Nazareth College and SUNY College at Brockport Expand Reach of MSW Program

ROCHESTER, NY (05/14/2013)(readMedia)-- Nazareth College and the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Brockport are pleased to announce a new partnership with Jefferson Community College (JCC) that will bring a master's of social work program to the Jefferson Higher Education Center on JCC's campus in Watertown, N.Y. The Greater Rochester Collaborative Master of Social Work (GRC MSW) program, a unique collaborative between Nazareth College and The College at Brockport, is scheduled to be offered at the Jefferson Higher Education Center beginning in fall 2013.

"Nazareth College's social work department has an outstanding reputation for collaboration which has provided the Rochester region with effective and caring professionals for decades," said Nazareth president Daan Braveman. "Partnering with Jefferson Community College allows us to extend our reach to the North Country region and continue to build on our proven strengths of educating and training the next generation of health care professionals for this region and beyond."

"We are pleased to help fill an unmet need for human services in the region," said Brockport president John R. Halstead. "This is a terrific example of how public institutions of higher education can and should team with each other, and with our colleagues at private institutions, to leverage our collective strengths in an effort to bolster the communities we serve."

Since the collaborative program's inception in 2000, more than 400 students have completed the M.S.W. and nearly 140 students are currently enrolled in the program.

"This is yet another wonderful Jefferson Higher Education Center partnership forged for the benefit of the North Country community," said Jefferson president Carole A. McCoy. "With the addition of the M.S.W. program, we can now provide a complete educational pathway for those just starting out as well as for seasoned professionals in the human services field, beginning with Jefferson's associate of science degree in human services, leading to the bachelor's completion program in social work offered by Keuka College at the Higher Education Center, and now the master's program offered by the SUNY Brockport collaboration with Nazareth College."

The two programs to be offered on Jefferson's campus in Watertown are an advanced standing program and a 60-credit program, both of which will be offered part-time. The advanced standing program, beginning in the fall of 2013, is for the applicant who has received a bachelor's degree in social work from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within the past eight years. The successful candidate completes a 36-credit program part-time in five semesters. The 60-credit program, beginning in the fall of 2014, is for the applicant who does not have a bachelor's degree in social work (or for someone who has not met the criteria for advanced standing). That program is completed in four years part-time.

The Greater Rochester Collaborative Master of Social Work (GRC MSW) program focuses on the delivery of collaborative, community-based practice using an integrative practice model that stresses a strengths-based, empowerment- oriented, interdisciplinary teamwork approach to social work practice. The program's focus on community-based practice is unique in its emphasis on leadership in interdisciplinary teamwork across social systems. The GRC MSW program prepares competent, advanced social work practitioners to address the anti-violence, women's health, child welfare, aging and poverty challenges through community collaboration, partnership and empowerment.

The Higher Education Center initiative at Jefferson Community College provides increased access to bachelor's, master's, and professional certifications for residents in the North Country region. Jefferson Higher Education Center (JHEC) partners provide collaborative educational offerings that benefit the region's workforce and economic development.

About SUNY College at Brockport

For more than 175 years, The College at Brockport, State University of New York, has helped students pursue something greater. As a nationally recognized college focused on student success, we are proud of our academic quality and exceptional value. The College offers 49 undergraduate majors, 49 graduate degree programs and 23 areas of teacher certification, combined bachelor's/master's programs, and has program accreditation in 13 areas.

About Jefferson Community College

One of 30 community colleges supervised by the State University of New York, Jefferson Community College is the community's leading resource for leading better lives, offering 30+ associate degrees for career preparation or for transfer to a 4-year college; certificate programs; online learning; lifelong learning through personal enrichment workshops; business and industry training; and cultural enrichment opportunities for the entire Watertown/Fort Drum region. Learn more at www.sunyjefferson.edu.