About the Courses
The Social Work Program at Rider offers a series of social work courses as well as the opportunity to take a minor in Social Work. Three social work courses are offered on a regular basis and taught by instructors who have experience in the area:

• SOC 200 Social Services and Social Work
• SOC 300 Methods of Social Work Practice
• SOC 301 Field Work Experience

These courses teach you how social workers help people in trouble and about the range and nature of social service organizations in most communities. You can learn about government programs in such areas as child abuse, drug addiction, mental health, aging and welfare. In addition, you will develop skills in service delivery to clients.

The Field Work Experience course involves a supervised internship in a local social service agency. Placements in recent years have included WomenSpace, the Carrier Clinic, Lawrenceville Nursing Home, Youth and Family Services, Public Advocate's office, and Anchor House.

Who Are The Social Work Courses For?

• Anyone interested in social work as a career. You'll get an overview of the field and can see if it is for you.
• Prospective Marketing, Financial Management or Administration Specialists. Find out how these careers fit into such service organizations as hospitals, daycare centers, or the United Way.
• Prospective Teaching, Personnel, Labor Relations or Management Specialists. If you know the services that are typically available in a community you can locate help when employees or students have problems, such as alcoholism in the family or an impending divorce.
• Prospective Psychology and Counseling Specialists. You may be interested in doing guidance, testing or therapy work in a service agency.
• Anyone interested in a career in Politics, Urban Affairs or Criminal Justice. Learn about the social welfare system so you can more effectively take part in shaping policy for the future.

The Social Work Minor
Students may combine their major in Sociology with a minor in social work. In a sequence of three social work courses, students learn about the development of special welfare and social service programs; they acquire skills in interviewing, case management, and group dynamics; and they gain work experience in a social service agency. Dr. Dickinson is the advisor for the social work minor.

If you are interested in social work but do not wish to complete the full minor you may take one, two, or three of the core courses. If you select the Social Work minor you will also select a major. In this way you will be able to learn both the applied skills of social work and the knowledge base of another academic discipline. Information about any major in the University can be provided. Please feel free to contact Dr. James Dickinson, Social Work Advisor in the Sociology Department, Fine Arts 236, (609) 896-5179 if you have any questions about social work. Dr. Dickinson will also be happy to discuss the undergraduate course of study, field placement arrangements, career possibilities, and graduate study.