school / Social Work faculty / Arts & Social Sciences MSW for working professionals
WELCOME On behalf of the University of Windsor and the School of Social Work, I would like to encourage you to consider doing your Social Work degree with us. We are one of the largest Social Work programs in the country and offer a degree that is unparalleled in quality. Indeed, having a MSW from Windsor will be an important key to your future as it will prepare you for the realities of professional life. Our program is comprehensive in that it includes the knowledge and skills that you will need to work at all levels including clinical and community practice; administration and leadership; and research, policy and program development. To aid you in this, we have brought together an impressive team of educators, including not only many of our own faculty, but also top scholars from across North America. Most of all, we are committed to your success and Set Yourself Apart You have achieved some career success in the human service field and want to take your career to the next level. You know that more employment opportunities and greater job security would be available to you if you had further education starting with completing a Social Work (MSW). The MSW for Working Professionals is offered in partnership between the Centre for Executive and Professional Education (CEPE) and the School of Social Work at the University of Windsor. This program will provide you with education to excel as a Social Work professional. The program is structured so that you can maintain your employment while attending class and obtain your MSW. This program will allow you to achieve your goals and will provide you with the quality education along with the tools needed for success in advancing in the Social Work field. continuing education. In saying this, I am convinced that becoming a University of Windsor School of Social Work student will be the best decision that you will ever make because at Windsor we are not only thinking forward, we are taking action! Dr. Brent Angell, Director of the School of Social Work University of Windsor MSW for Working Professionals Whether you have a BSW or an undergraduate degree (four-year honours degree) from another relevant discipline, the Social Work for Working Professionals has been developed for professionals like you in mind. This program will allow you to achieve your goals and will provide you with the quality education along with the tools needed for success in advancing in the Social Work field. The alternating weekend format meets the demands of many active professionals who want to take the next step in their career.
THE PROGRAM Program Objective The primary objective of the program is to promote the development of practice skills and knowledge; thus producing graduates who are able to assume leadership roles in the provision of direct and indirect practice with vulnerable populations. It allows our graduates the opportunity to participate across a broad spectrum of practice using the ecological perspective. This program will further your understanding of Social Work practice by: Developing your expertise in the use of social work knowledge, values, and skills with vulnerable populations Incorporating greater depth of knowledge in the application of critical thinking skills Understanding and applying the theoretical basis of ecological systems perspective Employing techniques which incorporate social justice, empowerment and cultural competency and which consider forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination Advocating for social and economic change Demonstrating differential use-of-self with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities Evaluating intervention techniques and develop and implement research projects related to one s own practice Demonstrating leadership in direct practice and indirect practice, including community development; program development; policy creation, reform, and implementation; research development and implementation; and advocacy with all types of systems are emphasized. Program Overview A time and place to learn Our MSW for Working Professionals classes run on Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning in the Fall. Classes are held on alternating weekends (with some exceptions). You will complete the program in modular format taking one class at a time in a specific sequence with a limited class size. You will follow through the program with the same cohort made up of individuals, who like you, have real world experience with years of practical knowledge. For those entering the Regular Track with a four-year honours BA, you will complete the program in 32 months. Students entering with an honours BSW are admitted to the Advanced Standing program will complete the program in 16 months. Each academic year, the class locations will be evaluated to determine program feasibility in that particular geographic area. Our program locations will be confirmed pending adequate demand in each region. See our web site www.uwindsor.ca/msw for location details. Attending class with experienced and professional students who have been working in the field of allowed me to learn from their diverse working skills and backgrounds. I was proud to be part of a class that brought together students from diverse fields of social work practice. The lively class interaction; well qualified, friendly instructors; supportive and helpful staff at the Centre for Executive and Professional Education; and the peer experiences shared in class all provided me with a rich and valuable learning experience. Shayes Mozzafari, MSW Graduate working professionals 4 / www.uwindsor.ca/msw for / 5
We are proud that we have been able to offer the MSW program in a new way but still mirror the academic content and rigour of our on-campus program. Everyone graduates with the same degree. DISTINCTION Accreditation The degree completion requirements are modelled after our full-time on-campus MSW program and are academically rigorous. You will graduate with the same distinction as the on-campus students only you will have completed the academic requirements on weekends. The MSW for Working Professionals is fully accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work Education, which has a comity degree recognition agreement with the Council on Social Work Education in the United States. Our Graduates are eligible for membership in the Ontario Association of Social Workers, the Canadian Association of Social Workers and are eligible to apply for registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Learn from the people who are dedicated to the field The Centre for Executive and Professional Education, along with the School of Social Work, are committed to providing an exceptional learning environment for you. This includes instruction by top faculty at the School of Social Work who are recognized researchers, and professors with diverse backgrounds. The faculty at the School of Social Work is known not only for their community engagement but for their leadership in providing academic instruction. Instructors are also selected from your community for this program and help reflect the current values touching on the issues that may be specific to your region. You will graduate with the same distinction as the on-campus students only you will have completed the academic requirements on weekends. Where do you stand? Courses and Program Sequencing The courses are prescribed for you and are offered in a sequential format. This guarantees that all courses are offered and available to you. There are two possible entry points into the MSW for Working Professionals: 16 MONTHS 32 MONTHS Dr. Connie Kvarfordt, Coordinator of Off-Campus Programs Regular Track - You may be eligible for the Regular Track, or 32 month program, if you hold a four-year honours undergraduate degree (other than a BSW) from an accredited university. During your time of study, you will complete 10 Foundation courses (over 16 months) plus 9 Advanced courses (over 16 additional months). Advanced Standing - You may be eligible for Advanced Standing, or 16 month program, if you hold a BSW from an accredited university. During your time of study, you will complete 10 Advanced courses (over 16 months). 6 / www.uwindsor.ca/msw / 7
Courses listed below provide an opportunity to review the sequencing. For detailed course descriptions, please go to www.uwindsor.ca/msw. Regular Track 32 months and 19 courses (Foundation Curriculum plus Advanced Curriculum) Advanced Standing 16 months and 10 courses (Advanced Curriculum) Foundation Curriculum 47-515 Academic Professional Writing 47-550 Social Work Values, Ethics & Anti-Oppressive Practice 47-503 Foundations of Social Policy Analysis 47-504 Foundation Communication Skills in Advanced Social Work Practice 47-531 Foundations for Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals 47-532 Foundations for Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups 57-533 Foundations for Advanced Social Work Practice with Families 47-534 Foundations for Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities 47-570 Field Integration Seminar* 47-571 Social Work Foundation Year Practicum* Advanced Curriculum 47-621 Social Justice and Vulnerable Populations 47-523 Challenges in Human Development 47-622 Social Policy Analysis and Development 47-610 Advanced Direct Social Work Practice 47-547 Advanced Social Work Research: Practice Evaluation 47-611 Advanced Indirect Social Work Practice 47-640 Advanced Social Work Research: Program Evaluation 47-680 Advanced Internship Seminar* 47-681 Advanced Practice Internship* Advanced Curriculum 47-515 Academic Professional Writing 47-621 Social Justice and Vulnerable Populations 47-523 Challenges in Human Development 47-622 Social Policy Analysis and Development 47-610 Advanced Direct Social Work Practice 47-547 Advanced Social Work Research: Practice Evaluation Field Education An integral part of any program is the field education component. The field learning environment presents a unique opportunity for you to develop as an advanced er. This program will require that you partake in new learning opportunities throughout the duration of the field education that differs from your current employment. This will provide you with the opportunity to apply concepts, principles, theories, learned evaluation methods in the classroom to social work practice. If you are a student entering the Regular Track program, you will complete both the Foundation Field Practicum and the Advanced Practice Internship. Students who enter the Advanced Standing program only complete the Advanced Practice Internship. Students for both the Foundation Field Practicum and the Advanced Practice Internship are required to complete a minimum of 450 hours as a block placement, during the prescribed semester, 5 days (35 hours) per week, over 13 weeks. The timing of the field education portion will be provided to you on your schedule prior to entering your studies. The MSW for Working Professionals was created in such a way that the proper course sequencing must take place prior to entering the field; therefore, there is no flexibility regarding starting the placement early or extending it beyond the prescribed period. As part of my field placement, I was able to assist on an international project in South Africa. I was able to travel to South Africa and explore the social agencies in Durban and compare approaches to practice in those communities. Carla O Brien, MSW Graduate The placement is to provide you with the opportunity for new learning under new supervision. Your supervisor is someone who has at least two years work experience post- MSW. As a working professional you have the opportunity to complete your placement in a variety of fashions. PLACEMENT 47-611 Advanced Indirect Social Work Practice 47-640 Advanced Social Work Research: Program Evaluation 47-680 Advanced Internship Seminar* 47-681 Advanced Practice Internship* 8 / www.uwindsor.ca/msw * Must be taken concurrently / 9
You can choose one of the following that best suits your career situation and goals. Placement options: Internal Rotation You would stay at your current place of employment while taking leave from your existing position for 13 weeks. Throughout the duration of your placement, you will be required to have new supervision and a learning experience. Secondment/External Field Placement Your current place of employment understands that you will take leave from your existing position for 13 weeks and they will accommodate a Secondment allowing you to have the opportunity to take your placement at another organization. This situation works well where organizations already have a partnership and collaborate on community initiatives. The Centre for Executive and Professional Education, along with the School of Social Work, are committed to providing an exceptional learning environment for you. Leave of Absence - Your place of employment understands that you will take leave from your current position for 13 weeks to engage in a field placement at another organization. For more details about the placement options, please visit our website www.uwindsor.ca/msw. Once accepted into the program, you will work with our field staff to organize and define your Practicum/Internship ensuring that you meet the academic and field requirements. Through a collaborative process, our field staff will work with you to review your work history and learning goals to confirm your field assignment. 10 / www.uwindsor.ca/msw / 11
ADMISSION Admission Requirements We seek motivated applicants who not only meet but exceed our admission requirements and bring with them valuable work experience and maturity that will impact their respective fields and communities. Here are the requirements to assess applicants: Regular Track Confirmation that you have satisfactorily completed a four-year honours undergraduate degree (not a BSW) from an accredited university and have maintained a minimum average of B or greater, in the last 20 courses of your qualifying degree or overall cumulative average. The higher of the two will be used to determine your eligibility. You may enter the Regular Track from a variety of different disciplines related to. Advanced Standing Confirmation that you have satisfactorily completed a four-year honours BSW from an accredited University and have maintained a minimum average of B, or greater, in the last 20 courses of your degree or overall cumulative average. The higher of the two will be used to determine your eligibility. Both Programs Evidence of successful completion of one undergraduate course in statistics and one in research methods A minimum of three years of post-graduation, full-time work experience or volunteer in a relevant health, mental health, child welfare, or other social service field A completed Personal Statement A completed Professional Experience Form A completed Policy Statement with signature Three letters of reference (current supervisor, helping professional, and supplementary supervisor or academic); We seek motivated applicants who not only meet but exceed our admission requirements and bring with them valuable work experience and maturity that will impact their respective fields and communities. Support from Your Employer As a first step in the application process, discuss the MSW for Working Professionals program with your employer, and how it may impact your work as you will need to balance personal, professional and academic obligations. It is crucial that your current organization supports you during this exciting time and has a clear understanding of the demands that will be placed on you. Remember to highlight the benefits to your organization; you can contact us for assistance with this. Program schedules will be made available prior to your start date in order to give you and employer an opportunity to plan ahead. Within the application package, you must include a Letter of Support from your employer. You can find this form on our web site and provide it to your employer to confirm and sign. The Letter of Support covers two essential components: MSW for Working Professionals is an excellent opportunity to allow me to complete an MSW on Fridays and Saturdays while working full-time as a Director of Service. It provided very good tools for critical thinking and I was quickly able to apply my new knowledge to my current position after class weekends. I would whole heartedly recommend the program to other working professionals Ravinder Bains, MSW Graduate A Letter of Support from your current employer; and A completed on-line application form including payment of the non-refundable application fee (1) Classes begin on Fridays at 3:30 p.m., so it may be necessary for you to arrange to be relieved of your duties early on class days to be in your seat on time. (2) Your place of employment has agreed and is willing to facilitate an internal rotation, external secondment, or a leave of absence. Any of these options are to provide a distinctly unique experience from the one that already exists for you at the appropriate level and under new supervision. 12 / www.uwindsor.ca/msw / 13
Where to Apply Our on-line application service is set up for your convenience with easy to review application information. When you apply on-line our office knows the instant that you submit your application informing us that you are a serious candidate. Visit www.uwindsor.ca/msw for the on-line application along with all other pertinent admission information. As application packages are complete, the admissions committee will use a rolling admissions process where completed files will be reviewed first. Every year we receive a large volume of applications so apply early to avoid disappointment. The application deadline is May 1. Remember, at the Centre for Executive and Professional Education (CEPE), we are dedicated to our prospective students and students alike, so do not hesitate to contact us if you need more information. Program Partners The CEPE facilitates professional growth through degree programs and professional development workshops. We reach beyond the university s campus to individuals and organizations, locally and internationally to provide exceptional education that is critical in developing professional skills. Our entrepreneurial nature allows us the flexibility to accommodate programming. All the while, we maintain the mission of the University of Windsor which combines a strong and focused emphasis on the learning experience of every student with a very broad range of programs. Since 2001, the CEPE has had over 600 successful graduates from our various degree programs. The Centre has hosted more than a thousand participants in our public and custom workshop offerings. Our alumni and workshop participants not only further their careers, but carry with them the knowledge of best practices taught by our world-class faculty and associates. The mission of the School of Social Work at the University of Windsor is to promote social justice through quality professional education, advocacy, community partnerships, and the development and dissemination of knowledge. The School of Social Work has an outstanding reputation as leaders and providers of exceptional education in the field throughout North America. Their graduates from various degree programs go on to positively impact their respective communities. Benefits of MSW for Working Professionals Ability to complete an MSW on alternating weekends Maintain your full-time employment while going back to school Be energized and motivated by other working professionals Excellent faculty and instructors in a limited class size Opportunity to immediately apply new learning to current employment University of Windsor s reputation in Canada for outstanding Social Work education See for Yourself At the University of Windsor, we are passionate about providing you quality education in the Social Work field just as much as you are passionate about helping others. Experience our MSW for yourself, excel, and take your career to another level. As Program Administrator, I have watched successful applicants become exceptional students, moving forward as empowered MSW graduates who are using their advanced skills and knowledge to further develop their professional practice. They are achieving career success while making a positive impact within their communities. Janet Collins, MSW Graduate and Program Administrator 14 / www.uwindsor.ca/msw
CONTACT US telephone / 519-256-3113, ext. 21 (local) 1-866-419-0685, ext. 21 (toll free from Canada) e-mail / cepe@uwindsor.ca online / www.uwindsor.ca/msw mail / Centre for Executive and Professional Education at the University of Windsor Attention: MSW for Working Professionals 401 Sunset Avenue Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4 PAC5350 Produced by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications, University of Windsor 2011