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Social Work (Joint with UNCG)

School/College:  College of Arts and Sciences
Degree(s) Offered: Master of Social Work
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Sharon Cook  Email:  swcook1@ncat.edu  Phone: (336)-285-2305
Department Chair:  Dr. Sharon Cook  Email:  swcook1@ncat.edu   Phone: (336)-285-2305

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The Joint Master of Social Work (JMSW) program represents the efforts of faculty and administrators 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 instruction by faculty from each department. Students attend classes on the campuses of both universities and have access to all academic and support services of the two universities. Successful completion of the degree requires 60 credit hours. The Joint Master of Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

The JMSW curriculum has been designed by the joint faculty from both institutions 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, area of practice, advanced generalist integrative seminars, and field instruction. The primary purpose of the MSW program is to prepare students for advanced generalist social work practice.

The mission of the Joint MSW Program is to prepare professional social workers for advanced generalist practice with families and youth at risk or with people affected by health and mental health issues; to provide culturally-competent, ethical, and effective social work services to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; to collaborate with consumers and colleagues in the development of practices that promote social and economic justice and benefit the citizens of North Carolina; and to conduct research and community-engaged scholarship. The context for this mission is an intentional, multicultural learning community in which difference is understood as a defining value and diversity is celebrated. The signature pedagogy is field education.

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 families and youth 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 that contributes to the knowledge base of the profession and promotes effective social work practice.

 

 

 

Additional Admission Requirements

Admissions to the JMSW program rotates between the two campuses every four years. A Joint Admissions Committee has been established for this program. It is comprised of faculty members from NCA&TSU and faculty members from UNCG. These committee members use a common evaluation system to review applications and recommend applicants for admission.

In addition to the admission materials set forth by The Graduate School, applicants must complete the following prerequisites to become eligible for admissions review:

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree, with competitive grades, from an accredited college or university in the United States or its equivalent in another country.
• A 3.0 grade point average or better in the undergraduate major.
• An acceptable score on the GRE.
• Evidence of a liberal arts foundation to include the following minimum 30 credit hours: 18 Social and Behavioral Sciences (Political Science, Psychology, Anthropology, Economics, Ethnic/Global Studies, History, and Sociology); 6 Humanities; 3 Human Biology or Human Development; 3 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 need of others, adaptability, good judgment, creativity, integrity, and skill in oral and written communication. This determination shall be based on a review of the applicant’s references and written personal statement.

The M.S.W. Program does not grant academic credit for life or work experience. 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.

Applicants to the Advanced Standing plan of study 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).

The program admits students only once a year for Summer and Fall semester enrollment. Questions concerning the MSW program may be addressed to the Department of Sociology & Social Work, NCA&T. The phone number is (336) 285-2049.

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 two-year 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 be prepared to serve as managers, supervisors, researchers and social planners. The concentration of the program is advanced generalist practice.

The JMSW Program’s competency-based curriculum has been designed to comply with the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), as revised in 2008.  CSWE has delineated 10 core competencies, listed below, that must be adequately addressed in all BSW and MSW curricula.  

Ten Core Social Work Competencies identified by CSWE:

• Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
• Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
• Apply critical thinking to inform & communicate professional judgments.
• Engage diversity and difference in practice.
• Advance human rights and social & economic justice.
• Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
• Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social services.
• Respond to contexts that shape practice.
• Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

The goal of competency-based social work education is to provide a curriculum through which students can demonstrate the integration and application of the 10 competencies in practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.  CSWE defines “competency” as “a set of measurable practice behaviors that are comprised of knowledge, values, and skills” (CSWE, 2008, p. 3) 2.  CSWE has operationalized these core competencies by identifying 41 foundation practice behaviors, each of which is associated with a specific competency (see Appendix A).  These 41 practice behaviors are addressed in the JMSW foundation curriculum, which is comparable to the preparation BSW students receive as generalist practitioners.  MSW education is designed to produce advanced practitioners who synthesize and apply a broad range of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary knowledge and skills in specialized areas of practice. In areas of specialization [concentration], advanced practitioners assess, intervene, and evaluate to promote human and social well-being.  To do so, they suit each action to the circumstances at hand, using the discrimination learned through experience and self-improvement.  Advanced practice incorporates all of the core competencies augmented by knowledge and practice behaviors specific to a concentration. 

Therefore, CSWE requires that MSW programs identify advanced-level practice behaviors that reflect the focus of their concentration (specialization) curriculum.  The JMSW Program has 17 advanced-level practice behaviors, also associated with the 10 core competencies that are unique to the program’s two areas of concentration: advanced generalist practice with families and youth at risk and advanced generalist practice with people affected by health and mental health issues

Foundation Curriculum

During the foundation curriculum (first year for two-year students), students complete 30 semester hours of foundation course work. In the first semester, 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. In the second semester, students complete a second human behavior and social functioning course, social work practice with communities and organizations, social work research methods,  a five-semester hour foundation field instruction placement and a one-credit field seminar. The purpose of the foundation course work is to prepare students for the advanced generalist curriculum. These courses are designed to provide students with opportunities to demonstrate the 41 foundation practice behaviors associated with the 10 core competencies as described in the 2008 CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Advanced Generalist Practice Curriculum

In the advanced curriculum (second year for two-year students and third year for three-year) students complete the concentration in advanced generalist practice. The advanced curriculum requires the completion of 30 semester hours of course work. Students choose one of two advanced generalist practice areas: families and youth at-risk or health/mental health. Students complete two courses in their advanced generalist practice area, advanced courses in social welfare, administration, and research, and they complete two semesters of advanced generalist field instruction and two semesters of field seminar, which include a capstone project. Students also complete one graduate level elective. Choice of this elective requires the approval of the student’s educational advisor. These courses are designed to provide students with opportunities to demonstrate the 17 advanced practice behaviors associated with the 10 core competencies as described in the 2008 CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

 

Degree Requirements

The two-year and three-year JMSW Program options require successful completion of 60 credit hours. Completion of the program requires full time enrollment by students in the two-year plan of study.  For three-year students, the last year requires full time enrollment.  The Advanced Standing program option requires successful completion of 36 credit hours.

First Year Foundation Courses (30 Credit Hours)

• SOWK 700 Human Behavior and Social Functioning (UNCG SWK 620)(3 credit hours)
• SOWK 701  Social Welfare Policy and Analysis I  (UNCG SWK 621)(3 credit hours)
• SOWK 702 Human Behavior and Social Functioning II (UNCG SWK 625)(3 credit hours)
• SOWK 703  Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (UNCG SWK 622)(3 credit hours)
• SOWK 704  Social Work with Groups (UNCG SWK 623)(3 credit hours)
• SOWK 705 Social Work Practice and Human Diversity (UNCG SWK 624) (3 credit hours)
• SOWK 707 Social Work Research Methods I (UNCG SWK 626) (3 credit hours)
• SOWK 708 Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations I (UNCG SWK 627) (3 credit hours)
• SOWK 709 Field Education I (UNCG SWK 628) (5 credit hours)
• SOWK 719 Field Seminar I (UNCG SWK 629) (1 credit hour)
• Second Year- Advanced Curriculum (30 Credit Hours)
• SOWK 706 Social Policy and Welfare Analysis II (UNCG SWK 633)(3 credit hours)
• SOWK 710 Social Work with Families and Youth at Risk I  (UNCG SWK 637) OR (3 credit hours)
• SOWK 712 Social Work in Health and Mental Health I (UNCG SWK 638)(3 credit hours)
• SOWK 718 Research Designs & Data Analysis for Social Work Practice (UNCG SWK 634) (3 credit hours)
• SOWK 722 Field Education II (UNCG SWK 635)(5 credit hours)
• SOWK 721 Field Seminar II   (UNCG SWK 636) (1 credit hours)
• SOWK 711 Social Work with Families and Youth at Risk II ( UNCG SWK 642) OR (3 credit hours)
• SOWK 713 Social Work in Health and Mental Health II (UNCG SWK 643) (3 credit hours)
• SOWK 716 Social Work in Administration (UNCG SWK 639) (3 credit hours)
• SOWK 723 Field Education III (UNCG SWK 640) (5 credit hours)
• SOWK 725 Field Seminar III (UNCG SWK 641) (1 credit hour)
• Elective (3 credit hours)
• Electives (3 hours required):

Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisors to explore the variety of elective courses offered through the JMSW Program. It is important to note that academic advisors must approve elective selections prior to student enrollment in the course. 

 

Application for Degree

Students are informed by one of the JMSW Co-Directors as to when they should submit their plan of study and pay their graduation fees in order to obtain their degree at their date of graduation.

Assistantships

Tuition waivers with research assistantships: The JMSW Program usually receives a number of tuition waivers with research assistantships from both universities' graduate schools. These awards are based on merit.  Faculty members decide each summer which students will be offered these tuition waivers with research assistantships.

Additional financial assistantships may be available each academic year and the program works to ensure all students are informed of these awards and have equal opportunity to apply for them.

Loans and university-level awards are handled through the office of Financial Aid at the student's admitted campus.

For all of these awards, students must be accepted to the program and have attended the first month of classes before applying.

A financial assistantship information session is held in the fall for all first-year students by the JMSW Co-Directors. At this meeting, students are informed of the financial awards available in the second year of the program.

 

Internships

Field Instruction

The JMSW Field Instruction Program provides directed learning opportunities through social work internships. Students perform professional generalist and advanced generalist practice activities which allow them to develop the core competencies required to be effective master’s level social workers. Through structured internships, they have the opportunity to apply the knowledge, values, theory, and skills they have developed from their coursework to evidence based practice. Evidence based practice refers to models of practice based on research findings related to effectiveness as well as client context, values, expectations, and desires. On-site supervision is provided by a field instructor. All field instructors also have master’s degrees in social work.

Field instruction socializes graduate students to the internship site, to practice, and to the profession. Students develop skills in direct and indirect services, including in policy, planning, and administration. Supervision will be an interactive process where students will assume responsibility for their professional growth and practice decisions.

Upon completion of the of field instruction program, two and three year students will have a total of 1,008 hours in field internships. Advanced Standing students will have to complete a total of 672 hours.

Clinical Field Experiences

Field Instruction

See above information on internships.

Advising

Students are assigned an academic advisor when they are admitted to the program.  Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester or more frequently when needed.

Licensure

Two year and three year students are eligible to apply for licensure in school social work during their second semester in the program.  Students accepted into this licensure program must complete their full year internship in a school setting and must take as their elective-(UNCG) SWK 651:  Advanced School Social Work.

 

Application for Degree

Students must complete a plan of study and submit it to the Graduate School where they were admitted to the program.  The JMSW Co-Directors notify students of the deadlines for submitting their plans of study.

 

Research Opportunities/Experiences

Students can apply for opportunities to work with faculty members on their research. Application for these opportunities is done by applying or being awarded a tuition waiver and stipend.

Tuition Waivers

First year students are awarded tuition waivers by the Joint Admissions Committee and these decisions are based on applicants' position on the spreadsheet after all applicants' materials have been rated.  Second and third year students can apply for tuition waivers and stipends as these awards are available.

Program Certification/Accreditation

The Joint Master of Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.    

Three-year Plan of Study and Advanced Standing Plan of Study

Students in the three-year plan of study complete the JMSW Program according to the following curriculum sequence:

Year One (15 Credits)

First Semester (Summer – 3 Credits)

SOWK 701 Social Welfare Policy and Analysis I (3)

Second Semester (Fall – 6 Credits)

SOWK 700 Human Behavior and Social Functioning I (3)

SOWK 703 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3)

Third Semester (Spring – 6 Credits)

SOWK 704 Social Work with Groups (3)

SOWK 705 Social Work Practice and Human Diversity (3)

Year Two (18 Credits)

First Semester (Summer – 6 Credits)

SOWK 709 Field Education I (5)

SOWK 719 Field Seminar I (1)

Second Semester (Fall – 6 Credits)

SOWK 702 Human Behavior and Social Functioning II (3)

SOWK 708 Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations I (3)

Third Semester (Spring – 6 Credits)

SOWK 706 Social Policy and Welfare Analysis II (3)

SOWK 707 Social Work Research Methods I (3)

Year Three (27 Credits)

First Semester (Summer – 3 Credits)

SOWK 716 Social Work in Administration (3 Credits)

Second Semester (Fall – 12 Credits)

SOWK 710 Social Work with Families and Youth at Risk I (3) or

SOWK 712 Social Work in Health and Mental Health I (3)

SOWK 718 Research Designs & Data Analysis for Social Work Practice (3)

SOWK 722 Field Education II (5)

SOWK 721 Field Seminar II (1)

Third Semester (Spring – 12 Credits)

SOWK 711 Social Work with Families and Youth at Risk II (3) or

SOWK 713 Social Work in Health and Mental Health II     

Elective (3)

SOWK 723 Field Education  III (5)

SOWK 725 Field Seminar III (1)

The Advanced Standing plan of study of the MSW Program is a one-year plan of study consisting of 36 credits that will require full time enrollment by students with Bachelor of Social Work Degrees.  The program requires completion of two bridge/transition courses in the summer followed by a year of concentration content for advanced practice.

Summer Bridge/Transition Courses (6 credit hours)                                                                   

Summer Session II (6 credit hours)

SOWK 705     Social Work Practice and Human Diversity (UNCG SWK 624) (3 credit hours)

SOWK 707     Social Work Research Methods I (UNCG SWK 626) (3 credit hours)

Second Year –Advanced Curriculum (30 Hours)

First Semester

SOWK 706     Social Policy and Welfare Analysis II (UNCG SWK 633) (3 credit hours)

SOWK 710     Social Work with Families and Youth at Risk I (UNCG SWK 637) OR (3 credit hours)

SOWK 712      Social Work in Health and Mental Health I (UNCG SWK 638) (3 credit hours)

SOWK 718     Research Designs & Data Analysis for Social Work Practice (UNCG SWK 634) (3 credit hours)

SOWK 722     Field Education II (UNCG SWK 635) (5 credit hours)

SOWK 721     Field Seminar II (UNCG SWK 636) (1 credit hour)                                        

Second Semester

SOWK 711     Social Work with Families and Youth at Risk II (UNCG SWK 642) OR (3 credit hours)

SOWK 713     Social Work in Health and Mental Health II (UNCG SWK 643) (3 credit hours)

SOWK 716     Social Work in Administration (UNCG SWK 639) (3 credit hours)

Elective           (3 credit hours)

SOWK 723     Field Education III (UNCG SWK 640) (5 credit hours)

SOWK 725     Field Seminar III (UNCG SWK 641) (1 credit hour)

Total Hours     36

Directory of Faculty

• Fasihuddin Ahmed, B.A., Forman Christian College; M.A., University of the Punjab; Ph.D.,University of Chicago; Professor
• Arnold Barne, B.A., University of Maryland Baltimore County; M.S.W., University of Maryland at Baltimore; Ph.D., Washington University; Associate Professor
• Phillip Carey, B.S., Oklahoma State University; M.S., Oklahoma State University; Ph.D., Oklahoma State University; Professor.
• Yoko S. Crume, B.A., International Christian University; M.S., University of Cincinnati; M.S.W., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; -Associate Professor
• Terrolyn P. Carter, B.S., Xavier University of Louisiana; M.S., University of Missouri-Columbia; Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia; Assistant Professor
• Kevin Carter, B.A. in Psychology, University of Virginia, M.S.W., Howard University, JMSW Co-Field Director.
• Sharon W. Cook, B.A., North Carolina Central University; M.S.W., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Assistant Professor & Interim Chairperson
• William Hardy, B.S.W., North Carolina A & T State University; M.S.W., University of South Carolina at Columbia; Lecturer
• Andrea N. Johnson, B.A., North Carolina A & T State University; M.S., North Carolina State University; Ph.D., North Carolina A & T State University; Lecturer
• David Johnson, B.A., Hamilton College; M.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Associate Professor
• Mary T. Lewis, B.A., Davis and Elkins College; M.S.W., University of Connecticut; Ph.D., Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center; Assistant Professor
• Wayne Moore, B.S., East Carolina University; M.S.W., Ohio State University; Ph.D., University of South Carolina at Columbia; Professor
• Maura B. Nsonwu, B.S.W., University of North Carolina at Greensboro; M.S.W., University of South Carolina at Columbia; Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Adjunct Assistant Professor
• Elizabeth D. Watson, B.A., Columbia Union College; M.S.W., Howard University; Ph.D., Andrews University; Associate Professor

Adjunct Graduate Faculty – UNCG

• Jacalyn Claes, B.S., Western Illinois University; M.S., Western Illinois University; M.S.W.,University of Iowa; Ph.D., University of Iowa; Associate Professor.
• Susan Dennison, B.S.W., University of Detroit; M.S.W., Barry University; Associate Professor
• Elizabeth Lindsey, B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M.S.W., University of Georgia; Ph.D., University of Georgia; Professor
• Kelly J. Poole, B.A, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, M.S.W., North Carolina A & T State  University: Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Assistant Professor
• Bonita Porter, B.S.W., University of North Carolina at Greensboro; M.S.W., University of South Carolina; Academic Professional Assistant Professor.
• John Rife, B.A., Hanover College; M.S.W., Indiana University; M.A., Ohio State University; Ph.D., Ohio State University; Professor