History of the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work
At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, courses have been offered in social work for over 100 years. Below, see some of the major milestones at UW–Madison and learn about the establishment of the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work.
1896:A new field emerges
In 1896, the Economics Department at UW began to offer courses in Charities and Corrections.
1920:Professional Program
The Economics Dept recruited Professor Helen I. Clarke in 1920 with the aim of developing a Social Work professional program.
1944:Graduate Studies
The UW appoints Arthur Miles to first be chair, then director of the School.
1946:Gaining Independence
The Board of Regents establishes the Department of Social Work, with a 2-year master’s.
1950:A Legacy
The School hired Professor Alfred Kadushin, whose works continue to be the standard for SW education worldwide.
1952:Becoming Accredited
The School was admitted as a charter member of the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
1954:American SW Theory
Arthur Miles authored American Social Work Theory in defense of a social science approach to Social Work.
1966:IRP Established
Social Work professors were early contributors to the Institute for Research on Poverty.
1967:Autonomous Worker
Professor Virginia Franks published The Autonomous Social Worker. The School’s Library was later named after her.
1972:Commitment to SPMI
School faculty members contribute to the founding of PACT at Mendota Mental Health Institute.
1973:Dorothy Pearson
Dorothy M. Pearson became the first African-American to earn a PhD from the School.
1973:Institute on Aging
The UW Institute on Aging was established in part by School faculty member Martin B. Loeb.
1973:SW Practice
Professors Allen Pincus and Anne Minahan publish the standard practice text throughout the US and internationally.
1973:Waisman Center
Faculty in the School have been instrumental in the operations of the Waisman Center since its establishment.
1980:New Concentration
In the 1980s, the School developed a concentration in Severe and Persistent Mental Illness, one of the first in the field.
1990:Sheldon Rose
Professor Emeritus Sheldon Rose published Social Skills Training in Short-Term Groups, a book with an international impact.
1990:Child Support
Professor Daniel Meyer led a team of researchers evaluating innovative, experimental child support policy.
1991:Field Education
Dean Schneck, Director of Field Education, was a tireless leader and advocate for the importance of field education.
1999:Title IV-E
The Federal Title IV-E Public Child Welfare Training Program was established, and has graduated hundreds of MSWs and BSWs since.
2000:Welfare Reform
Evaluating Comprehensive State Welfare Reform: The Wisconsin Works Program is published with contributions from School professors.
2009:Part-Time MSW
The Part-Time MSW Program was developed in 2009 to meet non-traditional students’ needs, seeking to broaden their opportunities.
2010:Ada Deer
Ada Deer, Distinguished Lecturer Emeritus, was recognized by NASW as a Social Work Pioneer.
2014:Maria Cancian
Maria Cancian, Assc Dean and School professor, was nominated by President Obama to be Asst Sec for Children and Families.
Sandra Rosenbaum
In 2020, thanks to a gift from Joel Berman, the school was renamed after his late wife and our alumna, Sandra Rosenbaum.