Review of Monmouth's DSW Program in Human Rights Leadership (2025)
Elizabeth is a DSW student at Monmouth University’s School of Social Work.
Monmouth University’s School of Social Work is located in Monmouth, New Jersey. The school is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Name: Elizabeth Hill
LinkedIn: Elizabeth Hill, MSW
Anticipated graduation date: May 2027
Tuition: For more information about tuition and costs, click here.
Why social work? As a deaf professional, I was drawn to social work because of its interdisciplinary nature and its grounding in human rights. Social work is future-oriented, always looking to create a more just world where everyone belongs. My commitment to disability justice finds a natural home in social work, which provides a framework for meaningful macro-level change. It is a profession rooted in solidarity—building systems and communities that reflect equity, accessibility, and dignity.
What is your current role? I have been in public service for more than 25 years, advocating for deaf and hard of hearing communities through policy initiatives and program development. In my current role, I lead statewide initiatives to expand access and elevate the lived expertise of these communities.
What made you choose your DSW program? I chose Monmouth’s DSW program because of its rare and powerful focus on macro social work practice, global perspectives, and human rights–based content. The program aligns closely with my vision of connecting disability justice to broader international movements for equity and collective belonging.
What is your area of research? Across practice settings, social workers will interface with individuals who are deaf or have disabilities. My doctoral research examines how social work education can better integrate the lived experiences and histories of these communities into curricula. I aim to provide future practitioners with a competent, ethically grounded praxis that equips them to act in solidarity—both locally and globally.
What was the best thing about your academic program? The best part of the Monmouth DSW program is its macro orientation and commitment to situating social work within a human rights and global framework. The professors are exceptional—supportive, inspiring, and deeply committed to student success. I’ve built a strong connection with Dr. Anne Deepak, now my capstone advisor, and I’ve also learned tremendously from Dr. Golam Mathbor, Dr. Paul Urbanski, Dr. Michael Cronin, Dr. Janine Speiser, and so many others.
What are you currently reading? I’m currently reading Human Rights and Social Work by Jim Ife, Karen Soldatic, and Linda Briskman. I also seek out literature on language justice. The historical erasure of signed languages from deaf communities—and the suppression of Indigenous and minoritized spoken languages—remains a critical issue for social workers to engage with. Recognizing these histories builds bridges between signing deaf communities and other language communities that have also faced erasure.
Where do you see yourself in three to five years? What are your goals? In the next three to five years, I hope to collaborate with schools of social work on curriculum design that centers the lived experiences of deaf and disabled communities, ultimately transforming social work education for future generations and open the profession to more individuals who are deaf or have disabilities.
Advice to applicants: Enter the DSW program with curiosity, a commitment to growth, and a readiness to think beyond traditional boundaries. The program is rigorous, but it opens doors to transformative leadership. Above all, be clear about your “why.” When grounded in your values and the communities you want to serve, even the most challenging moments will feel purposeful and sustaining.
For more information: Click here for more information about the DSW program at Monmouth University.
Thank you, Elizabeth!
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