2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Social Work, M.S.W.

Program Description

The Master of Social Work Program is designed to prepare and train social workers as direct practitioners, ready to enhance the problem-solving capacities of individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, and social institutions.

The Kean University MSW and MSW online Program, which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, follows a curriculum with set standards of competency guided by practice behaviors as articulated in the 2015 EPAS to ensure that students are prepared for practice as professional social workers. In addition, the curriculum prepares students for state licensure exams, and for 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 to the tenet of social and economic justice. Lastly, it inspires students to make professional and social contributions in keeping with the Code of Ethics. The courses within the program will further provide students with the knowledge, values, and skills to engage in evidence-based practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Field education is defined by the Council on Social Work Education as the signature pedagogy 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 that have affiliations with the program.

Prerequisite Coursework

16 credits of liberal arts courses which must include Statistics. The program does not give credit for work, life experience or graduate course work from other disciplines.

Degree Requirements

  • Four semesters of Field Experience

Program Sequence

First Semester 15

SW 5101GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN A MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT I

3

SW 5201FIELD EXPERIENCE I

4

SW 5301SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY I

3

SW 5401HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I

3

SW 5501INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR I

2

Second Semester 15

SW 5102GENERALIST PRACTICE II

3

SW 5202FIELD EXPERIENCE II

4

SW 5402HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II

3

SW 5502INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR II

2

SW 5601RESEARCH I METHODS

3

Third Semester 16.5

SW 6101CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I

3

SW 6203FIELD EXPERIENCE III

4.5

SW 6602SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH II-EVALUATION PRACTICE

3

SW 6701PSYCHOPATHOLOGY FOR SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

3

Free Elective

3

Fourth Semester 13.5

SW 6102CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE II

3

SW 6204FIELD EXPERIENCE IV

4.5

SW 6302SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY II

3

Free Elective

3

Free Electives

Should be chosen from the following courses:

SW 6703ISSUES CONFRONTING CONTEM FAM

3

SW 6704ISSUES OF AGING

3

SW 6801HEALING FROM TRAUMA IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

3

Total Credit Hours: 60