Community and Organizational Practice specializations can be found in a large number of social work programs at universities all over the country. This degree program can help introduce students to topics that may be relevant to social change, methods for reviewing and changing social policy, and the benefits of partnerships among organizations within the community.
Learning these skills can help to shape knowledgeable and dedicated professionals ready to tackle any issues found within their neighborhoods.
Our team of educational experts has years of experience in researching educational programs just like this one. The information providing by them in this guide should be helpful to you along your search.
What is Organizational and Community Social Work?
People that have pinpointed this degree program as an option for their future should begin their journey with reviewing what is available to them within their area.
Students can choose from traditional or online degree programs for their education, each of these options providing their own benefits to students with varying needs.
What exactly is Community and Organizational Practice and how does it differ from other similar social work specializations? Since there are so many different concentration options in the field of social work, it may be important to make sure that you are choosing the right one for your skills.
Community and Organizational Practice was created for go-getters that are interested in improving their communities through program planning, organizational partnerships, and networking within the community.
As you read through our guide below, we encourage you to consider what you are seeking from you educational program in comparison to what is currently available for you to choose from.
The need for lasting social prosperity may be apparent in all areas of the United States. There are several different professional fields that work towards providing communities with support that can assist with providing better environments for people to function. In the field of social work, there may be several different degree distinctions that can help you obtain positions working with communities in need.
Online Organizational and Community Practice MSW Programs
If you have been searching for degree programs, you may have noticed that there are a lot of online degree programs popping up all over the country in the field of social work. This type of degree option has helped make it possible for people with all types of lifestyles to enroll in and complete the degree program of their dreams. These degree programs consist of courses that can be completed completely online, and also contain flexible elements that can be ideal for busy professionals or those with little free time to spend in a classroom.
Through a simple internet search, you can see just how dense the availability of online degrees really is. Schools all over the country may realize the benefit to offering online educational programs since they can make draw in more applicants due to their ease of use.
There are definitely some factors to consider before choosing your degree. In the field of social work, most professionals choose to become licensed after achieving their degree. In order to become licensed, you would need to graduate from an accredited degree program.
Find CSWE Accredited MSW Programs
Accreditation for online degree programs in Community and Organizational Practice is completed by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This organization lists currently accredited online degree program through its website, which can be a helpful tool to use as you search for the best degree program.
If you are looking at a degree program without proper accreditation, you could be compromising your ability to become licensed after your graduation and experience requirement. Check out some of the top online and accredited Community and Organizational Practice degrees below.
More Online BSW and MSW Programs:
- Indiana Wesleyan University
Online Bachelors in Social Work - Online Full-Time and Part-Time Options Available
- California State University at Northridge
Online Masters in Social Work - Online Full-Time Program Available
Finding a Community Focused MSW Specialization
Depending on where you look, your degree program could come under a different name or consist of related specializations in a slightly different form. All over the country, different school typically have varying names for their specializations that can become intertwined and confusing for students interested in pursuing a common goal.
If you are generally interested in macro social work positions that can help you achieve your goal of working with communities, take a look at some of these related concentrations that can assist you in meeting your goals.
- Community Development MSW Programs
- Community Management Social Work
- Urban Management and Regional Studies MSW
Community and Organizational Practice BSW Degrees
The CSWE is currently responsible for accrediting both online bachelors and masters programs in the U.S. Through this agency, you can find a bachelors program that can set you on track for success in the field of social work.
At the bachelors level, students are introduced to the most basic elements of social work, such as communication, laws, policies, and current social issues. All of this information can work as a foundation for what is gained in later degree programs.
Learn more about online BSW programs.
In order to make your search a little easier, our team of experts has pulled a few accredited online bachelors programs and listed them below. Each of these programs can be a great way to gain some experience in the field of social work and prepare for masters-level programs in the future.
Online Bachelor’s in Social Work programs can be your first step to becoming licensed as a bachelors level social worker. You can gain experience working at this license level and possibly have the option of enrolling in advanced standing masters programs in the future.
- Huntington UniversityOnline Bachelors in Social Work – Online Full-Time Option Available
- Humboldt State UniversityOnline Bachelors in Social Work – Online Full-Time and Part-Time Options Available
Master’s Degrees
Students that are interested in working in a particular position after graduating and becoming licensed are encouraged to explore different concentration options that can help them along the way. One of the most important factors about Community and Organizational Practice is that is may require students to have knowledge of both individual practice within social work and policy development.
In order to make changes that can affect entire populations, social work professionals must be able to analyze the needs of individuals within their community and plan for programs that can positively change conditions for the majority of people involved.
Learn more about online MSW programs.
Online Community and Organizational Practice MSW
The Masters in Community and Organizational Practice is a degree program that can introduce students to the various skills that may be necessary for implementing widespread change. Enrolling in this degree program online can allow students to learn more about each feature of community development from the comfort of their own home.
In the next section, you can read about course work that may be present within this program that can contribute to how well you perform for those that you serve. The list below shows you a few example schools that can be reliable sources for your masters degree.
- Fordham UniversityOnline Masters in Social Work – Community Based Practice and Leadership – Online Full-Time, Part-Time, and Advanced Standing Options Available
- Michigan State UniversityOnline Masters in Social Work – Community Leadership – Online Part-Time Options Available
Typical Master’s Coursework to Expect
Some people choose to read a job description in order to determine what type of work they would prefer to do after graduation. In a description, you can learn about the skills needed to perform a job and what your employer would ask of you if you were hired. Should people do the same thing for degree programs? Reading further into the actual curriculum can help you comprehend what exactly might be asked of you once enrolled, introduce you to the different topics and courses you can take, and help you prepare for the start of courses beforehand.
Listed below, our team has provided some common course descriptions. As you read through this information, you should take into consideration what these courses might look like in the online setting. Most courses provided students with outside resources and course assignments that can help extend experience within each subject area, as well as open discussion and exams to help ingrain the information. Different degree programs may have varying course titles and descriptions, but generally cover the same elements that may be required for accreditation.
- Social Work Practice in CommunitiesIndividual practice professionals interested in working within their own communities can use this course to learn more about common community practice services and guidelines currently used in society today. Instructors of this course may allow students to independently investigate the needs of the own communities in order to brainstorm potential agencies of social services that could benefit the people around them. The laws and policies surrounding community social work may also be covered.
- Health Resources AdministrationStudents that are considering individual practice in the field of social work, specifically healthcare social work, may desire to learn more about healthcare services and how they are delivered to the public. While enrolled in this class, students should receive a deeper instruction of healthcare services in the U.S., how they are organized in healthcare centers and medical facilities, and methods for determining proper methods of care. Students may also take a look at how treatment relates to patient insurance, as well alternative treatment methods that can be more financially acceptable to social work clients.
- Social Services in the School EnvironmentBefore professionals can indulge in working with clients in the public domain, it may be important to investigate the role of the social worker in different environments. In the field of education, social workers may work to ensure that children have access to needed services, have a go-to professional with issues at home or in the classroom, and have advocacy services available when needed. This course can educate future professionals about partnerships with schools and state agencies for this purpose.
Social Work Careers for Organizational and Community LCSWs
The practice element of this degree program promotes hands-on work in organizations or groups that are determined to make a positive difference. Whether it be for widespread health screenings, better educational programs, or child abuse prevention, each community may have a different need that can be fulfilled by social work professionals. The role of the social worker in this field can be extremely diverse. We have listed a few of the common job responsibilities of professionals in this field below.
- Partnering with City Government Agents for Change
- Interviewing/Collecting Data from Local Communities
- Proposing Services as a Solution to Social Issues
- Implementing New Services and Programs to Communities
- Management of Social Service Agencies
- Supporting and Pursuing Policy Changes
What Types of Jobs or Careers?
Before you even decide on what type of degree program you could pursue, you should look inside yourself to determine what you wish to get out of a college education. Do you want to work for a city council responsible for making large decisions for your community? Maybe you are interested in working for government agencies that conduct social research in an effort to change policy. These are just a couple of options that may be available to social workers in the field. There are numerous available career options that could be fitting for licensed social workers with the desire to make widespread improvements within their community.
Our team has taken the time to review some of the most popular career options for graduates within this field. While the 3 listed below are just a small percentage of what is available, the information below can help you visualize what work in the field might look like with this degree. If one or more of the sample positions looks like something that might be of interest to you, this could definitely be a degree field for you to consider.
- Policy DevelopmentPeople that work in the community setting may be more aware of how time can change society. These professionals can be great representatives when the need for policy change arises. If you are interested in working in policy development, you might pursue careers at the community level that are focused on identifying the need for new policies and advocating for change through the proper agencies. This type of career can potentially have a great effect on the field of social work as a whole.
- Community Improvement DirectorWhen a need has been identified within a community, teams are often put together to help with the planning of new programs, businesses, and organizations. Improvement directors can work as experts to coordinate what types of services could be the most beneficial for what is needed among citizens. Part of the work for this career may involve consulting with social work agencies, conducting interviews, and developing a meaningful improvement plan from the data received.
- City ManagementIn cities all over the country, city management professionals may be needed to help during the planning and implementation of new and innovative services. These professionals may be responsible for meeting with social service organizations, speaking with the public, and playing a leading role in the planning of needed services within their area. Professionals in this professional area may also partner with state agencies to determine funding for projects that can bring programs to their communities.
