Social Work - Archived 2019-20 Graduate Catalog

Program Coordinator: Margaret Jayne Adams

Address: 230 Health and Human Services
Phone: 419-372-7608
Email: padams@bgsu.edu

Degrees Offered
Master of Social Work (MSW)

Programs Offered
The Master of Social Work degree allows educational opportunities for professionals who wish to engage in advanced clinical practice in a variety of settings.

The MSW is a two year degree. The first year concentrates on generalist practice. Students gain understanding of the values and ethics of the social work profession, diversity, and social policy, as well as competence in basic practice skills with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities. The second year focuses on developing the knowledge, values and skills associated with advanced clinical and community practice in a specific specialty area. The area of specialization is gerontology (older adults). Students will gain an understanding of the intergenerational nature of social issues and family dynamics as well as the advanced clinical skills to work with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities.

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students in the Social Work program are expected to be able to:

• Demonstrate competence in all phases of the helping process in social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Analyze the impact of social policy on client well-being and service delivery systems.
• Advocate for human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
• Integrate research, policy and theory into social work practice.

Accreditation
Currently in candidacy with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Prerequisite to Graduate Work
A bachelor’s degree in social work is NOT required for admission.  Students who have undergraduate degrees in other areas are also welcome to apply. However degrees in human service fields are preferred. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 (on a 4 point scale) undergraduate cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants with below 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission status. Applicants need to complete research methods and statistics courses during their undergraduate education, or prior to beginning graduate level work, and earn a C or better in those courses.

Admission Procedure
Applicants seeking admission should follow the instructions outlined on the Graduate Admissions page.  All admissions to the MSW Program begin in the Graduate College. Applicants are required to submit scanned copies from official or unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended. Upon admission, final official or notarized copies of transcripts from all institutions where degrees were earned and diplomas from international institutions must be submitted. International applicants are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The GRE is not required.

Students can be admitted either to Regular Standing (two year, 60 credits) or to Advanced Standing (one year, 33 credits). Both programs offer full and part time options.

All applicants must submit a 3-5 page typewritten essay which addresses (a) why the applicant wants to be/is a social worker; (b) why a graduate degree is felt to be necessary to fulfill personal or professional objectives; (c) the applicant’s views regarding diversity in society; (d) a situation in which the applicant was the recipient/provider of help, emotionally, socially, or economically, and € a description of previous social work/human service work experience. Two letters of recommendation from individuals with knowledge of the applicant’s qualifications and ability to successfully complete graduate study are also required. References need to use the form provided in the application, and reference letters need to be on letterhead.

In addition to meeting the above requirements, applicants requesting Advanced Standing must also:  (1) hold a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited baccalaureate program with a minimum GPA of 3.2 in major coursework and have graduated within the past three years, OR hold a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited baccalaureate program and be a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a minimum of three years of experience in the field;  (2) one of the two recommendations must come from the applicant’s undergraduate field instructor or field director. If the field instructor is not available, a letter from the applicant’s current employment supervisor is required.

Degree Requirements
In addition to required coursework, students must pass a comprehensive examination.

Graduate Courses
Please access graduate courses online at http://www.bgsu.edu/registration-records/courses-and-classes/class-course-information.html. Graduate courses offered by the MSW program use the prefix SOWK.