Social Work, M.S.W.

Program Goals and Objectives

The goal of the Masters Degree in Social Work Program is to prepare advanced social work practitioners to practice competently and effectively with urban families, groups, organizations, and communities. The program is committed to the alleviation of human suffering and the improvement of the quality of life for urban residents. Because African Americans make up a substantial percentage of the urban population, and are also overrepresented among urban residents facing unrelenting social and economic problems, the program has a major focus on preparing its graduates to address, systematically and strategically, issues of poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage, interpersonal and community violence, substance abuse and mental health problems, social injustice and discrimination. In addition, the program’s goals include the following:

• To prepare autonomous practitioners committed to working competently and effectively with urban individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
• To socialize students to the values and ethics of the profession of social work,
• To address challenges, issues and problems of the urban environment toward the alleviation of human suffering and enhancing the quality of life of oppressed, at-risk, and vulnerable urban populations.
• To develop an appreciation for the historical and contemporary contributions of African Americans to the field of social welfare as a context for urban social work practice.
• To prepare students with the knowledge, skills and commitment to address oppression and social injustice in all forms.
• To promote the fullest understanding of the reality and complexity of human diversity as a basis for culturally competent social work practice.

Admission

Admission to the MSW Program is granted only in the fall semester and, in addition to the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, is based on the following:

• Three letters of recommendations from social work professionals, employers or academicians
• Career objectives as outlined in an entrance essay to be completed by the applicant
• Documentation of previous academic achievement, professional accomplishments, and earned degrees (official transcripts)
• Interviews may be required with the Social Work Admissions Committee
• Students who have completed the BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited Social Work Program may qualify for admission into the Advanced Standing Program if they meet the following criteria
• Completed the BSW within the past seven years
• Graduated with a 3.0 overall grade point average or better
• Recommendation from the Chair/Program Director of the BSW Program from which student matriculated
• Recommendation from Social Work professional

Students admitted under the above criteria for Advanced Standing may receive up to 30 credits of the Foundation Year of the program.