Nov 21, 2024  
Graduate School Course Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Graduate School Course Catalog 2024-2025

Social Work, M.S.W.


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Blenda Crayton, PhD, MSW, Chair
MSW Program Director
Email: bcrayton@nccu.edu
Telephone: (919) 530-7329

I. Admission Requirements


In addition to the admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, applicants requesting admission into the MSW program must meet the following requirements:

Advanced Standing Admission

Advanced standing students are admitted in the summer.  To be considered for advanced standing, applications must be completed and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by January 15th.

  1. Must hold an undergraduate (BSW) degree within the last seven years from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
  2. Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and a 3.2 or better in social work courses.
  3. personal narrative statement reflecting the applicant’s ability to communicate in writing, demonstrate critical thinking about a social problem, and demonstrate introspection (e.g., understanding of self, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, acknowledge personal growth, etc.)
  4. professional resume.  The applicant will submit a current resume that includes his/her work history, community/volunteer services, and evidence of leadership skills.
  5. Three letters of recommendation are required for advanced standing applicants.  One letter must come from the practicum instructor/director of field education.  The other two letters must be from persons who can speak to the applicant’s ability and potential for success as a graduate student and professional social worker (e.g., former professors, employments supervisors, etc.)
  6. Writing sample.  The applicant will submit a writing sample based on a professional social work journal article.  The writing sample should reflect excellent writing skills, organization and integration of content, comprehension, and clarity.  Instructions for the writing sample and a link to the journal article are provided in the online supplemental social work application.

Regular Admission

  1. The applicant’s transcript should indicate a strong liberal arts background, including courses in human biology, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, math, history, etc.  International students must hold an equivalent degree based on a four-year curriculum; and, follow the admissions policies and procedures of North Carolina Central University’s College of Graduate Studies.
  2. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or better (4.0 scale) and a grade point average of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale) in the major course of study.
  3. A personal narrative statement reflecting the applicant’s ability to communicate in writing, demonstrate critical thinking about a social problem, and demonstrate introspection (e.g., understanding of self, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, acknowledge personal growth, etc.)
  4. A professional resume.  The applicant will submit a current resume that includes his/her work history, community/volunteer services, and evidence of leadership skills.
  5. Two professional letters of recommendation from persons who can speak to the applicant’s ability and potential for success as a graduate student and professional social worker (e.g., former professors, employments supervisors, etc.).
  6. Writing sample.  The applicant will submit a writing sample based on a professional social work journal article.  The writing sample should reflect excellent writing skills, organization and integration of content, comprehension, and clarity.  Instructions for the writing sample and a link to the journal article are provided in the online supplemental social work application.

A personal interview with MSW faculty may be required of an applicant in order to better evaluate his/her potential for becoming a professional social work practitioner.

Although we seek students with life experiences and previous work experience, we do not grant social work credit for these experiences.

Applicants who are transferring from a MSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) may transfer up to six credits of courses taken during the foundation year/1st year and earned a grade of “B” or better in those courses.

II. Program Requirements


Bridge Courses - 6 hours


Must be taken during the summer.

III. Exit Requirements


  1. Successfully complete the two-year MSW curriculum with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
  2. Complete the capstone courses (Social Work Practicum I, II, III, and IV and the Master’s Research Project) with a minimum grade of “B”.
  3. No more than one “C” grade in transcript.
  4. All incompletes have been satisfied for a letter grade.
  5. Complete the application for graduation. 

For detailed information refer to the MSW Student Handbook

MSW Curriculum


Department of Social Work
MSW Program
 Foundation/ 1st  Year MSW Curriculum

Foundation 1st Year MSW Curriculum


Fall Semester

SOCW 5101 Foundations of Social Welfare and Social Work (Policy) I ( 3 )  

SOCW 5103 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (Individual and Family Development) ( 3 )  

SOCW 5104 Foundation of Data Analysis ( 3 )  

SOCW 5105 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families ( 3 )  

SOCW 5109 Social Work Practicum & Seminar I ( 4 )  

* ( Students are in field 16 hours/2 days during the foundation year)

Total Credit Hours 16

Spring Semester

SOCW 5201 Research Methods in Social Work I ( 3 )  

SOCW 5203 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (Discrimination & Inequality) ( 3 )  

SOCW 5205 Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities ( 3 )  

SOCW 5209 Social Work Practicum & Seminar II ( 4 )  

*(Students are in field 24 hours/3 days a week during the advanced/ concentration year)

Total Credit Hours   13

 Total MSW Program (traditonal two- year) Credit hours =58       
 Total Advanced Standing( accelerated one-year) credit hours=35

2nd Year Advanced/ Concentration Curriculum


Concentration: Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Communities

Advanced standing students enter the 2nd year of the curriculum after successfully completing the summer bridge courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

 

Fall Semester

SOCW 6130 Forensic Social Work ( 3 )  

SOCW 6135 Social Work and Psychopathology ( 3 )  

SOCW 5303 Child Welfare Practices ( 3 )  

SOCW 5305 Evaluating Social Work Practice ( 3 )  

SOCW 5309 Social Work Practicum & Seminar III ( 4 )  

*( Students are in field 24 hours/ 3 days a week during the advanced/concentration year)

Total Credit Hours   16

Spring Semester

SOCW 6140 Leadership, Administration and Community Practice ( 3 )  

SOCW 6145 Special Topics in Mental Health/Substance Abuse ( 3 )  

SOCW 5513 Masters Capstone Project ( 3 )  

SOCW 5409 Social Work Practicum & Seminar IV ( 4 )  

*(Students are in field 24 hours/3 days a week during and advanced/concentration year)

Total Credit Hours   13

Total MSW Program(traditional two-year) credit hours= 58

Total Advanced standing (accelerated one-year) credit hours= 35

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