PURPOSE

The ASU School of Social Work has designed a graduate curriculum that prepares students for an empirical approach to social work practice. Research and practice in service effectiveness represent a challenging agenda for future scholarly inquiry and provide the basis of graduate training for researchers and practitioners.

As evidenced by its activities in teaching, research, and service, the school addresses the kinds of social problems that affect underserved populations. However, while theoretical frameworks and practice models continue to be stressed, a major new frame of reference is the establishment of an empirical context for practice. The goal is to practice social work on the basis of effectiveness. When subjected to scholarly inquiry, critique, and analysis, empirical data can provide answers to some of the questions that social scientists, practitioners, and policy makers have been asking for generations.

Empirically based social work practice among underserved populations presents a sizable challenge but holds the potential for filling a critical need. The challenge is the development of a valid and reliable database for use in measuring effectiveness of services provided to all types of clients with many different needs. The ultimate benefit of such a system is the concentration of resources where they are most effective. Many billions of federal, state, local, and private dollars are allocated every year to social service programs. Are these dollars contributing toward the abatement of social problems in this country? For the most part, no answers exist, but with the development of an empirically based approach to social work practice, the groundwork is laid that ultimately will provide answers.

ORGANIZATION AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Through the Graduate College, faculty offer two graduate programs in the field of social work: the Master of Social Work degree and the Ph.D. degree in Social Work. As one of the smaller colleges on campus, the School of Social Work has an enrollment of about 500 undergraduate and 630 graduate students in programs offered by 30 faculty members. The size of the college encourages interaction between faculty and students and emphasizes individual attention.

The master’s degree program has two options in the second year, Direct Practice (DP) and Planning, Administration and Community Practice (PAC). In considering the PAC option, students need to be aware that because of space availability, preference will be given for significant previous experience. The M.S.W. program offers foundation-level courses in Tucson as part of its Southern Arizona component.

The number of semester hours required to complete the M.S.W. degree ranges from 40 to 60, with 60 hours representing the standard program.

The Ph.D. degree program requires at least 36 semester hours of course work beyond the master’s degree and 84 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. The program of study includes: micro/macro theories and perspectives on critical issues in social work and social welfare; quantitative/qualitative research methodologies; and professoriate training and mentoring in research, teaching, and service. Applications for the Ph.D. degree in Social Work are not being accepted for the 1998–99 academic year.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate College, the following admission criteria have been established for the Master of Social Work program:

1. a 3.00 GPA in the last two years of bachelor’s degree work (under exceptional circumstances provisional admission may be granted with less than a 3.00);
2. demonstrated motivation to pursue professional social work education, to work with populations served by social workers, and to work with special populations of the Southwest;
3. evidence of successful work experiences in human services; and
4. Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogies Test scores.

All students are required to successfully complete a course in human biology before enrolling in the graduate program. Additionally, all students must have successfully completed a course in statistics before admission. If the statistics requirement has not been met, then an equivalent course must either be successfully completed by December 31 or before registering for SWG 519.

The following criteria for admission have been established for the Doctor of Philosophy degree program:

1. Graduate Record Examination scores;
2. outstanding academic performance at undergraduate and graduate levels of study;
3. evidence of leadership and competent work experience in human services;
4. demonstrated ability to write for publication;
5. motivation to contribute to the social work body of knowledge through research, publication, practice, and teaching; and
6. strong interest in focusing research and scholarly inquiry on social and personal problems faced by underserved populations.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is severely limited. It is important that students have a sound financial plan for covering expenses while pursuing the degree program. Financial awards are made only when an applicant has been approved for admission.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Because of the size of the M.S.W. and Ph.D. degree programs, the school has chosen to tailor programs to individual interests rather than to structure formal specializations. At the master’s level, all students select either direct practice (DP) or planning, administration, and community practice (PAC). In addition, through the advising system, students have the opportunity to identify course work and field education experiences that contribute toward the building of a specialized expertise.

By combining elective courses, field experiences, research, and specialized study, students may focus on one or more of several fields of service, such as health, mental health, aging, employment and economic support, or other areas. Students with special interests in African American studies, Hispanic studies, Native American studies, or women’s studies may also tailor their programs to address these interests. These interests may sometimes be pursued in courses offered by other academic units.

Certificate in Gerontology

An interdisciplinary Certificate in Gerontology is available to students who are interested in this area of specialization. The program is offered by the Gerontology Program.

COLLEGE FACILITIES

The School of Social Work is located in West Hall in the center of the main campus, directly opposite Hayden Library. All administrative and faculty offices are located in West Hall. Videotaping, playback, and critique of student interviewing performances are regularly incorporated into the teaching of direct practice skills. Extensive use is made of personal computers in training students to monitor client performance and manage information. Also refer to the description of computing facilities and services.

ADVISING

Academic Services handles all early inquiries about admission, scheduling, planning a course of study, and financial assistance. Once a student has been admitted to the program, a faculty advisor is assigned. The primary function of the faculty advisor is to help students select electives, to explore career opportunities, and to counsel students should academic difficulties arise.

Social work students must meet with an academic advisor before registering for any courses.

ACCREDITATION

The School of Social Work is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

1998–99 Graduate Catalog Table of Contents

Graduate College home page

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