Written by Ryan Rabac
In recent years the Department of Veterans Affairs has seen dramatic growth in the need for social workers to care for returning veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Complex issues like traumatic brain injuries, physical disabilities, and Post-Traumatic Stress make for meaningful careers for social workers specializing in care for veterans.
The Bachelor of Science in Social Work and the Master of Social Work program at the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics train students to respond to medical crises, substance abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, and many other areas of the human experience that trouble our nation’s veterans. The school’s proximity to a VA Medical Center consistently top-five in patient satisfaction and to Fort Drum, Northern New York’s largest employer, make it easy for the Falk College to integrate its program with veteran and military care.
The Syracuse VA Medical Center employs 70 social workers and many of them are Syracuse University alumni. This connecting between the campus and the VA allows for several internship placements every year for those interested in serving those who have served.
Military families face challenges as well when loved ones are away on deployments, or when they return home and must readjust to civilian life. The field of social work allows for the provision of care for a multitude of the physical and behavioral struggles of human life.
Veterans are not just found at the VA. A social work education that has a component of understanding the military experience is likely to help a social worker prepare for many career paths.
The Bachelor of Science program combines social work studies with liberal arts and social, behavioral, and natural sciences. The Master of Social Work program is two-years and 60 credits, but students who hold a Bachelors degree in Social Work can enroll in an accelerated curriculum. There is also a three-year combined program to earn both a Master of Social Work and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Learn more about admissions at the Falk College here.
Veterans looking to continue their education should consider all of the undergraduate and graduate programs offered by a school committed for over 70 years to serve those who have served. To learn more about what makes Syracuse University is the best college for veterans, visit www.veterans.syr.edu.
Ryan Rabac is an Executive Assistant at the Syracuse University Office of Veterans and Military Affairs currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at the Maxwell School. He holds a B.S. in Political Science and Social Science (May 2014) from Florida State University.