The M.S.W. curriculum is comprised of courses that constitute 60 semester credit hours of study. The first 30 semester hours of study in the M.S.W. program introduces the student to the area of generalist social work practice. The remaining 30 semester hours allow students to select a concentration in one of two areas: clinical practice, or leadership and community practice.
The M.S.W. program at George Williams College offers two program completion options: part-time and advanced standing. Part-time students typically complete the program in three years, and students with advanced standing may select to complete the program full-time in one year, or part-time in two years.
Full-time students with advanced standing complete courses during the day, attending classes two days per week. Course work is completed in fall and spring semesters. Part-time students complete courses on weekends (Friday evening and Saturday morning). Summer course work is required for part-time students.
MSW degree options
- GWC part-time program
- GWC advanced standing full-time program
- GWC advanced standing part-time program
M.S.W. program concentrations
Clinical Practice
The clinical practice concentration is designed to educate graduate M.S.W. students to practice in a variety of clinical social work settings such as mental health settings, family service agencies, schools, child welfare agencies, hospitals, forensic settings, YMCAs and YWCAs, and many other social service arenas. The clinical concentration strives to educate M.S.W. students about the wide range of theories and skills necessary to practice in all of these settings. In addition, students learn how to assess, intervene and evaluate their clinical work from an integrative perspective.
Leadership and Community Practice
The leadership and community practice concentration is designed to educate graduate M.S.W. students to practice in administration, supervision, political advocacy and community organizations. The leadership and community practice concentration strives to educate students about the wide range of theories and skills necessary to practice in macro settings and to use a variety of managerial and organizational theoretical models to integrate macro skills for social work practice. Students are prepared to be competent administrators, political advocates and community organizers in the field of social work.
M.S.W. program requirements
Prerequisites
- Statistics (complete a basic statistics course within the past five years with a grade of "C" or better prior to enrollment in the M.S.W. program)
- Completion of mandatory orientation
Foundation curriculum (30 semester hours)
Social welfare (3 semester hours)
SWK6140 Social Welfare Policy and Institutions
Human behavior and social environment (6 semester hours)
SWK6150 HBSE I: Theories of Human Development: Infancy to Adolescence
SWK6160 HBSE II: Theories of Human Development: Adult Lifespan
Social work practice theory and methods (15 semester hours)
SWK6370 Social Work Practice I: Individuals and Families
SWK6381 Social Work Practice II: Group Work
SWK6382 Social Work Practice II: Community Practice
SWK6390 Social Work Practice with Diverse & Vulnerable Populations
SWK6500 Social Work Perspectives on Psychopathology
Research (3 semester hours)
SWK6250 Research I: SW Research Methods
Field instruction (6 semester hours)
SWK6730 Field Instruction I: Beginning Internship
SWK6740 Field Instruction II: Beginning Internship
Concentration curriculum (30 semester hours)
Social work practice and policy (9 semester hours)
SWK 6533: Advanced Macro Practice
AND
SWK6511 Social Work Practice III: Clinical Theory & Methods
SWK6521 Social Work Practice IV: Clinical Adv. Clinical Knowledge & Application
OR
SWK6512 Social Work Practice III: Leadership & Community Practice Theory & Methods
SWK6522 Social Work Practice IV: Leadership & Community Practice Knowledge & Application
Research (3 semester hours)
SWK6283 Practice & Program Evaluation
Social work electives (9 semester hours)
Advanced field instruction (6 semester hours)
SWK6750 Field Instruction III: Advanced Internship
SWK6760 Field Instruction IV: Advanced Internship
Total required to graduate: 60 semester hours
Specializations (optional)
Gerontology
The gerontology specialization focuses on coursework providing an in-depth understanding of individuals in their later years. Initially, students learn to identify normal biological and psychological changes of the later years as well as the health concerns of older adults. Students recognize changes older adults face socially over the years by examining social supports of older adults including families, groups and various living environments. Finally, students learn different assessment tools and counseling techniques for older adults. Within the clinical concentration, field internship experiences include positions in case management, hospice, hospitals and adult day care settings.
M.B.A. leadership
Students in either the clinical practice or leadership and community practice concentrations may take elective courses from the M.B.A. (Master of in Business Administration) leadership curriculum. This advanced business curriculum is ideal for M.S.W. students interested in learning more about business management and administration in the field of social work. Students complete courses in organizational management, leading teams, and leadership strategies. Upon completion of this specialization, students receive a certificate in leadership for the not-for-profit sector.
