Winter 2022
School Updates

MSW Program Offers Unique Features at Two Regional Campuses

More than 10,000 alumni have graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. But did you know that nearly 5% of our alumni are graduates of one of Pitt’s regional campuses? The School of Social Work offers a part-time Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program at two of Pitt’s four regional campuses: the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (UPB) and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ).

Started in 2002 and 1998 respectively, UPB and UPJ’s MSW programs have the same academic goals, standards, and requirements as the program at the Pittsburgh campus. The regional programs, however, are structured a little differently. Both
UPB and UPJ’s programs offer a direct practice specialization. UPB students also obtain a children, youth, and families certificate, while UPJ students receive a mental health certificate. Stephanie Eckstrom

Each campus has an MSW program coordinator on site who provides academic advising, field liaison coverage, and community outreach. Stephanie Eckstrom became the UPB MSW program coordinator in 2002. Misha Zorich became the UPJ MSW program coordinator in 2020 after a long tenure on the Pittsburgh campus. Coordinators provide important on-the-ground support to students and help to connect the social work program to other campus activities and initiatives at each regional campus. 

A final unique feature of the regional programs is their cohort-style admissions model, with a new group of students starting the program every two years. Our coordinators have found that the cohort model enhances students’ academic experiences by providing a framework for support, community, and connection. Many students form personal and professional relationships with their cohort that last well beyond graduation.

What are some of the exciting programs or events that you are looking forward to at UPB and UPJ?

“I am very excited to welcome [the members of] Cohort 11 as they start their graduate school journey in August 2022. I hope that we will be able to get back into our annual professional development and network gatherings sponsored by the Pitt-Bradford MSW Alumni Network in collaboration with local entities,” says Eckstrom.

“Our students are collaborating with community
partners on events for the summer. For the fall, we are excited to welcome a new cohort of students and have an in-person meet-and-greet event with the MSW Pitt-Johnstown alumni. I’m also appreciative that the school’s Office of Professional and Continuing Education will continue offering virtual training so all alumni can complete their CE hours from wherever they are located,” says Zorich.Misha Zorich

 

Pitt-Bradford and Pitt-Johnstown’s MSW programs are accepting applications for the fall term through June 30. Please visit socialwork.pitt.edu/admissions for more details.