The School of Social Work’s unusually complex and comprehensive curriculum is only possible because of the rich and diverse expertise of the School’s faculty. Their extensive experience, as practitioners and educators in such important areas as social work and the workplace; clinical practice; gerontology; children, adolescents and families; social policy; AIDS, and substance abuse, lends depth to their teaching.

  Through their research, advocacy and consulting, the School’s faculty have been involved in nearly all of this century’s public social legislation and programs.

  Alumni often cite the high caliber of the School’s faculty as a key component of their educational experience at Columbia. “I was fortunate to have excellent professors, many of whom are still known as stalwarts in their fields,” says alumna Megan McLaughlin, who received her doctorate from the School in 1982 and is now the executive director and CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies.

  The School’s 45 current full-time faculty are noted for their diversity and excellence in a wide range of fields. The research areas of the five faculty members who currently hold endowed professorships bear witness to the breadth of interests that characterizes the entire School’s faculty.

  Barbara Berkman, Helen Rehr/Ruth Fizdale Professor of Health and Mental Health, has published over 100 articles, books and chapters on social work practice with geriatric patients, oncology patients, and other health and mental health conditions.

  Ronald A. Feldman, Ruth Harris Ottman Centennial Professor for the Advancement of Social Work Education and Dean of the School, has authored nine books and 80 articles on adolescent behavior, group treatment, and peer influence, and has served as a consultant and researcher for private organizations as well as federal, state and local governments and agencies.

  Irwin Garfinkel, Mitchell I. Ginsberg Professor of Contemporary Urban Problems, focuses his teaching and research on social policy, child support, and single-parent families, and is the director of the New York City Social Indicators Survey Center. He is the author of a number of books, including Assuring Child Support.

  Sheila B. Kamerman, Compton Foundation Centennial Professor for the Prevention of Children’s and Youth Problems, studies comparative social policy and international social welfare, as well as child and family policies. Among her numerous books with Professor Alfred J. Kahn is the forthcoming Big Cities in the Welfare Transition.

  Edward J. Mullen, Willma and Albert Musher Professor for Life Betterment through Science and Technology, directs his current research toward computer-assisted assessment and outcome measurement, mental health services, and the application of scientific methods to practice.

  “In our efforts to build an exceptionally talented and dedicated faculty,” said Associate Dean Peg Hess, “we will continue to focus on identifying and recruiting faculty of diverse backgrounds, who have rich practice experience and demonstrated potential as teachers and scholars.”