M.S.W. Program
Concentrations
After M.S.W. students complete the 30 hour Foundation curriculum of the 60 credit-hour Regular Standing program, students then select the final 30 hours of study in program concentrations of clinical social work practice or social work administration, planning and policy practice. Students must adhere to the course sequence within each curriculum content area (e.g., human behavior, micro-practice, policy/practice, research, field instruction).
Concentration options (30 credits)
- M.S.W. students choose either the clinical concentration or the administration, planning and policy concentration.
- Students request field placement in the advanced study concentration of choice. Students identify three to five agencies of interest from which the internship placement is assigned by the M.S.W. Field Department.
Clinical practice concentration
Clinical social work is the application of social work theory and methods to the resolution or prevention of psychosocial problems experienced by individuals, families and groups. These problems may include challenges, disabilities or impairments, including mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Clinical social work is grounded in the values of the social work profession and, as such, promotes social and economic justice by empowering clients who experience oppression or vulnerability to problem situations. It is based on an application of human behavior and practice theories within a biopsychosocial context, focused on issues of human diversity and multiculturalism, and incorporates the impact of social, economic and political systems on client functioning.
Clinical practice may include direct client intervention, client-centered supervision and client-centered consultation. It includes the components of multidimensional assessment, goal setting, intervention and evaluation, all of which are informed by scientific knowledge. Clinical social workers help clients to enact psychological and interpersonal change, increase their access to social and economic resources, and maintain and enhance their achieved capacities and strengths. Interventions may involve therapeutic, supportive, educational and advocacy activities.
Clinical practice takes place in the context of a purposeful relationship. The conscious use of the professional self is central for building and maintaining such relationships.
Graduates will be capable of:
- Critical thinking about social work practice incorporating scientific data and the differential use of theories.
- Demonstrating ethical integrity through the application of social work values and ethics in increasingly complex practice situations.
- Translating knowledge and skills into effective clinical practice with awareness and sensitivity to racial and cultural differences and issues, and the mechanisms of oppression and discrimination, and application of strategies to enhance economic and social justice.
- Demonstrating skill in the differential use of the professional relationship depending on the practice situation.
- Formulating multi-dimensional clinical assessments as a basis for intervention with individuals, families and groups.
- Selecting, planning and utilizing a range of advanced clinical interventions with individuals, families and groups.
- Practicing from a multidisciplinary perspective including skill in team work.
- Conceptualizing and describing a framework for clinical social work practice which integrates multitheoretical knowledge, practice skills and values.
- Evaluating clinical social work practice.
- Analyzing supports and constraints of federal, state and local policies and administrative structures affecting the delivery of clinical social work services and advocating for appropriate changes.
- Committing to ongoing professional competence.
Courses
The curriculum outline for the clinical practice concentration may be viewed in the Graduate Bulletin.
Course descriptions for all social work courses are available in the online courses database.
Students are encouraged to retain copies of all syllabi/course outlines for courses they complete as well as the curriculum outline for the graduate and professional programs bulletins. These documents may be essential for future credentialing.
Administration, planning and policy practice concentration
This is available only on the Richmond campus.
The social work administration, planning and policy practice concentration prepares students to become leaders skilled in analyzing, formulating, implementing and evaluating policies, plans and programs. Knowledge, values and skills are taught emphasize current theory and research through classroom and field based experiences. Practice takes place in the context of a complex, changing environment in which communities and governmental legislative, nonprofit, for-profit organizations advocate for, plan and deliver social services and advocate for social change. The major themes within the integrated curriculum are social and economic justice, diversity, leadership and advocacy.
Graduates will be capable of:
- Applying social work values and ethics in increasingly complex community and organizational settings.
- Critical thinking that incorporates values, current research and multiple organizational and community theories into social work practice.
- Advocating for policies, interventions, and differential strategies to address the mechanisms of oppression and discrimination.
- Demonstrating a variety of leadership styles and skills in diverse types of organizations and communities.
- Using conceptual frameworks to analyze current social problems within policy, community and organizational arenas.
- Collaborating with multiple stakeholders and constituencies to mobilize and coordinate community and organizational resources.
- Assessing community and organizational needs, using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Formulating policies, proposals and plans that address human needs.
- Designing and developing effective-based programs.
- Evaluating the implementation, outcomes and impacts of human services policies, plans and programs, and making informed recommendations for change.
The curriculum outline for the administration, planning and policy practice concentration may be viewed in the Graduate Bulletin.
Courses
Course descriptions for all social work courses are available in the online courses database.
Students are encouraged to retain copies of all syllabi/course outlines for courses they complete as well as the curriculum outline for the graduate and professional programs bulletins. These documents may be essential for future credentialing.