Master of Social Work

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, Savannah State University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program is an administrative track that prepares students to become architects for social change. Over the course of their degree, students learn public policy, and study crisis intervention in a rich educational tradition that is rooted in social justice and social change.

To accommodate a wide range of talented students and working professionals seeking an MSW degree, SSU offers two distinct degree paths: a clinical social work concentration and a social administration concentration.

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
Minimum GRE score of 3.0 in Analytical Writing portion
Official transcript(s) direct from all colleges/universities attended
Graduate School 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
Three letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional persons)

Regular Full Time Admission

Regular admission requires students to satisfy the GRE Analytical Writing (3.0) and GPA (2.8) requirements. This is a two-year 60 credit hour program with students completing 15 credit hours per semester. The Full Time curriculum begins in the fall semester.

Advance Standing Admission

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 must satisfy the GRE Analytical Writing (3.0) and the GPA (3.0) requirements. The Advanced Standing curriculum begins in May. 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 39 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. Provisional Admission may be granted to applicants whose GRE analytical writing score and/or GPA fall below the minimum required for admission. The student must earn a grade of "B" in each course during the first semester of enrollment in order to remain the MSW Program.

Non-Degree (Special) Admission

Non degree students can apply up to 6 semester hours of graduate credit taken at SSU to the MSW program provided they meet the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education. 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 admitted in non-degree status are not eligible for financial aid.

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

Orientation

A required orientation to the MSW Program is held at the beginning of the fall semester for Full Time students and the beginning of the summer semester for Part Time and Advanced Standing students during the registration period. All MSW students are required to attend orientation.

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 typically during day hours and not evenings or weekends.

MSW students must complete 1000 clock hours of field practicum for a total of 18 semester credit hours. MSW I students complete a one semester foundation practicum at 20 hours a week for a total of 300 hours (6 credits) for the semester. In the advanced year, MSW II students complete two semesters of concentration practicum at 24 hours a week, 350 hours per semester for a total of 700 hours (6 credits per semester). Field practicum is taken concurrently with social work practice classes. In the advanced year, field learning experiences are focused on students' declared concentration (Clinical Practice or Social Administration Practice).

In addition to their field placement hours, MSW students are required to attend a 15 hour seminar course for each semester in field placement.

Master of Social Work Curriculum

Foundation (33 hours)

SOWK 5501 Law, Race and Poverty in the Welfare of Children (3 hours)
MSWK 6600 Advanced Standing Integrative Foundation (Required for Advanced Standing Students Only) (3 hours)
MSWK 6650 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 hours)
MSWK 6651 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 hours)
MSWK 6652 Cultural Diversity and Social Work Practice (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 6690 Field Practicum I (hours)
MSWK 6782 Advanced Policy and Planning (3 hours)
Electives (3 hours)
Policy Practice Cognate Elective (Select One)
MSWK 6675 Advocacy and Service Delivery Child and Welfare (3 hours)
MSWK 6685 Gerontological Policy and Practice (3 hours)
MSWK 7000 Military Social Work (3 hours)

Choose one concentration:

Clinical Social Work Concentration (33 Hours)

MSWK 6750 Clinical Practice I (3 hours)
MSWK 6751 Clinical Practice II (3 hours)
MSWK 6752 Crisis Intervention and Brief Therapy (3 hours)
MSWK 6762 Mental Health Issues with Adults: Psychopathology (3 hours)
MSWK 6760 Research Methods II (3 hours)
MSWK 6790 Field Practicum II (6 hours)
MSWK 6791 Field Practicum III (6 hours)
MSWK 6805 Integrative Seminar (3 hours)
Electives (6 hours)

Social Administration Concentration (33 Hours)

MSWK 6780 Social Administration I (3 hours)
MSWK 6781 Social Administration II (3 hours)
MSWK 6834 Public Budgeting and Finance (3 hours)
MSWK 6760 Research Methods II (3 hours)
MSWK 6790 Field Practicum II (3 hours)
MSWK 6791 Field Practicum III (6 hours)
MSWK 6805 Integrative Seminar (6 hours)
Electives (3 hours)

Total Hours Required for Master of Social Work (60 hours)

Application Deadlines:

Fall:
April 1 - Advanced Standing
May 15 - International Students & Graduate Assistantships
May 23- Regular Admissions

Spring:
October 1 - International Students & Graduate Assistantships
October 31 - Regular Admissions

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