Master of Social Work (MSW)

two-tone blue logo with white writing

 

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the mission of the MSW program is to build on the generalist foundation and prepare students for specialized practice in Social Administration and Advanced Clinical Practice.  The MSW Program promotes student focused learning, affirms the African American legacy and fosters a unique multicultural environment through its curriculum and advocacy roles in community change. The program graduate’s students who are culturally competent to practice social work in rural, urban and global settings.

New Georgia Licensure Rule (Board Rule 135-12 Testing and Assessments)

According to the New Georgia Licensure rule {135-12-.02(2)}, individual seeking licensure or renewal must complete a "graduate level course, such as psychopathology, DSM or other course with similar content, by a regionally accredited university or an organized training program recognized and/or approved by the Board in mental disorders and diagnosing mental disorders consisting of a minimum of three semester hours or five quarter hours (forty-five clock hours) may satisfy this requirement."

Any of the following three courses offered by the Department of Social Work at Savannah State University meet the new licensure rule.

  1. Advanced Clinical Practice I
  2. Advanced Clinical Practice II
  3. Mental Health Issues with Adults

Master of Social Work Licensure

The Master of Social Work curriculum at Savannah State University is specifically designed to prepare students for the Master of Social Work Licensure (LMSW). Furthermore, the Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduating from a CSWE accredited program is a requirement to take the Master of Social Work Licensure exam.

Full Course Descriptions
MSW Admission Requirements

Admission to the MSW program is on a selective basis. Prospective students apply to the Office of Graduate Studies. Only completed applications are reviewed by the Social Work Admissions Committee.

 Completed admission applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with liberal arts courses from the social sciences, behavioral sciences, natural sciences, biological sciences, and humanities
  • Grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission
  • Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for Advanced Standing
  • GRE is not required of applicants with a minimum GPA of 2.8 from an accredited institution
  • Applicants with a GPA below 2.80 must submit official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores within the last five years. Successful applicants must have a score of 3.0 on the analytical writing portion
  • Provisionally admitted applicants with a GRE writing score below 3.0 will be required to take MSWK 6500 Critical Writing & Analysis in Social Work
  • Official transcript(s) direct from all colleges/universities attended
  • Office of Graduate Studies Social Work Application with a 500-1,000 word “Directed Essay” indicating the applicant’s reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies in social work at SSU
  • Two letters of reference (academic and/or professional persons)

(An in-person interview is scheduled when determined by the admissions committee.)

Regular Full Time Admission

The Full-Time curriculum begins in the fall semester. This is a two-year 60 credit hour program with students completing a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester.

Advanced Standing Admission

The Advanced Standing curriculum begins in the summer semester. Only students who have earned the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE accredited program within the last five years are eligible for the Advanced Standing admission. Students admitted into the Advanced Standing program who fail to earn a grade of “B” in any course will be removed from Advanced Standing. The student may be given the option of continuing in the regular two-year MSW degree program. The student will not be allowed back in the Advanced Standing curriculum. Advanced Standing requires a total of 33 credit hours and is completed within 12 months.

Provisional Admission

Applicants who want to obtain the MSW degree, but do not fully satisfy the requirements for admission may be given consideration for provisional admission status. The student must earn a grade of “B” in each course during the first semester of enrollment in order to remain in the MSW Program. Student who have not completed the specified liberal arts core may also be admitted provisionally, however, they must successfully (“C” or better) complete the prerequisite courses within the first year of admission.

 Non-Degree Seeking Admission

Non-degree students can apply up to 6 semester hours of graduate credit taken at SSU to the MSW program This category is temporary and applicants must complete an application for admission. Non-degree students must satisfy all prerequisites before enrolling in a course. Students Lengths in non-degree status are not eligible for financial aid.

Students admitted in the Non-Degree Seeking program may register for the following courses that are part of the M.S.W. foundation:

  • MSWK 6654: Theoretical Perspective on Human Behavior and Social Environment (3 credits)
  • MSWK 6680: Social Welfare Policy and Services (3 credits)
  • MSWK 6649: Ethics and Diversity in Social Work Practice (3 credits)

 Admissions Appeal

An applicant denied admission to the Master of Social Work program may appeal the decision in writing to the Chair of the Social Work Department. The applicant will be required to provide additional information in support of the appeal. The appeal process begins with the Chair’s Office and continues through the channels as described elsewhere in this document.

 No Credit for Life Experience and Previous Work Experience

Although life experience and previous work experience are important and helpful to prospective students; in accordance with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the MSW program does not waive its academic requirements, including Field education, in lieu of these experiences.

Graduate Student Advisement

Each student enrolled in the Masters of Social Work Program is assigned a graduate faculty advisor. The faculty advisory will help the student plan a program of study consistent with the student’s academic goals and will approve all course selections prior to registration.

 Transfer Credit

The Department of Social Work may accept up to 27 credit hours from an accredited CSWE program.

   Transfer credit may be granted if the applicant meets the following:

  • All admission requirements for the MSW Program and Savannah State University Graduate School requirements
  • MSW course(s) completed in a CSWE approved program within the last five years
  • A minimum grade of "B" earned in each course for transfer credit
  • Inclusion of catalog description for each requested course for transfer credit
  • Course outline or syllabus, including bibliography for each requested transfer course
  • •A letter of recommendation from the Chair of the Department related to the student's enrollment status at the previous or current Social Work Program.

 Admissions Appeal

An applicant denied admission to the Master of Social Work program may appeal the decision in writing to the Chair of the Social Work Department. The applicant will be required to provide additional information in support of the appeal.

Deferment

Admission is granted for a specific term. Admitted students must confirm their plan to attend. If an applicant chooses not to enroll in the term for which admission was granted, the admission is forfeited. The department will consider written requests to defer an admission offer for up to one year. Reasons for the request should be stated clearly.

Students who are accepted into the MSW Program and wish to defer admissions must notify the Department of Social Work and the Office of Graduate Studies in writing by June 1, of the year accepted.

Orientation

A required orientation to the MSW Program is held at the beginning of the fall semester for Full Time students and summer semester for Advanced Standing students.

Dual Specialization

Students are permitted to pursue a Dual Specialization. The Dual Specialization allows students the option of taking three (3) additional core specialization courses (9 credit hours) from the Clinical Specialization or the Social Administration Specialization.

Field Practicum

Field practicum is an integral part of social work education. The experience offers an opportunity for students to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and social work practice skills in diverse human service settings under the instruction of approved agency based social workers. Field placements are carryout during day hours. There are no evening and weekend placements available.

MSW students complete 900 clock hours of field practicum for a total of 21 semester credit hours. The foundation practicum is offered, typically at 16-20 hours a week for 400 hours (9 credits). In the advanced year, the specialization specific practicum is offered, typically at 16-20 hours a week for a total of 500 hours (12 credits). Field practicum is taken concurrently with social work practice classes. In the advanced year, field experiences are focused on students’ declared specialization (Clinical Practice or Social Administration Practice).

Degree Requirements

MSW I MSWK 6689, MSWK 6690, MSWK 6691

MSW students must earn a minimum grade of "B" in Social Work Practice (MSWK 6660). Students who fail to earn the minimum grade of "B" in MSWK 6660 will not be eligible for a MSWK 6690 and MSWK 6691. Students must earn a "B" or above in the foundation practice and practicum courses (MSWK 6660, MSWK 6661, MSWK 6689, MSWK 6690, MSWK 6691) in order to advance to the specialization year. Students who fail to earn a "B" or above in a second attempt will be dismissed from the MSW program.

MSW II MSWK 6792, MSWK 6793, MSWK 6794, MSWK 6795

Students must earn a minimum grade of "B" or above in their specialization practice (MSWK 6750, MSWK 6751, MSWK 6780, MSWK 6781) and specialization practicum (MSWK 6792, MSWK 6793, MSWK 6794 and MSWK 6795) courses. Students who fail to earn a "B" or above in either of the specialization practicum courses will be called for a Performance Review. If a student is given an opportunity to retake any of these courses and fails to earn a "B" or above, the student will be dismissed from the MSW program.

Master of Social Work Curriculum

Foundation                                                                               30 hours

MSWK 6649

Ethics and Diversity in Social Work Practice

3 hours

MSWK 6654

MSWK 6654

Theoretical Perspectives on Human Behavior and Social Environment

3 hours

MSWK 6660

Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families

3 hours

MSWK 6661

Social Work Practice with Groups, Communities, and Organizations

3 hours

MSWK 6670

Research Methods I

3 hours

MSWK 6680

Social Welfare Policy and Services

3 hours

MSWK 6689

Field Practicum I: Orientation and Seminar

3 hours

MSWK 6690

Field Practicum II

3 hours

3 hour

 MSWK 6691

Field Seminar II

3 hours

 

Foundation Electives with the Advisor’s Approval

 

 

Policy Practice Electives (Select One)

 

MSWK 6601

Law Race and Poverty

3 hours

MSWK 6675

Advocacy and Service Delivery Child and Welfare

3 hours

MSWK 6685

Gerontological Policy and Practice

3 hours

 Choose one specialization: Clinical Social Work and/or Social Administration                                                                                         

 

Clinical Social Work Specialization

30 Hours

MSWK 6750

Advanced Clinical Practice I

3 hours

 MSWK 6751

  Advanced Clinical Practice II

3 hours

MSWK 6752

Crisis Intervention and Brief Therapy

3 hours

MSWK 6760

Research Methods II

3 hours

MSWK 6792

Field Practicum III

3 hours

MSWK 6793

Field Seminar III

3 hours

MSWK 6794

  Field Practicum IV

3 hours

MSWK 6795

   Field Seminar IV

3 hours

MSWK 6805

Integrative Seminar

3 hours

 

Specialization Electives with the Advisor’s Approval

 

MSWK 6720

Death and Dying, Loss and Grief

3 hours

MSWK 6762

Mental Health Issues with Adults

3 hours

MSWK 6772

Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Social Work Practice

3 hours

MSWK 7000

Military Social Work

3 hours

MSWK 7340

Working with Difficult Children and Adolescents

3 hours

MSWK 6000

Special Topics (offered on selective basis)

3 hours

MSWK 6100

Independent Study (offered on selective basis)

3 hours

 

Social Administration Specialization

30 hours

MSWK 6780

Social Administration I

3 hours

MSWK 6781

Social Administration II

3 hours

MSWK 6779

Leadership, Resource Development, Management and Service Delivery

 

3 hours

MSWK 6760

Research Methods II

3 hours

MSWK 6790

Field Practicum II

3 hours

MSWK 6791

Field Practicum III

3 hours

 MSWK 6794

  Field Practicum IV

3 hours

 MSWK 6795

  Field Seminar IV

3 hours

 MSWK 6805

Integrative Seminar

3 hours

 

Specialization Electives with the Advisor’s Approval

3 hours

 PADM 6833

Human Resources Management

3 hours

 MSWK 6834

Public Budgeting and Finance

3 hours

 PADM 6860

African American Administrators in Urban Bureaucracy and Public Policy

3 hours

 PADM 6861

Public Program Evaluation

3 hours

 MSWK 6000

  Special Topics (offered on selective basis)

3 hours

 MSWK 6100

  Independent Study (offered on selective basis)

3 hours

 

 

 


Total Hours Required for Master of Social Work 60 hours

 MSW STUDENT ORGANIZATION

The MSW Student Organization; Social Worker Invested in Future represents MSW students by regular participation in Departmental Meetings; representing MSW students at other local Social Welfare organizations. The officers are drawn from first and second year students, part time and full time students. The MSW Student Organization, in cooperation with other NASW student organizations around the state, organizes and coordinates participation in the annual Georgia NASW Student Lobby Day in the spring.



Application Deadlines:

Summer Admission 

April 1 - Advanced Standing 

Fall Admission

April 1 - International Students & Graduate Assistantships
May 23 - Full Time Status