The faculty in the School of Social Work offer programs leading to the Master of Social Work degree and the Ph.D. degree in Social Work.

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK

The professional program leading to the Master of Social Work 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 Master of Social Work 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 (see “Admission to the Graduate College”). In addition the applicant must submit the following to

ACADEMIC SERVICES

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

PO BOX 871802

TEMPE AZ 85287-1802

1. application to the graduate Social Work program,
2. statement of educational and career goals in sufficient detail to indicate compatibility with the educational objectives and capabilities of the School of Social Work,
3. three letters of reference using the reference letter forms provided by the School of Social Work, and
4. test scores from either the GRE or the MAT.

Admission

Regular Admission. In addition to the requirements listed above, the school also requires one of the following:

1. a liberal arts undergraduate degree;
2. a B.S.W. from a Council on Social Work Education accredited school of social work; or
3. another undergraduate degree, with 30 semester hours in liberal arts courses at the undergraduate or graduate level.

The 30 semester hours described in item three above must include course work from the social/behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. The distribution should approximate the current policy for the B.S.W. program: 18 hours in social and behavioral sciences, six hours in natural sciences with at least one course in human biology, and six hours in humanities.

All students are required to successfully complete a course in human biology prior to enrollment in the graduate program. Additionally, all students must have successfully completed a course in statistics before admission. If the statistics requirement has not been met, then an equivalent course must either be successfully completed by December 31 or prior to registering for SWG 519.

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)

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	Assessment of Mental Disorders (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 the M.S.W. program coordinator. 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 M.S.W. program coordinator, 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. program coordinator for an equivalency review to determine exemption. B.S.W. students may be exempted from the following courses:

1. SWG 519, if the student has at least a “B” in SWU 320 or an equivalent social work course;
2. SWG 531, if the student has at least a “B” in SWU 432 or equivalent social work courses; and/or
3. SWG 533, if the student has at least a “B” in SWU 374 or an equivalent social work course.

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)

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 information about or 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. 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, 480/965-3355.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

The program seeks to prepare future social work scholars who are cognizant of the importance of practice-oriented and evaluative research in applied agency and community settings, who are involved in the development and application of theories in social work practice, and who plan to enhance social work knowledge through its communication and translation in the classroom and field settings.

The program introduces students to the complex range of roles and responsibilities of faculty leadership, to the challenging expectations of critical thinking and creativity in research and teaching, and to the multiple ways of integrating the tripartite demands of research, teaching, and service in the social work profession.

The Social Work faculty advocate for and support the human potential in the distinct experiences and perspectives of the Southwest region. The cultural and economic diversity of the Southwest makes it possible for faculty and students to engage in many issues in their community-based research and practice. Social Work graduates play key roles in creatively and ethically integrating their professional applied activities with local, state, tribal, and regional interests in the realm of social welfare.

Admission. Admission decisions are made in odd-numbered years. Applicants must hold an M.S.W. degree from an accredited school of social work, preferably have a minimum of two years of post-M.S.W. professional social work paid employment, and apply to both the ASU Graduate College and the School of Social Work.

Admission to the Ph.D. program requires completion of all admission requirements and procedures set forth by the Graduate College and test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). Applications are accepted up to March 1 preceding the fall semester to which the applicant is seeking admission. Students are admitted only in the fall semesters of odd-numbered years.

Application Procedure. The following should be submitted to

ADMISSIONS OFFICE

GRADUATE COLLEGE

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

PO BOX 871003

TEMPE AZ 85287-1003

1. the application for admission to the Graduate College;
2. two official transcripts from each institution the applicant has attended previously; and
3. test scores from the GRE.

The following should be submitted to

ACADEMIC SERVICES

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

PO BOX 871802

TEMPE AZ 85287-1802

1. application to the Ph.D. program in Social Work;
2. completed essay questions; and
3. four letters of reference that must use the reference letter forms provided by the School of Social Work.

Program of Study. Students must demonstrate scholarly competencies in several broad areas identified during the mentoring and advising process. These areas must include: micro/macro theories and perspectives on critical issues in social work and social welfare (24 semester hours), quantitative/qualitative research methodologies (12 semester hours), and professoriate training and mentoring in research, teaching, and service. The program requires a minimum of 36 semester hours beyond the M.S.W. degree and 84 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. Because students must achieve competency requirements, they may need to take additional course work to achieve these competencies.

The program emphasizes enhancement of scholarship through:

1. applied social work research in diverse community settings and populations of the Southwest;
2. teaching, from syllabus development to classroom teaching across the professional continuum;
3. participation in collegial decision making; and
4. participation in field education and community services.

Students are expected to participate fully in research, teaching, and field liaison activities during their course of studies.

Advisement. The individualized plan for becoming a social work scholar and for learning associated faculty roles is developed by students and their faculty advisors over time.

Residency. Students should expect to complete the equivalent of four semesters of course work. The minimum residency requirement for the Ph.D. program is 18 semester hours in courses relating to the program of study, exclusive of dissertation. The residency must be completed in two consecutive semesters, not including summer sessions.

Foreign Language Requirements. None.

Comprehensive Examinations. Upon completion of course work and the substantive paper, but before beginning dissertation research, the student is given a written examination covering research, theory, and methods in the substantive area. If the student should fail one or more components of the examination, a reexamination may be administered no sooner than three months and no later than one year from the date of the original examination. Approval of the reexamination must be obtained from the supervisory committee and the dean of the Graduate College.

Dissertation Requirements. Each candidate must register for a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit for research and dissertation. The final copy of the dissertation must be received by the supervisory committee and the dean of the Graduate College at least three weeks before the degree conferral date.

Final Examinations. The final oral examination in defense of the dissertation is scheduled and conducted by the student’s dissertation committee. A candidate must pass the final examination within five years after completing the comprehensive examination.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Tucson Component. The School of Social Work offers a part-time, cohort driven M.S.W. Program in Tucson in conjunction with the College of Extended Education. See “Tucson Component” for more information.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY

The School of Social Work offers excellent opportunities for empirical research on social, community, and individual problems and issues. Computer facilities and research support are available to faculty and students. Research is carried out in diverse community settings in conjunction with social agencies, as well as with public and private institutions. The faculty and students are engaged in a number of projects of local, regional, and national significance.

The areas of study for typical faculty research in any given year might include such topics as child abuse, adoption, foster care, reconstituted families, minority aging, chemical dependency, mental health, social welfare planning, social service agency administration, and community practice.

Graduate Credit Courses Courses at the 500, 600, and 700 levels are graduate credit courses. Courses at the 400 level apply to graduate degree requirements when appearing on an approved program of study. However, 400-level courses are not graduate courses by definition and cannot be certified as such for purposes of employment or transferring to other institutions.

Social Work (SWG) Courses

Omnibus Graduate Courses: See omnibus graduate courses that may be offered.

Page last updated: Friday, September 7, 2007


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