Students must complete 22 credits of major curriculum requirements, one community organizing elective, and one graduate-level planning course with either the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, the Graduate School of Public Health, or with another approved department, school, or university. In addition to course work, the Community Organization and Social Administration Concentration includes two field placements linked to integrative seminars, and a small number of electives. If desired, the student may use the electives for an add-on specialty in either human service organizing or economic development organizing. Urban policy analysis is the focus of the second human behavior course that is required for all Master of Social Work students. This course puts emphasis on issues of poverty, race, gender, and ethnicity as they affect social environment.
Students also take concentration-related courses in social policy and research methodology.
The School of Social Work expects an expanded role for community organizers in the future. As stated above, the Community Organizer major offers specializations in Human Services Organizing and Economic Development Organizing. The focus of this specialty is to develop in social workers who are community organizers the ability to organize within and among service providers on issues of service delivery coordination, cooperative program development, and funding collaboration, as well as issue advocacy and coalition building. As a specialty, human services organizing seeks to blend the skills of general social work practice with planning, administration, and community organizing knowledge. More than ever the human services represent a community in need of cooperation and coordination among diverse fields of expertise and specialized services.