Degree Offered
Master of Social Work
Campus Options
- Main Campus (Union, NJ)
Application Deadline:
Fall: APPLICATION OPEN
Spring: No spring admission
Program Description
The Master of Social Work Program is designed to prepare and train social workers as advanced generalists, ready to enhance the problem solving capacities of individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, and social institutions. The Kean University MSW Program, which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, offers a curriculum to prepare students for practice as a professional social worker, state licensure and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Coursework within the program prepares students to initiate and/or enhance their participation as knowledgeable, well-informed citizens who are committed to the principles of multiculturalism and social and economic justice and aspire to make social contributions. The courses within the program will further provide students with the knowledge, values and skills that are the foundation of social work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Field education is a major component of the MSW program, providing all students with the opportunity to practically apply the skills developed in the classroom. Working under the supervision of an experienced MSW field instructor, students will complete internships in selected social service agencies.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the University's admission requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (lower GPAs will be considered based on strength of overall application)
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- MSW Supplemental Questions (found within the online application)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Professional Resume/CV
- TOEFL (for applicants whose native language is not English)
- Personal Statement
- Applicants are expected to address the following questions in their personal statement:
- Please discuss the ways in which you have managed personal and professional sources of conflict and stress in your life.
- Please discuss your personal strengths and limitations including those with respect to diversity and difference.
- Please discuss a social issue that is important to you and things you have done or might wish to do to address it.
- Please discuss personal and professional experiences that have influenced your decision about a career in social work.
- Please describe anything that has the potential to affect your ability to complete the academic and internship requirements of the MSW program.
- Applicants are expected to address the following questions in their personal statement:
Members of the MSW Admissions Committee will evaluate this statement and this will include writing ability and readiness for professional social work education at the graduate level
Prerequisite Coursework
- 16 credits of liberal arts courses which include Statistics and Biology
Note: This program does not give credit for work or life experience
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- 60 credits
- Four semesters of Field Experience
Curriculum
|
FIRST SEMESTER – 15 CREDITS |
||
|---|---|---|
|
SW 5101 |
Generalist Social Work Practice in a Multicultural Environment I |
3 credits |
|
SW 5201 |
Field Experience I |
4 credits |
|
SW 5301 |
Social Welfare Policy and Services I |
3 credits |
|
SW 5401 |
Human Behavior and Social Environment I |
3 credits |
|
SW 5501 |
Integrative Seminar I |
2 credits |
|
SECOND SEMESTER – 15 CREDITS |
||
|---|---|---|
|
SW 5102 |
Generalist Social Work Practice in a Multicultural Environment II |
3 credits |
|
SW 5202 |
Field Experience II |
4 credits |
|
SW 5402 |
Human Behavior and Social Environment II |
3 credits |
|
SW 5502 |
Integrative Seminar II |
2 credits |
|
SW 5601 |
Social Work Research I |
3 credits |
|
THIRD SEMESTER – 15 CREDITS |
||
|---|---|---|
|
SW 6101 |
Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice in a Multicultural Environment I* |
3 credits |
|
SW 6201 |
Field Experience III* |
6 credits |
|
SW 6602 |
Social Work Research II: Evaluation Research |
3 credits |
|
SW 6701 |
Assessment in Social Work |
3 credits |
*Since there is no Integrative Seminar in the third and fourth semesters, these courses have been linked to provide continuity.
|
FOURTH SEMESTER – 15 CREDITS |
||
|---|---|---|
|
SW 6102 |
Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice in a Multicultural Environment II* |
3 credits |
|
SW 6202 |
Field Experience IV* |
6 credits |
|
SW 6302 |
Social Welfare Policy and Services II |
3 credits |
|
|
Free Elective |
3 credits |
|
FREE ELECTIVES To be chosen from the following |
||
|---|---|---|
|
SW 6608 |
Issues of Social and Economic Justice |
3 credits |
|
SW 6703 |
Issues Confronting Contemporary Families |
3 credits |
|
SW 6704 |
Issues of Aging |
3 credits |
|
SW 6705 |
International Issues in Social Work |
3 credits |
|
SW 6706 |
Comfort Care: A New Approach to End-of-Life Care |
3 credits |
|
SW 6801 |
Trauma in Social Work Practice |
3 credits |
TOTAL OF 60 CREDITS TO COMPLETE PROGRAM
Program Resources
Program Mission and SLOs
Program Handbook
PROGRAM COORDINATOR (ACTING)
DR. JOSEPHINE NORWARD
Hutchinson Hall, Room 304D
T. 908.737.4033
jnorward@kean.edu
Updated 4/15/13