MSW Programs in Connecticut

Connecticut is named after the Connecticut River, which bisects most of the state and is derived from the Algonquian word for “beside the long tidal river (1). Connecticut is the most southern state located in the U.S. northeastern region, New England. It is also the third smallest and yet the 29^th most populous state, being the fourth most densely populated state in the union (2).

The state capital is Hartford, which is the third most populous city in Connecticut with approximately 125,000 residents. The most populous city in Connecticut is Bridgeport, with approximately 147,000 residents (3). Connecticut is known as the state that made the first commercial hamburger (1895), the Polaroid camera (1934) and the helicopter (1939). The first color television (1948) was manufactured and sold in state. Connecticut is also home to The Hartford Courant, the oldest U.S. newspaper still being published (established in 1764) (4).

Connecticut Social Issues

Connecticut appears at first glance to have fewer social problems than most states. Over a third of adults hold a college degree, and close to 90 percent hold a high school diploma or above (5). However, as reported by the Economic Analysis and Research Network, Connecticut ranks second in the nation regarding income disparity, topped only by New York. The top one percent of wage earners in the state make roughly 40 times more than the bottom 99 percent (6). The most populous city in the state, Bridgeport, used to be a manufacturing industry hub, but most of the factories in town have shut down. How has this impacted the community? The upper middle class is moving out of the city, leaving behind a population dealing with increasing poverty and crime-related problems (7).

Substance abuse is also a concern in the state. Admission to substance abuse treatment centers has risen from 47,674 admissions in 2001 to 62,317 admissions in 2011 (8). Over all, Connecticut scores well in terms of healthcare access and availability. However, the State of Connecticut Department of Health has put together a statewide initiative titled “Healthy Connecticut 2020,” which outlines health improvement priorities for the state. The initiative addresses the following issues: poor housing conditions, unhealthy community design, obesity and a variety of other health issues, such as vaccinations for preventable disease, blood pressure and heart health (9).

Healthcare social work positions are expected to increase by 23 percent over the next decade (10), as are mental health and substance abuse social work opportunities (11).

Pursuing Your MSW in Connecticut

If you’d like to get your master’s in social work in state, you’re in luck. According to the 2014 US News & World Report school rankings, the University of Connecticut’s School of Social Work is one of the best in the country, ranking number 37 in the nation. You can also pursue your MSW at Southern Connecticut State University (12).

The University of Connecticut is unique because it offers a wide variety of programs and options. The school prides itself on its methods-based specialization, through which you can choose an education track focused on a specific method, such as casework, community organization, group work or policy administration (13). The school also boasts a wide range of study options, ranging from advanced standing to employed social work programs (14). In addition to the conventional concentrations, U Conn also offers concentrations in urban social work, international issues, or work specific to Latino or African American populations (15).

After you graduate, you may want to see if you can qualify for loan forgiveness programs like the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC) or the Connecticut State Loan Repayment Program (CSLRP). If you can find work in a “Health Professional Shortage Area” (HPSA), you may qualify for loan repayment, which will go a long way towards paying off any loans you may have taken out while pursuing your degree.

Working as a Social Worker in CT

The median income for child, family and school social workers is $61,800 per year, making Connecticut the second highest paying state in the nation for this particular sector of social work positions (16). Job growth in this sector is anticipated to grow at a rate of 13 percent (17). Healthcare social workers can expect to make a median annual income of $62,600, while mental health and substance abuse social workers earn a median income of $57,740 per year (18).

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work and the social service fields in general are expanding rapidly in Connecticut. This combined with high salaries makes this area a desirable place to work (19).

Licensure and Professional Development Resources

• Connecticut Social Work License Requirements
• National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Chapter
• Connecticut Department of Public Health (Licensure)
• Connecticut Association of School Social Workers

Universities offering MSW Programs in Connecticut

• Southern Connecticut State University (MSW Program)
• University of Connecticut (MSW Program)
• University of New Haven (MSW Program)
• University of Saint Joseph (MSW Program)

Sources Cited

1. Origin of State Names. Infoplease.com. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0854966.html
2. United States, 2012. World Atlas Travel. http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/populations/usapopl.htm
3. USA: Connecticut, 2014. City Population. http://www.citypopulation.de/USA-Connecticut.html
4. Connecticut Facts and Trivia, 2014. 50 States.com. http://www.50states.com/facts/conn.htm#.U8MP-I1dXgI
5. State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/09000.html
6. New Report: Income Disparity on the Rise, Especially in Connecticut, 2014. Partnership for Strong Communities. http://www.pschousing.org/news/new-report-income-disparity-rise-especially-ct
7. In Connecticut, Two Sides of a Deep Economic Divide, 2013. National Public Radio. http://www.npr.org/2013/01/17/169509521/in-connecticut-two-sides-of-a-deep-economic-divide
8. State Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment Services, 2001 – 2011. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/DASIS/TEDS2011St_Web.pdf
9. Connecticut DPH State Wide Health Improvement Priorities, 2014. Connecticut Department of Health. http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3130&Q=542346&PM=1
10. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=001000000&soccode=211022&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=09&search=Go#SectionOp3
11. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=001000000&soccode=211023&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=09&search=Go#SectionOp3
12. Graduate School Search, Social Work Programs, 2014. US News and World Report. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/search?spp=10&program=top-social-work-schools&name=&zip=connecticut&program_rank=Any&sort=&sortdir
13. Methods Based Curriculum, 2014. U Conn School of Social Work. http://ssw.uconn.edu/our-programs/msw-program/areas-of-concentration
14. Flexible Study Options, 2014. U Conn School of Social Work. http://ssw.uconn.edu/our-programs/msw-program/flexible-study-options
15. Focused Areas of Study, 2014. U Conn School of Social Work. http://ssw.uconn.edu/our-programs/msw-program/focused-area-of-study
16. Statewide Statistics for Connecticut, 2013. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
17. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=001000000&soccode=211021&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=09&search=Go#SectionOp3
18. Statewide Statistics for Connecticut, 2013. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
19. Statewide Statistics for Connecticut, 2013. Bureau of Labor Statistics.