Master of Social Work Program

MSW Student Association (MSWSA)

The MSWSA is committed to the personal, professional, and academic development of the MSW student body. It promotes service, advocacy, and social events that engage the graduate student community, and provides leadership to meet the unique goals, needs, and concerns of its members.

Upcoming Events:

AIDS Walk Washington - October 4, 2008
On October 4, the MSWSA will join thousands of others in DC to do the 5K walk or timed run.   It is a fund raising walk/run benefiting and produced by Whitman-Walker Clinic. Whitman-Walker Clinic is a non-profit community-based health organization composed of volunteers and staff who provide dependable, high-quality, comprehensive and accessible health care to those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Last year we had a great time and are looking forward to making this a yearly event!

Monthly Snack Breaks
The MSWSA will work with the Social Work Department to provide monthly snack breaks where students can get together before or after classes, socialize, and have some refreshments.

The Campaign for US Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
This year, as part of the MSWSA’s community outreach and service, we would like the student body to become involved in The Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).  On November 20, 1989, The UN General Assembly adopted the CRC.  The CRC is an international convention that defines the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of children.  Although the United States was the lead member state pushing for the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and wrote most of the articles in the Convention, we have not ratified the CRC due to potential conflicts with the constitution and because of opposition by some political and religious groups.  Today, there are over 300 organizations representing the interests of the religious, education, health care, humanitarian, labor, legal, and social service communities that support the ratification of the CRC in the United States. 

There are however, also a small number of political organizations that are portraying the CRC as a threat to American families.  These misconceptions and lack of understandings result in false claims about how international human rights treaties are implemented in the United States.  With the help of Dr. Dennis Ritchie, the MSWSA would like to join Elisabeth Lean, MSW, and The Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the CRC.  To find out more, please visit The Campaign’s website at: www.childrightscampaign.org.  Please look for more information regarding participation with The Campaign to be sent out from the officers of the Student Association throughout the year  and feel free to contact any of us at anytime with any questions or suggestions.