About our integrative social work online program
Our Ph.D. program is designed to develop students as advocates and leaders with a mindfulness-based, person-centered, and evidence-informed perspective of social work and community well-being. This is done by examining and analyzing traditional community and societal values and understanding how they translate to the 21st century.
The Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work program offers three specializations:
- Integrative Community Studies Specialization
- Integrative Gerontology Studies Specialization
- Legal Studies Specialization
We also offer the following certificate program:
Our specializations offer deep dives into social services, health care, policy making, and social justice systems to foster change for a better and more balanced society, all within an online doctorate.
What can you do with your degree in social work?
Graduates of Saybrook’s social work program will be prepared to work in a variety of professional fields, including but not limited to:
- Academia
- Social policy
- Public health
- Clinical practice social work
- Social justice
- Higher education and research
- Nonprofits
- Health care administration
The integrative social work program was designed with each of these fields—and others—in mind for any doctoral student. Graduates will be well prepared for the intricacies and nuances of clinical social work and to meet residency requirements, working to make a substantial and positive impact.
What sets Saybrook social work programs apart
Saybrook University was established by leaders in the field of humanistic psychology and quickly branched out. With social welfare in mind, and the understanding that human beings maintain an innate connection to the world around them and each other, our programs are designed to examine interconnectivity so that we can better relate to one another—human to human—in responsible and curious ways.
All of our programs are offered either online or in a hybrid format, which means they are accessible from anywhere in the world and offer students the flexibility they need. For 50 years, Saybrook has empowered its graduates to change the world through its degree programs.
Department of Integrative Social Work Core Values
The Department of Integrative Social Work has adopted a set of personal and professional values that support the mission and core values of the College of Integrative Medicine and Health Science. All members of our academic are expected to embody these qualities.
Mind-Body-Community-Spirit Approach
The department approaches the profession of social work from a holistic and systemic perspective. Human beings, health, and well-being include physical, emotional, community, and spiritual dimensions; neglecting any one dimension undermines the whole.
Mindfulness and Compassion-Based Leadership
Saybrook University social workers create relationships and communities built on compassion, respect, authentic voice, deep listening, reflective awareness, support, and challenge leading to responsible presence and action.
Person-Centered
The Department of Integrative Social Work embraces a person-centered approach to health and well-being, understanding the person as “person in environment.” Person-centered care attends to each human being’s well-being, resilience, and coping in community and over the course of the lifespan.
Community-Focused
Community-focused social work emphasizes that conditions in the community and society support or undermine individual well-being. Students, faculty, and alumni of this program strive to achieve social justice and health equity.
Academic Rigor
The Department of Integrative Social Work is committed to rigor in academic and training experiences, with emphasis on a scholar-practitioner model. The graduate education in Integrative Social Work is founded on a research-informed curriculum and educational experiences.
Integrity
The department challenges its students, faculty, and alumni to conduct their lives, work, and relationships with integrity and authenticity, so they will be a credit to Saybrook University and a credit to the field of social work.
Transformation
Saybrook University social workers are scholar practitioners and change agents who seek and apply knowledge to solve problems and foster personal, relational, and community transformation.
Listen to the Unbound: Saybrook Insights Podcast
We recommend checking out Unbound: Saybrook Insights Podcast to explore imperative and thoughtful topics as part of your interest in the Department of Integrative Social Work. In particular, we recommend our panel discussion with Dr. Stephen Brown, Dr. Elaine Parker-Gills, and Fatima Velasquez hosted by Dr. Trent Nguyen. The podcast also discusses topics involving social justice, doctoral education, social service, social science, and mental health.
Listen here:
Discover more
Looking for more information on next steps or interested in the different programs we have to offer? Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you with the information and resources you need to start your next learning journey.