Master in Social Work

Benton, Room 405
(785) 231-1010 ext.1616

The Degree
Course Offerings
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Source: 2002-2003 Catalog

The primary goal of the Master of Social Work program at Washburn University is to prepare students to integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession into the competent and sensitive practice of clinical social work. The MSW curriculum consists of both Advanced Standing and Regular Programs. For both programs, students enter the Clinical Concentration following successful completion of all Foundation course work. The Clinical Concentration provides students with the theoretical knowledge and methodological and technical skills necessary for the practice of clinical social work. The Clinical Concentration is dedicated to maintaining a person-in-environment perspective for multiple levels of practice.

ADVANCED STANDING AND REGULAR PROGRAMS
The MSW Program offers an Advanced Standing Program (ASP) for students who have received a BSW from a CSWE accredited program. Such ASP Students may receive course waivers for Foundation courses. Waivers are decided on a course-by-course basis and require a letter grade of B or better in the relevant undergraduate social work course. Comparability of the undergraduate course to the foundation graduate course will be determined by the Washburn University Social Work faculty. Advanced Standing Program Students may petition to have the Generalist Practicum and Seminar sequence waived as well. This determination will be made by the Practicum Director.

Students with baccalaureate degrees outside of social work may be admitted to the Regular Program. Students in this program are required to complete all Foundation course work, with the possible exception of the Research Sequence, based on completion of a comparable undergraduate research sequence. Further information on applying for waivers for the research sequence are available from the Social Work office.

PART TIME AND FULL TIME SCHEDULES
Both Part Time and Full Time scheduling options are available. All ASP Students begin the MSW Program in the Summer Semester. ASP Students who elect to go Full Time will complete the program in three semesters, including the initial summer semester. Part Time ASP Students will complete the program in two full years, including summer semesters.

All Regular Students begin the MSW Program in the Fall Semester. Regular Students who elect to go Full Time will complete the program in two academic years, including the summer semester between the first and second year. Regular Students attending Part Time will complete the Program in four years. It is possible for Regular Students to switch from the Part Time to the Full Time program after the second year. These students may complete the program in three years.

ACCREDITATION
The MSW program was granted full accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in 1998.

LICENSURE
All graduates of the MSW program are eligible to pursue licensure at the masters level in the State of Kansas and in all other states which require social work licensing or registration at the masters level.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Complete admission requirements and application procedures are outlined in the Application Packet, available from the Social Work Office. Admission to the MSW Program is competitive. Applicants must demonstrate that they possess the potential for professional development in clinical social work practice. This potential will be demonstrated by documentation of the personal and scholarly characteristics necessary for successful completion of academic course work, successful completion of Social Work Clinical Practice, and a commitment to the value base of the social work profession, as described in the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics.

To be admitted to the MSW Program, applicants must have completed all requirements for a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, or a comparable association. Consistent with the importance ascribed to the liberal arts perspective by Washburn University and CSWE, there must be evidence of adequate preparation to begin graduate study, including the satisfactory completion of undergraduate course work in each of the following areas: the natural sciences, social sciences, English composition, humanities, and mathematics. There must also be evidence of satisfactory completion of course work in human biology and human cultural diversity.

A minimum overall grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for full admission to the MSW Program. Admission decisions are made by the MSW Admissions Committee, comprised of social work faculty members. The committee weighs all aspects of the completed application, including academic performance, communication skills, commitment to the values underlying the social work profession, and personal qualities necessary for effective clinical social work practice.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Applications for admission may be obtained from the Department of Social Work at Washburn University. Complete application instructions and deadlines are included with this packet of materials. Official transcripts of all university and college work, three completed reference forms, a personal statement of interest, completed application for the MSW Program and for Washburn University, and a nonrefundable $25.00 application fee must be included in the application. It is the applicant's responsibility to submit all required materials for consideration for admission into the MSW Program. Decisions regarding applications will be made beginning January 15.

PROVISIONAL STATUS
Individuals who are outstanding applicants but who do not meet the GPA requirement may be accepted as provisional students. Such status will be maintained until the student has completed 12 hours of graduate course work in the MSW Program, achieving a B or better in each of the courses.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Applications for general financial assistance are available in the Financial Aid Office. For information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (785) 231-1010 ext. 1151, http://www.washburn.edu/financial-aid/ . Applications for specific social work scholarships are available through the Department of Social Work, upon receipt of all completed admissions material. Field practicum stipends are available through some of the organizations which serve as field practicum settings, such as Veterans Administration hospitals.

LIFE EXPERIENCE
In accordance with accreditation requirements, academic credit will not be given for life experience or work experience.

NON-MATRICULATED STATUS
Non-degree seeking students with a baccalaureate degree may be granted permission to enroll in selected graduate courses. Students with a BSW from a CSWE accredited program may take selected elective or Foundation courses, while students without a BSW are eligible only for Foundation Courses, excluding SW 530 Social Work Practice. No non-degree seeking student will be allowed to enroll in Clinical Core Courses (SW 600, SW 601 or SW 604), Field Practicum courses or associated seminars. Enrollment in any course is by permission of the MSW Program Director only, and is based on the individual's preparation for the requested course, space availability and other program considerations. Up to 12 hours may be taken as a non-degree seeking student.

Students who have completed graduate social work courses on non-degree seeking status may apply for admission to the graduate program. However, previous successful completion of course work does not guarantee, or imply, acceptance into the program. If admitted to the program, courses successfully completed as a non-degree seeking student may count towards the degree.

MSW HANDBOOK
All students, at the time of initial enrollment into the MSW Program, will receive an MSW Handbook. This Handbook includes detailed information regarding the MSW Program. Policies for course schedules, grading, graduation requirements, Academic and Nonacademic Retention and Dismissal, and Practicum determinations are included. Students are expected to carefully read this Handbook and to comply with all of its provisions.