Social Work M.S.W.

A Master of Social Work (MSW) prepares professional social workers to advance social justice and to meet the growing human service needs of the university’s service area. The curriculum emphasizes social work practice in the public social services, health, mental health, corrections, and schools. Graduates are prepared to practice, with sensitivity and competence, with economically and culturally diverse populations. Students are prepared for advanced social work practice skills sufficient for self-critical, accountable, and ultimately autonomous practice.

This program is a sixty (60) unit curriculum, accomplished in four semesters plus one winter. A three-year curriculum, accomplished in six-semesters plus two winters is also offered. The first courses provide the professional foundation. Four semesters of supervised field practicum in a social work agency is part of the core curriculum. No academic credit is given for life experience or previous work experience.

The field of Social Work is very broad, incorporating many approaches to addressing psycho-social ills in many health, mental health, and social welfare agency settings. The MSW is thus one of the most versatile master’s degrees among the human service professions.

MSWs provide counseling services to individuals, groups, couples, and families, or work as supervisors or administrators of human service programs and agencies. Social workers also work as program developers, community organizers, planners, evaluators, policy makers or researchers.

The MSW degree satisfies the academic preparation requirements for the state regulated social work license (LCSW).

Specific questions regarding the MSW Program or curriculum should be directed to the department chair or staff. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Mission Statement

The social work program of California State University, Stanislaus prepares social workers to advance social justice. This education is committed to social change based on an analysis of social, political, and economic structures and their impact. The program enables social workers to collaborate with others to transform the conditions which contribute to privilege and oppression. Graduates are prepared to work with individuals, families, and communities to promote personal and collective liberation.

Goals

1. Prepares professional social workers to engage with diverse populations in a process of critical reflection and action to address oppression and promote social justice.
2. Prepares professional social workers to use self awareness to understand the effects of their biases on their interaction with others.
3. Prepare professional social workers to engage in the struggle to transform their biases.
4. Prepare social workers to use an integrative practice framework for multi-system interventions guided by ethics and informed by research.
5. Prepare professional social workers to meet the social service needs of the region.
6. Create a learning environment consistent with core practice values of empowerment, strengths, and collaboration which are necessary to promote social justice.
7. Provide social work education that is accessible to the diverse populations in the region.