As social problems become more globally intertwined, the need for social workers who can address issues in a broader, more comprehensive context has become essential. Monmouth\u2019s Global and Community Practice (GCP) specialization will give you the opportunity to address the concerns and needs of communities, organizations, and groups in local and global contexts through the development of specialized assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation skills relative to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The GCP specialization augments generalist social work practice and is grounded in the values of the professional service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Community practice involves taking planned action to build and strengthen capacity to address unjust systems and collective concerns of people in communities, groups, and organizations through supporting and developing local and global leadership. Community practitioners engage and collaborate with local and global stakeholders to meet their community\u2019s needs and to thrive in the context of shifting social, economic, and environmental arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Global and community practice encompasses macro and mezzo dimensions of social work practice in communities; this specialization is referred to as a form of macro social work practice. Within this specialization, you will develop the practice skills, knowledge, and experience necessary for practice emphasizing the interconnectedness of local and global communities such as advocacy, community organizing, program planning and development, and administrative leadership. Moreover, you will benefit from being taught by our skilled faculty, who are engaged globally through involvement with the International Federation of Social Workers at the United Nations and the International Red Cross, as well as through local organizations in Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex counties of New Jersey. Of note, Monmouth\u2019s School of Social Work helps to organize the annual Social Work Day at the United Nations conference.<\/p>\n\n\n
During the fieldwork portion of the curriculum, you will have the chance to put your coursework into practice as you encounter opportunities to develop effective programs, advocate for policy changes, work with community groups to build capacity, develop peer-based support systems, design and implement social media campaigns, raise funds through grant-writing, plan and implement events, provide prevention education and community outreach, and more \u2013 depending on your field location(s) and focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Internships are available locally, throughout New Jersey, and in the Philadelphia and New York City areas. In the spring semester of the specialization year, students can go abroad for their field internship to Costa Rica, Vietnam, Guatemala, and Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A small sample of the internships that some of our recent graduates were placed in includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Global and Community Practice (GCP) specialization is offered entirely online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ready to apply to Monmouth\u2019s MSW program? Start your application today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n