Children, Youth and Families

Students who specialize in Children, Youth and Families are prepared to support children, adolescents and transitional age youth within agencies, institutions, communities, families and other social and organizational contexts.

This track** is for students who want to become licensed clinical social workers helping children, adolescents and transitional age youth with issues pertaining to social welfare, safety, early childhood education, childhood development, juvenile justice and mental health, among other areas.

Whether you are interested in helping victims of abuse, children in foster care or children in school settings, this department will train you in new, evidence-based practices that will prepare you to support the welfare and development of children and implement effective intervention strategies when needed.

Work Settings

The social work profession has a 19% growth rate that is faster than the average for all occupations. Learn more.

**Students complete their specialized coursework and training in integrative social work practice typically in semesters three and four of the MSW curriculum. When completing their specialization, students may select one of five track options that introduces them to practice with a particular client population, setting or system. Tracks consist of six units of integrative practice and three units of integrative assessment and evaluation which can be completed within the existing 48-unit curriculum. Tracks, and the courses comprising them, align with opportunities for graduates' careers in social work practice. Availability of tracks and associated courses during any given academic year is contingent upon minimum enrollment requirements.