Master of Social Work Program in Traverse City, Michigan. Information Session

Transcription

1 Master of Social Work Program in Traverse City, Michigan Information Session GVSU s Pew Campus, Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan GVSU s NMC University Center Campus, Traverse City, Michigan - Celebrating 30 Years of Council on Social Work Education Accreditation - February 2015

2 Why Grand Valley State University? Grand Valley State University educates students to shape their lives, their professions, and their societies. The university contributes to the enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and public service. GVSU Allendale Campus 2

3 Why Grand Valley State University? The School of Social Work is part of the dynamic College of Community and Public Service, which contains: School of Social Work School of Criminal Justice School of Public, Nonprofit, and Health Administration School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Dr. Mark Hoffman Associate Dean Dr. George Grant, Jr. Dean Dr. Paul Stansbie Associate Dean 3

4 Why GVSU for Your MSW? The GVSU School of Social Work has years of experience educating MSW students Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in years of experience teaching MSW students in Traverse City & Sault Ste. Marie Our first Traverse City cohort graduated in 1994 Graduated thousands of successful BSW and MSW students over the years 4

5 Why GVSU for Your MSW? The GVSU School of Social Work is one of two schools of Social Work in Michigan to offer the Advanced Generalist Model of MSW preparation, which: builds on a liberal education foundation that encourages the use of critical thinking skills and application of advanced practice social work knowledge, skills, values and ethics integrates advanced practice skills to equip graduates to meet the diverse demands presented by unique social service delivery systems prepares graduates to assume leadership in practice with individuals, groups, communities and society Promotes flexibility and the ability to fulfill multiple roles, including: administrator, advocate, broker, case manager, lobbyist, policy practitioner, researcher, supervisor and therapist. 5

6 Why GVSU for Your MSW? More than 20 full-time faculty (18 with PhDs) with many years of experience teaching BSW & MSW students 6

7 Why GVSU for Your MSW? A dedicated Field Education team Providing diverse and in-depth field placements in one of hundreds of sites located throughout western & northern Michigan Our Field Education team maintains close contact with Field Instructors who act as mentors for our students The Field Office offers continuing education trainings and appreciation events for our field education faculty and mentors Prof. Deborah Ronk MSW Field Coordinator 7

8 Why GVSU for Your MSW? Evidence-based curriculum continuing evaluation of teaching content and process Council on Social Work Education core competencies focus preparing students with skills and knowledge to compete in the marketplace Graduate assistantship opportunities active mentoring by faculty member Research, publication, and presentation options working with faculty supervision 8

9 Why GVSU for Your MSW? We support your successful learning experience with: Writing Center with experienced consultants to help with all stages of a writing project as well as APA formatting Counseling Services to support your emotional & psychological well-being 9

10 Why GVSU for Your MSW? We support your successful learning experience with: A faculty advisor to provide guidance for achieving your academic goals and developing your study plan Steelcase Library, a state of the art facility with a full graduate section located on the downtown campus and a designated librarian to assist with finding research resources 10

11 Why GVSU for Your MSW? We support your successful learning experience with: Hybrid and Face-to-Face course formats to meet the educational needs of distance learners and our changing student population A full-time support staff 11

12 Why GVSU for Your MSW? We promote global service learning experiences El Salvador China 12

13 Why GVSU for Your MSW? We promote global service learning experiences Ghana Ireland 13

14 Why GVSU for Your MSW? We promote cross-cultural service learning experiences Saginaw Chippewa Reservation Mount Pleasant, MI 14

15 Why GVSU for Your MSW? We promote cross-cultural service learning experiences New Jersey (2013) New Orleans, LA ( ) 15

16 Why GVSU for Your MSW? We promote cross-cultural service learning experiences Poverty Experience in Downtown Grand Rapids 16

17 Why GVSU for Your MSW? We celebrate your achievements Phi Alpha Honor Society celebration for academic and service excellence Hooding (Recognition) ceremony for MSW graduates 17

18 There Are Several Paths to Your MSW? Regular degree seeking student 60 credit hours Part-time program Advanced Standing degree seeking student 41 credit hours (or 38 if you test out of Research I) Part-time program 18

19 Regular Degree Seeking Program - TC For students without a BSW degree Part-Time student 9 semesters (3 years) 3 semesters of Field Education Usually 2 courses per semester before Field Education 2-4 courses per semester during Field Education 19

20 Advanced Standing Degree Program - TC For students with a BSW degree who meet the required GPA Part-Time student 7 semesters 2 semesters of Field Education Usually 2 courses per semester before Field Education 2-4 courses per semester during Field Education 20

21 Additional Focus Areas We offer: A School Social Work Certification all of courses in Traverse City curriculum meet the requirements for this certificate, plus 1 additional 4 credit course A combined Master of Social Work & Master of Public Administration program is also available A Master s Thesis, while not required, is available for those who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or who have a strong interest in a particular research topic and who would like to learn more about it 21

22 Regular Degree Admission Requirements Bachelors degree from an accredited institution of higher education 3.0 or above GPA (calculated on last 60 semester credit hrs.) Minimum of 18 credit hours in social science courses (human biology, sociology, psychology, social work, etc.) 3 recommendation forms Personal statement Current resume Official transcripts 22

23 Advanced Standing Admission Requirements BSW from a CSWE-accredited social work or social welfare program Minimum of 3.0 or above in all social work courses or a 3.5 or above cumulative GPA in all social work courses* Graduated within 5 years of enrollment in the MSW program 3 recommendation forms Personal statement * Please Note: Advanced Standing Current resume admission is not guaranteed on the basis of GPA or course grades alone. Official transcripts 23

24 Application Process TC & SSM (Only) Applications can be submitted in hard copy or online through the Graduate Studies Office at Deadlines for 2015: Traverse City Advanced Standing - Part Time Mar. 15 Begins Spring/Summer 2015 semester Sault Ste. Marie Regular Program Part Time June 1 Begins Fall 2015 semester 24

25 Financial Aid Assistance The Financial Aid Office can help you maximize your investment by working with you to determine how to most effectively meet your unique needs. The office is easily accessible online at or by phone at

26 Prepare Yourself for Graduate School! Prepare for academic rigor Prepare for reading, reading, and more reading! Brush up on your writing skills Consider this: Every 3 credit hour course requires 3 hours in the classroom + 6 hours of work outside the classroom 26

27 Prepare Yourself for Field Education Field Education is 3 semesters for the regular MSW program (2 semesters for Advanced Standing) Each semester is 330 hours, which is 315 hours in a field placement setting + 15 hours in seminar class Average of 21 hours per week in field site + 2 hours every other week for seminar All semesters in the same placement site 27

28 Prepare Yourself for Field Education Mandatory Field Orientation Seminar (pre-requisite to student s field placement) Weekend or evening placements are highly unlikely Students do not select their field placements. Placements are arranged by the Field Coordinator. Students are involved in the selection process through the writing of essays identifying their top three choices for field placement Students will be placed within a 50 mile radius of their home location, if at all possible 28

29 Questions? You could be here! GVSU NMC University Center campus, Traverse City, Michigan 29

30 Grand Valley State School of Social Work Grand Rapids Campus: 401 West Fulton Street DeVos Center, 391C Grand Rapids, MI Phone: Fax: Website: Traverse City Campus: 2200 Dendrinos Dr. Traverse City, MI Phone: Fax: Website: 30