MSW Programs in Rhode Island

Rhode Island, located in New England, is the smallest state in the United States. Even though the state is the smallest in size, it is the second most densely populated in the nation, after New Jersey (1). It may be small, but the state has a beautiful coastline and a varied population, from cultured intellectuals to a rugged, salt-of-the-earth middle class. Approximately 13.2 percent of the population living in poverty (2).

One of the original Thirteen Colonies, Rhode Island boasts the lengthiest name of all the states: State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (3).

A Changing Population With Shifting Needs

Rhode Island’s population remains stagnant (no growth in population), but the residents of the state are still aging – leading to a larger and larger percentage of seniors in the state (15 percent of the population is 65 or over) (4). Supporting the aging population has become a state-wide area of emphasis, as the younger people in the state are leaving, but the older citizens are staying (5). The Rhode Island State Department of Elderly Affairs State Plan on Aging is part of the state’s effort to allocate funding to senior services, which should open up jobs for social workers in this area (6).

Poverty is also a challenge for social workers in the state. In 2003, only 11 percent of the children in the state were living in poverty; as of 2013, 20 percent of the children under the age of 18 are living in poverty (7). The state also has a high rate of deaths by drug overdose. This number rose by 23 percent from 2012 to 2013 (8).

According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island’s minority population is increasing rapidly (an increase of 31.1 percent between 2001 and 2010). Most of the minority population in the state is Latino, primarily Puerto Rican in descent (9). If you are interested in working with Latino communities, you will find opportunities in the state.

Studying Social Work

Are you considering staying in state for your education? According to the 2014 US News & World Report school rankings, Rhode Island College’s School of Social Work is ranked number 89 in the nation. It is the only school in the state that offers a master’s in social work program (10).

Seeing as Rhode Island is such a small state, you may want to look into options in surrounding New England States as well. In particular, Massachusetts has several graduate social work programs that rank in the top 50 programs in the nation. You will want to check licensure requirements to ensure reciprocity between the states or work with a faculty advisor to ensure the work you complete at an out-of-state school will also meet the requirements of the state of Rhode Island.

When you are done with school and are ready to enter the workforce, you will want to look into the possibility of finding a position that qualifies you for the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC). If you find a job working in a “Health Professional Shortage Area” (HPSA), you may be eligible for loan forgiveness up to $20,000 per year.

Rhode Island also sponsors state-specific loan forgiveness programs for social workers. You can apply for the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) if you are working as a licensed clinical social worker or as a mental health professional.

Ample Employment Opportunities

Wondering what sorts of job opportunities are available in Rhode Island? According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, some of the best opportunities lie in healthcare (11). The median salary for healthcare social workers in Rhode Island is $62,600, which is significantly higher than that the national average of $50,800, and higher than the state’s average median household income of $56,102 (12). While only 450 people are currently employed as healthcare social workers in the state, job growth is anticipated at a rate of 22 percent (13).

Of the 3,200 social workers employed in the state, 1,900 work as child, family or school social workers. They make a median salary of $59,300 per year and can expect job growth at the rate of seven percent (14).

Mental health and substance abuse social workers make the least of the social workers in the state, bringing in a median salary of $54,300, but job opportunities are on the rise. About 780 people are employed in this sector and job growth is expected at a rate of 18 percent (15).

Licensure and Professional Development Resources

• National Association of Social Workers, Rhode Island Chapter
• State of Rhode Island Department of Health (Healthcare Licensing)

Rhode Island Colleges and Universities Offering Master’s in Social Work Degrees

• Rhode Island College (MSW)

Sources Cited

1. State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44000.html
2. State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44000.html
3. Constitution of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 2007. State of Rhode island State Assembly. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/RiConstitution/ConstFull.html
4. State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44000.html
5. Report Predicts Little Growth, Aging Population in RI Over 30 Years, 2013. Providence Journal. http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20130822-report-predicts-little-growth-aging-population-in-ri-over-30-years.ece
6. State Plan on Aging, 2011-2015. State of Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs. http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/livable-communities/plan/planning/rhode-island-state-plan-on-aging-2011-2015-aarp.pdf
7. State Data: Rhode Island, 2014. America’s Health Rankings. http://www.americashealthrankings.org/RI
8. Drug Overdose Deaths in R.I. Up 23% Over 2013, 2014. Providence Journal. http://www.providencejournal.com/news/health/20140501-drug-overdose-deaths-in-r.i.-up-23-over-2013.ece
9. Rhode Island’s Health Assessment and Health Improvement Plan, 2014. Rhode Island Department of Health. http://www.health.ri.gov/publications/healthassessments/RI2014.pdf
10. 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=rhode+island&program_rank=Any&sort=&sortdir=
11. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211022&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=44&search=Go
12. State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau.  http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44000.html
13. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211022&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=44&search=Go
14. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211021&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=44&search=Go
15. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211023&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=44&search=Go