The School of Social Welfare provides a learning environment for individuals who wish to deepen and extend their knowledge and experience in bringing
about social change. The School provides a place for the development of committed, analytical, and knowledgeable students who wish to undertake
the difficult task of improving service delivery systems by attention to institutional structures.
Having a mission statement is more difficult and challenging for a school than not having one, or than having a specific but narrow statement of
purpose. Yet, it is the challenge of struggling to make the mission statement come alive¾albeit incomplete and imperfectly ¾ that
makes the school an exciting place. It makes both faculty and students believe that we are preserving and carrying forward the social reform
philosophy upon which professional social work was founded, and which is vital to its future.
The mission statement addresses social problems from a structural framework. This leads to the need to prepare social work students to intervene
directly with individuals and families, as well as with larger systems. Thus, practice is undertaken from a model of empowerment, development,
and enhancement, rather than from that of pathologies or victim blaming.
The graduate program prepares students for advanced social work practice. It provides students with the needed theoretical
and practice expertise to function with maximum competence at different administrative or policy levels in social welfare fields and/or in the provision
of direct services to individuals, families, groups, and communities. The school provides opportunities for study and practice that utilize
the wealth of interdisciplinary resources available in the Health Sciences Center, the University, and community agencies throughout the New York
metropolitan area.
The curriculum provides for a generalist foundation year of courses and field instruction for all students. In the 2nd year students concentrate
on Advanced Social Work Practice.
Based on our mission, we view social work practice as concerned with the enhancement of social functioning and improvement of the human condition
through the promotion of social and institutional change, and the provision of opportunities and resources to individuals, groups, communities,
and organizations. The relations between individuals and social institutions are fundamental concerns of social work. Of central importance
is the development of these relationships in such a way as to promote social and economic justice, and to protect opportunities for people, especially
those who have historically been oppressed and devalued, so that they can live with dignity and freedom. This translates into the following
goals that guide the program’s direction:
- to develop human relationships that are grounded in social justice, human dignity and mutual respect;
- to develop new and more just organizational forms;
- to transform already existing structures to ones that affirm and enhance dignity and social diversity;
- to identify new ways to influence social, economic, and political systems to distribute power, resources, rights, and freedom so as to achieve
social justice;
- to prepare social workers who engage in self-reflective practice.
Given our mission and goals, we have selected the concepts of oppression and transformation as
organizing principles of the curricula of the MSW program. We view oppression as a social relationship between oppressors and oppressed, divided
by distribution of power and control over life-affirming resources and dignity. Our commitment to human dignity and social justice mandates
that we assume a strengths perspective which struggles to identify ways that oppressed people have endured, survived, adapted and/or resisted
and transformed the oppressive circumstances of their lives.
These goals for the MSW program reflect the intent of the Curriculum Policy Statement M5.1 to M5.4.5.
The overall objectives of the MSW program at the School of Social Welfare are as follows:
- to prepare students for entry level into advanced social work practice;
- to help students understand oppression and its impact on people;
- to help students understand the extent to which multiple social, political, economic, psychological, and biological factors determine social
policies and programs;
- to help students develop the knowledge and practice skills currently necessary to carry out interventive roles consistent with social work values,
ethics, and principles, and the mission of the School;
- to help students develop and implement strategies that enhance social functioning, empowerment, and structural change, especially for individuals
and groups systematically denied equity, dignity, opportunities for self-realization, and access to resources; and
- to enable students to have the commitment and capacity to evaluate their professional practice and agency, and to engage in efforts to continue
professional self-growth.
These objectives reflect the intent of the Curriculum Policy Statement M5.7 to M5.7.14, M6.19, and M6.22.
A. Credits
Students in the graduate program must successfully complete a minimum of 64 credits. A minimum of
16 of these credits must be earned in field instruction. Professional foundation requirements must be met.
Students must complete a minimum of three electives. Students carrying three day placements during an academic year (6 + 6 field
instruction credits) may substitute the extra credits for one elective.
Students are required to register for a minimum of 12 credits per semester,* although the average
load is 16 to 18 credit hours per semester. Students may not register for more than 19 credits per semester.
B. Time Limit
Students must complete all requirements for graduation in a period no longer than five years from the date of their matriculation
at the school.
C. Grade Point Average
A cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.0) or better is required to remain in good standing.
D. Field Instruction (See Field Instruction Manual for details.)
Field and class work are integral parts of a single educational experience. A well-rounded education in social welfare is best obtained by
the integration of theory and practice. Requirements for graduation include a minimum of 16 credits in field instruction. In the first
year of field instruction (HWC 500-501) students must be enrolled concurrently in the required social work practice course (HWC 513-514). In
the second year of field instruction (HWC 502-503) students must be enrolled in HWC 515/516-517/518. The field instruction year of the School
of Social Welfare begins the second week of the fall semester and ends in May. Thirty-three weeks of field instruction are required each
academic year.
E. Educational Planning
The educational planning process is the primary means by which students formulate their educational goals with the help of their faculty advisor. Students’ progress
through the program is assessed by the students and faculty advisors as part of the School’s academic review process.
F. Independent Study
Students may elect to take an Independent Study as an elective. The student needs to obtain approval from his/her faculty advisor and register
with an individual faculty member for Independent Study (HWC 595). The Independent Study needs to be in a subject area that is in concert with
the School’s mission and program objectives, and is not covered by the curriculum offerings. (See section on Registration for Independent
Study.)
The curriculum provides for a generalist foundation year of courses and field instruction for all students. In the second year, students concentrate
in advanced social work practice. Some courses are offered in concentrated form during the semester, intersession and summer session.
Guided by the theme, social work in health/health in social work, the curriculum provides all social work students with basic knowledge of health
programs, policies and practices and how they affect individual and societal well-being. It stresses health in social work by providing the
knowledge and skills needed by all social workers, regardless of the setting in which they practice, to give proper attention to health problems and
their social consequences.
- Generalist Foundation
In the first year, the array of courses and field instruction provides the basic professional foundation of knowledge, values and skills for social
work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
The professional foundation includes content on social work values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, populations historically devalued
and oppressed, human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policies and services, social work practice, research and field instruction.
First Year, Full-time MSW Requirements
Fall Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 500 Field Instruction I, 4-6 credits
HWC 504 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I, 3 credits
HWC 506 Social Work in Health, 3 credits
HWC 509 Parameters of Social and Health Policy I, 3 credits
HWC 513 Social Work Practice I, 3 credits
Spring Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 501 Field Instruction II, 4-6 credits
HWC 505 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II, 3 credits
HWC 510 Parameters of Social and Health Policy II, 3 credits
HWC 511 Research I, 3 credits
HWC 514 Social Work Practice II, 3 credits
-
Concentration Year
During the concentration year, the program prepares students for advanced social work practice in a variety of professional roles, including direct
services with individuals, families, groups, communities and in the analysis, development, implementation, management and evaluation of human services,
and health policies and programs.
In addition to the required advanced social work practice courses and advanced field instruction experiences, students may choose from a variety
of electives.*
Second Year, Full-time MSW Requirements
Fall Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 502 Field Instruction III, 4-6 credits
HWC 512 Research II, 3 credits
HWC 515 Advanced Social Work Micro Practice I, 3 credits
HWC 516 Advanced Social Work Macro Practice I, 3 credits
Elective* 4 credits
Spring Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 503 Field Instruction IV, 4-6 credits
HWC 517 Advanced Social Work Micro Practice II, 3 credits
HWC 518 Advanced Social Work Macro Practice II, 3 credits
Electives* 5-6 credits
- Pathways
In addition to the two-year, full-time option, the school has designed alternative pathways that retain the standard program requirements and quality. Pathway
I, the Advanced Standing Option, is open only to graduates of a CSWE accredited baccalaureate program in social work. Pathway II is open only
to applicants already working the field of social welfare. Eligibility for Pathway II is determined after admission to the school. Admission
to the school does not guarantee approval to register as a Pathway II student. Pathway III is open to all applicants who choose to complete
the program in more than two years (modified full-time).
- Pathway I: Advanced Standing
Students who have graduated from a CSWE accredited baccalaureate program in social work within the past five years may apply for Advanced Standing. Students
applying for this option must demonstrate their readiness to function at the level of a second year MSW student. Students generally complete
the program in one year, or may take a reduced program and complete the requirements in 1½ to two years. Students spend three days in
a field instruction setting for one academic year and must complete a master’s project in addition to the required and elective courses. Pathway
I students cannot use their place of employment for their field placement and must earn all the 36 credits as matriculated students in the
School of Social Welfare.
Pathway I: Advanced Standing: Curriculum and Program Design (Full-time)
Students who plan to complete the program in one year follow the following program design.
Fall Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 502 Field Instruction III, 6 credits
HWC 506 Social Work in Health, 3 credits
HWC 515 Advanced Social Work Micro Practice I, 3 credits
HWC 516 Advanced Social Work Macro Practice I, 3 credits
Electives* 4 credits
Spring Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 503 Field Instruction IV, 6 credits
HWC 517 Advanced Social Work Micro Practice II, 3 credits
HWC 518 Advanced Social Work Macro Practice II, 3 credits
Elective* 5-6 credits
Pathway I: Advanced Standing: Curriculum and Program Design (Modified Full-time)
Students who plan to complete the program in more than one year follow the program design below:
First Year
Fall Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 502 Field Instruction III, 6
HWC 515 Advanced Social Work Micro Practice I, 3 credits
HWC 516 Advanced Social Work Macro Practice I, 3 credits
Spring Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 503 Field Instruction IV, 6 credits
HWC 517 Advanced Social Work Micro Practice II, 3 credits
HWC 518 Advanced Social Work Macro Practice II, 3 credits
Second Year
Fall Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 506 Social Work in Health, 3 credits
Electives* 9-10 credits
- Pathway II
Students who are currently working full-time in the field of social welfare and have had a minimum of three years paid, full-time, MSW
supervised, social welfare experience, may apply for permission to use their agency of employment for two days of field instruction per
week, for one year only. The school must approve an educational field instruction plan submitted by the student and by an approved
field instruction supervisor.
This field instruction experience must be separate and distinct from the student’s regular job responsibilities. The supervisor must
hold a Master of Social Work degree and may not be the student’s current supervisor or a past supervisor. The field instruction plan
must be approved by the agency administrator and by the school. Pathway II students may not register for more than 4 credits (two days)
of field instruction per term, nor for more than three courses per semester.
In addition to the standard daytime schedule, some required courses and some electives are offered in the late afternoon, evenings and weekends.
Through this pathway, students may complete the degree requirements in 2½ to three years.
See Pathway III for Curriculum Design.
-
Pathway III (Modified Full-Time)
This option is designed for students who choose not to follow the regular full-time schedule. Students must take 12 to 13 credits each term
while they are attending school, except in the term (or year) in which they are candidates for graduation when they may take fewer. The degree
requirements are typically completed in 2½ to three years.
The required courses are taken in the sequence indicated for regular full-time students. In addition to the standard daytime schedule, some
required and some elective courses are offered during late afternoons, evenings and weekends. Student are not permitted to use their agency
of employment for field instruction. In some instances, field instruction may be taken during evenings and weekends if an educationally sound
placement can be arranged. In cases where this cannot be arranged, or it is determined by the faculty that such a placement is not appropriate
for the students’ learning needs, students may need to complete one or both years of field instruction in a traditional time period.
Pathway III students may not register for more than 4 credits of field instruction per term.
Pathway II and Pathway III Curriculum and Program Design
First Year
Fall Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 500 Field Instruction I, 4 credits
HWC 504 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I, 3 credits
HWC 509 Parameter of Social and Health Policy I, 3 credits
HWC 513 Social Work Practice I, 3 credits
Spring Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 501 Field Instruction II, 4 credits
HWC 505 Human Behavior and the Social
Environment II, 3 credits
HWC 510 Parameters of Social and Health Policy II, 3 credits
HWC 514 Social Work Practice II, 3 credits
Second Year
Fall Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 502 Field Instruction III, 4 credits
HWC 506 Social Work in Health, 3 credits
HWC 515 Advanced Social Work Micro Practice I, 3 credits
HWC 516 Advanced Social Work Macro Practice I, 3 credits
Spring Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 503 Field Instruction IV, 4 credits
HWC 511 Research I, 3 credits
HWC 517 Advanced Social Work Micro Practice II, 3 credits
HWC 518 Advanced Social Work Macro Practice II, 3 credits
Third Year, Option I
Fall Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 512 Research II, 3 credits
Electives* 9-10 credits
Third Year, Option II
Fall Term
Course # Title Credits
HWC 512 Research II, 3 credits
Electives* 4 credits
Spring Term
Course # Title Credits
Elective*;5-6 credits
For further information, please contact
Kathy Albin,
Director of Admissions and Student Services
at (631) 444-3141
[ kalbin@notes.cc.sunysb.edu]
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