Social Change and Innovation

Social Change and Innovation focuses on designing social change and leading innovation. The curriculum prepares students to improve living conditions and work environments for individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities on a larger scale.

Students will acquire the knowledge and cultivate skills to lead and implement sustainable social change for good. Practicing with this track** includes influencing laws, legislation and institutional practices and policies that impact them. It provides cross-disciplinary training that will inspire new ways of understanding and tackling society's most pressing issues, including homelessness, human trafficking, substance use and poverty, often through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Social Change and Innovation offers students flexibility in designing their career paths, which may include nonprofit management, public affairs, community organizing, corporate social responsibility or human resources. It may also include becoming a licensed clinical social worker and leading employee assistance programs.

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.