The Master of Social Work Program
Program Objectives
The MSW program at Southern University at New Orleans has the following objectives:
- To serve the metropolitan area, the state, and the region by preparing students to fill the changing social welfare human resource needs of public and private agencies for master's level social work practitioners.
- To provide an educational experience for students which facilitates the acquisition of knowledge, values and skills essential for advanced professional competence in social work ethical practice.
- To provide essential knowledge, values, and skills in the realm of cognitive and affective processes.
- To provide students with knowledge and the application of general systems theory and an ecological theoretical perspective as an integrating framework, and its application, with emphasis on strengths and ecological social work practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
- To prepare students to apply research knowledge and skills which reflect social work values and ethics in evaluating their own practice and in generating program and policy knowledge for practice evaluation.
- To prepare students for competent practice with diverse populations by ensuring that all areas of the curriculum, including the field experience includes content relative to understanding and acting upon: (a) people of color—with particular focus on, but not limited to, African American, (b) acceptance of diverse life styles and sexual orientation as among, lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgendered and questioning persons, (c) populations at risk (i.e., children, seniors, women, the poor, the physical or mentally challenged, persons with HIV or AIDS), (d) institutional racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, and (e) social and economic justice issues.
- To provide an adult learning approach which increases the ability of students to integrate cognitive and affective experiences.
- To provide opportunities for professional social work practitioners to acquire special knowledge and skills appropriate to specific roles and fields of practice.
Programs of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, and Advanced Standing
The School of Social Work MSW Program is not an on-line program. There may be sections of courses that are on-line. The MSW Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The foundation year or first year of the MSW Program includes 30 hours of foundation social work courses. The second year is the advanced practice year which includes 30 hours of courses. Three plans of study are offered: Full-Time, Part-Time, and Advanced Standing. Each plan has a structured curriculum which must be followed. Courses are offered in each three programs to allow students to graduate on time if following the curriculum plan. The Full-Time program begins only in the fall semester. The Part-Time Program begins in the Fall of the first year. The Advanced Standing Program begins in the Summer. The Part-Time program requires summer classes. Summer classes are available to allow students opportunities to take courses to adjust their workloads but students should see their academic advisors if adjusting their curriculum plans to avoid extending their programs. Some courses are only taught once a semester and cannot be taken out of sequence, such as field courses. Students are urged to follow curricula plans to avoid problems impacting graduating on time.
Full-Time Program
The full-time plan consists of a planned, structured curriculum which extends over two years (four semesters). Students participate in field practicums which are concurrent with course work. The field practicum includes a minimum of sixteen (16) work hours per week each semester in the first and the second years for a total of 225 hours per semester. Semester credit hours for full-time students are 15 hours per semester. Total semester hours = 60. Students must maintain at least a “B” average (3.0 cumulative GPA) and may graduate with no more than 2 “C” grades and with no “F” grades.
Part-Time Program
The Part-Time Program curriculum plan consists of a structured curriculum which permits students to complete their academic requirements in three years (fall, spring, and summer) each year rather than two years for full time) within eight (8) semesters (3 years) instead of two years as in the full time plan. In the Part-Time Program curriculum plan, the foundation year is primarily covered in the first year (2) semesters plus several classes carried over into the second year. Students carry twenty-four (24) credit hours the first year (nine (9) in the fall, (9) in the spring of the first year and 6 during the summer session). In the second year, students take 9 credit hours during the fall and spring (includes three credit hr. field course. During this second year, students take field which requires approximately 16 hrs./week (fall, spring). Field I cannot be taken with Field II (concurrently), and field classes are only scheduled one semester a year. During the second and third year, there are fewer classes and students enroll in a field seminar and practicum which again includes a minimum of sixteen (16) hours per week in field sites. The number of field hours are guided by accreditation practices. The field practicum begins the second year and continues in the third year. Evening and weekend field placements are difficult to arrange and the program cannot assure an evening or weekend field placements. A student cannot graduate without completion of the field practicum. Once beginning in the Part-Tine Program, students cannot change to full time program. Total semester hours required for the Part-Time Program are 60 credit hours (the same as for the Full-Time Program). (See above)
Advanced Standing
Applicants seeking advanced standing status must have received a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Applicants considered for this course of study, in addition to meeting the general requirements for admission, must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, a minimum grade of B must be earned in all professional foundation courses. The advanced standing program is structured to allow students to complete their course work in one year (summer, fall and spring semesters). One integrative seminar courses (SOWK-500N) begins in the summer prior to the fall semester. Then students complete their advanced standing year in two semesters at 15 credit hours per semester. Total semester hours for the Advanced Standing Program are thirty-six (36 credit hours).
Transfer Students
Students with prior graduate education in the field of social work are allowed to request a transfer of credits. Only courses completed at a MSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education with a “B” or above will be accepted, and field courses must receive a special review. All courses transferred must be equivalent to SUNO School of Social Work courses. The maximum number of credit hours allowed to be transferred is twelve (12). Courses requested for transfer must have been completed within five (5) years prior to the semester for which the student is requesting enrollment. In addition to the usual application material, course syllabi, course descriptions and a Statement of Good Standing from the Dean or Program Director from the previous University School of Social Work must be submitted. Transfer students must meet the University residency requirement which is to complete their last 18 hours at the University. See Graduate Studies for additional information.
International Student Applicants – Please refer to Graduate Program requirements.
Admissions Criteria
The MSW Full-Time Program is completed in a minimum of 2 years and the Part-Time Program is completed in a minimum of 3 years. Policies and procedures for the MSW Admissions criteria are developed by the School of Social Work Admissions Committee and are submitted for approval by the faculty and the Dean. The Chair of the Admissions Committee and the director of admissions are responsible for the coordination of the Admission process and ensuring that written policies and procedures are clearly delineated and adhered to accordingly. The School of Social Work reserves the right to change content and format of its application without prior notice.
Please refer to the MSW Application on SUNO’s website (www.suno.edu) for additional information and application materials. Admission decisions for the MSW program are based on a review of past academic performance, relevant work and/or volunteer experiences, references, evaluations, a personal interest statement, a writing sample, and if needed, a personal interview. Preference is given to applicants who have received a BSW degree or completed a major in social work or the social sciences. The minimum criteria for admission to the MSW program are as follows:
- An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Successful completion of a course with a minimum grade of “C” in Sociology, Psychology and Biology.
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate Grade Point Average of 2.5 (probationary entry consideration) or greater on a 4.0 scale.
- Evidence of professional writing skills at the level of a graduate student, and a commitment to social justice documented in the applicant’s personal interest statement and demonstrated by an on campus written exercise.
- Evidence of values, ethics, and commitment congruent with those of the social work profession.
- Evidence of ability to successfully matriculate in graduate education evaluated through undergraduate transcripts and from personal reference letters.
Grading Criteria
The following system of grading is employed at the graduate level:
- A (90-100) = Excellent (4 quality points)
- B (80-89) = Satisfactory (3 quality points)
- C (70-79) = Minimal Passing (2 quality points)
- F (69 and below) = Failing (0 quality points)
- I = Incomplete
- W = Withdrawal
- FX = Student never attended class (calculated as a F)
- P = Satisfactory completion of courses graded on the pass-fail basis
*Letter grades are related to the university quality points used in GPA determination; A=4, B=3, C=2, F=0 quality points)
In addition:
- Students must receive a grade of B or better in all field courses. Students may move to an advanced field level only after completing all prerequisite field courses with a grade of B or better.
- Students cannot graduate with more than two C's as final grades in course work.
- Students cannot graduate with an “F” grade. Students may retake only one “F” grade.
- Students must have an overall 3.00 GPA to and not more than 2 C’s to graduate.
- A graduate student will be placed on probation if:
- The student's cumulative graduate grade point average is below 2.5 at the time of admission.
- The student's cumulative graduate grade point average in the MSW program is below 3.0 at the end of any term. Students on probation must obtain a 3.0 GPA or better in the semester following placement on probation. If the student does not obtain a 3.0 or better, then the student is suspended from the program for a period not exceeding one academic year.
- The student will be suspended for one semester from the program if:
- The student earns 2 “C” grades in any one semester or
- The student earns 3 “C” grades at any time during their matriculation
- The student will be expelled if the student earns an “F” grade or more than three (3) “C” grades during matriculation without successfully repeating, at least, one of them prior to the third appearing on transcript or if a “C” or an “F” grade is earned in a field course.
Students suspended from the program must be out of school for at least one semester, and must appeal to the Academic Progress and Retention Committee of the School for readmission. Readmission is approved by the Dean. Students expelled from the program may not be readmitted to the program. Students can be suspended or expelled from the program based on academic failure (which includes plagiarism & cheating), Students may also be suspended or expelled for failure to adhere to the National Association of Social Work’s (NASW) Code of Ethics or the state’s licensing regulations. Students are given copies of the NASW Code of Ethics at orientation, the code of ethics is described in orientation, and the code of ethics content is infused in course work and in field seminars. The Student Handbook (available online at www.suno.edu) also provides a copy of the NASW Code of Ethics.
MSW Field Practicum
Full-time students are required to complete a field practicum and seminar course each semester for four (4) semesters. The field experience is concurrent with course work. The first-year placement focus is on generalist practice and the second year focus is on advanced practice in the student’s advanced practice specialty area (e.g., Children/Youth/Families or Health/Mental Health). If the student does not complete the requisite field hours in a practicum class, the student may not enroll in the next field class.
Part-Time students are required to participate in a field practicum and seminar experience beginning in the second year of the program and continues in the third year. During the second and third year semesters, students will complete sixteen (16) hours a week in the field. After completion of the second year, students begin field with a focus on generalist practice and the third year the focus is on practice in their specialization area (either Children/Youth/Families or in Health/Mental Health).
Field Practicum and Seminars I and III are offered only in the fall semesters, and Field Practicum and Seminar’s II & IV are only in the spring semesters. Students must take the courses in consecutive order (first field I, II, III, and IV) and cannot take more than one field course a semester. Failure to follow the curriculum schedule for field courses can result in a delayed graduation date. Students are encouraged to review their schedules with their academic advisors to promote timely graduations. Students are required to read the student handbook concerning field practicum and grading.
The Advanced Standing Program students take their advanced year field placement (III and IV) in their concentration area. Students will have already completed the requirements for Field I and II in their undergraduate program that meets the requirements per admission process to the advanced standing program.
The School of Social Work cannot guarantee an evening or weekend field placement. If a student is not available for field during daytime business hours when appropriate supervision is available, it is not possible to successfully complete the program. Students unable to commit to required hours for field may have a delay in anticipated graduation dates.
The MSW Curriculum
Social Work education at the master's level is built on a liberal arts base, provides a professional foundation, and an advanced practice concentration. The SUNO master's program begins in the first year with a generalist focus drawing from a broad foundation of social science and behavioral theories, social policy, human behavior, research, and intervention methodologies to provide the basis of knowledge necessary to meet the fundamental needs of individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities. The program is designed to build on this generic base of knowledge, allowing students to develop competencies in an area of specialization. The curriculum provides the student with learning experiences to develop competencies organized around a field of practice. Emphasis is placed on practice applications throughout the curriculum. Students must choose from the fields of (1) Health/Mental Health or (2) Children, Youth and Families.
SUNO School of Social Work Curriculum - Full-Time Plan
Curriculum for students entering Fall 2018; approved by Academic Affairs 2018
Year One
Fall
Spring
Year Two
CYF Concentration SOWK-731N, 735N, 737N
Fall
Spring
| SOWK-701N | SW Research III | 3 |
| SOWK-608N | Diversity and Empowerment | 3 |
| SOWK-703N | Field Practicum & Seminar IV | 3 |
| SOWK-737N | Empowerment/Child/ Youth/Fam | 3 |
SOWK-
| Open Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
HM/H Concentration SOWK-732N, 751N, 734N, 750N
Fall
Spring
Advanced Standing Plan
Students enter summer
Year One
Summer
| SOWK-500N | Integrative Seminar I | 3 |
SOWK-
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Year Two
CYF Concentration SOWK-731N, 735N, 737N
Fall
Spring
| SOWK-701N | SW Research III | 3 |
| SOWK-608N | Diversity and Empowerment | 3 |
| SOWK-703N | Field Practicum & Seminar IV | 3 |
| SOWK-737N | Empowerment/Child/ Youth/Fam | 3 |
SOWK-
| Open Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Or HMH Concentration SOWK-732N, 734N, 750N, 751N
Fall
Spring
SUNO School of Social Work Curriculum - Part-Time Plan
Year One (Starts in Fall, Spring, Summer)
Fall
Spring
Summer
| SOWK-608N | Diversity and Empowerment | 3 |
| SOWK-620N | APO II: Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Year Two (Fall, Spring, Summer)
Fall
| SOWK-710N | Direct Service III | 3 |
| SOWK-731N | Practice Issues-Children | 3 |
-
| Or | |
CYF or 732/H/MH-
| | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Spring
Summer
SOWK-
| Elective | 3 |
| SOWK-700N | SW Research II | 3 |
-
| Or | |
| SOWK-735N | Empowerment SW, Child,Youth | 3 |
| SOWK-607N | Field Practicum & Seminar II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Year Three (Fall, Spring)
CYF Concentration SOWK-731N, 734N, 737N
Fall
| SOWK-735N | Empowerment SW, Child,Youth | 3 |
| SOWK-702N | Field III Practicum/Seminar | 3 |
SOWK-
| Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Spring
Or H/MH Concentration SOWK-732N, 734N, 751N, 750N
Fall
Spring
Total hrs. 21 (Fall)
Total hrs. 21 (Spring)
Total hrs. 18 (Summer)
Students must have the dean’s approval for an Independent Study agreement prior to registering for SOWK-730N. This course can substitute for Open Elective (but not for a required course).
Total MSW (Full or Part-Time credit hours) = 60
Total Advanced Standing credit hours = 36
Approved 9/30/18