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Commencement 2024
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Social Work Graduate Program

Master of Social Work Program

School of Social Work

Program Mission Statement 

The mission of Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work is to prepare social work practitioners as leaders who pursue social justice with a commitment to service with diverse populations, address disparity issues that prevail nationally and globally, and engage in competent practice. The Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work offers three MSW Program degree tracks:

  • The Two-Year Plan of Study
  • The Three Year Plan of Study
  • The Advanced Standing Plan of Study 

Program Vision Statement 

The vision of the Master of Social Work Program is to educate and train clinical social work practitioners with knowledge, values and skills for practice, advocacy, policy analysis, and research to be effective and culturally competent with a strong impact on diverse global populations.

The Advanced Standing Plan of Study offers two instructional delivery modes. For more information regarding the online instructional delivery mode, please click here: MSW Degree – Advanced Standing (Online)

 

The MSW Program seeks to advance the aims of the profession through education for excellence in advanced clinical social work practice. The program offers two specializations: Child and Family and Health/Mental Health.  Both specializations utilize ecological and systems theories as a base though they draw upon other theories including developmental and life-stage theories. Three major integrative themes undergird the curriculum: Afrocentric Perspective, Humanistic Values, and Autonomous Social Work Practice Roles. The MSW Program is offered in three plans of study:

The Two-Year Plan of Study (59 Semester Credit Hours)

The Three Year Plan of Study (59 Semester Credit Hours)

The Advanced Standing Plan of Study (38 Semester Credit Hours)

MSW Program Goals

Goal 1: Prepare graduate students for service in the social work profession as competent advanced direct social work practitioners.

Goal 2: Prepare students to apply multiple theoretical frameworks and practice models to work with client systems of all sizes to resolve complex social issues.

Goal 3: Prepare students for ethical and culturally competent practice with diverse systems of all sizes, including the ability to utilize an Afrocentric Perspective to resolve complex social issues and to promote and advocate for social and economic justice.

Goal 4: Provide students with social work research, knowledge, values, and skills that will enable them to provide leadership in service delivery systems on a global level.

Goal 5: Prepare students to acquire skills to use technology appropriately to ensure competent and ethical practice and provide access to opportunities that enhance their personal and professional growth. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the Two-Year Plan of Study, Three-Year Plan of Study, or Advanced Standing Program must:

Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college that reflects a broad liberal arts base to include:

Twenty-one (21) semester credit hours in the social and behavioral sciences and humanities;

Three (3) semester credit hours in biological science/general biology; Three (3) semester credit hours in mathematics (100 level or above); The GRE exam is not required;

Advanced Standing Students must have a BSW from an accredited social work program.

The MSW program requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the 2 and e year program and a minimum 3.2 GPA for the Advanced Standing Program. Submit three (3) letters of recommendations; letters must be signed, include contact information, and be presented on letterhead;

Submit a personal statement (requirements listed below); and

Pay a non-refundable application fee of $40.00.

*The MSW program does not give credit for life experiences or previous work experiences.

Personal Statement Requirements

Social work is a professional discipline. It is a field of study that blends perspectives from other disciplines, particularly biological and social sciences, with its own values, knowledge, and skills. Social workers must understand the interactions of individuals and families with their environment. Persons desiring to become social workers must possess the capacity for self-reflection, empathy, sensitivity, respect for diversity, and willingness to work with oppressed and at-risk populations. The personal statement should provide the admissions committee with insight regarding how your interest in social work evolved and your readiness for graduate social work education.

The personal statement must be typed, double-spaced, 12pt. font, and 3-5 pages in length.

*Please note: You will be evaluated on your writing style, grammar, and critical thinking/self-reflection. The personal statement is an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills.

The personal statement should include a discussion of the following:
1. Tell us why you want to be a social worker. Why does the profession of social work appeal to you?
2. Why do you want to attend Clark Atlanta University's Whitney M. Young, Jr., School of Social Work?
3. Based on WMYJSSW's mission, vision, and goals, why are you a good candidate for this program?
4. Describe your ability and commitment to undertake graduate education at this time, including the ability to spend 16 hours per week in the foundation year and 24 hours per week in the concentration year field placements.

Please provide any additional information you would like us to consider

*The MSW program does not give credit for life experiences or previous work experiences.

2022-2023 MSW HANDBOOK

MSW Degree - Advanced Standing (Online) Requirements

Program Details

The mission of Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work is to prepare social work practitioners as leaders who pursue social justice with a commitment to service with diverse populations, address disparity issues that prevail nationally and globally, and engage in competent practice.

The distance education option of the advanced standing MSW degree program requires 38 semester credit hours, of which 51%-100% must be taken online. The program begins in summer (9 credit hours), and continues through fall (15 credit hours) and spring (14 credit hours).

Admissions

Applicants for admission to the distance education option of the advanced standing program must:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
  • Submit three (3) letters of recommendation; letters must be signed, include contact information, and be on letterhead.
  • Submit a personal statement (see details below).

Personal Statement Requirements

Social work is a professional discipline. It is a field of study that blends perspectives from other disciplines, particularly biological and social sciences, with its own values, knowledge, and skills. Social workers must understand the interactions of individuals and families with their environment. Persons desiring to become social workers must possess the capacity for self-reflection, empathy, sensitivity, respect for diversity, and willingness to work with oppressed and at-risk populations.

The personal statement should provide the admissions committee with insight regarding how your interest in social work evolved and your readiness for graduate social work education.The personal statement must be typed, double-spaced, 12pt. font, and 3-5 pages in length.