In Syracuse and throughout Onondaga County, the value of the social work profession is clear and apparent in the lives of every struggling family and any individual grappling with job loss or substance use disorder. The good works they do are what make governmental agencies like the Department of Social Services effective in reaching county residents with direct economic support — Bureaus within the DSS are aimed at services for the elderly, children and family services, civil rights, veterans services, mental health and more, all specialty areas within the domain of social work.
The important work social workers are doing throughout Onondaga County can also be seen in nonprofits like the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities, in the public school system, in the courts and corrections system, and in the hospital and healthcare systems serving the people of Syracuse and the broader Onondaga Country area.
The Syracuse Center for Peace and Social Justice Re-doubles its Commitment to Progressive Social Change
Onondaga County’s social justice efforts are widespread and always growing. Agencies and organizations like the Syracuse Center for Peace and Social Justice provide platforms that bring communities together to rail against discrimination and injustice and achieve progressive social change.
The Center isn’t just an agency for social change. It serves as a landing spot for similar organizations looking to erase disparities in society and support the protection of rights for marginalized populations. These include:
- Workers’ Center of Central New York (WCCNY) – A community-based organization focused on building worker power and improving economic and workplace conditions. They address issues like fair wages and workplace safety by achieving structural and policy changes.
- Black Lives Matter Syracuse – The Syracuse chapter of Black Lives Matter is part of this major, abolition-centered foundation that seeks to eliminate institutional injustice again black people on a global scale.
- UNCHAINED – This nonprofit organization aims to create new and effective policies that break the cycle of incarceration.
- Public Citizen – This nonprofit consumer advocacy organization works to ensure that government works best for people and not big corporations. Some of the issues they focus on include the delivery of safe and affordable healthcare; citizen access to the courts; and corporate accountability in trade.
- AGREE – This organization advocates for a renewable energy-based economy. Through their Renewable Heat Now Campaign, AGREE works with organizations across the Empire State to find ways to eliminate fossil fuel heating.
- Syracuse Peace Council – This anti-war/social justice organization, which was founded about 90 years ago, seeks to create a world that’s free of war, violence, and exploitation.
- New York Immigration Coalition – This umbrella policy and advocacy organization represents more than 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout the state. NYIC serves as a forum for voicing concerns and driving positive social change.
The Path to Serving the Communities of Onondaga County to the Fullest Extent Runs Through an MSW and State Licensure
It’s perfectly feasible to build a social work career in Syracuse on the back of a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), and many do. It provides exceptional preparation for a lot of important work being done in the field every day. But to make the biggest impact in the field and enjoy the broadest range of career opportunities, you’ll want to earn a license that allows you to provide direct counseling services to people and families struggling with mental health disorders, substance use, and other behavioral problems. That means earning the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) designation through the New York State Education Department. The primary difference between the two being that the LCSW allows for independent practice and the provision of clinical counseling services, while LMSW-holders must be supervised when working in this capacity.
Whether you pursue the LMSW or the LCSW, there’s only one degree that will get you there: the Master of Social Work (MSW). More specifically, you’ll need to earn an MSW that’s accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). For many, that path begins by earning a BSW. Although you can also qualify for admission into a traditional MSW by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology or almost any other human services-related field, the BSW is often the degree of choice, as it affords graduates the opportunity to qualify for advanced standing admission in MSW programs. This cuts the time it takes to earn the degree down to just one year, versus two years for a traditional MSW.
In addition to the online social work degree programs now widely available in Onondaga County, Syracuse University offers both a BSSW and MSW:
Syracuse University
David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, School of Social Work
Syracuse, NY
MSW (online, on-campus)
Also Offers:
- BSSW
- JD-MS in Social Work
Syracuse University’s School of Social Work, part of the Falk College, offers a dynamic MSW program with both online and on-campus options. Students can choose between Advanced Clinical Practice and Advanced Integrated Practice tracks, preparing them to work in a wide range of professional settings. The BSSW program provides undergraduates with a strong foundation in generalist social work practice. Syracuse’s comprehensive curriculum is complemented by extensive field placement opportunities with nearly 200 human service agencies, ensuring that students gain practical experience that prepares them well for the road ahead.