School of Social Work
School of Social Work MSW Program - Graduate Degree Program, Requirements, Curricula
Rebecca A. Chaisson, Ph.D., Dean
Office: Millie M. Charles School of Social Work Bldg. (MMCSSW). Rm. 207
Phone: (504) 286-5378
Email: rchaisson@suno.edu
Ira A. Neighbors, D.S.W. Associate Professor, Millie M. Charles Endowed Chair of Human Rights and Social Work
Harry Russell, Ph.D., Director of MSW Program
Office: MMCSSW Rm. 209
Phone: 504-286-5073
Email: hrussell@suno.edu
Catherine Kalob, M.S.W., Director of Field Education
Office: MMCSSW Rm. 260
Phone: (504) 286-5051
Email: ccalob@suno.edu
Robert Sevalia, MSW, LCSW, Field Liaison
Office: MMCSSW Rm.
Phone: (504) 286-5278
E-mail: rsevalia@suno.edu
Associate Professors: Rebecca Chaisson, Ph.D., Patricia Guillory, Ph.D., Jill E. Murray, Ph.D., Ira A. Neighbors, D.S.W., Ben Robertson, Ph.D., Harry Russell, Ph.D; Assistant Professors: Edgar Blanchard, M.S.W., Derrick Freeman, Ph.D., Hyacinth McKee, DBH, Holly McKinney, DSW, Gladys Merrick, M.S.W., Claude Montegut, M.S.W., Samuel Odom, Ph.D., Torin Sanders, Ph.D., Patrice Sentino, D.S.W., Gail Wise, D.S.W
Mission
The mission of SUNO-SSW is to prepare competent and effective social workers committed to address strengths and challenges of a diverse client population in a changing and evolving global community. Quality educational experiences, undergirded by the Schools themes of advocacy, empowerment and transformation, prepare baccalaureate students for agency based generalist practice and master students for agency based advanced social work practice. Such practice is further guided by the School’s dedication to critical practice knowledge and skills and the essential values of the profession: service, social and economic justice, the dignity and worth of the individual, and the importance of human relationships.
Goals
Teaching
- To use learning approaches that prepare students to integrate the values, ethics, knowledge, and skill base of the social work profession with systems of all sizes with respect for all people aimed toward social change and promotion of social and economic justice.
- To anchor social work knowledge in our program’s themes of advocacy, empowerment and transformation.
Service
- To provide leadership to the university, the community, and the profession.
- To serve the local, national and international areas by preparing students to fill the dynamic social welfare resource needs for generalist and advanced practitioners.
- To foster the commitment of students and faculty to active involvement in improving the quality of life in the community in which they live.
Scholarship
- To effectively assist the process of professional development among faculty and students.
- To contribute to the knowledge base about strengths of diverse client populations.
COMPETENCIES: Upon completion, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage in Practice Informed Research and Research Informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
Provisions of these programs are subject to change without notice and do not constitute an irrevocable contract between the University and any student.
The Profession of Social Work
The profession of social work is concerned with enhancing social functioning and improving the human condition through the promotion of social and institutional change and the provision of opportunities and resources to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The fundamental concern of social work is the relationship between individuals and social institutions. Of central importance is the development of these relationships in such a way as to promote social and economic justice and protect the opportunities for people to live with dignity and freedom. Professional practice focuses on the transactions between people and their environments that affect their ability to accomplish life tasks.
Educational Philosophy and Themes
The Southern University School of Social Work is committed to a view of social work that is holistic and transcending in its approach. Emphasis is placed on the strengths and growth potential of people, individually and collectively. The BSW and MSW curricula focus is on generalist and advanced social work practice. These are concerned with enhancing and improving the human condition through the promotion of social and institutional change and the provision of opportunities and resources to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
The themes of ADVOCACY, EMPOWERMENT, AND TRANSFORMATION provide a pivotal and integrating link between the educational objectives of the program and the curriculum content. These themes embrace a view of the individual, family, group, organization, or community, as responsible actors in the self-actualization and change processes.
Organization and Structure of the School of Social Work
The SUNO School of Social Work administers two programs: (1) a baccalaureate program (BSW) which provides social work education in preparation for beginning generalist professional practice; and (2) a graduate course of study (MSW) which provides social work education in preparation for advanced specialized professional practice. A doctoral level social work program (D.S.W) remains in the planning process.
Accreditation and Program Approval
The SUNO Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The MSW program has been continuously accredited since 1985. The program’s accreditation was reaffirmed 2012 for 8 years, until 2020.