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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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Join the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice tomorrow for the "Faculty in Action" talk series! Hear the latest research on topics that advance a more just and humane society. Learn more: https://ow.ly/VYsW50YT2fm

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Join the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice tomorrow for the "Faculty in Action" talk series! Hear the latest research on topics that advance a more just and humane society. Learn more: https://ow.ly/eoht50YTbi4

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Join the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice tomorrow for the "Faculty in Action" talk series! Hear the latest research on topics that advance a more just and humane society. Learn more: https://ow.ly/Jzrh50YT2hl

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Join the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice tomorrow for the "Faculty in Action" talk series! Hear the latest research on topics that advance a more just and humane society. Learn more: https://ow.ly/RYV850YT2bs

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Join the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice tomorrow for the "Faculty in Action" talk series! Hear the latest research on topics that advance a more just and humane society. Learn more: https://ow.ly/Ms2p50YT28y

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Last chance to sign up for Alumni Weekend! We can't wait to welcome you back and celebrate together with this incredible community.

Whether you graduated recently or decades ago, it's a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, take a trip down memory lane, and see how the Crown Family School has evolved while staying rooted in the same shared spirit.

Walk-ins will be accepted, but we...

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Congratulations to Tessa Garcia McEwen, AM'16, recipient of a 2026 Milestone Achievement Award. This award recognizes Crown Family School alumni from milestone reunion classes for their outstanding contributions to the social services sector and for embodying social work values. Through her work at UChicago Medicine and community leadership, Tessa compassionately supports patients and...

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Congratulations to Lynne White-Dixon, AM'76, recipient of a 2026 2026 Milestone Achievement Award. This award recognizes Crown Family School alumni from milestone reunion classes for their outstanding contributions to social sector service and for embodying social work values. For more than 40 years, Lynne has advanced psychotherapy, adoption practice, and social work education, shaping...

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Congratulations to @[Kent Burbank](urn:li:person:lKrcdjYSJy), AM'96, recipient of a 2026 Milestone Achievement Award. This award recognizes Crown Family School alumni from milestone reunion classes for their outstanding contributions to social sector service and for embodying social work values. Kent's career in nonprofit leadership and public service has focused on advancing social justice...

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Congratulations to Mary K. Kaess, AM'71, recipient of a 2026 Milestone Achievement Award. This award recognizes Crown Family School alumni from milestone reunion classes for their outstanding contributions to social sector service and for embodying social work values. After a 36-year career as a Chicago Public Schools social worker, Mary has continued her lifelong commitment to children and...

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Congratulations to @[Joanne Medak](urn:li:person:YMbG569P86), AM'74, recipient of the 2026 Volunteer Leadership Award. This award recognizes a Crown Family School alum for exceptional long-term service to the School through volunteerism, philanthropy, and mentorship. Joanne has spent more than a decade volunteering her time and leadership to support the Crown Family School community, while...

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Congratulations to @[Julissa Gutierrez \(she/her/hers\)](urn:li:person:dosiqlSGKj) , AM'06, recipient of the 2026 Social Impact Award. This award recognizes a Crown Family School alum who has made exceptional early-career contributions to social change through leadership, innovation, and commitment to the field. As Chief Diversity Officer for New York State, Julissa has led transformative...

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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)