UNCW Offers Master of Social Work in 2004-05
5/19/2004 10:57:15 AM
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Wilmington, N.C.—The Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina has authorized the University of North Carolina at Wilmington to offer the Master of Social Work degree beginning in the 2004-05 academic year. The degree, focusing on preparation for advanced clinical practice, will be offered through the university’s Department of Social Work.
The Department of Social Work, within the College of Arts and Sciences, currently offers a well-established and fully accredited Bachelor of Social Work program, including an extensive system of field education involving over 40 social service agencies and providers in Wilmington and the region. In addition, the recently developed Center for Social Work Research and Practice, located within the department, has developed a community partnership grant program that has submitted nearly $9 million in grant and contract proposals in the past two years and received funding for over $4 million, the great bulk of which supports community-based programs and projects. Through its engagement in grant development, program evaluation and continuing education, the center is an effective link and partner in social program development, enhancement and support of professional practice.
The new Master of Social Work will build upon these existing elements to provide a context for the graduate program which the department feels will quickly become a highly regarded program. Nelson Reid, chair of the UNCW Department of Social Work says, “We have carried out an extensive needs assessment and planning process for this new degree and have assembled the faculty and resources that we believe will provide both excellence in instruction and excellence in context and resources for graduate students.” Reid indicates that the guiding motto of the department for all its programs is “Preparation for Successful Practice” and that every program is designed to provide the graduate with fully up-to-date and substantive education in social work programs and practice. “Our commitment extends to follow students after graduation to ensure that the university continues to provide support over the course of a graduate’s professional career.”
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MEDIA CONTACT: Nelson Reid, social work, 910/962-7341 or reidn@uncw.edu.
MSW Specifics
The MSW degree program will prepare graduates for advanced clinical practice in settings such as mental health, child welfare, family services and medical social work. The educational program will emphasize ethical and knowledge-based practice and will also include coursework in program development and the management of social work practice and service delivery.
The UNCW MSW program curriculum is constructed with a foundation first year and an advanced practice-focused second year. The foundation content includes human behavior and social environment, social research, social policy, professional values and ethics, social and cultural diversity, populations at risk and social and economic justice. Advanced year content will include coursework in advanced clinical research, applied ethics, clinical practice, organizational and financial context of practice and diversity issues in practice. Extensive field placement in clinical practice settings with close supervision by faculty, clinical instructors and field supervisors is a key component of the degree program. The guiding themes of curriculum and program development include up-to-date social work practice knowledge and skill, the strengths focus, career long learning, knowledge based practice, technology, and leadership. With the department’s community and regional engagement every graduate student will be provided an opportunity to work in social development programs and projects.
The UNCW MSW degree program requires 63 hours of course work beyond the bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. The full time program takes two years to complete. Admission is competitive, admitting approximately 20 students each year. Basic admissions requirements include a bachelor’s degree in a suitable social work or social science field, a satisfactory score on the GRE examination, and evidence of suitability and motivation for a social work professional career. Applications will be accepted beginning next fall semester for a limited spring semester 2005 program with the first full cohort of students admitted for fall 2005.
North Carolina and all other states provide for the licensing and certification of social workers. The N.C. Social Work Certification and Licensure Board was established by the North Carolina Legislature to provide a standard of practice for the social work profession. Graduates of the UNCW MSW Program will qualify for State Certification at three levels: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Master Social Worker and Certified Social Work Manager. In all of these cases, graduates must pass a state-sponsored exam. The LCSW requires, in addition, evidence of two years of post-master’s clinical practice with LCSW supervision.
Social work education is accredited in the U.S. by the Council on Social Work Education. Accreditation of programs is linked to eligibility for licensure and certification in N.C. and all other states. The MSW program has applied for candidacy by the Council on Social Work Education and is progressing toward full accreditation.
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