Global Opportunities
Social Work is a Global Profession
The need for social work is universal. More countries are turning to the profession to address not only ordinary human struggles but also the consequences of social inequality, human dislocation, and other structural conditions. How social work is practiced in communities around the world is shaped by local cultures, customs, and policies. NYU Silver offers an array of global learning and research opportunities through which students are immersed in different cultures; examine the distinct values, ethics, ideologies, and approaches to social work practice; and develop cross-cultural competencies and perspective.
A Unique Social Work Degree for Global Practice
Our MSW Program at Shanghai and New York is the only MSW program of an American university in China. It educates students for global social work in a deep way, reflecting on cultural, social, political, and economic similarities and differences across these two countries. Through our generalist practice curriculum in Shanghai and specialized practice curriculum in New York City, students study and conduct practicum work in two complex and dynamic urban environments, and receive individualized attention with small class sizes, full support for cross-cultural learning, and access to the vast resources and services at both campuses.
Intensive Study Away Courses
During January, Spring Break, and the Summer term we offer a range of courses in cities around the world
The profession of social work seeks to promote social justice through the equitable provision of benefits and services to assist all individuals, families, and communities. Advocacy for federal social welfare policies, or “policy practice,” has been and remains an important professional activity. This course provides students the opportunity to enhance their policy analysis and advocacy skills around key social welfare policy issues relevant to individuals and communities served by social workers and to engage in legislative action on Capitol Hill.
Learn more about our study away course in Washington, DC
Global social workers must understand varied theories and ideas related to anti-oppressive practice in different countries, grasp the broad historical context of global policy in the U.S. and the world, and understand the role social work plays in anti-oppressive policy and practice given that context. This Advanced Diversity Racism, Oppression & Privilege (DROP) elective, which begins with coursework at NYU’s Washington Square campus and continues with an immersive, service learning component in Accra, Ghana, prepares students for global anti-oppressive policy and practice.
Understanding the commonalities and differences in the U.S. and U.K. social welfare states helps social workers to influence policy in both contexts. This course, offered every other year, takes a cross-cultural and cross-national approach to social policy, focusing specifically on racial and gender equity and mental health policy. Based in England, Wales, and Scotland, it explores differing values and ideology. Informed by our MSW program’s critical frameworks, the course considers how these differences relate to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Learn more about our study away course in The United Kingdom
Buenos Aires, Argentina | Core Concepts in Child and Adolescent Trauma
This course, held in a country that was collectively traumatized by a brutal military dictatorship, focuses on the impact of trauma on the child, adolescent, and family, and provides a foundation for assessment, crisis intervention, and treatment. The curriculum is based on twelve guiding core concepts about trauma and utilizes a problem-based learning approach, in which in-depth case studies about the impact of trauma are presented so that students experience “real” cases as they actually unfold in practice. Access this video, in which Clinical Professor Diane Mirabito speaks about the course and then learn more about this study away opportunity at NYU Buenos Aires.
Both study abroad trips I took ‒ Scotland for international policy and Israel for treatment of children of substance-dependent parents ‒ were critical to my personal and professional development.
A Student’s View on Studying Abroad: “Do it if you can!”
Natalie Asalgado, MSW ’20, and 17 classmates traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for our ten-day course on Core Concepts in Child and Adolescent Trauma taught by Clinical Professor Diane Mirabito. Through class sessions at NYU Buenos Aires and site visits to youth-serving agencies across the city, Natalie and her peers enhanced their understanding of traumatic stress responses in children and families and how trauma influences children's lives. According to Natalie, "Study away opportunities provide unique, immersive experiences that enhance our classroom learning I loved learning new subject material in a new environment... When I was in Buenos Aires, I could be fully present to process the course material and get to know my professor and my classmates on a more personal level."
