The professional program leading to the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree prepares social workers for advanced direct practice, planning, administration, and community practice. The program is designed to prepare social workers capable of responding effectively to the needs of special populations in the Southwest—the ethnic groups of the region, the aged, urban and rural poor, children at risk, the disabled, and women who are victims of poverty, discrimination and violence—in its curriculum and its practicum assignments. The M.S.W. degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Application Procedures. Students applying to the graduate program in Social Work must follow the procedures for admission to the Graduate College. In addition the applicant must submit the following to
Admission
Regular Admission. Applicants must meet admission requirements of the Graduate College and the School of Social Work. Among other considerations for acceptance by the Graduate College, the applicant must have a GPA of 3.00 (4.00 = A) in the last two years of work leading to the bachelor’s degree. The applicant’s score on an aptitude examination—the GRE or MAT—is also considered.
Provisional Admission. Applicants with lower test scores or grades below minimum levels may be considered for provisional admission if there is counterbalancing evidence suggesting the potential of outstanding performance in the M.S.W. program. Normally, final determination of removal of provisional status is made by the time the student has completed 12 hours of approved graduate study. The provisional student does not begin field work until this status has been changed. However, the student carries the same academic load as a regularly admitted student and is expected to meet the same standards for continuation in the program.
All students are required to successfully complete a course in human biology before enrollment in the graduate program. Additionally, all students must have successfully completed a course in statistics either prior to admission or by the end of the first year in the M.S.W. program.
Applications to the M.S.W. program are accepted from November 1 to March 1 preceding the fall semester to which the applicant is seeking admission. All applicants are reviewed for admission for the fall semester only.
Program of Study. The standard program consists of 60 hours including both classroom instruction and field practicum. It is divided into a foundation year (core curriculum) and a concentration year. During both years, students spend two days a week in a practicum setting. The foundation curriculum is the same for all students and must be completed before entering the concentration year. The following are the required foundation courses:
| SWG 501 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3) |
| SWG 502 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3) |
| SWG 510 | Foundation Practice I (3) |
| SWG 511 | Foundation Practice II (3) |
| SWG 519 | Research Methods in Social Work (3) |
| SWG 531 | Social Policy and Services I (3) |
| SWG 533 | Diversity and Oppression in Social Work Context (3) |
| SWG 541 | Field Practicum I (3) |
| SWG 542 | Field Practicum II (3) |
| SWG 580 | Community and Organizational Change (3) |
| Total: 30 |
In the second year, students concentrate in either direct practice or planning, administration and community practice. Six to nine hours of electives are available for students either to take additional course work in their concentration or to increase knowledge and skill in such areas as health and mental health, family and child welfare, or aging.
The following are required concentration courses:
Direct Practice (DP)
| SWG 606 | Differential Assessment of Client Functioning (3) |
| SWG 611 | Social Work with Families (3) |
| SWG 619 | Practice-Oriented Research (3) |
| SWG 621 | Integrative Seminar (3) |
| SWG 632 | Social Policy and Services II (3) |
| SWG 641 | Advanced Practicum: Direct Practice I (3) |
| SWG 642 | Advanced Practicum: Direct Practice II (3) |
| One of the following five approved advanced courses (3) | |
| SWG 613 | Social Work with Individuals (3) |
| SWG 614 | Social Work with Families in Transition (3) |
| SWG 616 | Social Work with Chemically Dependent Families (3) |
| SWG 617 | Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents (3) |
| SWG 618 | Family Violence (3) |
| Electives (6) | |
| Total: 30 | |
Planning, Administration and Community Practice (PAC)
| SWG 623 | Agency Research in Social Work (3) |
| SWG 632 | Social Policy and Services II (3) |
| SWG 643 | Advanced Practicum/PAC I (3) |
| SWG 644 | Advanced Practicum/PAC II (3) |
| SWG 680 | Program Planning in Social Services (3) |
| SWG 681 | Social Work Administration (3) |
| or SWG 682 Community Participation Strategies (3) | |
| Electives (12) | |
| Total: 30 | |
Electives may be selected from offerings at the School of Social Work or courses offered through other departments with the approval of student’s advisor. The total semester hours for each concentration equals 30.
Transfer Credit. Upon recommendation of the admissions committee, the first year of graduate study (up to 30 graduate semester hours) earned at another CSWE accredited school of social work may be transferred and applied toward the M.S.W. degree at ASU. Under these circumstances, the student must complete the second full year of graduate study (at least 30 semester hours of graduate work) at ASU, resulting in a 60-hour program composed of the work from both schools. A full report from the school at which the intended transfer credit was obtained is required.
In other cases, with the approval of the program director, up to six semester hours of graduate work completed at another university may be transferred as elective credit.
Consideration for acceptance of prior graduate credits must be applied for at the time of admission. The grades of all transfer credit must be a “B” or higher.
Nondegree Course Work. A maximum of nine graduate semester hours earned as a nondegree student in the ASU School of Social Work or six semester hours earned at another graduate degree program at ASU may be applied toward the program of study as elective credit. A combination of credit earned as a nondegree student—at ASU or transferred from another university—may not exceed nine hours.
Course work toward a master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six-year period begins with the first course included on the student’s approved program of study.
Consideration for acceptance of nondegree work must be applied for at the time of admission.
Exemptions and Waiver Examinations. The number of hours required to complete the M.S.W. degree ranges from 40 to 60 semester hours, with 60 hours representing the standard program. In addition to transferring credit (see policy on transfer credit), admitted students may meet requirements of up to 20 hours of credit towards the degree by (1) exempting up to nine hours of foundation course work without examination or (2) successfully completing examinations in any of the foundation courses except field practicum.
Exemptions. Only students from B.S.W. programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education can be considered for exemptions. In order to be eligible for an exemption from any course, students must have received their B.S.W. degree no more than five years prior to the date of admission or must demonstrate current continuing education credits. Admitted B.S.W. students from ASU are exempted from the courses listed below without examination if they meet the stated GPA requirements. B.S.W. students from other accredited programs may also be exempted from the same courses, but must submit their course content material (course description, syllabus, and outline) for review by the M.S.W. director for an equivalency review to determine exemption. B.S.W. students may be exempted from the following courses:
Waiver Examinations. Students who believe they have successfully completed equivalent undergraduate courses or have related work experience covering content taught in the courses listed below can request to take a written waiver examination.
| SWG 501 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3) |
| SWG 502 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3) |
| SWG 510 | Foundation Practice I (3) |
| SWG 511 | Foundation Practice II* (3) |
| SWG 519 | Research Methods in Social Work (3) |
| SWG 531 | Social Policy and Services I (3) |
| SWG 533 | Diversity and Oppression in Social Work Context (3) |
| SWG 580 | Community and Organizational Change (3) |
| * | Only students who successfully pass the waiver exam for SWG 510 Foundation Practice I will be allowed to take the waiver exam for SWG 511 Foundation Practice II. |
Comprehensive Examinations. ASU requires a comprehensive examination for graduation in all professional master’s programs that do not have a thesis requirement. All Social Work students must pass a written comprehensive examination, administered by the school, before graduation.
Academic Standing and Curriculum Sequencing. In order to remain in good academic standing, the student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 at the end of each semester. Most courses in the program are sequential; successful completion of the prior course in the sequence is required to enroll in the following course. Students may not enroll in any second-year required courses until all foundation courses have been successfully completed.
Tucson Component. The School of Social Work offers the full foundation year (30 semester hours of credit) and some concentration-year course work in Tucson. Students may be required to commute to Tempe during both semesters of their concentration year. Courses are scheduled, however, so that the minimum of travel time is required of students. For application to the Tucson component, call 520/884–5507.
Part-Time Program. A limited number of students are admitted each year to a planned part-time program. Students interested in this option must specifically apply to the part-time program. At least one academic year must be taken on a full-time basis. A maximum of one year of field work may be completed at the agency where the student is employed.
Financial Assistance. Recent federal reductions in support of human services and educational programs have severely limited the resources available for stipends. Therefore, it is important that applicants have a sound financial plan to cover expenses for the duration of the degree program.
Financial assistance information is available from Student Financial Assistance Office, Student Services Building, 602/965–3355.
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