Social Work, M.S.W.

Foundation Curriculum 27 hrs.

• SOWK 601 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I Credits: (3)
• SOWK 602 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II Credits: (3)
• SOWK 611 - Social Welfare I. Policy is Practice Credits: (3)
• SOWK 621 - Research I: Basic Research Methodology Credits: (3)
• SOWK 631 - Social Work Practice I: Foundations Credits: (3)
• SOWK 632 - Social Work Practice II: Groups Practice Credits: (3)
• SOWK 641 - Foundation Practicum and Seminar I Credits: (3)
• SOWK 642 - Foundation Practicum and Seminar II Credits: (3)
• Elective -  Credits: (3)

Concentration Curriculum 34 hrs.

• SOWK 682 - Biopsychosocial Assessment Credits: (3)
• SOWK 761 - Social Welfare Policy II: Family Policies and Advocacy Credits: (3)
• SOWK 772 - Research II: Advanced Research Methodology Credits: (3)
• SOWK 783 - Social Work Practice III: Community Practice to Strengthen Families Credits: (3)
• SOWK 784 - Social Work Practice IV: Family Practice in a Community Context Credits: (3)
• SOWK 785 - Integrative Seminar Credits: (3)
• SOWK 791 - Concentration Practicum and Seminar I Credits: (5)
• SOWK 792 - Concentration Practicum and Seminar II Credits: (5)
• Electives Credits: (6)

Elective Emphasis Areas (6)

Students select elective courses according to their interests and abilities. All electives outside the department must be approved by the student’s advisor and the MSW Coordinator; however, any social work elective at the 600 level or higher will count toward degree completion (but may not count towards an emphasis area). Students may select one of the elective emphasis areas described below, or they may individualize their program of study through their choice of electives. The following elective emphasis areas represent cohesive programs in one of three areas of practice: clinical social work, school social work, or social work with military populations. The elective emphasis areas available include:

• Clinical Social Work (emphasis in mental health, preparation for licensure): Two clinical electives and a clinical field placement are required (see MSW Student Handbook for more specific information).
• School Social Work (only for standard program students wishing to obtain certification as a School Social Worker): Two electives, SOWK 720  & EDSP 651  , are required, plus one field placement in a public or accredited private primary or secondary school.
• Social Work with Military Populations:  Students who are interested in specializing in social work with military populations in rural areas are required to: complete the military social work elective (including a required trip to a military base), plus another relevant clinical elective, and complete a concentration field placement with the military population.

Advanced Standing Status

Students who are admitted with Advanced Standing status begin the program in the summer, when SOWK 678  and SOWK 679 , the Advanced Standing Bridge Courses, are required. The course acts as the bridge between the student’s undergraduate social work curriculum and Radford University’s special conceptual emphasis, preparatory to entering the Concentration year. Following successful completion of SOWK 678  and SOWK 679 , Advanced Standing students follow the same curriculum as offered to all concentration-level students in the full-time or part-time program.

Retention in the Program

A graduate student shall be terminated from the M.S.W. program if any of the following occurs:

1. Receipt of a grade of C or lower in any two courses post matriculation to the Graduate College;
2. Receipt of a grade below a C in any single graduate course;
3. Failure to adhere to the Radford University Honor Code, the Radford University Standards of Student Conduct, or the Waldron College Standards for Professional Practice Education; or
4. Failure to adhere to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.

Comprehensive Examination

Students are required to complete a comprehensive exam. The exam is included as part of the Integrative Seminar course (SOWK 785) which is taken at the end of the program of study for the MSW degree. Students are eligible to take the course in the semester they complete all degree requirements or with only six or fewer hours of elective credits (i.e., no required courses) remaining for degree completion. The exam allows each student to focus on a chosen topic in order to demonstrate an integration of the academic curriculum and the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities of an autonomous practitioner of social work. More specific information may be accessed in the MSW Program Student Manual.

Field Practicum

Standard students must complete a two-semester foundation field placement with a total of 410 clock hours. Both Standard and Advanced Standing students must complete a concentration field placement, consisting of two consecutive semesters of 300 clock hours each. Students wishing to seek licensure in Virginia must complete at least 600 hours in a clinical field placement; licensure requirements may vary in other states. The field practicum is an integral part of the educational program and field placements are expected to be completed concurrently with classroom courses. Requirements for field placement include: approved field application (available on the School of Social Work’s website), interview with field coordinator and proposed field site; student is in good academic standing; student obtains individual liability insurance meeting specified requirements; student registers for LiveText. Students develop plans for their field placement in consultation with the field coordinators and must receive permission from a field coordinator before contacting any agencies about field placement arrangements. More information is available from the field coordinators.