The Graduate School Bulletin
Department of Social Work
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Faculty
Overview
Requirements for the Master of Scoial Work
SWK Social Work Courses
Faculty
Professors
Elizabeth W. Lindsey, Ph.D.
Services to individuals and families, homelessness, strength based practice (Chair of Department).
John Rife, Ph.D.
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.
Cathryne L. Schmitz, Ph.D.
Oppression, multicultural education, immigrant refugee communities, organizational change, environmental social work.
Robert J. Wineburg, Ph.D.
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, Ph.D.
Clinical social work supervision, family and marital therapy, diversity and women’s spirituality (Co-Director of Joint Master of Social Work program).
Susan Dennison, M.S.W.
School social work, clinical social work (Coordinator of School Social Work Licensure Program).
Elisabeth P. Hurd, Ph.D.
Families and children, interpersonal violence, law and social work, program evaluation.
Melissa Floyd Taylor, Ph.D.
Mental health and psychiatric social work (Director of B.S.W. Program).
Assistant Professors
Noel Bost, Ph.D.
Youth aging out of foster care, deliquency.
Tanya Coakley, Ph.D.
Foster care and child welfare.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Kelly Jay Poole, M.S.W., LCSW
Health, mental health and clinical social work practice.
Academic Professional Assistant Professor
Janet H. Kanode, M.S.W.
(Co-Director of Joint Master of Social Work Field Instruction Program).
Adjunct Faculty at North Carolina A & T State University
Associate Professors
Arnold Barnes, Ph.D.
(Co-Director of Joint Master of Social Work program).
Wayne Moore, Ph.D.
Assistant Professors
Yoko Crume, Ph.D.
Velma Tyrance, M.S.W.
Instructor
Deirdre Posey, M.S.W.
Overview
The Joint Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) 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.
Successful completion of the degree requires 60 semester hours for the full-time and three-year options and 42 semester hours for advanced standing. 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 M.S.W. program is to prepare students for advanced generalist social work practice.
Program Goals
- To prepare graduate students for employment as advanced generalist social work practitioners in direct and indirect practice.
- To provide students with a graduate advanced generalist social work curriculum which results in the acquisition and demonstration of:
- Knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy, research, practice methods, cultural diversity, populations at-risk, social and economic justice, and social work values and ethics as a foundation for generalist social work practice.
- Advanced generalist multicultural social work practice skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- The professional self as reflected in an affiliation with the profession of social work.
- The values and ethics of professional social work practice as stated by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
- To provide professional service which ameliorates social problems, provides leadership and benefits our communities in North Carolina.
- To conduct and disseminate research which contributes to the knowledge base for effective social work practice.
Curriculum Plan
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. The concentration of the program is advanced generalist practice.
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 generalist concentration curriculum, students complete an additional 30 semester hours of course work. Students choose one of two advanced generalist practice areas: families and youth at-risk or mental health/health. Students complete two courses in their advanced generalist practice area, 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 B.S.W. degree and complete 42 hours of graduate course work to obtain the M.S.W. They begin their graduate course work in the summer taking 12 hours of courses in the two sessions. This course work builds a content bridge between B.S.W. course work and the advanced year curriculum of the M.S.W. program.
Admission Requirements
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 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 M.S.W. 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 B.S.W. 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 582. 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.
Requirements for the Master of Social Work
The Department of Social Work offers a Joint Master of Social Work program with the Department of Sociology and Social Work at NCA&TSU.
Full-time, part-time, and advanced standing program options are available. Students in the full-time option complete the required 60 hours during a two-year period; the part-time option takes three years; and the advanced standing option requires 42 hours in one calendar year. Admission, program, course, and curriculum requirements are the same for both program options. No academic credit is given for life or work experience. Students must complete courses in the prescribed sequence in order to progress successfully to completion of the degree program.
Part-time Program 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
Full-time Program 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
Advanced Standing Option
The 42-hour Advanced Standing Option is designed to allow highly qualified students to earn in the Master of Social Work degree in one calendar year by building on knowledge and skills previously attained through Bachelor of Social Work coursework.
Required Summer Bridge Courses (12 hours)
SWK 624 Social Work Practice and Human Diversity (3)
SWK 626 Social Work Research Methods (3)
SWK 631 Social Work with Individuals and Families: Theory and Practice (3)
SWK 632 Social Work with Groups, Communities, and Organizations (3)
Upon successful completion of the above courses during the summer, Advanced Standing students will join the ongoing M.S.W. full-time class in Year 2: Advanced Year Curriculum (see the Full-time Program Option).
SWK Social Work Courses
Courses for M.S.W. Majors
| 620 | Human Behavior and Social Functioning I (3:3) |
| Pr. admission to the M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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 M.S.W. 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. | |
| 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 HDF 681, HEA 681, PSY 681, RPT 681) | |
| 711 | Experimental Course |
| This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Course Schedule for current offerings. | |
| 803 | Research Extension (1-3) |