[Important Information for Employees] Announcing SUNY Plattsburgh's New Master of Social Work (MSW) Program

[Office of the President]

Dear SUNY Plattsburgh Community,

We are pleased to share exciting news that marks a significant milestone
for our institution – SUNY Plattsburgh has officially received approval to
launch the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, commencing in the fall of
2024

The introduction of the MSW program is a testament to our commitment to
expanding educational opportunities and addressing the critical needs of
our community. During the development of our Plattsburgh Next strategic
plan,community stakeholders consistently emphasized the need for an MSW
program in the North Country. This new program will equip students with the
advanced skills and knowledge required to make a profound impact in the
field of social work, preparing them to become leaders and advocates for
social justice and well-being.

Now, more than ever, there is an urgent need for dedicated professionals in
social work to support and uplift individuals, families, and communities.
Our new MSW program is designed not only to benefit our students and our
campus but also to have a far-reaching positive impact off campus as well.
Graduates of our MSW program will provide essential services in areas such
as mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, child and family
services, healthcare social work, and support for vulnerable populations.

And this news couldn’t be more timely.

Recent national studies have projected significant deficiencies – upwards
of 200,000 – in the number of healthcare and social workers needed to care
for children, the elderly, and those with addiction and related mental
health issues by 2030. Additionally, an audit published by the Office of
the New York State Comptroller in August 2022 revealed that 80% of the
state’s public schools fell short of the recommended student-to-social
worker ratio, with over 27% of districts failing to employ a single
professional in this capacity. We are confident that our MSW graduates will
be well-prepared to meet the growing demands of the profession and to make
meaningful contributions to society.

For the past year, our faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to develop
a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that aligns with the highest
standards of social work education. Dr. Julie Richards, associate professor
and chair in the Department of Social Work, Dr. JoAnn Gleeson-Kreig,
associate vice president for Academic Affairs and Dr. Denise Simard, dean
of Education, Health and Human Services were instrumental in leading this
effort on our behalf, and their dedication and expertise were vital to this
accomplishment. The development process was extensive and required
countless hours of research, collaboration, and refinement to ensure the
program meets the needs of our students and the demands of the profession.
Their commitment to our students and faculty has been evident throughout
this lengthy process, demonstrating exceptional leadership and a deep
investment in launching this program. Additionally, Penny McQuinn, and Kim
McCoy Coleman invested a great deal of time and expertise in this process,
and we recognize their essential role in this shared success.

We also appreciate our partnership with Dr. Janet Acker and Maureen Rotundi
from the College of Saint Rose; their guidance in acquiring Council on
Social Work Education (CSWE) Accreditation and in establishing our teach
out agreement were pivotal.

Please join us in celebrating this achievement and share the great news
about this exciting new opportunity at SUNY Plattsburgh. Additional
information about the MSW program, including admission requirements and
application deadlines, is available on our newly launched MSW webpage
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/programs/social-work-masters.html>.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to SUNY Plattsburgh.
Together, we are making strides toward a brighter future for our students
and our North Country community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Alexander Enyedi
President

Dr. Brent Carbajal
Interim Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
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