Humans need an ecological understanding of their place in the natural environment to promote personal health and well-being, environmental awareness, sense of belonging in a community, sustainability, resilience and advocacy. If creating connections among humans, animals and the environment interests you, then consider a master of social work (MSW) degree with a concentration in Sustainable Development & Global Practice.
Coursework and specialized field education will prepare you for a career in environmental social work or international social work, where you’ll deal with such social and environmental justice issues as access to food, water and housing, and human and environmental consequences of conflict. You’ll develop your skills in assessment, community engagement, education, health promotion, mobilization, organizing, poverty reduction, environmental preservation and capacity building. You will learn about local and global policies and laws relevant to humane treatment of humans and animals, human security, sustainable development strategies in countries emerging from conflict, conservation of nature, biodiversity and sustainability, and land and water use.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GSSW now offers additional start dates and program tracks for the Two-Year and Advanced-Standing Denver Campus MSW Programs. Start the program in September 2020 or January 2021. Learn More and Apply Now.
Your Career Options
With an MSW concentration in Sustainable Development & Global Practice, your social work career could include:
- Applying the concepts of One Health in settings that address the relationships among humans, other animals and the natural environment
- Working with nongovernmental organizations and local, regional and national governments on sustainable development projects such as food scarcity, food security and food justice
- Working on projects connected to economic development locally, nationally and internationally
- Working on issues connected to refugees both domestically and internationally
- Developing policy related to One Health in organizations such as the Red Cross and refugee resettlement programs
Featured Courses
SOWK 4759
Global Cultural Perspectives: Consensus and Conundrums
About this Course
Social workers increasingly practice in global communities both nationally and internationally. Changes in practice environments demand that social work practitioners are informed citizens of comparative cultures and societies. This course examines the values and ethics of social work practice in a global context of power, privilege and oppression. Course materials and educational experiences are used to challenge students to examine ethical and value-based conundrums when practicing in global settings and to develop practice skills to enhance the health, well-being and sustainability of communities. Through the use of case studies, critical thinking, cultural inventories and reflexivity the course supports and challenges students' personal growth and professional practice.
SOWK 4360
Social-Ecological Resilience and One Health: Connecting Human and Environmental Wellbeing
About this Course
Social-Ecological Resilience and One Health: Connecting Human and Environmental Wellbeing is a required theory for practice course in the Sustainable Development and Global Practice Concentration. This course builds on an innovative social ecology perspective that emphasizes coupled social-ecological systems and the integrated model of One Health as necessary theoretical frameworks for understanding the inter-connectedness of human health, wellbeing and resilience with that of other species and the natural environment. This course reviews and analyzes theoretical concepts and models for contextualizing the important social and ecological issues impacting our global environment as well as the societal implications of global environmental change. Using an integrated social science approach that highlights sustainable development as a paradigm that acknowledges the interdependence and interconnection between humans and the more-than-human world, social workers practicing in local and global communities will be prepared to implement effective, strengths-based solutions to support sustainable development and capacity-building efforts at various scales. This course will promote critical thinking and develop a knowledge base for sustainability and resilience oriented prevention and intervention strategies, environmental awareness, sense of belonging in a social-ecological community, adaptation and advocacy.
SOWK 4565
Social and Environmental Impact Assessments
About this Course
Social and environmental impact assessments are important tools for analyzing and managing both the intended and unintended consequences of development projects on human and ecological systems in order to bring about a more equitable and sustainable social ecological system. This class incorporates an understanding of the history and concepts of the three levels of impact assessments (micro, mezzo, and macro) into the research process that is the core of social impact assessments. Students prepare and evaluate social ecological impact assessments through learning to identify and define problems, select theoretical frameworks appropriate to the problem, identify research questions, design a study appropriate for the identified questions, gather and analyze data, and write the final assessment. Particular attention is paid to assessing the effects of interventions on vulnerable populations. Other topics will focus on the practical aspects of project team selection and management, timelines, and the communication of findings to stakeholders.
Learn more about the Sustainable Development & Global Practice curriculum.
Application Information
September 2020 Start 2Y & AS Denver Campus MSW Program Final Application Deadline
