Department of Social Work

Master of Social Work

A University Center of Excellence

The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Department was selected by the University’s faculty and administration as a Center of Excellence for the University. The MSW program is designed to prepare students for entry into advanced social work practice. The 60 credit-hour degree program consists of a curriculum which provides knowledge, values, and skills common to generalist social work practice, concentration courses in clinical practice or social administration, and three field practicum courses which are designed to enhance the core competencies in the foundation and concentration areas. Students must declare a concentration within the first semester of full-time enrollment or within two semesters of part-time enrollment.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Social Work is the prepare students to excel in social work practice. The BSW program prepares students for generalist practice and the MSW program builds on the generalist foundation and prepares students for advanced practice in Clinical Social Work and in Social Administration. The department promotes student focused learning, affirms the African American legacy and fosters a unique multicultural environment through its BSW and MSW curriculum and advocacy roles in community change. The department graduates students who are culturally competent to practice social work in rural, urban, and global settings.

MSW Admission Requirements

Admission to the MSW program is on a selective basis. Prospective students apply to the Office of Academic Affairs. Only completed applications will reviewed by the Social Work Admissions Committee.

Completed admission applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with liberal arts courses from the social sciences, behavioral sciences, natural sciences, biological sciences, and humanities
Grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission
Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for Advanced Standing
Minimum GRE score of 3.0 in Analytical Writing portion
Official transcript(s) direct from all colleges/universities attended
Graduate School Application with a 500-1,000 word “Directed Essay” indicating the applicant’s reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies in social work at SSU
Three letters of reference (academic and/or professional persons)
(An in-person interview is scheduled when determined by the admissions committee.)

Regular Full Time Admission

Regular admission requires students to satisfy the GRE Analytical Writing (3.0) and GPA (2.8) requirements. This is a two-year 60 credit hour program with students completing 15 credit hours per semester. The Full-Time curriculum begins in the fall semester.

Advanced Standing Admission

Only students who have earned the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE accredited program within the last five years are eligible for the Advanced Standing admission. Students must satisfy the GRE Analytical Writing (3.0) and the GPA (3.0) requirements. The Advanced Standing curriculum begins in May. Students admitted into the Advanced Standing program who fail to earn a grade of “B” in any course will be removed from Advanced Standing. The student may be given the option of continuing in the regular two-year MSW degree program. The student will not be allowed back in the Advanced Standing curriculum. Advanced Standing requires a total of 39 credit hours and is completed within 12 months.

Part Time Admission

Part Time admission is available for students who want to earn the MSW degree. The curriculum is designed for students to complete the degree within 3 ½ years. The Part Time curriculum begins in the summer semester. Students are strongly encouraged to remain with the Part Time curriculum once admitted. Students who want to change to the full time program must declare the change by the end of the first summer semester.

Provisional Admission

Applicants who want to obtain the MSW degree, but do not fully satisfy the requirements for admission may be given consideration for provisional admission status. Provisional Admission may be granted to applicants whose GRE analytical writing score and/or GPA fall below the minimum required for admission. The student must earn a grade of “B” in each course during the first semester of enrollment in order to remain the MSW Program.

Non-Degree (Special) Admission

Non-degree students can apply up to 6 semester hours of graduate credit taken at SSU to the MSW program provided they meet the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education. This category is temporary and applicants must complete an application for admission. Non-degree students must satisfy all prerequisites before enrolling in a course. Students admitted in non-degree status are not eligible for financial aid.

Admissions Appeal

An applicant denied admission to the Master of Social Work program may appeal the decision in writing to the Chair of the Social Work Department. The applicant will be required to provide additional information in support of the appeal. The appeal process begins with the Chair’s Office and continues through the channels as described elsewhere in this document.

Credit for Life Experience and Previous Work Experience

Although faculty views life experience and previous work experience as important and helpful to prospective students, in accordance with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the MSW program does not waive its academic requirements, including field, in lieu of these experiences.

Graduate Student Advisement

Each student enrolled in the Masters of Social Work Program is assigned a graduate faculty advisor. The faculty advisory will help the student plan a program of study consistent with the student’s academic goals and will approve all course selections prior to registration.

Transfer Credit

The Department of Social Work may accept up to 27 credit hours for transfer. Transfer credit may be granted if the applicant meets the following:

All admission requirements for the MSW Program and Savannah State University Graduate School requirements
MSW course(s) completed in a CSWE approved program within the last five years
A minimum grade of “B” earned in each course for transfer credit
Inclusion of catalog description for each requested course for transfer credit
Course outline or syllabus, including bibliography for each requested transfer course
A letter of recommendation from the Chair of the Department related to the student’s enrollment status at the previous or current Social Work Program.

Termination for Academic and Non-Academic Reasons

In terminating a Master of Social Work Student for Academic and Non-Academic reasons, the Department of Social Work follows the University procedures as outlined in the University Catalog, the MSW Student Handbook, the Graduate Catalog, and the University Student Conduct Code. These documents contain the established policies and procedures for handling cases, instances and grievances related to failure to maintain academic standards, academic misconduct and violation of the student conduct codes.

It is the goal of the Department of Social Work to select students and operate in a proactive manner to minimize the acceptance of students who are later determined to be unsuitable for the profession. It is recognized, however, that in spite of the most conscientious screening efforts by the Admissions Committee and the faculty group process, there may be instances in which an applicant is later determined to be unsuitable for the profession. Issues related to violation of the NASW Code of Ethics, emotional immaturity, and/or lack of professional development, exhibited in the academic environment of the field practicum will be investigated by the Performance Review Committee appointed by the MSW Program Coordinator or Director of Field Education in consultation with the Department Chair. The Performance Review Committee assesses whether the events, situations, and/or behaviors indicate current or potential problems/harm or danger for the student, Department, College, University, client, agency, colleagues, and/or the community.

Suspension

Students are expected to remain in good standing in the MSW Program. To be in good standing, a graduate student must maintain a cumulative point-hour of 3.0 or better in all graduate credit courses, and reasonable progress toward graduate program requirements.

If the GPA of a graduate student falls below a 3.0 in a given semester, a letter of scholastic warning will be sent to the student placing him/her on Academic Probation. A student who fails to maintain reasonable progress may be subject to review by the Department of Social Work Performance Review Committee. The student will be allowed one semester to achieve good academic standing (3.0 GPA). If not achieved by the end of the academic probation term, the student will be dismissed from the program. Only credits earned in the Master of Social Work program at Savannah State University may be used to repair deficiencies in a student’s GPA.

Readmission

Students suspended for lack of academic performance after being placed on probation may reapply for admission to the Department Chair after a one-year hiatus. If readmitted, the only coursework eligible for meeting degree requirements are those courses in which the student earned a minimum grade of B. That is, students readmitted following academic suspension will retake all graduate coursework where the grade earned was less than a B. Students in the Social Work Program may only repeat a course one time.

Any student suspended the second time for lack of academic performance after being readmitted will be ineligible for readmission. Provisional students dismissed for lack of academic performance are ineligible for readmission.

Orientation

A required orientation to the MSW Program is held at the beginning of the fall semester for Full Time students and the beginning of the summer semester for Part Time and Advanced Standing students during the registration period. All MSW students are required to attend orientation.

Dual Concentration

Students are permitted to pursue a Dual Concentration. The Dual Concentration allows students the option of taking three (3) additional core concentration courses (9 credit hours) from the Clinical concentration or the Social Administration concentration.

Field Practicum

Field practicum is an integral part of social work education. The experience offers an opportunity for students to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and social work practice skills in diverse human service settings under the instruction of approved agency based social workers. Field placements are typically during day hours and not evenings or weekends.

MSW students complete 1000 clock hours of field practicum for a total of 18 semester credit hours. After the completion of the first semester of course work, the foundation practicum is offered, typically at 20 hours a week for 300 hours (6 credits). In the advanced year, the concentration specific practicum is offered, typically at 24 hours a week for two semesters for a total of 700 hours (6 credits each). Field practicum is taken concurrently with social work practice classes. In the advanced year, field experiences are focused on students’ declared concentration (Clinical Practice or Social Administration Practice).

MSW I MSWK 6690

MSW students must earn a minimum grade of “B” in Social Work Practice (MSWK 6660 ) and Cultural Diversity and Social Work Practice (MSWK 6652 ). Students who fail to earn the minimum grade of “B” in either of these courses will not be eligible for admission to Field Practicum I (MSWK 6690 ). Students must earn a “B” or above in the foundation practicum course (MSWK 6690 ) in order to advance to the Concentration year. Students who fail to earn a “B” or above in a second attempt will be dismissed from the MSW program.

MSW II MSWK 6790 and 6791

Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” or above in their Concentration practicum (MSWK 6790 and MSWK 6791 ). Students who fail to earn a “B” or above in either of the Field Concentration practicum courses will be called for a Performance Review. If a student is given an opportunity to retake the Concentration practicum and fails to earn a “B” or above, the student will be dismissed from the MSW program.

MSW Student Organization

The MSW Student Organization represents MSW students by regular participation in Departmental Meetings; representing MSW students on the Board of the Clinical Social Work Association of Savannah and the Southeast Unit of the Georgia NASW. The officers are drawn from first and second year students, part time and full time students. The MSW Student Organization, in cooperation with other NASW student organizations around the state, organizes and coordinates participation in the annual Georgia NASW Student Lobby Day in the spring.