Wurzweiler School of Social Work

Wurzweiler School of Social Work is a graduate school of social work within Yeshiva University, located in New York City. Founded in 1957, it is named for its primary benefactors, Traugott and Fanny Wurzweiler. The school is known for integrating professional social work education with a commitment to Jewish values and social justice, serving a diverse student body and community.

History

The school was established in 1957 through a major gift from Traugott and Fanny Wurzweiler, refugees from Nazi Germany who settled in New York City. It was founded as part of Yeshiva University to address a growing need for professionally trained social workers within both the Jewish community and the broader public sector. Under its first dean, Morton I. Teicher, the school developed its initial Master of Social Work program. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Wurzweiler expanded its curriculum and outreach, establishing a Doctor of Social Work program and adapting to evolving practices in fields like clinical social work and community organization. The school has been housed at various campuses of Yeshiva University, including its current primary location in the Bronx near Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Academics

Wurzweiler School of Social Work offers a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree, and several advanced certificate programs. The MSW program provides concentrations in clinical practice and community organizing, with a curriculum emphasizing evidence-based interventions, human behavior, social policy, and field education. A distinctive feature is the integration of the Jewish ethical tradition of tikkun olam (repairing the world) into its pedagogical framework. The school also offers flexible study options, including full-time, part-time, and online program formats to accommodate working professionals. Field placements are secured at hundreds of agencies across the New York metropolitan area, including hospitals like Mount Sinai Hospital, schools within the New York City Department of Education, and organizations such as The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services.

Research and centers

Faculty and doctoral students at Wurzweiler are engaged in research across multiple domains, including trauma-informed care, gerontology, mental health disparities, and immigrant and refugee services. The school houses several specialized centers and initiatives that focus research and community service. These have included the Center for Jewish Family Life and the Project Ohr initiative, which addresses issues of substance abuse and prevention. Research collaborations often involve other institutions within Yeshiva University, such as the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, and external partners like the National Association of Social Workers. Scholarly work is disseminated through publications in journals like the Journal of Social Work Education and presentations at conferences including the annual meeting of the Council on Social Work Education.

Notable faculty and alumni

Notable current and former faculty include deans such as Morton I. Teicher and Sheldon R. Gelman, as well as scholars like David J. Schnall and Shoshana D. Kerewsky. Distinguished alumni have achieved prominence in various sectors of social work, academia, and public service. Among them are Gary Bailey, former president of the National Association of Social Workers and professor at Simmons University; Molly R. Wolf, a specialist in adoption law and policy; and Shlomo D. Bolts, a leader in Jewish communal service. Other alumni hold significant roles in agencies like the Administration for Children's Services, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and major nonprofit organizations across the country.

Accreditation and affiliations

Wurzweiler School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the sole accrediting body for social work education in the United States. This accreditation covers its Master of Social Work and Doctor of Social Work programs. The school is an institutional member of the Council on Social Work Education and the National Association of Social Workers. As a graduate school of Yeshiva University, it is also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. These affiliations ensure that its degrees meet national standards for professional practice and allow graduates to pursue licensure, such as the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential, in all fifty states.

Category:Yeshiva University Category:Social work schools in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1957 Category:Graduate schools in New York City