2021-2022 Graduate Catalog

Master of Social Work - MSW

CIP Code

44.0701

Jill Manit, Ph.D., MSW

Program Director (MSW)

Phone: 203-307-5270

E-mail: manitj@sacredheart.edu

School of Social Work E-mail:  socialwork@sacredheart.edu

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Curriculum

The MSW program curriculum is designed to prepare students for both generalist and specialized social work practice, and equip them with the knowledge, skills, values, and practice experiences necessary for work across varying contexts, socialproblems, and client/constituent systems. The curriculum is congruent with the accreditation standards set forth by the Council on Social Work Education, which encourages attainment of academic excellence through scientific inquiry, social responsibility, service, and the quest for justice.  

 

The MSW Program is comprised of two program tracks offered full-time or part-time. These program tracks include classroom and field education(see below).  The following describes the 60 Credit Track and 30 Credit Track(Advanced Standing): 

 

  • 60 Credit Program Track. Students enrolled in this Track will complete both their Generalist and Specialized Years in the MSW Program. Since Generalist courses serve as prerequisites for most Specialized courses, students are expected to complete the Generalist courses. Students in this track must complete a minimum total of 1,000 hours of field practicum in approved sites across two field placements (field courses included in required courses).
  • 30 Credit Program Track (Advanced Standing).Students enrolled in this Track have been accepted to the MSW Program as Advanced Standing students.  Advanced Standing is granted to students who have completed their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE accredited program and in accordance with admission criteria. Students in this track must complete a minimum of 500 hours of field practicum in an approved site (field courses included in required courses).

 

Specializations

Students will select one of two specializations: Direct Clinical Practice or Direct Community Practice. Both specializations emphasize practice across social work settings and roles and are taught through the lens of integrated and anti-racist practice.

Capstone

A capstone project is required for graduation and requires demonstration of social work competencies in alignment with the mission of the School and ethical principles of the profession.

Field Education

The program requires 500-1,000 hours of field practicum to be conducted over the course of the program (see description of program tracks). Sacred Heart University currently has an extensive network of agencies eager to accept graduate-level students for their field practica. Agencies include those in urban and suburban settings, and public and private not-for—profit organizations such as: schools, hospitals, adult mental health clinics, juvenile justice, adult probation, substance abuse programs, disabilities, adoptions, child protective services, public housing, domestic violence, refugee and re-settlement, adult psychiatric services and children’s mental health.

REQUIRED GENERALIST COURSES


SW 524Human Diversity & Social Justice

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 565Social Welfare Policy I

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 566Social Welfare Policy II

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 567Human Behavior & Social Environment I

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 568Human Behavior & Social Environment II

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 575Social Work Generalist Practice I

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 576Social Work Generalist Practicum II

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 578Generalist Field Practicum & Seminar I

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 580Generalist Field Practicum & Seminar II

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 585Assessment of Client Systems

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 590Methods of Social Work Research

3.00 Credit(s)

 

REQUIRED SPECIALIZED COURSES


SW 591Research Practicum

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 586Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 587Community Assessment

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 624Anti-Racist Social Work Practice: Disrupting, Challenging & Healing

3.0 Credit(s)

SW 675Specialized Integrated Practice I

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 676Specialized Integrated Practice II: MSW Capstone

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 678Specialized Field Practicum & Seminar I

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 680Specialized Field Practicum & Seminar II

3.00 Credit(s)

*Choose one of the following required courses based on your academic focus during your Specialized Year:

•   SW 586: Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis (required for Direct Clinical Specialization)

•   SW 587: Community Assessment (required for Direct Community Specialization)

 

 

REQUIRED ELECTIVES

Students enrolled in the 60-credit track program are required to take 6 elective credits.  Students enrolled in the 30-credit track (Advanced Standing) are required to take 9 elective credits.  The School of Social Work offers a variety of elective courses on a rotating basis from semester to semester. Contact department or Advisor for details.


SW 530Group Work

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 535Forensic Social Work

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 540Mental Health & Addiction

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 545SW Practice with LGBTQ+ Community

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 550Loss & Life Transition

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 555Children and Families

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 560Trauma-Informed Practice

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 570Inter-Professional Education

3.00 Credit(s)