MASTER of SOCIAL WORK
SATURDAY
TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING FOR SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
Master of Social Work Saturday Plan salemstate.edu/mswsaturday • 978.542.2826
Transformative Learning for Social Work Practice The Saturday Master of Social Work Plan (MSW) is a unique cohort-model program designed for people working in human services and related fields. The cohort of 20 professionals will enter and proceed through the program together. •
Complete your degree in three years by taking two classes each fall, spring and summer semester on Saturdays
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Field education sites complement the trauma-informed curriculum and at least one of your field education options may include your current employer
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Integrated practice with an essential mix of clinical and selected macro skills for leadership and management
About Salem State University’s School of Social Work The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Salem State University was the first public social work program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With a faculty committed to maintaining a curriculum that is relevant to professional social work today, the mission of educating social workers for practice as clinical practitioners, leaders and change agents in our ever-changing world is our primary goal. The School of Social Work relocated to 287 Lafayette Street in Salem. Our new building has state-of-the-art classrooms, student study areas, attractive common spaces, and a location that is convenient to the university’s newly renovated Frederick E. Berry Library and Learning Commons, and the Harold E. and Marilyn J. Gassett Fitness and Recreation Center. We hope you will chose Salem State University for your social work graduate education.
MISSION STATEMENT Salem State University’s School of Social Work prepares professionals to excel as practitioners, educators and leaders who are catalysts for social change in our diverse and global community.
CURRICLUM AND SPECIALIZATION Our MSW curriculum emphasizes preparation for direct social work practice. The Saturday program has a specific focus on trauma-informed practice, the topic infused into both the required and elective curriculum.
Defining a trauma-informed approach A trauma-informed approach includes recognition of the signs and symptoms, minimizes re-traumatization, and integrates intervention and services to address recovery across all clinical and community settings. The MSW program’s practice specialization focuses on integrating health and behavioral health practice. The curriculum is designed to meet the contemporary workforce needs with regard to healthcare reform and to underscore the major contributions MSW graduates are qualified to make in the future of healthcare systems that address both physical and behavioral health. Typical career opportunities include working in hospitals, psychiatric facilities, schools, day treatment programs, and community and mental health agencies.
YEAR 1 – 2021 SPRING (January – May)
SUMMER (June – Au
SWK700
SWK715
Human Behavior and Social Environment
Human Diversity and Socia
SWK703 Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Social Work and Social Welfare Policy
YEAR 2 – 2022 SPRING
SUMMER
SWK705
SWK735
Assessment and Intervention with Individuals,
Assessment Psychosocial
Families, and Groups – Part II of II
SWK846
SWK865
Health and Behavioral Health Policy
Psychological Trauma
SWK722 Continuation of Field Education (16 hrs/wk) and Integrated Seminar (monthly)
YEAR 3 – 2023 SPRING
SUMMER
SWK818B
SWK820
Integrated Practice and Theory for Adults and Families
Agency Management and L
SWK869 Evaluation Research in the Human Services
SWK842 Field Education (20 - 24 hrs/wk) and Integrated Seminar (monthly) Breaks between semesters are consistent with the university academic calendar. Sample curriculum requirements and exact course titles are subject to change.
ugust)
FALL (September – December) SWK704
al Work Practice
Assessment and Intervention with Individuals, Families, and Groups – Part I of II
SWK706 Community Practice
SWK721 Field Education (16 hrs/wk) and Integrated Seminar (monthly)
FALL SWK818A Psychopathology
Leadership Practice
Integrated Practice and Theory for Adults and Families
SWK707 Research for Social Work Practice
SWK841 Field Education (20 hrs/wk) and Integrated Seminar (monthly)
FALL SWK899 MSW Capstone
SWK Elective*
Total Credits 62
FIELD EDUCATION Our field department works closely with each student to find the best fit for the field education experience. Salem State’s MSW program has developed strong relationships with agencies and programs throughout Greater Boston, the North Shore, Merrimack Valley, and potential sites throughout central and western Massachusetts. The study plan requires two separate field education internships of 16 hours starting year one, and 20-24 hours per week in year two. Internships typically run September through early May. Students who continue employment while in the program should make certain their employers allow for scheduling changes or flexibility of hours because field education practice internships must take place during the business week. A student’s current place of employment may fulfill at least one of the requirements for your field education. Field instruction must be provided by an MSW who is not the student’s work supervisor. Under the supervision of experienced practioners committed to best practices, students apply what they learn in the classroom and in the field.
“What I love about the Saturday plan is that there is a sense of family, that you are not going through it alone, we are all here to support each other.” —Rachael McGovern Current MSW Student
FACULTY The MSW faculty engage students in a dynamic learning environment that prepares them for practice challenges today. The faculty are scholar practitioners with expertise in one or more of the following dimensions of social work practice: geriatric social work;
“The MSW Saturday plan is a great learning environment with great teachers. The program supports me so that I can support others. It’s not my Saturday cohort, it’s my Saturday crew.” —Ronald Strand MSW, 2018
social work in medical settings; child and family welfare; children’s behavioral health; adult behavioral health; HIV/ AIDS; disabilities; immigration; trauma; substance use disorders; domestic violence; social policy analysis; schools and administration. MSW faculty regularly contribute to the social work discipline through active publication and presentations at regional, national and international forums. Our core value of “leadership for the public good” is exemplified in our faculty service to local, national and international organizations and communities in the roles of researchers, practitioners, leaders, consultants, and board members.
WHY CHOOSE A SATURDAY PROGRAM? •
Students can manage multiple responsibilities such as work and/or family
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Face-to-face classroom learning provides quality interpersonal and practical knowledge to build skills for your career
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The cohort model proves to support students for successful program completion and expands professional networks
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Guaranteed courses on Saturday avoids commuting during high peak hours and prevents long weekdays of both work and classes
APPLY: salemstate.edu/graduate/application FINANCIAL AID: salemstate.edu/finaid ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS EMAIL: ssw@salemstate.edu PHONE: 978.542.2826 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 Admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis as applications are received. We do our best to provide admissions decisions within one month of receipt of your completed application. Because the program is based on a cohort, we must reach a class size of 20 to launch in January 2021.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS For complete information on admissions policies and standards, see salemstate.edu/graduate/admissions •
Online graduate admissions application—available at salemstate.edu/graduate/application
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Non-refundable $50 application fee payable online
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Official transcript documenting the award of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) •
If you completed more than 60 credits of your bachelor’s degree at another institution, please submit that transcript as well
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Official GRE or MAT test scores if your cumulative GPA is below 3.0
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Professional statements
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Three letters of reference
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Updated resume
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Work experience in social work or human services is preferred
Additional Requirements for International Students •
Proficiency in English is required of all international applicants. Applicants whose native language is not English can fulfill proficiency requirements in a variety of ways. Please visit: salemstate.edu/international for more information.
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If you earned your degree at an institution outside of the United States, then your transcript(s) must be evaluated by one of our approved transcript evaluation companies.