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USF Lakeland-based scholarships are available
to USF Lakeland students. You may be eligible. Call the Financial
Aid Office at (863) 667-7028 or visit https://www.scholarship.
lakeland.usf.edu for an application and more information. |
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Next cohort begins in Fall 2010
Overview
The
Master of Social Work (MSW) program is a rigorous course of study offered
on a part-time basis. This program will equip graduate students for the
pursuit of professional social work careers through a curriculum of specialized
knowledge and clinical skill development vital for practice with individuals,
families and groups. Our graduates serve as models for the University's
core values of quality, caring, diversity and service. Students are trained
to engage in culturally relevant clinical practice with a goal of improving
the circumstances of vulnerable and diverse populations in many different
settings.
Degree Program
The
MSW program is built upon a core of studies basic to social work, followed
by advanced course work in preparation for clinical practice with individuals,
families and groups. An intense field practicum affords the student the
opportunity to apply theory gained in the classroom to the problems of
agency clients. The program utilizes a variety of field agencies to support
broad programmatic goals. Examples of settings might include child welfare
programs, public schools, hospitals or clinics and community mental health
agencies. These agencies are located within the counties of closest proximity
to the Lakeland campus. The program utilizes a concurrent field model
that serves to foster increased clinical learning through a single agency
placement with students enrolled in field practicum and classes simultaneously.
The program includes seven semesters of field practicum with 150 hours
per semester. Practicums will be arranged by the field faculty, reflecting
skills and interests expressed by the students and will consist of a
foundation clinical practicum and an advanced clinical practicum.
This
part-time program, offered over the course of nine semesters, provides
an opportunity to earn a MSW degree to persons already working in the
field or those in pursuit of work in the field and seeking a program
that is more compatible with their current work schedule.
Students receiving
a MSW degree will be prepared to pursue doctoral level education in social
work, in a related human services discipline and profession as well as
to enter a variety of related
occupational areas.
Admissions Criteria
Admission
to the MSW program involves a dual application procedure. Applications
are made to the Graduate School of the university, as well as to the
School of Social Work. There are separate application forms available
for this purpose from each respective office. The Graduate Admissions
Office provides the initial screening process of all applicants to the
University. In keeping with state University system and School of Social
Work
guidelines, applicants must meet at least the following criteria:
University Criteria
- Have earned a “B” (3.0) average in all upper divisional
baccalaureate studies attempted while registered.
- Submit Graduate Record Examination scores, no more than five years
old, to the Graduate Admissions Office. The university requires a
total
verbal-quantitative score of 1000 or a “B” (3.0) average.
- Submit two official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course
work attempted and/or completed.
School of Social Work Criteria
The School of Social Work has further specified a set of admission criteria
deemed appropriate for the MSW program. Admissions are competitive.
Applicants
must meet these specific criteria in addition to the university criteria.
- Submit three academic/work references.
- Submit a 750 word autobiographical statement.
- Be available to appear for a personal interview with a member of
the Social Work Admissions Committee.
- One year of paid human service or the equivalent is preferred.
Program Requirements
The MSW program is offered to graduates from an accredited BSW program or graduates
from another accredited Liberal Arts program. BSW graduates (within the last
five years) will have the option of applying for Advanced Standing in recognition
of the professional foundations content provided in a BSW program. Students
who qualify can be waived out of 12 hours of foundations content, thus completing
the program with 48 hours of course credit. Those students with other bachelors
or masters degrees will be required to complete the entire 60 hours of course
credit that includes necessary foundations content to the field of
Social Work.
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