Master of Social Work

Accreditation Statement

The Master in Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and program graduates will be eligible to sit for the social work examination. Social work licensure is required in the state of Alabama for those in the practice of social work.

Objectives

The Master in Social Work derives the program’s objectives in accordance with the Council on Social Work Education Educational Policy Handbook. Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior.
   Social workers understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards, as well as relevant law, policies, and regulations that may affect practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice.
   Social workers understand that every person regardless of position in society has fundamental human rights and must advocate for these rights as will as engage in practices that promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
3. Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice.
   Social workers understand how racism and oppression shape human experiences and how these two constructs influence practice at the individual, family, group, organizational, and community levels in policy and research.
4. Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice.
   Social workers use ethical, culturally informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive approaches in conducting research and building knowledge so that research findings can be applied to inform and improve practice, policy, and programs.
5. Engage in Policy Practice.
   Social workers identify social policy at the local, state, federal, and global levels that affect well-being, human rights and justice, service delivery, and access to social services in order to assess and analyze social welfare policy deliverables through a social justice, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive lens.
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
   Social workers understand that engagement is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
   Social workers understand that assessment is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
   Social workers understand that intervention is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
   Social workers understand that evaluation is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Program Eligibility

All students must be admitted to Troy University Graduate School. There is not a conditional admission based on grade point average. All students holding an earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association are eligible for application to the Foundation Two Year (60) hour program. Students must have a 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 grade point average on the last 30 semester hours taken.

Students holding a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE accredited program and have a 3.0 grade point average in the last 30 semester hours of Social Work course work are eligible to apply for the Advanced Standing program. Advanced Standing applicants may receive an MSW upon successful completion of 30 semester hours of Specialization Curriculum. The Director of the MSW Program is responsible for determining academic eligibility for Advanced Standing Placement. The Director is also responsible for answering questions related to academic credit applied to the degree program in adherence to accreditation and policy standards.

An additional requirement of being able to complete the MSW Program is the production of a current (within 30 days) criminal background check for Foundation and Specialization Practicum. Providing the background check does not guarantee acceptance into a Practicum setting or eligibility to sit for licensure. Students applying to this program should be aware of the potential ramifications of a positive criminal background check and the potential of not being able to complete this program. Ongoing participation requires the continual development and demonstration of the highest standards of ethical, interpersonal, and professional engagement.

Program Initiation

The Master of Social Work program is based on a cohort model where students matriculate through the program together with specific start and end dates based upon the specialization and program option selected.

Direct Practice Specialization

The Direct Practice Specialization prepares students to work on a micro level with individuals, families, and groups of people.

(1yr) Advanced Standing (30sh program)

• Face-to-face offerings (Dothan, Montgomery, Phenix City, and Troy) begin every August with an application deadline of May 15th.
• Online offerings begin every January with an application deadline of October 15th.

(2yr) Foundation (60sh program)

• Face-to-face offerings (Montgomery only) begin every August with an application deadline of May 15th.
• Online offerings begin every August with an application deadline of May 15th.

Organizational Leadership & Management Specialization

The Organizational Leadership & Management Specialization prepares students to work on more of a macro level with a focus on policy change, program implementation, and management.

(1yr) Advanced Standing (30sh program)

• Online offerings begin every August with an application deadline of May 15th.

(2yr) Foundation (60sh program)

• Online offerings begin every August with an application deadline of May 15th.

Admission Requirements

Unconditional Admission

In addition to meeting University graduate school admissions requirements, the student must also submit the following admission requirements:

1. Two reference letters from the following list: applicant’s most recent academic adviser, department chair, dean, college instructor, most recent employer, and no more than one personal reference chosen by the applicant. These references must attest to the applicant’s potential in forming effective interpersonal relationships, aptitude for graduate study, appropriate vocational goals relevant to the program, and personal and professional self-development.
2. A résumé that includes personal information including topics such as, but not limited to, educational and work history, personal and professional goals, professional affiliations, volunteer work, awards, articles/grant work, and references.
3. A writing sample written in APA format (500-750 words) addressing the motivation for seeking a Master of Social Work degree and future professional goals and aspirations post-graduation.

Conditional Admission

1. Students not satisfying the unconditional admission requirements may be conditionally admitted to the program pending satisfactory completion of the first 9 semester hours with a 3.0 grade point average. Students with a baccalaureate degree from an unaccredited or otherwise accredited institution should see Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission.
2. Students not satisfying conditional admission requirements will be dropped from the program for one calendar year, after which time the student must petition for readmission.

Temporary Admission

Temporary Admission may be granted to applicants who have not submitted the letter of recommendation, entrance exams or official undergraduate transcript. Temporary admission is only for one semester or term and must follow the requirements outlined under Conditional Admission.

Transfer Credit

In addition to University transfer requirements, the Masters in Social Work may accept master’s level courses from a CSWE accredited Social Work program as approved by the MSW program director. Any other transfer credits must be reviewed and approved by the Director of the MSW program. The potential number of eligible credit hours that can be transferred is found under the Transfer Credit section under General Regulations of the graduate catalog.

Practicum Requirements

Students are required to complete in-person supervised practicum course(s) in the sequence set by the program. The student must have a current (within 30 days) national criminal background check, auto insurance, government issued identification, and all required documentation (shots, drug screens, etc.) as required by the University and practicum site prior to participation. Providing the background check does not guarantee acceptance into a Practicum setting or eligibility to sit for licensure. Students applying to this program should be aware of the potential ramifications of a positive criminal background check and the potential of not being able to complete this program.

Degree Requirements

Foundation Curriculum

The foundation curriculum allows students to develop the foundation level competencies named above. This includes a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of required study. The foundation practicum (6 semester hours) requires a minimum of 400 contact hours in the field.

Specialization Curriculum (30 Semester Hours)

The specialization curriculum allows students to develop competencies associated with either Direct Practice (DP) or Organizational Leadership and Management (ORGM). This includes a minimum of thirty (30) credits of required study. The Specialization Practicum is 9 semester hours requiring a minimum of 510 clock hours in the field.

MSW Requirements

Total Foundation Curriculum: 30 semester hours

Upon successful completion of foundation courses and selection of a specialization, students may enroll in the appropriate specialization courses. Foundation students will not be able to move forward to their Specialization courses if all foundation courses have not been completed unless otherwise approved by the MSW program director.

Specialization Curriculum (30 Semester Hours)

The specialization curriculum allows students to develop competencies associated with either Direct Practice (DP) or Organizational Leadership and Management (ORGM). This includes a minimum of thirty (30) credits of required study. The Specialization Practicum is 9 semester hours requiring a minimum of 510 clock hours in the field.

Degree Plan

Master of Social Work Degree Plan/Progress Record