Clinical social workers recognize that the problems an individual suffers frequently reflect larger issues in his or her community. In order to help the individual, it may be necessary to effect change at societal level. With this focus, Simmons’s M.S.W./Urban Leadership Program helps clinical social work students develop the skills and confidence to be effective leaders in the organizations and communities they serve.
Overview
Developed in collaboration with the School of Social Work’s urban agency partners, our innovative Urban Leadership Program integrates community leadership and clinical social work skills — including public speaking, fundraising, program development, social policy, and an understanding of how to work with diverse constituencies. Coursework, internships, and leadership projects emphasize diversity and multicultural issues in urban communities and allow students to engage their own passions and interests in addressing services to under-served urban populations. ULP students also are encouraged to develop lifelong learning plans that include leadership development.
The Urban Leadership Program attracts a diverse group of students — including human service workers, ministers, Department of Social Services employees, and educators. Many students are seasoned professionals. All share a commitment to advancing social justice and addressing the needs of clients, organizations, communities, and the profession.
Program Requirements
Urban Leadership students earn a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), plus a certificate in urban leadership in clinical social work. During the first year, two leadership courses taken concurrently with the field internship allow students explore their own leadership skills, build a theoretical understanding of leadership, and practice specific leadership skills in the classroom and community. Second year field placements are tailored to include a hands-on “leadership” project that requires students to identify a “larger systems” obstacle to service delivery in their placement agency, develop an intervention plan, and take leadership for facilitating change that benefits the agency and the community it serves. In addition, the curriculum includes four required mini courses: community politics, oral presentation skills, grant writing, and one elective. Full-time students can complete the program in two academic years. Summer classes provide a flexible, extended study option.
Read more about ULP Course Requirements.
Partner Agencies
SSW partner agencies play a significant role in the development of the Urban Leadership Program, offering feedback and direction in the development of curriculum. Our partner agencies also provide students for the program, as well as staff who function as adjunct faculty. Many partner agencies (**) also offer placement settings for ULP students. Note: ULP students have access to the full range of placements available to M.S.W. students and are not limited to the partner agencies. However, there are a few settings that are not congruent with the mission of the program. For detailed descriptions of agencies that offer placements, please contact the Field Education department.
- AIDS Action Committee, Inc.**
- Casa Myrna Vazquez, Inc.**
- Children’s Hospital
- Cornu Management**
- Dimock Community Health Center**
- Family Service Association of Greater Boston**
- Home for Little Wanderers**
- Latin American Health Institute**
- Lena Park Community Center
- Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers
- Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
- Massachusetts Department of Social Services**
- Multicultural Training Collaborative – Massachusetts Department of Mental Health**
- Pastoral Counseling Center at Trinity Church, Boston**
- South End Health Center**
- United Homes for Children, Inc.**
- Victory Programs**
- Wediko Children’s Services**
- Whittier Street Health Center**
- Youth Service Provider Network - Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston**
About Our Graduates
Urban Leadership graduates work in such areas as child welfare, corrections, disaster response, housing, juvenile justice, hospitals, community mental health, school social work and public policy. Many are engaged in social policy work, community activism, or entrepreneurial ventures that address the specific needs of the diverse populations they serve.
Alumni career examples:
- Ombudsman for the Massachusetts Department of Social Services
- Community Support Specialist, Community Connections, Washington, D.C.
- Regional planning director for Caregiver Alliance of Suffolk County, Massachusetts
- Social Worker in Massachusetts General Hospital’s department of psychiatry
- Founder/CEO of Osiris Group Mental Health Provider, Roxbury, Massachusetts
- Constituency services coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
- Management and policy analyst for the Administration for Children and families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.
- Social worker with the mobile community support team of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York City
- Family and student support team director for the Boston Renaissance Charter School
Program Support
The Boston Foundation, The Deborah Noonan Trust, Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation, Bank of America, N. A., Trustee, and John Hancock Financial Services provide support for the Urban Leadership Program. We are grateful for their belief in our program, their financial support, and their engagement of our students in some exciting projects for the City of Boston.
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UL Handbook
Urban Leadership Brochure
SSW Viewbook
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more information
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