A Note from our Director
James R. Reinardy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Director
School of Social Work
In 1917 the first classes were offered in a program called "The Training Course for Social and Civic Work." Social Work was a new profession and the University of Minnesota was the first public university to offer courses in this new field. Today we teach many different approaches to social work. Students learn to work with individuals, families, groups and communities. They learn to make and change social policy. They learn to organize, create new systems of services, and evaluate old ones. They also add new knowledge to the profession.
We are proud of the fact that our students go on to be leaders in the profession as agency directors, heads of professional organizations, and consultants. Thousands of graduates are in practice in the state and around the world. We have consistently maintained a commitment to public social services.Equally important has been our work in social justice and strengthening cultural competency among our faculty and students.
We are consistently ranked as one of the top schools of social work in the country. Excellent financial aid is available to our students through fellowships and paid internships. Minnesota offers a laboratory of one of the richest social service communities in the world. Field placements exist in traditional agencies, new areas of practice, and in international locations.
We hope that you will become a part of the School of Social Work.