School of Graduate and Continuing Studies

Two Year Program ♦ Advanced Standing ♦ FAQ

Dear Prospective Students:

Stockton’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is designed to educate social workers who are prepared for advanced-level practice with diverse individuals, families, and communities. The Program aims to produce graduates who understand the human condition and the commonalities that all people everywhere share, while respecting and honoring differences in personal and communal history, social class, race, color, ethnicity, culture, language, immigration status, gender, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, political ideology, religion, and disability status.

The Program is built upon a strong foundation of generalist social work practice values, knowledge, and skills. Students are expected to understand and be able to apply an ecosystems perspective, the strengths perspective, and empowerment practice theory. They develop a thorough acquaintance with the negative effects of oppression, discrimination, marginalization, and other social forces that block people’s ability to meet their basic human needs. They develop familiarity with multiple theories, perspectives, and approaches that will strengthen their ability to work effectively with diverse populations. They are expected to critically examine these theories, perspectives, and approaches as they become acquainted with research literature and as they develop experience in agency practice.

Continuing the central focus of Stockton's undergraduate program, the MSW Program aims to produce graduates who have a lifetime commitment to upholding human rights, respecting human diversity, and working towards social justice in their professional and personal lives.

The MSW curriculum focuses on developing practitioners who are able creatively to develop an in-depth understanding of diverse worldviews; empower diverse people to expand their capacities, resources, and opportunities; and advocate for policies and services that address social conditions that limit the quality of life for all people.

Sincerely,

Diane Falk, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW,
MSW Program Director
Diane.Falk@stockton.edu (609) 652-4736

Two Year Program

To earn an MSW Degree, students must successfully complete a minimum of 60 credits in the prescribed MSW curriculum. Stockton’s MSW Program consists of a foundation year and a concentration year.

In the foundation MSW courses, students will learn about the value base of the social work profession and about ethical decision-making. They will learn to understand the history of social welfare. They will develop an understanding of the social work profession, including its commitment to diversity and to working with oppressed groups. They will develop an understanding of research methodology and of how to apply research findings to practice. Students will develop an understanding of social work perspectives and theories, including ecological and systems theories, the person-in-environment perspective, the strengths perspective, and the empowerment approach. They will learn to integrate classroom learning with field experience, applying social work knowledge, values, and skills in an agency setting with client systems.

Finally, students will be free to choose three elective courses, to pursue areas of specialized practice. You may elect to combine your electives to earn a method specialization in leadership and management. Students who desire to take electives outside the program must obtain prior approval from their advisors.

**Curriculum**

**MSW Two-Year Program Curriculum- 60 Credits**
Foundation Year- 30 Credits
Semester 1	Semester 2
SOWK 5101 Human Behavior and the Social Environment	SOWK 5102 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
SOWK 5120 Social Organizations and Environments	SOWK 5140 Social Work Research
SOWK 5130 Social Welfare Policy	SOWK 5150 Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity: Implications for Social Work Practice
SOWK 5601 Foundation Social Work Practice I	SOWK 5602 Foundation Social Work Practice II
SOWK 5901 Field I	SOWK 5902 Field II

Concentration Year- 30 Credits
Semester 3	Semester 4
SOWK 5250 Advanced Cultural Competence	SOWK 5230 Advanced Social Welfare Policy
SOWK 5240 Advanced Social Work Research	Elective*
SOWK 5603 Advanced Social Work Practice with Diverse Individuals, Families, and Communities	SOWK 5604 Integrative Seminar
SOWK 5903 Field III	SOWK 5904 Field IV
Elective*	Elective*

* General Electives
· SOWK 5520 Spanish Language for Social Workers
· SOWK 5530 Psychopathology, Psychopharmacology, and Cultural Neuroscience
· SOWK 5540 Aging: Advanced Practice
· SOWK 5560 International Social Work

* Leadership and Management Electives
· SOWK 5561 Leadership & Management I: Leading and Managing Human Service Organizations
· SOWK 5562 Leadership & Management II: Supervision and Consultation
· SOWK 5563 Leadership & Management III: Program Planning, Development, and Funding

For course descriptions, please visit The College's Course Catalog.

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Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing is open to individuals who have earned baccalaureate degrees in social work from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Both programs aim to produce graduates who understand the human condition and the commonalities that all people everywhere share, while respecting and honoring difference.

In the Advanced Standing Program, students complete the second year of the Two-Year Program.

**Advanced Standing Curriculum- 30 Credits**
SOWK 5250 Advanced Cultural Competence	SOWK 5230 Advanced Social Welfare Policy
SOWK 5240 Advanced Social Work Research	Elective*
SOWK 5603 Advanced Social Work Practice with Diverse Individuals, Families, and Communities	SOWK 5604 Integrative Seminar
SOWK 5903 Field III	SOWK 5904 Field IV
Elective*	Elective*

For course descriptions, please visit The College's Course Catalog.

Apply today. If you have further questions, Request More Information, view Frequently Asked Questions, visit the MSW Program Web site, or please call the Graduate Admissions Office at (609) 626-3640 or E-mail gradschool@stockton.edu.

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