencies in communities around the country. The sociology department believes that internships provide an opportunity to obtain work experience and to analyze the social and political context of the specific agency.