The request to revise Master of Social Work Curriculum

Date: March 11, 2016
To: College of Health and Human Services
From: Office of Academic Affairs
Approved On: February 1, 2016
Approved by: Graduate Council
Implementation Date: Summer 2016

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

Social Work

  • Master of Social Work (MSW)

School of Social Work

socialwork.uncc.edu

Graduate Program Director

Dr. Robert Herman-Smith

Graduate Faculty

Suzanne Boyd, Associate Professor

Vanessa Drew-Branch, Lecturer

Mark Ezell, Professor

Robert Herman-Smith, Associate Professor and MSW Program Director

Shanti Kulkarni, Associate Professor

Othelia Lee, Associate Professor

Vivian Lord, Interim Chair and Professor

Hontah Epps, Lecturer and Field Education Director

Susan McCarter, Associate Professor

Laneshia McCord, Assistant Professor

Annelise Mennicke, Assistant Professor

Julian Montoro-Rodriguez, Professor and Director of Gerontology

Sonyia Richardson, Lecturer

Diana Rowan, Associate Professor

Roger Suclupe, Lecturer

Lori Thomas, Associate Professor

Master of Social Work

The MSW Program at UNC Charlotte offers an advanced generalist concentration that embraces the profession’s commitment to social and economic justice, individual and community well-being, and scientific inquiry. As a reflection of UNC Charlotte’s designation as North Carolina’s urban research university, our curriculum is especially focused on the needs of vulnerable populations in the growing urban and suburban areas of the state. Graduates of the program will be able to synthesize and apply a broad range of knowledge and skills in order to refine and a advance the quality of social work practice and the profession in a range of settings.

UNC Charlotte’s MSW program prepares students to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate social prevention and intervention programs, particularly with vulnerable individuals and communities. The program takes a holistic approach to social work education – one that attempts to bridge divides between individually-focused and community-focused practice. This holistic approach is guided by seven specific themes listed below, each with a corresponding program goal.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree prepares students for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities in a variety of public, voluntary, and proprietary human service settings. Graduates are skilled in addressing the many social and individual problems of society—especially for those who constitute membership in low income, vulnerable, and historically oppressed groups.

Theme

Program Goal

Context

Recognizes the inseparability of individual struggles and social issues;

Multi-Level Practice

Takes action on multiple levels of social work practice

Evidence-Based

Engages in research-informed practice and practice-informed research;

Strengths

Understands and employs the strengths of vulnerable populations but also insures their capacity and power to engage societal opportunities;

Cultural Sensitivity and Humility

Conducts social work practice with cultural sensitivity and humility;

Local and Global

Practices social work in communities everywhere; and

Critically Reflective

Encourages the continuous development of critically reflective practitioners.

Accreditation

The UNC Charlotte MSW degree is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the national accrediting organization for social work education programs.

Admission Requirements

1. Undergraduate Preparation including GPA

  • The Graduate School sets a 3.0 as the minimum GPA for admission to master’s programs at UNC Charlotte
  • The Graduate School requires students to provide copies of unofficial transcripts for all institutions the applicant has attended
  • The School of Social Work seeks applicants with a liberal arts background. Courses in biology and statistics are encouraged in order to prepare students for the program.

​2. GRE Scores

  • Scores of 150 or higher in the verbal and quantitative sections and a 4 or higher in the writing section would be considered competitive
  • When an applicant’s scores in either area are below 150, the Admissions Committee searches for other evidence of the potential to be successful in MSW coursework – Examples: High undergraduate grades in writing, statistics, and/or research courses

3. Recommendations

  • Three forms submitted by faculty members and supervisors from paid or volunteer experience with human service agencies
  • Recommenders have the option of uploading a letter of support with the form

4. Relevant Volunteer and/or Paid Experience described in the applicant’s resume

5. Personal Statement

Applicant’s upload a narrative addressing the following items in no more than 4-5pages:

a) Please discuss why you are interested in becoming a master-level social worker

b) Please discuss your reasons for seeking admission to UNC Charlotte’s MSW Program specifically. How are your career plans and interests congruent with the UNC Charlotte MSW curriculum?

c) The Social Work Program values diversity in its student population. Diversity may be defined in terms of race, age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, unique skills, or life experiences. What personal characteristics, unique skills, or life experiences will you bring to the program?

d) Social workers practice with individuals from historically oppressed and diverse groups. What groups may challenge you, either because of your personal values and/or attitudes and how will you handle this?

e) Describe a time when you were given critical feedback. What was your reaction to that experience? What did you learn about yourself?

f) As a prospective graduate student, what strengths and skills do you bring to the program? What do you identify as your areas of growth?

g) Applicants are often interested in choosing social work because it is a helping profession. Discuss the differences between helping in personal and professional relationships. In addition, discuss a time you helped someone (not a family member) and your reaction to the helping experience.

Other Information

International applicants may be required by the UNC Charlotte Graduate School to submit additional materials.

Upon acceptance to the program, students are asked to complete an Intent to Enroll Form and a Field Application Form. Because some field placement agencies serving vulnerable populations exclude personnel with criminal convictions, students entering the program may be subject to a criminal history inquiry. Many agencies require drug testing as well.

Financial Assistance

Paid internships and assistantships are limited. Visit socialwork.uncc.edu for more information.

MSW Curriculum

The MSW curriculum promotes its mission and goals through the Foundation curriculum and the Advanced curriculum. The Foundation curriculum prepares students to apply generalist social work knowledge, skills, and values. The Advanced curriculum prepares students for more specialized application of the profession’s knowledge, skills, and values, with special attention to the needs of vulnerable populations. All students must successfully complete the course SOWK 7651 Reflection and Synthesis, which serves as the capstone course for the MSW.

Plans of Study

The MSW may be pursued through the Full Time (two years), Part Time (three years), or Advanced Standing (one year) plans of study.

Full Time Plan of Study (Two Years)

The Full Time MSW plan of study is designed for students to complete the MSW through two years of intensive study. The Foundation curriculum is completed during the first year of study and the Advanced curriculum is completed during the second year. Classes meet at the main university campus. Students complete a total of 62 graduate credits hours, which includes 48 credit hours in the classroom and 14 credits in an approved field placement. The Full Time plan of study is outlined below.

Full-Time Program

The Full-Time Program takes four semesters of course and field work beyond the bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The first practicum starts in the Fall semester of the first year and continues through Spring semester. The second practicum spans the Fall and Spring semesters of the second year.

Extended Study Program

The Extended Study Program takes three years to complete. There is no practicum the first year; the first practicum starts in the Fall of the second year and continues through Spring. The second practicum is completed in the Fall and Spring of the third year.

Advanced Standing Program

The Advanced Standing Program is available for eligible students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), and consists of course and field work spanning over one calendar year of full-time study (Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters). Admission to the Advanced Standing program assumes the student is competent in knowledge, values, and skills typically learned during the first year of the Full-Time MSW program. Advanced Standing students begin in the Summer Session with courses that prepare them to enter the second year of the Full-Time MSW program.

Accreditation

The UNC Charlotte MSW degree is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the national accrediting organization for social work education programs.

Concentration

The MSW Program at UNC Charlotte offers a curriculum concentration in Advanced Generalist Practice that focuses on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The program embraces the profession’s commitment to social justice as well as the School of Social Work’s special attention to the region’s most vulnerable populations. Graduates of the program will be advanced practitioners of social work who engage client systems at all levels of practice in a manner consistent with social work values and ethics. Students specialize by selecting a vulnerable population for intensive study.

Outcomes

The following key themes undergird the advanced knowledge and practice behaviors associated with the successful engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation of client systems:

  • Context – Recognizes the inseparability of individual struggles and social issues;
  • Multi-Level Practice – Takes action on multiple levels of social work practice;
  • Evidence-Based – Engages in research-informed practice and practice-informed research;
  • Strengths – Understands and employs the strengths of vulnerable populations but also insures their capacity and power to engage societal opportunities;
  • Cultural Sensitivity and Humility – Conducts social work practice with cultural sensitivity and humility;
  • Local and Global – Practices social work in communities everywhere; and
  • Critically Reflective – Encourages the continuous development of critically reflective practitioners.

Graduates are employed in a range of human service settings, including youth and family agencies, child and adult protective services, schools, area mental health agencies, substance abuse centers, healthcare settings, and neighborhood service centers as therapists, program coordinators, and supervisors.

Additional Admission Requirements

Full-Time and Extended Study students begin in the Fall semester. Advanced Standing students begin in the first Summer Session. The School of Social Work admits students to the MSW program once a year. The deadline for all application materials for all programs is February 1. Admission is selective. In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, applicants for the MSW program are required to meet the following criteria:

  1. For Full-Time and Extended Study applicants, a minimum 3.0 GPA overall for undergraduate work. Advanced Standing applicants must have a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within the past five years and have a 3.0 GPA overall for undergraduate work.

Acceptable scores on the GRE. For entrance into graduate programs at UNC Charlotte, the University sets a standard of scores in the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE that are within the top 70th percentile.

Liberal Arts foundation. Students must present evidence of having a liberal arts foundation for MSW study. Courses in statistics and human biology are recommended. In addition, transcripts may be evaluated for a liberal arts foundation with courses in the humanities, the social and behavioral sciences, and the physical sciences.

Personal Essay. Social work applicants should complete the Personal Narrative within the electronic application. The Personal Essay should be five pages in length and must include the following:

  1. Please discuss your reasons for seeking admission to UNC Charlotte’s MSW Program.
  2. Are you interested in the Full-Time, Extended Study, or Advanced Standing program? How will you manage your schedule and resources to meet the demanding program requirements and attend to self-care?
  3. How are your personal career interests congruent with the UNC Charlotte MSW program?
  4. The Social Work Program values diversity in its student population. Diversity may be defined in terms of race, age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, unique skills, or life experiences. What personal characteristics, unique skills, or life experiences will you bring to the program?
  5. Social workers practice with individuals from historically oppressed and diverse groups. Will people from particular groups be challenging for you to work with, either because of your personal values and/or attitudes? How will you handle this?
  6. Describe a time when you were given critical feedback. What was your reaction to that experience? What did you learn about yourself?
  7. As a prospective graduate student, what strengths and skills do you bring to the program? What do you identify as your areas of growth?
  8. Describe a time when you offered help to someone else (other than a family member). Explain your reaction. What did you learn about yourself?
  9. Your signature and date.

Resume. The resume is an addendum to the Personal Essay, and it should outline the applicant’s educational, work, volunteer experience, and special skills or attributes. The attachment should be no more than two pages and should be in resume format. Be sure the resume includes all of the following:

  1. Personal data including name, address, phone number, email address
  2. Educational experience including the institutions, dates you attended, and academic degrees awarded
  3. Volunteer and/or Paid Work experience including dates for each position, 2-3 line description of each position, whether the position was full-time (FT) or part-time (PT) and whether a degreed social worker supervised you
  4. Professional affiliations and service groups including any offices held in these organizations
  5. Honors or special awards

Letters of Recommendation. Each applicant should provide three letters of recommendation. For recent graduates, at least two letters should be from faculty members or supervisors from internships for course credit. For applicants who have been out of the education system for some time, letters should be from employment or volunteer supervisors. Ideally, references will be written by MSW social workers or others who can speak to your suitability for the MSW.

The professionals providing references for you must complete two items: 1) an online recommendation form; and 2) a narrative letter. The Office of Graduate Admissions will email the link to the online form to the person providing the reference. Applicants should notify references that the UNC Charlotte MSW program requires both the Graduate School form checklist and a narrative letter uploaded onto the online form. The narrative letter should be submitted on business stationery, and it should identify the writer’s title and educational credentials.

For Advanced Standing students, one letter should be written by your agency field instructor or University field liaison.

All applicants should be sure to inform those writings letters of recommendation to describe aptitude for graduate education, as well as:

  1. Volunteer or work activities and duties
  2. Skills and values relevant to social work practice with diverse populations
  3. Enthusiasm for learning
  4. Responses to supervision and critical feedback
  5. Ability to collaborate with others
  6. Overall strengths and challenges relevant to graduate study

Interview. Applicants may be required to participate in an interview process.

Upon acceptance to the program, students are asked to complete an Intent to Enroll Form and a Field Application Form. Because some field placement agencies serving vulnerable populations exclude personnel with criminal convictions, students entering the program may be subject to a criminal history inquiry. Many agencies require drug testing as well.

Degree Requirements

Full-Time Program (Two Years)

(62 credit hours)

First Year One – Foundation Curriculum

Fall (15 credits)

SOWK 6121 Social Work Practice: Theories and Skills (3)

SOWK 6131 Social Work Research (3)

SOWK 6141 Foundations of Social Work (3)

SOWK 6151 Social Work, Social Justice, and Diversity (3)

SOWK 6441 Foundation Social Work Practicum I (3)

Spring (15 credits)

SOWK 6232 Practice and Program Evaluation (3)

SOWK 6242 Advocacy and Policy Change (3)

SOWK 6252 Mental Health Assessment (3)

SOWK 6442 Foundation Social Work Practicum II (3)

Elective (3)*

Year Two – Advanced Curriculum

Second Year

Fall (16 credits)

SOWK 7122 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)

SOWK 7126 Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups (3)

SOWK 7222 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations I (3)

SOWK 7443 Advanced Social Work Practicum III I (4)

Elective (3)*

Spring (16 credits)

SOWK 7127 Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (3)

SOWK 7223 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations II (3)

SOWK 7444 Social Work Practicum IV II (4)

SOWK 7651 Synthesis and Reflection and Synthesis (3)

Elective (3)*

* Full Time MSW students work with their advisors to choose three electives that reflect their individual professional interests and goals. Electives may be from any academic discipline but must relate to the School of Social Work’s mission to work with vulnerable populations. *For Full-Time students, one of the three elective courses must be taken within the School of Social Work.

Extended Study Program (Three Years)

(62 credit hours)

First Year

Fall (6 credits)

SOWK 6131 Social Work Research (3)

SOWK 6141 Foundations of Social Work (3)

Spring (6 credits)

SOWK 6232 Practice and Program Evaluation (3)

SOWK 6242 Advocacy and Policy Change (3)

Summer (3 credits)

Elective (3)*

Second Year

Fall (9 credits)

SOWK 6121 Social Work Practice: Theories and Skills (3)

SOWK 6151 Social Work, Social Justice, and Diversity (3)

SOWK 6441 Social Work Practicum I (3)

Spring (9 credits)

SOWK 6252 Mental Health Assessment (3)

SOWK 6442 Social Work Practicum II (3)

Elective (3)*

Summer

Elective (3)*

Third Year

Fall (13 credits)

SOWK 7122 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)

SOWK 7126 Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups (3)

SOWK 7222 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations I (3)

SOWK 7443 Social Work Practicum III (4)

Spring (13 credits)

SOWK 7127 Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (3)

SOWK 7223 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations II (3)

SOWK 7444 Social Work Practicum IV (4)

SOWK 7651 Synthesis and Reflection (3)

*For Extended Study students, one of the three elective courses must be taken within the School of Social Work.

Part Time MSW Plan of Study (3 years)

The Part Time MSW plan of study is designed for students who wish to complete an MSW but cannot attend graduate school full time. The Part Time MSW can be completed in three years. Student takes the same courses as students in the Full Time plan of study. They complete 62 graduate credits hours, which includes 48 credit hours in the classroom and 14 credits in an approved field placement.

The Part Time plan of study is offered as a hybrid model. Classes alternate between meetings on Saturday at the UNC Charlotte Center City Building and online classes. Online classes are offered asynchronously, meaning students meaning students do not have to log in at the same time. They can complete assignments when it is convenient for them as long as they are completed by their due date.

The Foundation curriculum is completed during the first year. During the Fall and Spring semesters, students continue to take courses through hybrid (Saturday and online) classes. They complete the Foundation field placement during other days of the week. During the next Extended Summer Session, students take one course to complete the Foundation curriculum.

The Advanced curriculum is completed over two years, which includes two Fall semesters, two Spring semesters, and one Extended Summer Session. During the Advanced curriculum, students continue to take courses through hybrid (Saturday and online) classes. They complete an Advanced field placement during other days of the week. In the final Extended Summer Session, students take an elective course that reflects their professional interests. In the final Fall and Spring, students complete their required Advanced curriculum courses. The Part Time plan of study is outlined below.

Year One – Foundation Curriculum

Summer (6 credits)

SOWK 6121 Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills (3)

SOWK 6141 Foundations of Social Work (3)

Fall (9 Credits)

SOWK 6131 Social Work Research (3)

SOWK 6151 Social Work, Social Justice, & Diversity (3)

SOWK 6441 Foundation Social Work Practicum I (3)

Spring (9 Credits)

SOWK 6242 Advocacy and Policy Change (3)

SOWK 6232 Practice and Program Evaluation (3)

SOWK 6442 Foundation Social Work Practicum II (3)

Summer (3 Credits)

SOWK 6252 Mental Health Assessment (3)

Year Two – Advanced Curriculum

Fall (10 Credits)

SOWK 7122 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)

SOWK 7222 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations I (3)

SOWK 7443 Advanced Social Work Practicum I (4)

Spring (10 Credits)

SOWK 7127 Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (3)

SOWK 7223 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations II (3)

SOWK 7444 Advanced Social Work Practicum II (4)

Summer (3 Credits)

Elective (3)*

Year Three – Advanced Curriculum (cont.)

Fall (6 Credits)

SOWK 7126 Advanced Interpersonal Practice with Groups (3)

Elective (3)*

Spring (6 Credits)

SOWK 7651 Reflection and Synthesis (3)

Elective (3)*

Total Program Credits = 62

* Part Time MSW students work with their advisors to choose three electives that reflect their individual professional interests and goals. Electives may be from any academic discipline but must relate to the School of Social Work’s mission to work with vulnerable populations.

Advanced Standing Program (One Year)

(44 41 credit hours)

Advanced Standing Plan of Study (One Year)

The Advanced Standing plan of study is designed for students who have earned a BSW from an accredited social work program within the past seven years and wish to pursue the MSW. Advanced Standing students are not required to complete the Foundation curriculum for the MSW. Under the Advanced Standing plan of study, the MSW can be completed in one calendar year. Students complete 41 graduate credits hours, which includes 30 credit hours in the classroom and 11 credits in an approved field placement.

Classes begin during Extended Summer Session, which meets on the main university campus for 10 weeks in the summer months. Advanced Standing students complete 9 hours of graduate level work designed to bridge the gap between their BSW curriculum and the Advanced MSW curriculum. In the Fall and Spring semesters, students complete the Advanced curriculum along with students completing the Full Time plan of study. The Advanced Standing plan of study is outlined below.

Advanced Standing students begin in the Summer Session. After the Summer Sessions, Advanced Standing students enroll in the Full-Time Program Second Year courses listed above except they have two electives (instead of three. The curriculum for the Fall and Spring Semesters are the same as for Full-Time MSW students.

Summer

SOWK 6232 Practice and Program Evaluation (3)

SOWK 6242 Advocacy and Policy Change (3)

SOWK 6252 Mental Health Assessment (3)

SOWK 6343 Advanced Social Work Practicum and Seminar (3)

Fall

SOWK 7122 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)

SOWK 7126 Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups (3)

SOWK 7222 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations I (3)

SOWK 7443 Advanced Social Work Practicum III I (4)

Elective (3)*

Spring

SOWK 7127 Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (3)

SOWK 7223 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations II (3)

SOWK 7444 Advanced Social Work Practicum IV II (4)

SOWK 7651 Synthesis and Reflection and Synthesis (3)

Elective (3)*

Total Program Credits = 41

* Advanced Standing MSW students work with their advisors to choose two electives that reflect their individual professional interests and goals. Electives may be from any academic discipline but must relate to the School of Social Work’s mission to work with vulnerable populations. *For Advanced Standing students, one of the two electives must be taken within the School of Social Work.

Electives

lectives may be from outside the School, but must have a social work relevance. The School of Social Work offers different elective topics each year, depending on the expertise of the faculty and student interests. As such, the School cannot guarantee which electives will be offered. Electives must be approved by the student’s MSW faculty advisor prior to registration.

The Field Placement

Field placements are assigned from a variety of agencies and practice settings approved by the UNC Charlotte Social Work Field Office. Field Instructors, approved by the School of Social Work, guide the student through learning experiences, coordinating field experiences with the concurrent classroom coursework. The Foundation field placement prepares students to apply generalist social work knowledge, skills, and values. The Advanced field placement prepares students for more specialized application, with special attention to the needs of vulnerable populations.

The first year of field placement for Full Time and Extended Study students focuses on foundation practice skills. The second year of placement for these students, in a different setting, focuses on advanced practice skills. Advanced Standing placements reflect advanced practice goals.

State Certification

Graduates of the MSW Program may pursue state licensure or certification at the graduate level. Application for licensure or certification should be made with the state board in the state where the applicant intends to practice social work. In North Carolina, the Certification and Licensure Board for Social Work may be accessed on the web at http://www.ncswboard.org/ or by phone at 336-625-1679. MSW levels of licensure/certification in North Carolina include the following: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA), Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW), and Certified Social Work Manager (CSWM).

Graduates of the MSW Program are eligible to pursue North Carolina State Licensure/Certification at three levels: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Master Social Worker, and Certified Social Work Manager. Licensure/certification is managed by the North Carolina Certification Board for Social Work. Additional information on The Board may be found online at ncswboard.org. Students may also pursue licensure as a School Social Worker. Those who wish to become licensed as a School Social Workers should make the MSW Program Director and Field Director aware of this as soon as they are accepted into the MSW program.

Special Programs

North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative

UNC Charlotte participates in the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative, which is a joint effort of the NC Division of Social Services, the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (DSS), and the National Association of Social Workers NC Chapter, to improve the quality of public child welfare services in North Carolina. The program is administered by the Jordan Institute for Families at UNC Chapel Hill. At UNC Charlotte, Child Welfare Education Collaborative MSW students complete the course SOWK 7015 Child Welfare as one of their electives. They also complete their graduate field placements in a child welfare agency. Students who complete all requirements for the Collaborative program receive a certificate indicating they have successfully met North Carolina Child Welfare Pre-service Training competencies. Graduates may then be hired at a NC County DSS with credit for six (6) months of experience.

For additional information about the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative at UNC Charlotte, please contact the UNC Charlotte Child Welfare Collaborative Liaison, Dr. Robert Herman-Smith, Associate

Professor, at bherman@charlotte.edu or 704-687-7180.

School Social Work

Graduates of the program may also qualify for licensure as a school social worker in the state of North Carolina.

The School Social Work license is awarded by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. To be eligible for school social work licensure, MSW students must complete a two-semester field placement in a school setting, take SOWK 7010 School Social Work, and take another course from a list of approved electives Students interested in school social work licensure should begin planning with their advisors and the MSW Field

Education Director as early in the program as possible.

The School of Social Work’s Field Education Director, Hontah Epps, has additional information about school social work licensure requirements. She can be reached at htepps@charlotte.edu or 704-687-7932. Information is also available at http://www.ncsswa.org.

Gerontology

UNC Charlotte’s M.A. in Gerontology and Certificate of Gerontology are administered jointly by the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The M.A. program is housed in the School of Social Work. MSW are given special consideration for graduate courses in Gerontology.

Financial Assistance

Paid internships and assistantships are limited. Visit socialwork.uncc.edu for more information.

Courses in Social Work (SOWK)

SOWK 6121. Social Work Practice: Theories and Skills. (3) Introduces the theories of human behavior and models of social work intervention necessary to engage all levels of client systems. (Fall, Summer)

SOWK 6131. Social Work Research. (3) Introduction of social science research methods and their relevance to social work. Other content relates to the application of critical thinking and how to engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research. (Fall)

SOWK 6141. Foundations of Social Work. (3) Students are introduced to the profession of social work, with attention to social work history, social welfare history, and current social policies and programs that influence the contexts of social work practice. Professional values, identity, and critical thinking are discussed in relationship to current and historical understandings of social problems and policy responses. (Fall, Summer)

SOWK 6151. Social Work, Social Justice, and Diversity. (3) Examines individual, systemic, and ideological factors related to diversity and social justice. Theories and perspectives that contribute to understanding oppression and privilege are emphasized. Implications for social work practice, research, and policy are examined. Strategies to counter discrimination and oppression are identified. Requires considerable critical analysis and self-reflection on the part of participants. (Fall)

SOWK 6212. Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals. (3) Prerequisite: SOWK 6121 (Advanced Standing students are exempt from this prerequisite). Expands social work students’ knowledge, values, and skills with regard to advanced micro practice with individuals, especially members of vulnerable groups. (Fall)

SOWK 6232. Practice and Program Evaluation. (3) Prerequisite: SOWK 6131 (Advanced Standing students are exempt from this prerequisite). Demonstrates how to engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research. Managing client data and critically analyzing, monitoring, and evaluating interventions are covered in-depth. (Spring for Full-Time and Extended Study, Summer for Advanced Standing)

SOWK 6242. Advocacy and Policy Practice. (3) The role of advocacy in the social work profession, tools for bringing about policy change, and use of advocacy to promote social justice, especially for vulnerable populations. (Spring, & Summer)

SOWK 6252. Mental Health Assessment. (3) Prerequisite: SOWK 6121 (Advanced Standing students are exempt from this prerequisite). An overview of social work theories related to mental/behavioral health assessment with special emphasis on and critique of the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). (Spring for Full-Time and Extended Study, Summer for Advanced Standing)

SOWK 6343. Advanced Social Work Practicum and Seminar. (3) Prerequisite: Admission to the Advanced Standing program. Designed for Advanced Standing students, this field internship course has an integrated twofold purpose. First, it solidifies students’ preparation in foundation social work practice methods and skills with individuals, families, small groups, and organizations and communities. Students demonstrate their understanding of foundation theories and concepts by applying practice methods and skills across systems and with diverse clients. They also demonstrate the ability to accurately assess client systems, formulate and carry out plans of intervention, and evaluate the effectiveness of practice. Second, students develop an emerging understanding of interpersonal practice with individuals, families, and small groups and how foundation practice theories and methods can prepare them for utilizing interpersonal practice methods within a selected field of practice emphasis. (Summer)

SOWK 6441. Foundation Social Work Practicum I. (3) A The Ffoundation field practicum that prepares students to apply generalist social work knowledge, skills, values, and ethical principles gained in the classroom to actual practice at a social agency. social work practice. Students work in an approved field site under the supervision of a UNC Charlottesocial work field instructor and attend a monthly seminar. (Fall)

SOWK 6442. Foundation Social Work Practicum II. (3) Prerequisite: SOWK 6441. A The Ffoundation field practicum that prepares students to apply generalist social work knowledge, skills, values, and ethical principles gained in the classroom to actual practice at a social agencysocial work practice. Students work in an approved field site under the supervision of a UNC Charlottesocial work field instructor and attend a monthly seminar. (Spring)

SOWK 6635. The Social Context of Mental Health. (3) Cross-listed as SOCY 6635, PSYC 8636, and PPOL 8636. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate program or permission of instructor. Draws upon contributions from the field of psychiatry, psychology, social work, and anthropology. The focus is on mental health and illness it is social context, with an emphasis on the relationship between social structure and mental health/disorder. Social factors are examined which shape psychiatric diagnosis, the effects of socio-demographic variables on mental health, and the role of social support and stress for different groups. Also examines the organization, delivery, and evaluation of mental health services, and mental healthcare policy. (Every other year)

SOWK 7090. Special Topics in Social Work. (3) A topics course that is only available for graduate credit. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. (Fall, Spring, or Summer)

SOWK 7010. School Social Work. (3) Exploration of school social work practices from a theoretical as well as practical point of view. Also focuses on the roles of school social workers and the type of issues they confront. (Spring)

SOWK 7015. Child Welfare. (3) Prerequisite: Permission of MSW Program Director or the instructor. Examination of the history, purpose, and goals of child welfare services in North Carolina and in the United States. Course information is provided from the context of the child- and family-centered model that guides child welfare services. (Summer)

SOWK 7020. Social Welfare and Philanthropy. (3) Introduction to philanthropy which allows students, through a community-based project, to experience two predominant aspects of philanthropy – grant making and fundraising – with an emphasis on supporting the well-being of vulnerable populations. (On demand)

SOWK 7025. Social Development in Malawi. (3) Students actively participate in several pre-departure class lectures and work sessions. They travel to Malawi for 11 days and engage in service-learning activities aligned with social development in rural Malawi. Experiential projects are designed and implemented by students using funds they raise. Sustainability and anti-oppressive approaches to social development are highlighted. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

SOWK 7030. Trauma and Recovery: Theory and Intervention. (3). This course will review the history and evolution of trauma theory and social movements and explore the impact of trauma and healing upon survivors. Students will master the foundational principles and basic skills of trauma intervention. Students will also participate in community project that involves learning about services available for trauma survivors locally. (On demand)

SOWK 7122. Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals. (3) Prerequisite: SOWK 6121 (Advanced Standing students are exempt from this prerequisite). Expands social work students’ knowledge, values, and skills with regard to advanced micro practice with individuals, especially members of vulnerable groups. (Fall)

SOWK 7035. Social Work with HIV and AIDS. (3). This course responds to the impact of HIV on social work client populations and emphasizes the need for social work practitioners and other helping professionals to be knowledgeable about the disease, prevention strategies, and related epidemiologic disparities. The course addresses skills necessary to assist with needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, their significant others, families, and communities. (On demand)

SOWK 7126. Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups. (3). Prerequisite: SOWK 6121 (Advanced Standing students are exempt from this prerequisite). Theory and practice related to social work with small groups. Various approaches to group development and facilitation, including social change, therapeutic change, goal setting, and assessment in groups, with an emphasis on work with vulnerable populations. (Fall)

SOWK 7127. Advanced Social Work Practice with Families. (3). Prerequisite: SOWK 6121 (Advanced Standing students are exempt from this prerequisite). This course expands social work students’ knowledge, values, and skills with regard to advanced micro practice with families, especially members of vulnerable populations. (Spring)

SOWK 7222. Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities I. (3) Builds on the foundational theories and skills introduced in Social Work Practice with specific attention to communities and organizations as primary client systems. Introduces theories that inform and guide practice in communities and organizations. Builds advanced skills in engaging and assessing communities and organizations. (Fall)

SOWK 7223. Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities II. (3) Prerequisite: SOWK 7222. Builds advanced practice skills in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions at the community and organizational levels. Also builds skills in leadership and ethical decision-making. Emphasizes the use of critical thinking and self-awareness concerning leadership and ethical challenges in community and organizational contexts. (Spring)

SOWK 7443. Advanced Social Work Practicum IIII. (4) Prerequisite: SOWK 6442 (Advanced Standing students are exempt from this prerequisite). The Advanced field practicum prepares Students students for work in an approved social service agency developing more specialized social work skills in their area of focusapplication of social work knowledge, values, and skills, with special attention to the needs of vulnerable populations. Students work in an approved field site under the supervision of a social work field instructor and attend a monthly seminar.are expected to demonstrate advanced social work practice skills that indicate an integration of theories, research, and policies in relation to their area of specialization within interpersonal practice. (Fall)

SOWK 7444. Advanced Social Work Practicum IVII. (4) Prerequisite: SOWK 7443. Corequisites: SOWK 7223 and SOWK 7651. Continuation of SOWK 7443. The Aadvanced field practicum prepares students for more specialized application of social work knowledge, values, and skills, with special attention to the needs of vulnerable populations. Students work in an approved field site under the supervision of a social work field instructor and attend a monthly seminar. .Fieldwork of 24 hours per week. (Spring)

SOWK 7651. Reflection and Synthesis. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 7222 and SOWK 7443. Corequisites: SOWK 7223 and SOWK 7444. Provides MSW students with an opportunity to practice personal reflection, synthesize their learning from the MSW program, and demonstrate competency. (Spring)

SOWK 7627. Seminar in Advanced Practice: Supervision and Staff Training. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 6121, SOWK 6131, SOWK 6141, SOWK 6151, or admission to Advanced Standing program. Students may choose to satisfy their social work elective requirement with this course. This seminar is for students who anticipate working in traditional social welfare organizations in the public or private sectors. The focus is on knowledge and skills that a social worker needs to succeed in practice in large organizations. Included is content on supervision, staff training and development, and the role of the professional in large organizations. (Spring)