MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK
Director: Joanne
Hessmiller
Program
Description
The mission of the Social Work
Program at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke seeks to prepare
students to become leaders in enhancing the quality of life and seeking
solutions to rural problems. It is particularly concerned with the consequences
of injustice, and thus focuses on the empowerment of populations-at-risk and
the advancement of economic, political and social justice in all communities.
Additionally the mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the
University of North Carolina at Pembroke is to prepare students for
professional social work practice within an advanced generalist model. Social
workers prepared using an advanced generalist model have the capacity to
practice in varied settings with diverse client populations. They are equipped
to utilize resources available in rural areas and prepared for challenges faced
when working with indigenous communities. They have an awareness of both
historical and contemporary social issues that are embedded in a framework of a
larger, more global reality. The MSW program offers a program for full-time and
part-time students as well as an advanced standing program for students who
have completed a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work
Education (CSWE) accredited social work program.
Program-Specific
Admissions Standards
Applications
are welcome at any time during the year, but the MSW program will not admit new
students for spring semester and will admit advanced standing students in the
summer only. All admissions will be for
summer or fall terms.
Request
your recommendations from professional supervisors or university faculty who
are not members of the UNCP Social Work Department.
Submit
an essay which incorporates both autobiographical information and discussion of
a social problem. Detailed directions
are available on the Graduate School website and must be carefully followed.
Complete
a criminal background check. Directions
and a link to the URL are available on the Graduate School website.
|
Requirements for a
Master of Social Work |
Sem. Hrs. |
|
Required Courses SWK
5000 Micro Human Behavior and the Social Environment SWK
5050 Foundations of Social Work SWK
5060 Social Work Practice with Individuals SWK
5070 Social Welfare Policies and Analysis SWK
5100 Generalist Social Work Research SWK
5150 Macro Human Behavior and the Social Environment SWK
5200 Social Work in a Diverse Community SWK
5300 Foundation Practicum I and Seminar SWK
5400 Foundation Practicum II and Seminar |
27 |
|
Concentration Courses SWK
5080 Advanced Generalist Practice in Rural Settings SWK
5410 Social Work Practice Administration in Rural Settings SWK
5430 Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families SWK
5450 Advanced Generalist Intervention Research SWK
5500 Concentration Practicum I and Seminar SWK
5580 Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice with Groups and Organizations
in Rural Communities SWK
5600 Advanced Clinical Assessment and Intervention Methods SWK
5800 Concentration Practicum II and Seminar |
27 |
|
Electives
(If taken out of
the department, must have special permission) SWK
5320 Community Development and Social Planning in Rural Communities SWK
5700 Child Welfare SWK
5710 Grant Writing |
6 |
|
|
Program Total: 60 |
|
Requirements for a
Master of Social Work—Advanced Standing |
Sem. Hrs. |
|
Required Courses SWK
5110 Advanced Standing Bridge Course—Practice Module SWK
5120 Advanced Standing Bridge Course—HBSE Module SWK
5130 Advanced Standing Bridge Course—Research Module SWK
5140 Advanced Standing Bridge Course—Policy Module SWK
5080 Advanced Generalist Practice in Rural Settings SWK
5410 Practice Administration in Rural Settings SWK
5430 Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families SWK
5450 Advanced Generalist Intervention Research SWK
5500 Concentration Practicum I and Seminar SWK
5580 Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice with Groups and Organizations
in Rural Communities SWK
5600 Advanced Clinical Assessment and Intervention Methods SWK
5800 Concentration Practicum II and Seminar |
35 |
|
Electives
(If taken out of
the department, must have special permission) SWK
5320 Community Development and Social Planning in Rural Communities SWK
5700 Child Welfare SWK
5710 Grant Writing |
3 |
|
Program Total for Advanced
Standing |
38 |
COURSES
SWK 5000. Micro
Human Behavior and the Social Environment
This
course reflects a critical perspective on understanding individuals, families,
and their interpersonal and group relationships; lifespan development; theories
of well-being, stress, coping and adaptation. The emphasis within this course
is on knowledge about individuals and small social systems and the implications
of this knowledge for all domains of social work practice. Major components
will be concerned with the processes of oppression, privilege, and
discrimination and factors that help people and small social systems change.
Credit, 3 semester hours. Prerequisite:
Admission to Graduate School.
SWK 5050.
Foundations of Social Work Practice
This
course provides the context for advanced generalist social work practice.
Students will learn about the historical development of the social work
profession. The course offers an overview of contemporary social work practice
and the need for social services in a modern society. It reviews social work
methods and fields of practice with an emphasis on professional values and
ethics. The objectives are realized through an Ethical Dilemma Paper, a person
model of advanced generalist social work practice paper, class discussions, and
experiential exercises. Credit, 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School.
SWK 5060.
Social Work Practice With Individuals
This
course emphasizes social work concepts and fundamental skills of practice with
individuals and their families. Students will learn a problem solving process
that includes problem identification, needs and strengths assessments,
planning, intervention, termination, and evaluation. Skills in relationship
building, interviewing, and recording and documentation will be reviewed.
Knowledge and skills relevant to practice with populations at risk including
women, people of color, those who are gay and lesbian, and/or are economically
impoverished will be emphasized. Issues of oppression, diversity, social
justice, values, and ethics will be integrated throughout the course. Attention
will also be given to the evolution of social work practice from an historical
perspective. Credit, 3 semester hours.
Prerequisites: Admission to Graduate School.
SWK 5070.
Social Welfare Policies and Analysis
This
course provides students with an overview of the history and development of
social policy and programs in the United States. Students will learn how to
analyze contemporary social policy issues and social programs and to understand
the relationship between social policy and law. The course focuses on
political, economic, and other social conditions that influence policy and law
with an emphasis on social justice. Students will learn basic legal research
and will become familiar with laws that provide the foundation for many social
policies. Students will develop skills necessary to function within the legal
system on behalf of various vulnerable populations. Credit, 3 semester
hours. Prerequisite: Admission to
Graduate School.
SWK 5080. Advanced
Generalist Practice in Rural Settings
This
course presents the unique challenges to social work with populations in rural
settings, with an emphasis on rural areas of North Carolina. The course will
examine the history of the rural experience and how it is affected by changes
in the ethnic, economic, technological, and political landscape. The course
will include implications of these changes for the practice of social work
using an advanced generalist approach. Credit, 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School.
SWK 5100. Generalist
Social Work Research
The
purpose of this course is to increase students’ knowledge of various research
and evaluation methods that can be used in social work settings across a number
of populations and modalities. The course will focus on how ethics apply to
research and evaluation, how research problems are formulated, how hypotheses
or research questions are derived, and the specific designs that researchers
may use in addressing specific research topics. Students will learn the
processes involved in carrying out social work research, examine social work
research issues, evaluate research findings, and assess research Credit, 3
semester hours. Prerequisites: SWK 3910 or a statistics course.
SWK 5110. Advanced
Standing Bridge Course—Practice Module
This
course is for advanced standing students in the Social Work Department:
students who have completed the Bachelor of Social Work degree from an
accredited social work program. This course is designed to provide a conceptual
orientation for the Advanced Generalist concentration year. This course is intended to supplement the
knowledge, skills, and values foundation developed in participants’ BSW
programs. It addresses topics necessary for Advanced Generalist MSW-level
practice and to support effective and ethical micro- and macro-level
interventions. This course will address knowledge and skills gaps in
preparation for Advanced Generalist practice curriculum. Credit, 2 semester
hours. PREREQ: Acceptance
into Advanced Standing or permission of instructor.
SWK 5120. Advanced
Standing Bridge Course—HBSE Module
This
course is for advanced standing students in the Social Work Department:
students who have completed the Bachelor of Social Work degree from an
accredited social work program. This course is designed to provide a conceptual
orientation for the Advanced Generalist concentration year. Students will demonstrate
an understanding of the factors which influence and shape family life and
individual development within the context of society, communities,
organizations, and institutions at an advanced level. It is designed to
supplement and complement the social work training that individuals have
received in BSW programs as preparation for students’ entry into the second
year of the master’s program. Credit, 2
semester hours. PREREQ: Acceptance
into Advanced Standing or permission of instructor.
SWK 5130. Advanced
Standing Bridge Course—Research Module
This
course is for advanced standing students in the Social Work Department:
students who have completed the Bachelor of Social Work degree from an
accredited social work program. This course is designed to provide a conceptual
orientation for the Advanced Generalist concentration year. Students will
enhance their skills in evaluation, appraisal, and application of the concepts,
design, and process of applied research in social work, focusing on foundation skills
in conducting empirical research within the context of theory, literature
review, research design and measurement, research ethics, and professional
practice. Credit, 2 semester hours.
PREREQ: Acceptance into Advanced Standing or
permission of instructor.
SWK 5140. Advanced
Standing Bridge Course—Policy Module
This
course is for advanced standing students in the Social Work Department:
students who have completed the Bachelor of Social Work degree from an
accredited social work program. This course is designed to provide a conceptual
orientation for the Advanced Generalist concentration year. The goal of this course is to refresh and
enhance students’ welfare policy analysis in preparation for the concentration year.
Students will enhance their skills in analyzing contemporary social policy
issues and social programs and to understand the relationship between social
policy and law. The course focuses on
political, economic, and other social conditions that influence policy and law
with an emphasis on social justice. This
course will address knowledge and skill gaps in preparation for the advanced
generalist practice curriculum. Credit, 2 semester hours. PREREQ: Acceptance into Advanced Standing or
permission of instructor.
SWK 5150. Macro
Human Behavior and the Social Environment
This
course stimulates student thinking about the role of privileged and oppressed
statuses and their influence on human development. This emphasis is supported
by the NASW Code of Ethics, which states: “Social workers should obtain
education about and seek to understand the nature of social diversity and
oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual
orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion, and mental or
physical disability” (NASW Code of Ethics, 1.05c). Credit, 3 semester
hours. Prerequisite: Admission to
Graduate School.
SWK 5200.
Social Work in a Diverse Community
This
course is designed to present students with an overview of the complex issues
surrounding social work with diverse populations. Students will explore the
impact of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, ability, and/or gender, and
examine the consequences of marginalizing members of oppressed groups. Students
will play an active role in their own learning through the use of writing,
electronic discussion groups, and other experiential exercises. Credit, 3
semester hours. Prerequisite: Admission
to Graduate School.
SWK 5300. Foundation Practicum I and Seminar
This
is the first course of two foundation practica that enable students to apply
master’s level coursework in a generalist practice setting. Students, agency
supervisors, and faculty field instructors plan activities that will support
the development of generalist skills as specified in individualized learning
contracts. Students will be exposed to a variety of social work roles and
responsibilities. The graduate field instruction includes a seminar that will
meet four times throughout the semester. The purpose of the seminar will be for
students to share field experiences and to relate them to real world
experiences. Credit, 3 semester hours.
Open to MSW students only. Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School.
SWK 5320.
Community Development and Social Planning in Rural Communities
This
course examines methods of organizing people for social and political advocacy
on their own behalf or on behalf of others to bring about change in rural
communities. Rural community advocacy is an empowering process to bring
together underrepresented groups to generate power and create a more socially
just society. This course builds on the foundation course work. Credit, 3
semester hours.
SWK 5400. Foundation Practicum II and Seminar
This
is the second course of two foundation practica that enable students to apply master’s
level coursework in a generalist practice setting. Students, agency
supervisors, and faculty field instructors plan activities that will support
the development of generalist skills as specified in individualized learning
contracts. Students will be exposed to a variety of social work roles and
responsibilities. The graduate field instruction includes a seminar that will
meet four times throughout the semester. The purpose of the seminar will be for
students to share field experiences and to relate them to real world
experiences. Credit, 3 semester hours.
Open to MSW students only. Prerequisites: Admission to Graduate School and SWK 5300.
SWK 5410. Social
Work Practice Administration in Rural Settings
The
purpose of this course is to equip students to perform a variety of management
functions in a broad range of human service organizations and other non-profits.
The course will focus on areas that include the role of the manager, theories
of management, specific approaches to management of the organization,
motivating workers, management of data, information and budgets, and
supervision. Emphasis will be on the integration of theory and the practical
application of management tools and techniques for effective functioning of the
organization. This course builds on the foundation course work. Credit, 3
semester hours. Prerequisite:
Admission to the Graduate School
SWK 5430.
Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families
This
course examines practice with individuals and families. Mastery of tasks that
enhance social functioning will be examined. Students will learn effective
strength-based interviewing skills. The course will also address family and
community-centered assessment within an ecological framework. Special attention is given to the needs of
families affected by poverty and oppression in rural communities. Credit, 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: SWK 5060 or Advanced
Standing.
SWK 5450. Advanced
Generalist Intervention Research
The
purpose of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of
the research design techniques necessary to evaluate the effects of services on
clients, community needs, and address the needs for accountability, as well as
practice evaluation. The themes of diversity and social work values and ethics
are addressed in relation to macro research methods, program evaluation, and
community-based research. Attention is placed on diversity concerns related to
indigenous populations. This course covers the applications of research design
techniques to data collection in human service agencies and communities,
including the use of statistical analysis for program evaluation and needs
assessment. Credit, 3 semester hours.
Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School and SWK 5100 or 5130.
SWK 5500. Concentration
Practicum I and Seminar
This
is the first practicum in the concentration curriculum. This course enables
students to apply Advanced Generalist master’s level coursework in an advanced
generalist practice setting. Students, agency supervisors, and faculty field
instructors plan activities that will support the development of generalist
skills as specified in individualized learning contracts. Students will be
exposed to a variety of social work roles and responsibilities. Open
to MSW students only. Credit,
4 semester hours. Prerequisites: SWK 5300 and 5400 or Advanced Standing.
SWK 5580. Advanced
Generalist Social Work Practice with Groups and Organizations in Rural
Communities
This
advanced generalist course builds on the content presented during the
foundation year. It focuses on the processes of intervention in task and
individual change groups. Particular attention will be given to the recruitment
and composition of group members, leadership structure of small groups and
organizations, phases of group development, and such group processes as
decision-making, tension reduction, conflict resolution, goal setting,
contracting, and evaluation in the rural setting. Organizational theories will
be covered as well. Theories that support social justice will be emphasized.
The course will also consider how gender, ethnicity, race, social class, sexual
orientation, and different abilities will impact on various aspects of group
functioning such as purpose, composition, leadership, selection of intervention
strategies, and group development. A variety of experiential assignments and
exercises will be used to help students enhance their leadership knowledge and
skills. Credit, 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: Admission to the Graduate Program and SWK 5060 or Advanced Standing.
SWK 5600.
Advanced Clinical Assessment and Intervention Methods
An
advanced course in the assessment skills required for professional social work
practice in mental health and other clinical settings. The course will focus on
clinical assessment as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, DSM IV-TR. Students will be expected to become conversant
with the clinical descriptions used in mental health diagnosis and to master
the basic assessment skills required of social workers in clinical settings.
Students will apply assessment knowledge and skills in planning practical and
effective treatment strategies. Clinical assessment skills are not only
necessary for the social worker in many areas of direct practice but are of use
to all social workers as they deal with other helping professionals (i.e.,
psychiatrists, psychologists, school counselors, etc.). This may be
particularly true in rural settings where the social work generalist may be
called upon to function in multiple roles and fields of practice. Credit, 3
semester hours. Prerequisites: SWK 5060
or Advanced Standing.
SWK 5700.
Child Welfare (Rural/Indigenous Communities)
This
course is designed to provide practice knowledge and skills for students preparing
for positions in public child welfare. The competencies taught in the course
will also give social workers in a variety of settings that serve children a
better understanding of the child welfare system and its services in North
Carolina. The course is designed to acquaint the student with the tools and
techniques necessary to enhance their ability to think critically in a variety
of situations and experiences. Credit, 3 semester hours. Prerequisites: Admission to the MSW Program.
SWK
5710. Grant Writing
This
course will seek to develop research and grant writing skills and competencies
to aid the student in assisting communities, Community Based Organizations,
non-profit agencies, etc., in meeting the needs of the communities and/or
associated publics. The focus of this
course is the practical application of social analysis, critical thinking, and
the development of related skill-sets such as community mapping/research,
resource identification, program planning/development, capacity building, and
change/intervention strategies to aid in the creation of grant proposals
designed to address specific community or constituency needs. Students should expect a major time
investment in regards to research, writing, and weekly group
discussions/activities. Credit, 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School
SWK 5800. Concentration
Practicum II and Seminar
This
is the second practicum in the concentration year. This course enables students
to apply Advanced Generalist master’s level coursework in an advanced generalist
practice setting. Students, agency supervisors, and faculty field instructors
plan activities that will support the development of generalist skills as
specified in individualized learning contracts. Students will be exposed to a
variety of social work roles and responsibilities. Credit, 5 semester
hours. Open to MSW students
only. Prerequisites: SWK
5300, 5400, 5500 or
Advanced Standing.
SWKS 6xxx.
Special Topics in Social Work
These
courses will exam a special area or topic of relevance within the field of
social work. Topics to be considered
will be announced prior to registration and may vary. This course may be
repeated for different topics. Credit, 3
semester hours. Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.