The University of Chicago

School of Social Service Administration Magazine

The SSA Difference We challenge our students to dig deeper to understand the root causes and human costs of social problems.

Social work is a rewarding field that offers real world opportunities for promoting social justice and alleviating human suffering. It attracts students who hold a clear moral compass, a keen intelligence, and a pragmatism that allows them to work competently and confidently in challenging real world settings.

For over 100 years, the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration has helped define the field of social work and empower social workers. Our “Founding Mothers” were among the first to use social research and community data to inform the care and counseling of the most vulnerable members of our society, and this integrated academic approach—using research to inform practice and policy—continues to distinguish us today.

SSA differs from other graduate schools of social work and social welfare policy because we challenge our students to dig deeper to understand the root causes and human costs of social problems. Our community of faculty, alumni, and students is proactive. We reach beyond easy explanations and standard responses. Instead, we carefully define problems and shape effective, evidence-based solutions.

Next: Founded in Chicago. Changing the World.