Adelphi University School of Social Work

📣 ACTION ALERT: Tell Congress That Social Work Degrees Are Professional Degrees

SSWR has joined leading national social work organizations in urging the U.S. Department of Education to recognize Master of Social Work (MSW) and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees as professional degrees under federal law.

Why does this matter? The designation affects the federal student loan limits available to students pursuing these degrees. Restricting access to federal financing could make graduate social work education less accessible and further strain the pipeline into a workforce that is already essential to behavioral health, child welfare, schools, health care, aging services, and communities across the country.

MSW and DSW degrees meet the Department’s criteria for professional degrees. Now we need Congress to help make that clear.

We’re asking social work researchers, educators, practitioners, students, and advocates to contact their U.S. Representatives and Senators and urge them to:

1. Support recognition of MSW and DSW degrees as professional degrees
2. Protect access to federal student loans for social work students
3. Consider the workforce consequences of limiting access to graduate social work education

Your voice matters. Share your story and help protect the future of the social work workforce.

Read more and learn how to take action: https://tinyurl.com/y7vhpdvh

Proud to celebrate this scholarship from our School of Social Work Community! https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41134-026-00478-z

This is a great scholarship opportunity for students working in child welfare!

NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship | HESC Scholarships for employees of NY State-licensed child welfare not-for-profit agencies to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree.

The AUSSW community is very proud to announce that two of our own have been appointed to Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) governance groups, with both terms beginning July 1.

Renee M. Rawcliffe, LMSW, Director of Continuing Education and Professional Development and PhD candidate, has been appointed as a member of the CSWE Council on Environmental Justice and Human Rights (CEJHR) for a 3-year term. A council of the Commission on Global Social Work Education, CEJHR provides leadership for the advancement of human rights and the rights of nature, educates social workers about the global environmental crisis and the disproportionate impact of climate change on communities and ecologies, and identifies policy mechanisms to protect the earth, nature, and peoples across the globe.

Elizabeth (Liz) Szpilka, LMSW, Director of Outreach, Enrollment & Professional Advisement and DSW student, has been appointed Chair of the CSWE Council on Conferences and Faculty Development, following two years of service as a member of the council. A council of the Commission on Membership and Professional Development, CCFD is the volunteer body responsible for making policy and programming recommendations to CSWE leadership related to CSWE's Annual Conference and other faculty development programs.

Congratulations to you both! Council on Social Work Education

Wishing everyone a happy, safe, and joyful Pride Month! We are proud to support and celebrate our LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve. Today and every day, love wins!

Honoring the brave today and every day. Wishing us all a peaceful Memorial Day.

Congrats to the class of 2026, and especially our BSW graduates !! Pictured here, from L to R: Dr. Varghese, Nazia, Olivia, Kaylee, Dr. Rozario, Cassidy, Bethzaida, Sam, and Dr. Rich! We are SO proud of you all!!!

Today is the day!!!
Tag us in your photos!
YOU DID IT!!
Congratulations, Class of 2026!