The Graduate School Bulletin
Department of Social Work
268 Stone Building
(336) 334-4100
Graduate Program:
Master of Social Work (MSW) offered jointly with North Carolina A&T State University, 60 hours, and Advanced Standing Option, 36 hours
Graduate Faculty
Overview
SWK Social Work Courses
Graduate Faculty
Professors
Elizabeth W. Lindsey, PhD, Services to individuals and families, homelessness, strength based practice (Chair of Department).
John Rife, PhD, Social and economic impacts of unemployment and income deficiency upon older workers, families and the homeless, and evaluation of model programs to serve these populations.
Robert J. Wineburg, PhD, Relationship between federal domestic social welfare policy and local service provision, the involvement of religious organizations in local social service delivery and policy development.
Associate Professors
Jacalyn A. Claes, PhD, LCSW, Clinical social work supervision, family and marital therapy, diversity and women's spirituality.
Tanya Coakley, PhD, Foster care and child welfare.
Susan Dennison, MSW, School social work, clinical social work (Coordinator of School Social Work Licensure Program and Co-Director of Joint Master of Social Work program).
Elisabeth P. Hurd, PhD, Families and children, interpersonal violence, law and social work, program evaluation.
Melissa Floyd, PhD, Mental health and psychiatric social work (Director of BSW Program).
Assistant Professors
Martica Bacallao, PhD, LCSW, Acculturation, culturally competent mental health practice, Latino communities, psychodrama as a therapeutic modality.
Kelly Jay Poole, PhD, LCSW, Health, mental health and clinical social work practice.
Academic Professional Assistant Professors
Kevin Carter, MSW, LCSW, (Director of BSW Field Instruction).
Janet H. Kanode, MSW, LCSW, (Co-Director of Joint Master of Social Work Field Instruction Program).
Lecturer
Fran Pearson, MSW, LCSW (Director, Congregational Social Work Education Initiative)
Adjunct Faculty at North Carolina A & T State University
Wayne Moore, PhD, Professor
Arnold Barnes, PhD, Associate Professor(Co-Director of Joint Master of Social Work Program).
Yoko Crume, PhD,Assistant Professor
Phyllis Latta, MSW, (Co-Director of Joint Master of Social Work Field Instruction Program).
Overview
The Joint Master of Social Work (MSW) program represents the efforts of faculty at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&TSU) and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). This is a single academic program with participation in instruction by faculty from each department. Instruction is conducted on the campuses of both universities. The program is accredited by The Council on Social Work Education.
The curriculum has been designed by the joint faculty to provide students with advanced generalist social work education. The model for the curriculum is based on contemporary, state-of-the-art theory and practice methods. Courses reflect the theme of providing effective services to families in urban and rural North Carolina communities. The curriculum is organized by foundation, concentration, and field instruction. The primary purpose of the MSW program is to prepare students for advanced generalist social work practice.
MSW - Master of Social Work
Program Goals
Four program goals reflect the mission of the Joint MSW program in three complementary areas: the provision of a quality master’s level social work curriculum; service to the people of North Carolina; and scholarship.
Goal 1. Create an intentional learning community which recognizes, understands, supports, and honors diversity and difference, especially for students from oppressed groups.
Goal 2. Prepare graduates to engage in culturally-competent, effective, ethical, advanced generalist social work practice with youth and families at risk or with people affected by health and mental health issues.
Goal 3. Prepare graduates to be leaders who collaborate with consumers and colleagues to promote social and economic justice and improve the lives of the people of North Carolina.
Goal 4. Conduct and disseminate community-engaged scholarship which contributes to the knowledge base of the profession and promotes effective social work practice.
Curriculum Plan
The Joint Master of Social Work program with the Department of Sociology and Social Work at NCA&TSU offers two-year, three-year, and advanced standing program options. Students in the full-time two-year and three-year options complete 60 hours of course work. The advanced standing option requires 36 hours in one calendar year. Admission, program, course, and curriculum requirements are the same for the two-year and three-year options. All students must complete courses in the prescribed sequence in order to progress successfully to completion of the degree program.
The curriculum design of the program provides students with a theoretical and applied education in social work to enhance and promote advanced generalist social work education. The program is organized to insure that all students, as advanced social work practitioners, will be prepared to independently engage in social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities in their chosen area of practice. Students will also be prepared to serve as supervisors, managers, researchers and social planners. Students choose between two concentrations: advanced generalist practice with families and youth at risk and advanced generalist practice with people affected by health and mental health issues.
Foundation Year Curriculum
In the foundation curriculum, students complete 30 semester hours of course work. Students complete courses in human behavior and social functioning, social welfare policy, social work practice and human diversity, social work practice with individuals and families, and social work practice with groups. Students also complete a second human behavior and social functioning course, social work practice with communities and organizations, social work research methods, and a six semester hour foundation field instruction placement and seminar. The purpose of the foundation course work is to prepare students for the advanced generalist practice year.
Advanced Year Curriculum
In the advanced year curriculum, students complete an additional 30 semester hours of course work. Students choose one of two concentrations: advanced generalist practice with families and youth at risk and advanced generalist practice with people affected by health and mental health issues. Students complete two courses in their concentration, advanced courses in social welfare policy, administration, and research, and they complete two semesters of advanced generalist field instruction which includes a field seminar and a capstone project. Students also complete one graduate level elective. Choice of this elective requires the approval of the student's educational advisor.
Advanced Standing Option
Advanced Standing students have been admitted into Advanced Standing with a BSW degree and complete 36 hours of graduate course work to obtain the MSW. They begin their graduate course work in the summer taking 6 hours of courses in the two sessions. This course work builds a content bridge between BSW course work and the advanced year curriculum of the MSW program.
Application and Admission
A Joint Admissions Committee comprised of faculty members from UNCG and NCA&TSU use a common evaluation system to review applications and recommend applicants for admission. The review process ensures a consistent and fair evaluation of applicants.
In addition to the application materials required by The Graduate School, applicants must submit a personal statement, submit a Work Experience form, and show evidence of a liberal arts foundation that includes 8 credit hours of Social and Behavioral Sciences (political science, psychology, anthropology, economics, ethnic/global studies, history and sociology); 6 credit hours of Humanities; 3 credit hours of Human Biology; and 3 credit hours of Statistics.
Applicants must demonstrate intellectual and personal qualifications considered essential to the successful practice of social work, such as sensitivity and responsiveness in relationships, concern for the needs of others, adaptability, good judgment, creativity, integrity, and skill in oral and written communication.
The MSW program does not grant academic credit for life or work experience. Only students who have been admitted to the program may take social work courses. Only students who have been admitted to the program and who have completed all required prerequisite course work may be admitted to practice courses and to the field instruction program. Specific policies governing student progression in the program may be found in the JMSW Student Handbook and in the JMSW Field Instruction Handbook.
Applicants to the Advanced Standing option must have earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program, have a GPA in social work courses of 3.2 or better, and provide a letter of recommendation from his/her BSW field supervisor (as one of the three recommendations required).
School Social Work Licensure
Students intending to become licensed at the graduate level for school social work by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction need to complete the Licensure Program, which has been developed with the School of Education.
In addition to completing the requirements for the JMSW Program, the student must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program and successfully complete SWK 651. The advanced year field instruction (SWK 635 and 640) must be taken in a school social work setting. Graduate licensure in school social work is granted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Students interested in school social work licensure should contact the school social work coordinator in the Department of Social Work.
Degree Requirements
Three-Year Option
Year One: Foundation Courses (15 hours)
First Semester (Summer - 3 hours)
SWK 621 Social Welfare Policy and Analysis I (3)
Second Semester (Fall - 6 hours)
SWK 620 Human Behavior and Social Functioning I (3)
SWK 622 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3)
Third Semester (Spring - 6 hours)
SWK 623 Social Work with Groups (3)
SWK 624 Social Work Practice and Human Diversity (3)
Year Two (18 hours)
First Semester (Summer - 6 hours)
SWK 628 Field Instruction I (5)
SWK 629 Field Seminar I (1)
Second Semester (Fall - 6 hours)
SWK 625 Human Behavior and Social Functioning II (3)
SWK 627 Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations (3)
Third Semester (Spring - 6 hours)
SWK 626 Social Work Research Methods (3)
SWK 633 Social Welfare Policy and Analysis II (3)
Year Three (27 hours)
First Semester (Summer - 3 hours)
SWK 639 Social Work in Administration (3)
Second Semester (Fall - 12 hours)
SWK 634 Research Designs and Data Analysis for Social Work Practice (3)
SWK 635 Field Instruction II (5)
SWK 636 Field Seminar II (1)
SWK 637 Social Work with Families I (3) or SWK 638 Social Work in Health and Mental Health I (3)
Third Semester (Spring - 12 hours)
SWK 640 Field Instruction III (5)
SWK 641 Field Seminar III (1)
SWK 642 Social Work with Families II (3) or SWK 643 Social Work in Health and Mental Health II (3)
Elective (3)
Capstone
Two-Year Option
Year One: Foundation Courses (30 hours)
First Semester (Fall - 15 hours)
SWK 620 Human Behavior and Social Functioning I (3)
SWK 621 Social Welfare Policy and Analysis I (3)
SWK 622 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3)
SWK 623 Social Work with Groups (3)
SWK 624 Social Work Practice and Human Diversity (3)
Second Semester (Spring - 15 hours)
SWK 625 Human Behavior and Social Functioning II (3)
SWK 626 Social Work Research Methods (3)
SWK 627 Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations (3)
SWK 628 Field Instruction I (5)
SWK 629 Field Seminar I (1)
Year Two: Advanced Curriculum (30 hours)
First Semester (Fall - 15 hours)
SWK 633 Social Welfare Policy and Analysis II (3)
SWK 634 Research Designs and Data Analysis for Social Work Practice (3)
SWK 635 Field Instruction II (5)
SWK 636 Field Seminar II (1)
SWK 637 Social Work with Families I (3) or SWK 638 Social Work in Health and Mental Health I (3)
Second Semester (Spring - 15 hours)
SWK 639 Social Work in Administration (3)
SWK 640 Field Instruction III (5)
SWK 641 Field Seminar III (1)
SWK 642 Social Work with Families II (3) or SWK 643 Social Work in Health and Mental Health II (3)
One 3 hour elective
Capstone
The 36 hour Advanced Standing Option is designed to allow highly qualified students to earn the Master of Social Work degree in one calendar year by building on knowledge and skills previously attained through Bachelor of Social Work course work.
Required Summer Bridge Courses (12 hours)
SWK 624 Social Work Practice and Human Diversity (3)
SWK 626 Social Work Research Methods (3)
Upon successful completion of the above courses during the summer, Advanced Standing students will join the ongoing MSW full-time two-year class in Year 2: Advanced Year Curriculum (see the Two-Year Program Option).
SWK Social Work Courses
Courses for MSW Majors
620 Human Behavior and Social Functioning I (3:3)
Pr. admission to the MSW program
Theories of human behavior and intervention with people in a variety of systems viewed from biological, sociological, and psychological perspectives. (formerly SWK 501)
621 Social Welfare Policy and Analysis I (3:3)
Pr. admission to the MSW program
Explores the history and development of social welfare institutions and social work. Examines the relationships between social problems, social policies, and social work practice from historical and contemporary perspectives. (formerly SWK 502)
622 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3:3)
Pr. admission to the MSW program
Defines and describes direct social work practice; knowledge, skills and values necessary to provide a wide scope of developmental, preventive and therapeutic services to individuals and families. (formerly SWK 504)
623 Social Work with Groups (3:3)
Pr. admission to the MSW program
Advanced course designed to teach group process and strategies, techniques, and skills for working with groups such as support groups and task groups in human services settings. (formerly SWK 560)
624 Social Work Practice and Human Diversity (3:3)
Pr. admission to the MSW program
Examines cultural and social diversity; addresses theoretical and practical dimensions of social work practice with oppressed people of color, women, the aged, the sexually diverse, and the physically disabled. (formerly SWK 511)
625 Human Behavior and Social Functioning II (3:3)
Pr. admission to the MSW program and 620, 621, 622, and 623
Provides students with concepts and knowledge necessary to understand family development, functioning, stress and diversity. Emphasizes the bio-psycho-spiritual nature of people in their family environment. (formerly SWK 515)
626 Social Work Research Methods (3:3)
Pr. admission to the MSW program
Research methodology as it relates to the professional practice of social work. Examines quantitative and qualitative methods as means for solving social problems. (formerly SWK 503)
627 Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations (3:3)
Pr. admission to the MSW program and 620, 621, 622, 623, and 626
Practice in macro social work with broad scale social systems. Students acquire knowledge, analytical skills and professional behavior appropriate for work with groups, communities and organizations. (formerly SWK 514)
628 Field Instruction I (5:0:24)
Pr. admission to the MSW program and 620, 621, 622, 623, and 624. Coreq. 629
Application of theories and concepts to the role of a professional social work practitioner within a field agency. Taken concurrently with 629 Field Seminar I. (Graded on S-U basis) (formerly SWK 516)
629 Field Seminar I (1:1)
Pr. admission to the MSW program and 620, 621, 622, 623, and 624. Coreq. 628
Field seminar to be taken concurrently with 628 Field Instruction I; assists students to integrate theory and classroom knowledge into their agency field practice. (formerly SWK 517)
631 Social Work with Individuals and Families: Theory and Practice (3:3)
Pr. admission to the Advanced Standing program option
Emphasis on the practice of social work in assessment and intervention using personality theory, family theory and the family life cycle, and social work theory.
632 Social Work with Groups, Communities, and Organizations (3:3)
Pr. admission to the Advanced Standing program option
Emphasis on the practice of social work with groups and within communities and organizations through the examination and application of an advanced generalist framework.
633 Social Welfare Policy and Analysis II (3:3)
Pr. admission to the MSW program and either 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, and 627 OR 624, 626, 631 and 632
Reviews outcomes of social work practice in legislation, administrative and judicial directives, rulings and interpretations in the area of government; accountability of the delivery systems to their clients. (formerly SWK 512)
634 Research Designs and Data Analysis for Social Work Practice (3:3)
Pr. admission to the MSW program and either 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, and 627 OR 624, 626, 631, and 632
Advanced skills in (a) conceptualizing research problems, (b) completing research in the social work domains: needs assessment, program evaluation, and single subject research, and (c) using inferential skills for data analysis. (formerly SWK 513)
In addition to the prerequisites listed for courses 635-643, the following prerequisites are also applicable: Admission to the MSW program and completion of all foundation year courses: 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, and 629; or admission to the Advanced Standing option and completion of 624, 626, 631, and 632.
635 Field Instruction II (5:0:24)
Coreq. 636 and either 637 or 638
Application of theories and concepts to the role of a professional social work practitioner within a field agency. Taken concurrently with 636 Field Seminar II. (Graded on S-U basis) (formerly SWK 606)
636 Field Seminar II (1:1)
Coreq. 634, 635, and either 637 or 638
Field seminar to be taken concurrently with 635 Field Instruction II; assists student to integrate theory and classroom knowledge into their agency field practice. (formerly SWK 607)
637 Social Work with Families I (3:3)
Advanced generalist social work practice with families, theory and intervention strategies, the influence of culture and gender upon family functioning, and use of self as a professional practitioner. (formerly SWK 601)
638 Social Work in Health and Mental Health I (3:3)
Advanced generalist social work practice in health and mental health, theory and intervention strategies, current policy initiatives, and social work roles. (formerly SWK 602)
639 Social Work in Administration (3:3)
Advanced generalist social work practice in social work administration, theory and practice strategies, the influence of culture and gender upon managerial practice, and the use of self as a professional practitioner. (formerly SWK 605)
640 Field Instruction III (5:0:24)
Pr. 633, 634, 637 or 638, 635, 636. Coreq. 641 and either 642 or 643
Application of theories and concepts to the role of a professional social work practitioner within a field agency. Taken concurrently with 641 Field Seminar III. (Graded on S-U basis) (formerly SWK 616)
641 Field Seminar III (1:1)
Pr. 633, 634, 637 or 638, 635, 636. Coreq. 640 and either 642 or 643
Field seminar to be taken concurrently with 640 Field Instruction III; assists student to integrate theory and classroom knowledge into their agency field practice. Includes capstone project. (formerly SWK 617)
642 Social Work with Families II (3:3)
Pr. 637
Expansion of knowledge, skill and understanding of the major conceptual frameworks and interventive strategies in the family field. (formerly SWK 611)
643 Social Work in Health and Mental Health II (3:3)
Pr. 638
Second of two courses; assessment and treatment of knowledge, values, and skills for interventions with client physical or psychiatric problems. (formerly SWK 612)
650 Clinical Assessment in Social Work (3:3)
Skill-building for competency-based assessment and diagnosis using a biopsychosocial social work framework to assess client strengths and disorders.
651 School Social Work-Advanced Practice (3:3)
Skill-building for social work practice in the schools with emphasis on culturally sensitive student assessment and intervention, and professional standards and accountability.
Additional Social Work Courses
510 Selected Topics in Social Work (3:3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Opportunity for students to study in depth a topic of special interest. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
520 Methods and Practice of Family and Marital Therapy (3:3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Systems/communications approach to marital and family therapy. Students develop ability to apply concepts to understand and intervene in family systems. Related therapeutic concepts and techniques also discussed.
522 Comparative Study of Cross-cultural Social Work Practice (3:3)
Pr. 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, or permission of instructor
Compares social work, social service programs, and social policies of the U.S. with those of selected other countries throughout the world, emphasizing services for families, children, and vulnerable populations. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
527 Human Services for Immigrants and Refugees (3:3)
Pr. permission of instructor
The history of immigration and its role in the U.S.A., immigrants in North Carolina, their process of integration, cross-cultural competency, and the challenges in services delivery to immigrants.
530 Social Agency Program Development (3:3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Organization of new agencies or those initiating additional services. Needs assessment, resource development, agency operations, and relationships with funding agencies.
540 Social Entrepreneurship: Justice and a Green Environment (3:3)
Interdisciplinary and service-learning course in social entrepreneurship. Students will design, implement, and evaluate entrepreneurial projects that respond to social, economic, environmental, and justice issues. (Same as BUS 540, CNR 540, CST 540, ENT 540, and WGS 540)
550 Social Services in Health Care (3:3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Examination of social services in health care settings. Emphasis on organizational context, interdisciplinary cooperation, and skill required for work in primary care setting.
551 Special Problems in Social Work (1-3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Opportunity for student to pursue intensive independent study of particular topic under the direction of social work faculty member.
554 Social Work with People Who are Mentally Ill (3:3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Will provide knowledge and skills necessary for practicing effective social work with people who are mentally ill and their families.
555 Substance Abuse and Social Work Practice (3:3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Introduction to the issues of substance abuse and addiction and their impact on clients and their families. Social work assessment and intervention methods will be taught.
570 Social Services for the Aging (3:3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Systematic study of social work approaches to providing services to the aging. Primary focus will be on current policies, services, and models of practice.
582 School Social Work (3:3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Examination and understanding of school social work services with emphasis on professional standards, cultural sensitivity, accountability, and program planning.
584 Social Services for Children (3:3)
Designed for practitioners and students to provide knowledge for working with children and to teach strategies, techniques, and skills for effective treatment.
585 Social Work with Families in Crisis (3:3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Social work practice with families in crisis, with a focus on problems currently faced by families and strategies to help them.
589 Experimental Course
This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Course Schedule for current offerings.
681 Family-Centered Interdisciplinary Practice: System of Care (3:3)
Pr. exposure to System of Care through departmental courses before enrollment, basic research methods and basic statistics course, or permission of instructor
System of Care has core values/principles, infuses service planning/delivery. Students develop competencies: 1) family-centered; 2) client partnerships; 3) community services; 4) cultural competency; 5) interagency collaboration. Participatory research with families included. (Same as PSY 681)
711 Experimental Course
This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Course Schedule for current offerings.
803 Research Extension (1-3)