Master of Social Work (MSW) Program Orientation

Transcription

1 & Salisbury University MSW ORIENTATION Master of Social Work Master of Social Work (MSW) Program Orientation Offered by Salisbury University in conjunction with University of Maryland University College Europe Accredited since 2004 by The Council on Social Work Education Salisbury University Social Work Department Salisbury, Maryland UMUC Europe Headquarters Hertelsbrunnenring 10 Kaiserslautern, Germany

2 Welcome to the UMUC Europe & Salisbury University (SU) Master of Social Work (MSW) Program Dear Potential Applicant, Thank you for your interest in the Salisbury University Master of Social Work program administered by UMUC Europe. Salisbury University has been providing quality professional education since The SU social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education which recognizes this professional program as having a level of performance, integrity, and quality that entitles it to the confidence of the educational community and the public. Graduation from an accredited program is necessary in order to obtain licensure as a social worker. Since 2007, the Social Work Department has partnered with other educational institutions in Maryland to provide the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate and/or master s degree in social work by providing instruction to students who would not otherwise have access to these programs. Most recently, the Social Work Department has partnered with University of Maryland University College (UMUC) to provide our programs to servicemembers, civilians, and their dependents while stationed in Europe. The MSW Program is designed to inform students about community direct practice with individuals, families, and groups. Classes are conducted in on-site, online, and hybrid formats. There are two intensive field placements, one in the first year and an advanced placement in the second year. In Europe, we have limited resources. Students will need to be proactive in helping to secure a practicum site that must be approved by Salisbury University. Most internships are during regular working hours and realistically, students who are working full-time or have inflexible schedules, may find it difficult to secure internships. This orientation guide provides the information you will need as you consider applying to the MSW program. If you have questions about the academic components of the program, please contact Dr. Mimi Sodhi, the UMUC Europe social work program coordinator, located in Ramstein, Germany, at mimi.sodhi@umuc.edu or +49-(0) If you have technical questions about the admissions process, the UMUC Europe/Salisbury partnership, or need assistance with the application process, please contact our Graduate Programs department at graduatesocialwork-europe@umuc.edu. For more detailed information on the MSW program as a whole, please consult the Salisbury University MSW Handbook. Best wishes, Mimi Sodhi, PhD UMUC Europe / Salisbury University Social Work Program Coordinator 2

3 Social Work: Is It For You? In the final analysis, only you can really make the decision about whether you have what it takes to be a social worker and whether it is something you want to do. The following questions can hopefully assist you in making a determination about social work as a degree specialization and personal profession. For further help in making a decision about whether you are the social work type, seek out professional social workers in the community, students who are specializing in social work, and the social work faculty to discuss your interests and aptitudes. 1. Are you genuinely interested in people of all kinds? Social workers are committed to helping people regardless of racial, economic, cultural, and other differences. Prejudice does not fit with the values of the profession. 2. Do you believe in human potential for growth and change? It is important to have faith that everybody has some inner strength and that people can change, given the chance. 3. Do you have patience, perseverance, and the ability to follow through? The social worker should be hard to discourage and always resourceful in seeking new ways to help clients. 4. Do you work well with people? Social workers need to get along with clients, colleagues, and other professional workers. The ability to resolve conflicts is essential for effective social work practice. 5. Are you interested in your own personal growth and well-being? Social workers must be aware of themselves and their own struggles so they do not get mixed up with the client s troubles. Social workers must be willing to know and take care of themselves. 6. Are you interested in developing your problem-solving abilities? An interest in what makes people tick, keeping current on what is happening in the world, picking out key facts in a stack of data, and taking responsibility and making important decisions are important criteria for social workers. 7. Are you interested in the larger picture? A social worker cares about the state of the nation and of the world, sees each human problem in its relationship to the whole community, and works for better housing, better health services, better schools, and better wages. 8. Are you interested in using scientific methods to work with people? A social worker bases his/her practice on established social work methods and uses scientific studies when possible. 9. Are you willing to accept people s differences and are you able to withhold judgment and bias? A social worker values the dignity of all individuals and avoids blaming people for their circumstances. If you answered yes to most of these questions, then you will find social work a challenging and interesting career. 3

4 Admission Criteria Applicants to the 62 credit MSW program require: A bachelor s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. A broad liberal arts background with a minimum of 24 hours, including at least one course in Sociology English Psychology Political Science Statistics History A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in your last 60 upper division courses and a 3.0 GPA in your last 120 credits leading to your bachelor s degree. Note: Applicants who have a GPA between 2.5 to 3.0 for the 120 credits leading to the bachelor s degree and an otherwise strong application will be considered for provisional admission. Three letters of recommendation: One academic recommendation (instructor/professor) One employer recommendation (supervisor) One personal recommendation (professional colleague/community associate) A current résumé. Three essays with a length of two to three pages each: A statement discussing your reasons for selecting social work as a profession and the SU Program An opportunity to demonstrate your ability to think critically A discussion of how you will contribute to the SU MSW Program Applicants to the 32 credit Advanced Standing MSW Program require: A bachelor s degree from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education within the last three years. Applicants who graduated from an undergraduate Social Work program within the last five years and have two years of human service work during those five years will also be considered. A minimum GPA of 3.2 in your last 60 upper division courses and a 3.0 GPA in your last 120 credits leading to your bachelor s degree. Note: Applicants who have a GPA between 2.8 to 3.0 for the 120 credits leading to the bachelor s degree and an otherwise strong application will be considered for provisional admission. Three letters of recommendation: One field placement supervisor recommendation One academic recommendation One professional/employer recommendation All of the aforementioned requirements for the 62 credit MSW program. 4

5 Salisbury University Program Information and Policies Field education is an integral component of the social work curriculum, engaging the student in supervised social work practice and providing opportunities to apply classroom learning in the field setting. The Field Education Experience: Foundation Year During the foundation year, students enroll in SOWK 640 Field Education I and SOWK 645 Field Education II, which consist of the field experience and field seminars. In the field seminars, students are challenged to explore their personal values and beliefs, and to use critical thinking to prepare for actual social work practice. Customarily, students in the field education practicum are enrolled simultaneously in a social work practice course. Students begin working in the agency during the first week of the fall semester. The student is typically in field placement two full days per week (16 hours) and stays in the same placement through the spring semester. During these two semesters, students are expected to move from a beginning ability to identify, understand, and evaluate policies and processes to increasingly sophisticated evaluation, application, and intervention. Additional details will be provided by the UMUC Europe social work coordinator to students admitted to the MSW program. The Field Education Experience: Concentration Year During the concentration year, students enroll in SOWK 665 Field Education III and SOWK 685 Field Education IV, which consist of the field experience and field seminars. During the concentration year, most students work three days per week (24 hours/week) across both fall and spring semesters in a field education setting which offers the opportunity to develop advanced level practice with individuals, couples, families, and groups to the extent possible within a particular agency. As students move through the program, they are expected to function responsibly and with increasing autonomy in all areas of practice. Students are expected to assume increasing responsibility for their own learning and to demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development as they enter the social work profession. Field Education Agencies There are some approved agencies on military installations throughout Europe; however, realistically, there are limited resources. Consequently, the identification of suitable sites and the placement process is a collaborative effort between the student and the social work coordinator. Once admitted, the coordinator will conduct a Field Education Orientation to explain the placement process. Students will have internships in two different agencies one for the foundation year and another agency for the concentration year. 5

6 Field Education Program Selection of Field Supervisors The field supervisor s qualifications must include a Master of Social Work, two years of experience beyond the master s degree, be employed by the agency, and be licensed at least at the graduate level. They are expected to be on site for at least 50% of the time that the student is assigned to be there. Employment-Based Field Education An employment-based field education option has been developed for those students who would like to have their field placement at the agency where they are currently employed. A student who wants to pursue this option must submit a written proposal to the Social Work program field coordinator. Exemptions from Fieldwork There are no exemptions from the field education based on prior experience. The Accreditation Standards of the Council on Social Work Education specifically state that academic credit for life experience and previous work experience shall not be given, in whole or in part, in lieu of the field practice. Field courses do not transfer at any time, even if a student took field courses at another institution. Preparation for Fieldwork Background Check In order to intern on military installations, students must be able to pass a background check. If you have current background check (for Federal employment: SF-85) on file, this process is much simpler. Liability Insurance All students must purchase and maintain liability insurance throughout both internships. During the field orientation seminar, students will be provided more information on purchasing liability insurance (approximately $25/year). Students are not allowed to enter the field without providing proof of insurance. 6

7 Salisbury University Program Information and Policies Program of Study UMUC Europe social work students follow Salisbury University s academic schedule. All courses (with the exception of field courses) are 7 weeks long and each course is 3 credits. As these courses are condensed from the traditional 14-week semester for a 3 credit course, students can expect the workload to be intense. Each field course is conducted over two sessions for a 14-week semester. Course Information All courses are taught through Salisbury University s Learning Management System, Canvas. Admitted students will be provided a Salisbury University account and will use this ID to access MyClasses at the following link: Technical Requirements and Support Services Students will be required to collaborate via technology, make videos, work on group projects, make presentations, and in some cases, connect synchronously. It is imperative that students have a reliable internet connection. University Academic Standards To remain in good academic standing, graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all graduate courses. Please reference the full Salisbury University Student Handbook for details. Scheduling, Absences, Emergencies, and Illness Students are expected to adhere to the Social Work Department s attendance policies as outlined in the MSW Student Handbook. In addition, students are expected to perform fieldwork responsibilities with the same degree of accountability as in a paid position, which includes the observation of all agency personnel practices. Students are expected to be present at the agency as scheduled. In the case of emergencies or illness, agency field supervisors should be notified as early as possible. Repeated absences will affect the student s field performance and evaluations. Any time missed due to sick days or emergencies must be made up by the student. 7

8 Salisbury University Program Information and Policies Time Limitations All work applied to a master s degree, including transfer credits, must be completed within seven calendar years. Any course completed more than seven years prior to the final completion date of all graduation requirements cannot be used toward graduation. Students Redeployment/PCS to the U.S. We understand that, due to the dynamic nature of the military community, not all students will be able to complete the program within the standard period of time due to unexpected redeployment or reassignment to a stateside duty station. Students who are fully accepted into the MSW program and have begun taking classes in Europe will be able to complete the degree completely online from their new stateside location. Students will receive the in-state Maryland tuition rate as long as the student remains continuously enrolled. The UMUC Europe social work coordinator will work with the Salisbury University faculty advisor to ensure a smooth transition. Students will work directly with the Salisbury University field director to secure a placement stateside. There may be some impact on estimated completion of the program depending on when the student transfers in relation to what courses are being offered stateside at that time. 8

9 SU/UMUC Europe MSW Curriculum Regular Curriculum FOUNDATION COURSES Credits SOWK 605 Social Welfare Policy: Foundations and Structure 3 SOWK 610 Theoretical Analysis of Behavior I 3 SOWK 616 Social Work Research I 3 SOWK 617 Social Work Research II 3 SOWK 620 Social Work Practice I 3 SOWK 622 Social Work Practice II 3 SOWK 623 Social Work Practice III 3 SOWK 630 Theoretical Analysis of Behavior II 3 SOWK 640 Field Instruction I 3 SOWK 645 Field Instruction II 3 CONCENTRATION COURSES SOWK 602 Ethical Foundation of Social Work (online) 3 SOWK 650 Advanced Practice with Individuals 3 SOWK 654 Psychopathology 3 SOWK 655 Evaluation of Social Work Practice 3 SOWK 660 Advanced Practice with Families 3 SOWK 663 Supervision and Administration 3 SOWK 665 Field Instruction III 4 SOWK 680 Advanced Practice with Groups 3 SOWK 685 Field Instruction IV 4 ELECTIVE COURSE SOWK ELE Social Work Elective 3 SOWK 653 Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention or SOWK 677 Child Welfare Total Credits 62 Advanced Standing Curriculum Credits SOWK 602 Ethical Foundation of Social Work (online) 3 SOWK 650 Advanced Practice with Individuals 3 SOWK 654 Psychopathology 3 SOWK 655 Evaluation of Social Work Practice 3 SOWK 660 Advanced Practice with Families 3 SOWK 663 Supervision and Administration 3 SOWK 665 Field Instruction III 4 SOWK 680 Advanced Practice with Groups 3 SOWK 685 Field Instruction IV 4 ELECTIVE COURSE SOWK ELE Social Work Elective 3 SOWK 653 Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention or SOWK 677 Child Welfare Total Credits

10 Where to Go for Assistance Master of Social Work (MSW) HELP NEEDED PERSON/DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION Initiating UMUC e-app; general questions about the admissions process UMUC Europe Graduate Programs Office Questions on application process and materials, once you have received an initial from Salisbury University Questions about the academic or field components of the MSW Program Questions regarding financial aid Disability services General questions about grades/records/ s from Salisbury University General questions about UMUC records and registration assistance Salisbury University Social Work Program Admissions Team Dr. Mimi Sodhi Social Work Coordinator UMUC Europe UMUC Europe Financial Aid Office UMUC Europe Office of Student Services Salisbury University Social Work Program: Carrie Taylor UMUC Europe Graduate Programs Office CIV +49-(0) or Purchasing textbooks WebText webtext.europe.umuc.edu Technical assistance for MyClasses when enrolled in courses Salisbury University IT Helpdesk CIV or Syllabus for a course UMUC Europe schedule of classes or the generic syllabus for the course Information about a specific course (once registered) Course instructor Check syllabus Writing Center Research (books, articles, DVDs) Salisbury University Writing Center Salisbury University Library Ms. Mou Chakraborty nmmunday@salisbury.edu or mxchakraborty@salisbury.edu MSW Program academic advisor Dr. Mimi Sodhi mimi.sodhi@umuc.edu Field placement questions SW Field Coordinator SW Field Coordinator Thank you for your interest in the UMUC Europe and Salisbury University Master of Social Work program. We hope this orientation guide proves useful as you consider your career goals and make the decision to apply. Please do not hesitate to contact UMUC Europe Graduate Programs with additional questions regarding any aspect of the application process, the degree, or the field of social work. We stand ready to assist you with every step of your journey towards your social work degree. 10