At the UW School of Social Work, we recognize the global interconnections, opportunities and responsibilities inherent in Social Work. We invest considerable time and resources to strengthen our connections, increase our understanding and develop community-based projects in partnership with others locally and globally.

Our institutes, projects and programs enable our students and faculty to explore the questions that motivate them in depth; develop innovative and practical responses to social problems; foster partnerships that strengthen our communities; and contribute valuable, tested insights to the field of social work.

We encourage our students to consider studying abroad during their time here at the UW.  Our Study Abroad Opportunities page lists resources to explore this option.

Royal University of Phnom Penh and University of Washington Social Work Partnership

Five faculty-led Institutes of Excellence have been organized around themes that embody our School's social justice mission:

• The Institute on Inequality and Social Structure
• The Global-Local Community Action Institute
• The Institute for Multigenerational Health, Development, and Equality
• The Institute for International Indigenous Health and Child Welfare Research
• The Institute for the Study of Interpersonal Violence and Trauma

International Social Work provides information and resources to promote opportunities, linkages, and a greater global consciousness of international social work issues.

• The Intergroup Dialogue, Education, and Action Center, which promotes dialogue about social justice within departments in the College of Arts and Sciences;
• The Community Service Learning program, which supports paid community-based internships for undergraduates who are exploring social work in the context of local community engagement;
• The Partnership for Youth, a collaborative partnership between the school, homeless youth agencies, local business and homeless kids to improve the coordination of services for homeless youth in the University District;
• The Spitzer Peace Exchange, a faculty and student exchange program between the School of Social Work and Ben Gurion University, in Israel, established to address the effects of globalization, poverty, migration, and civil and international conflict.

Diversity and Social Justice Resources On and Off-Campus

UW Office of International Education

UW International Faculty Expertise (LIFE)

International Development and Relief Certificate Program at the Evans School, UW