Borderland learning opportunities
Social Work in the Southwest Borderlands
School of Social Work in Tucson Overview
The ASU School of Social Work in Tucson prepares social workers for Advanced Direct Practice. Situated just 70 miles from the Mexican border and contiguous with the Tohono O'odham Nation, the school's Tucson location offers place-based learning opportunities for students interested in developing trauma-informed expertise in working with border communities, refugees and immigration policy in the Southwest.
SWU 457/SWG 557: Borderland Immigration Issues
This hybrid course combines ASU Sync (online via Zoom) learning with three Saturday field immersions in the border communities of Tucson, Sells and Nogales. Students explore the praxis of social work with migrant individuals and families and the communities and systems with which they intersect along the Arizona-Sonora, Mexico border.
Service Learning on the Border
Students develop first-hand understanding of border issues, learn how to advocate for social justice in the global arena and engage in social action with local communities.
Latino Cultural Competency Certificate
This certificate program enhances social workers’ professional capacity for engaging in culturally grounded practice with Latino clients and their families. The Latino Cultural Competency certificate is a valuable asset for any social work student who wishes to work with Latino communities, whether on the border or elsewhere.
- Expand employment potential by adding an expertise in professional services with Latinos
- Learn the critical cross-cultural factors that influence a social worker's competency in forming professional helping relationships with Latinos
- Learn the social and cultural context and theoretical principles of social work practice with Latinos
- Learn the social service delivery issues involved in providing services for bilingual and limited- or non-English-speaking Latino populations
Immigration and Refugee Social Work Internships
Recognized as the birthplace of the sanctuary movement, Tucson and the surrounding community are home to more than 20 nongovernmental organizations focused on the borderlands and immigration. Internships at these agencies provide students with real-world learning opportunities. Some of ASU’s community partners include:
- Casa Alitas
- Center for Victims of Torture
- The Florence Project
- International Rescue Committee
- Southside Worker Center
- Owl and Panther
- Jewish Family and Children's Services
- Pima County Public Defender’s Office: Immigration Clinic
- Indigenous Strategies
