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Advancing a More Just and Humane Society

Our Academic Programs
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Master’s Program
Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration

The Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration program prepares students to become leaders in the fields of clinical social work and social administration practice.

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Master’s Program
Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management

The SSL program examines the complexity of social problems while developing the capacity to more effectively address social change.

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Doctoral Program
PhD and PhD/AM

The Doctoral program advances a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to social work and social welfare scholarship.

Inside the Crown Family School Experience

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Your Journey Begins Here
Discover the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice’s Master’s Program in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration. This flagship graduate program prepares students to become leaders who address society’s most complex challenges through direct practice, policy innovation, and organizational leadership.
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The History of Social Work
Learn more about the Social Work profession and how one of the first graduate schools of social work started at the University of Chicago. That school, now known as the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, embodied the belief that social change happens when research guides policy and practice.
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Having professors who are literally the leading voices in a lot of conversations within social work is awesome. It’s invaluable. It’s something that I don’t take for granted. 

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Stay Connected with us on LinkedIn

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Flashback Friday:
In recognition of National Social Work Month, we're highlighting Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice experts whose research addresses complex social challenges and informs data-driven policy and practice.

Gina Miranda Samuels, PhD, Crown Family School Professor, studies transracial adoption, foster care, and the experiences of multiracial individuals...

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In a recent Chicago Tribune article, Darcey Merritt, PhD, Professor at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, discussed the emotional harm caused by family separation in the foster care system and urged greater investment in communities as a more effective path to child wellbeing.

Learn more about Professor Merritt: https://lnkd.in/gqS3cGqP...

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Alumni Weekend & Reunion is just six weeks away! Who are you looking forward to seeing back on campus?  

Register today and start planning your visit! https://lnkd.in/gF-GsdJ3

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This Social Work Awareness Month, we are exploring the many roles that define the profession. Social workers support individuals, strengthen families, lead organizations, and shape public policy. In classrooms like this one at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, the next generation prepares to serve communities and improve systems that affect...

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Crown Family School students are in Washington, D.C., this week for Washington Week 2026.

Washington Week has officially begun for students from the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.

Throughout the week, students will meet with policymakers, nonprofit leaders, researchers, and Crown alumni working across federal agencies and national...

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Flashback Friday:
In recognition of National Social Work Month, we're highlighting Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice experts whose research addresses complex social challenges and informs data-driven policy change.

Harold Pollack, PhD, Helen Ross Professor and co-founder of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, studies poverty, health care, and crime prevention. He...

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In recognition of National Social Work Month, we're reflecting on the early leaders who helped define the profession.

In 1920, Edith Abbott and Sophonisba Breckinridge established one of the nation's first graduate schools of social work at the University of Chicago—built on the idea that rigorous research should inform social policy and practice.

Learn more about the defining days of...

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Are you based in Washington, D.C., and thinking about graduate school? Our AM degree in social work, social policy, and social administration prepares leaders across the social sector for roles in government, direct practice, education, policy, and nonprofit management.
Crown Family School admissions representatives will be in your area on March 14 and March 17. It's a great opportunity to...

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Flashback Friday: In recognition of National Social Work Month, we're highlighting Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice experts whose research addresses complex social challenges and informs data-driven policy change.

Reuben Jonathan Miller, PhD, associate professor and 2022 MacArthur Fellow, is a sociologist, criminologist, and social worker who examines how...

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Registration is now open!  

Join us for Alumni Weekend & Reunion, May 1 - 2, featuring engaging programs, opportunities to reconnect with classmates and faculty, and special events celebrating reunion-year alumni. 
Explore the full schedule and register today to be part of the weekend. We look forward to celebrating together! 

Register today: https://cvent.me/W3bm1a

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Join the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice in Washington, D.C., for the Welcome Reception on March 16 at 6-8 p.m. EST to kick off Washington Week 2026.

This networking reception brings together alumni, partners, and current students working in policy, government, and the social sector. Share your professional journey, exchange ideas, and build...

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The Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice African American Alumni Committee's 2026 Symposium, We Got Us: Our Health, Our Rights, Our Future, convened alumni, students, faculty, and community leaders to examine how we expand access to health care and strengthen mental health equity.

From keynote reflections to panel dialogue and breakout strategy sessions, the day...

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Header of Research booklet with the title: How are Municipal-Level Fair Workweek Laws Playing Out on the Ground? Experiences of Food Service and Retail Workers in Three Cities

New research from Crown Family School scholars examines implementation across Chicago, Seattle, and New York City

Research Report is available to read now  led by Chicago Crown Family School scholars Susan J. Lambert, PhD, Professor Emeritus, and Julia R. Henly, PhD, Samuel Deutsch Professor, with co-authors Resha Swanson-Varner, PhD, Research Associate (University of Chicago), Hyojin Cho, PhD (University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign), and Yuxi He (University of Chicago)