Masters in Social Work (MSW)

Overview

The School of Social Welfare provides a learning environment for individuals who wish to deepen and extend their knowledge and experience in bringing about social change. The School provides a place for the development of committed, analytical, and knowledgeable students who wish to undertake the difficult task of improving service delivery systems by attention to institutional structures.

Our mission statement provides a focus and compass for curriculum and program planning. It is the challenge and struggle to make this mission statement come alive—albeit incomplete and imperfectly—that makes the school an exciting place.  It invigorates both faculty and students knowing that we are preserving and carrying forward the social reform philosophy upon which professional social work was founded, and which is vital to its future.  We seek to help students build upon their sense of personal and social responsibility, taking the perspective of others seriously, grounding their actions in ethical considerations, and encouraging their ability to contribute to society.

We understand that to achieve these goals, we must create academic initiatives that engage our students and foster their understanding of the inherently complex issues of structural reform. We therefore prepare social work students to intervene directly with individuals and families, as well as with larger systems. Practice is undertaken from a strengths perspective and model of empowerment, development, and enhancement, rather than from that of pathologies or victim blaming.

The graduate program prepares students for advanced social work practice.

It provides students with the needed theoretical and practice expertise to function with maximum competence at different administrative or policy levels in social welfare fields and/or in the provision of direct services to individuals, families, groups, and communities. The school provides opportunities for study and practice that utilize the wealth of interdisciplinary resources available in the Health Sciences Center, the University, and community agencies throughout the New York metropolitan area.

The curriculum provides for a generalist foundation year of courses and field education for all students. In the 2nd year students concentrate on Advanced Social Work Practice.

 I. Program Goals

Based on our mission, we view social work practice as concerned with the enhancement of social functioning and improvement of the human condition through the promotion of social and institutional change, and the provision of opportunities and resources to individuals, groups, communities, and organizations. The relations between individuals and social institutions are fundamental concerns of social work. Of central importance is the development of these relationships in such a way as to promote social and economic justice, and to protect opportunities for people, especially those who have historically been oppressed and devalued, so that they can live with dignity and freedom. This translates into the following goals that guide the program’s direction:

1. to develop human relationships that are grounded in social justice, human dignity and mutual respect;
2. to develop new and more just organizational forms;
3. to transform already existing structures to ones that affirm and enhance dignity and social diversity;
4. to identify new ways to influence social, economic, and political systems to distribute power, resources, rights, and freedom so as to achieve social justice; and
5. to prepare social workers who engage in self-reflective practice.

Given our mission and goals, we have selected the concepts of oppression and transformation as organizing principles of the curricula of the MSW program. We view oppression as a social relationship between oppressors and oppressed, divided by distribution of power and control over life-affirming resources and dignity. Our commitment to human dignity and social justice mandates that we assume a strengths perspective which struggles to identify ways that oppressed people have endured, survived, adapted and/or resisted and transformed the oppressive circumstances of their lives.

II. Program Objectives

The overall objectives of the MSW program at the School of Social Welfare are as follows:

1. to prepare students for entry level into advanced social work practice;
2. to help students understand oppression and its impact on people;
3. to help students understand the extent to which multiple social, political, economic, psychological, and biological factors determine social policies and programs;
4. to help students develop the knowledge and practice skills currently necessary to carry out interventive roles consistent with social work values, ethics, and principles, and the mission of the School;
5. to help students develop and implement strategies that enhance social functioning, empowerment, and structural change, especially for individuals and groups systematically denied equity, dignity, opportunities for self-realization, and access to resources; and
6. to enable students to have the commitment and capacity to evaluate their professional practice and agency, and to engage in efforts to continue professional self-growth.

Based upon these objectives, our guiding principles provide an overarching framework for both our Foundation Curriculum and Advanced Concentration.

A critically self-reflective ethical posture: The objectives outlined above require both an ethical and critically self-reflective posture.  Effective practice in today’s demanding context involves the ability to understand one’s own attitudes and how these influence thought and action while concomitantly working within the profession’s ethics and values--especially with regard to power (professional and otherwise) and powerlessness.

A strengths-based perspective and empowerment approach to practice: A strengths-based perspective and empowerment approach to practice builds upon existing capacities and skill sets which are present in every individual, family, group, and community.

A social justice and human rights framework: Viewed as an essential component to social work practice, a social justice and human rights framework requires an appreciation of how oppression intersects with race, gender, social class, age, and other marginalized statuses that influence views of life’s adversities and related difficulties, as well as access to services. This includes teaching the various ways of understanding and applying concepts of social justice as fairness and equity.

A social action stance to practice: This requires understanding and leadership in charting intervention strategies on micro, mezzo and macro levels, the integration of theory and practice, and the ability to utilize research and evidence-based practice. It requires the ability to:

• lead in the provision of services,
• design, implement and evaluate programs,
• advocate for needed services and organizational change, and
• promote initiatives in the review and development of policy, and support of community action.

III. Program Requirements

A. Credits

Our plan of study, which requires a minimum of 64 credit hours required for the MSW degree, comprises 32 credit hours of professional foundation courses, 3 credit hours of Social Work in Health Care, 3 credit hours of Psychopathology and Pharmacology, 12 credit hours of advanced social work practice courses and at least 9 credits of electives—of which at least 6 credit hours must be Advanced Practice electives. The 64 credit hours include a minimum of 16 credit hours of field education.

Students carrying three day placements during an academic year (6 + 6 field instruction credits) may substitute the extra credits earned for 3 enrichment elective credits.

Students are required to register for a minimum of 12 credits per semester,* although the average load is 16 to 18 credit hours per semester. Students may not register for more than 19 credits per semester.

B. Time Limit

Students must complete all requirements for graduation in a period no longer than five years from the date of their matriculation at the school.

C. Grade Point Average

A cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.0) or better is required to remain in good standing.

D. Field Education (See Field Education Manual for details.)

Field and class work are integral parts of a single educational experience. A well-rounded education in social welfare is best obtained by the integration of theory and practice. Requirements for graduation include a minimum of 16 credits in field instruction. In the first year of field instruction (HWC 500-501) students must be enrolled concurrently in the required social work practice course (HWC 513-514). In the second year of field instruction (HWC 502-503) students must be enrolled in HWC 515/516-517/518. Thirty-three weeks of field education are required each academic year.

E. Educational Planning

The educational planning process is the primary means by which students formulate their educational goals with the help of their faculty advisor. Students’ progress through the program is assessed by the students and faculty advisors as part of the School’s ongoing academic review process.

F. Independent Study

Students may elect to take an Independent Study as an elective. The student needs to obtain approval from his/her faculty advisor and register with an individual faculty member for Independent Study (HWC 595). The Independent Study needs to be in a subject area that is in concert with the School’s mission and program objectives, and is not covered by the curriculum offerings. (See section on Registration for Independent Study.)

 IV. Curriculum Structure and Content

The curriculum provides for a generalist foundation year of courses and field education for all students. In the second year, students concentrate in advanced social work practice. Some courses are offered in concentrated form during the semester, intersession and summer session.

Guided by the theme, social work in health/health in social work, the curriculum provides all social work students with basic knowledge of health programs, policies and practices and how they affect individual and societal well-being. It stresses health in social work by providing the knowledge and skills needed by all social workers, regardless of the setting in which they practice, to give proper attention to health problems and their social consequences.

A.    Generalist Foundation

In the first year, the array of courses and field education provides the basic professional foundation of knowledge, values and skills for social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

The professional foundation includes content on social work values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, populations historically devalued and oppressed, human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policies and services, social work practice, research and field education.

First year, Full-time MSW Requirements

 *A minimum of 9 elective credits are required.

NOTE: Pathway III – Modified Full-time students would not take Policy I and II in their first year, they would take these courses in their second year, leaving electives and HWC 505 Psychopathology & Psychopharmacology in their final semester/s.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for the Master of Social Welfare Degree must:

1. complete all course and field education requirements of the school;
2. complete a minimum of 64 credits in courses approved by the school, of which a minimum of 16 must be in field education, and
3. maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

B. Concentration Year

During the concentration year, the program prepares students for advanced social work practice in a variety of professional roles, including direct services with individuals, families, groups, communities and in the analysis, development, implementation, management and evaluation of human services, and health policies and programs.

In addition to the required advanced social work practice courses and advanced field education experiences, students may choose from electives which are designated as either enrichment or advanced practice electives. Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 6 advanced practice electives.

C. Pathways

In addition to the two-year, full-time option, the school has designed alternative pathways that retain the standard program requirements and quality. Pathway I, the Advanced Standing Option, is open only to graduates of a CSWE accredited baccalaureate program in social work. Pathway II is open only to applicants already working the field of social welfare. Eligibility for Pathway II is determined after admission to the school. Admission to the school does not guarantee approval to register as a Pathway II student. Pathway III is open to all applicants who choose to complete the program in more than two years (modified full-time).

1.     Pathway I: Advanced Standing

Students who have graduated from a CSWE accredited baccalaureate program in social work within the past five years may apply for Advanced Standing. Students applying for this option must demonstrate their readiness to function at the level of a second year MSW student. Students generally complete the program in one year, or may take a reduced program and complete the requirements in 1½ to two years. Students spend three days in a field instruction setting for one academic year and must complete a minimum of 6 advanced practice elective credits. Pathway I students cannot use their place of employment for their field placement and must earn all the 36 credits as matriculated students in the School of Social Welfare.

PATHWAY I ADVANCED STANDING

Full- time MSW Requirements

*A minimum of 6 Advanced Practice elective credits are required.

Pathway I Students may choose to complete the program in more than one year (modified full time) follow the program design below:

PATHWAY I, Advanced Standing (Modified Full-time) MSW Requirements

2.     Pathway II

Students who are currently working full-time in the field of social welfare and have had a minimum of three years, paid, full-time MSW supervised social welfare experience, may apply for permission to use their agency of employment for two days of field education per week, for one year only. The school must approve an educationally sound field education plan submitted by the student and an approved field education field instructor.

This field education experience must be separate and distinct from the student’s regular job responsibilities. The supervisor must hold a Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE accredited school and may not be the student’s current supervisor or a past supervisor. The field education plan must be approved by the agency administrator and by the school. Pathway II students may not register for more than 4 credits (two days) of field education per term, nor for more than three courses per semester.

In addition to the standard daytime schedule, some required courses and some electives are offered in the late afternoon, evenings, and weekends. Through this Pathway, students may complete the degree requirements in 2 1/2 – 3 years.

 3.     Pathway III (Modified Full-Time)

This option is designed for students who choose not to follow the regular full-time schedule and who prefer to complete the program carrying a lower academic workload. Students must take 12 to 13 credits each term while they are attending school, except in the term (or year) in which they are candidates for graduation, when they can take fewer credit hours. The degree requirements are typically completed in 2 1/2 to three years.

The required courses are taken in the sequence indicated for regular, full-time students. In addition to the standard daytime schedule, some required and some elective courses are offered during late afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Pathway III students are not permitted to use their agency or employment for field education. In some instances, field education may be completed during evenings and weekends if an educationally sound placement can be arranged. In cases where this cannot be arranged, or it is determined by the faculty that such a placement is not appropriate for the student’s learning needs, students may need to complete one or both years of field instruction in a traditional time period. Pathway III students may not register for more than 4 credits of field education per term.

Pathway II or III - Modified Full-time

 MSW Requirements

* Students may take fewer than 12 credits only in the semester in which they are candidates for graduation, except for Pathway II and III students who may take fewer than 12 credits in the year in which they expect to graduate.

* Elective offerings vary from term to term.

For further information, please contact
Kathy Albin, Director of Admissions and Student Services
at (631) 444-3141 [ kalbin@notes.cc.sunysb.edu