Social Work, M.S.W.

Program Description

The M.S.W. program has two pathways of entry. For those who do not have the BSW degree, a Generalist (social work foundation) pathway (2 calendar years to complete) is provided, removing the need for applicants to complete the BSW degree. For those who do have the BSW degree (and meet additional requirements) an Advanced Standing pathway (1 calendar year to complete) of entry is provided. Those admitted to Generalist status are required to complete 2 calendar years to include 2 summers. Those admitted to Advanced Standing status will be required to complete 1 calendar year to include 1 summer.

All students who are admitted via the Generalist status will complete the social work foundation courses during their first year and matriculate into the Area of Specialization in Behavioral Health Practice which is offered via a face to face/hybrid program option (Zoom).

Those admitted with Advanced Standing status will choose either the Area of Specialization in Behavioral Health Practice (face to face/hybrid program option) or the Area of Specialization in Behavioral Health Administration which is an Online Only program. Both take 1 calendar year for those with Advanced Standing status.

The Behavioral Health Administration area of specialization is offered to those with Advanced Standing status only. M.S.W. students will graduate in August of each year and will attend the Marshall University December graduation.

Generalist Curriculum

Those who enter the M.S.W. program with other than a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree are eligible to enter the Generalist 2 calendar year program. The 2-year curriculum promotes a generalist perspective in which the simultaneous impact of many systemic levels (individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities) on clients’ lives is critically analyzed and recognized. The foundation builds upon a liberal arts base that fosters an understanding of society as a complex organization of diverse people and ideas.

Social problems are understood as occurring within the nexus of culture, conflict, development, ecology, and systems and as such, efforts to help or intervene must include consideration of these forces. Students will be able to critically identify and assess social problems, specifically attending to:

how such problems are maintained;
how they impact the quality of people’s lives;
cultural sensitivity and appreciation of marginalized people; and
how to actively promote social and economic justice. In the foundation year, the focus is on the development of critical thinking skills in all the areas mentioned.

M.S.W. Advanced Curriculum-Advanced Social Work Practice

The advanced practice curriculum seeks to develop the utilization and application of critical thinking, relative to behavioral health, on all levels - in reading professional writing and research, in students’ practice, in the classroom, and in the students’ own thinking.

Consistently monitoring practice ethically, evaluating theoretical principles and epistemologies, and utilizing technological advances become basic practice patterns. Specific skill sets developed include:

Creating, organizing and integrating ideas and action on engaging diverse client systems effectively in change;
Assessing, conceptualizing and analyzing theoretical, practice and research problems from multiple perspectives and utilize critical thinking skills to formulate impressions based upon the data;
Analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating the evidence available to guide advanced social work practice;
Synthesizing, formulating and implementing a plan of action for social work practice that addresses complex issues and problems, builds consensus and incorporates multiple-level forces on client systems;
Analyzing and evaluating data of client progress and outcomes and sees implications and consequences of this progress and outcomes;
Synthesizing, creating, and organizing ideas from theory, research and practice for social justice;
Demonstrating the ability to integrate culturally competent skills into all aspects of social work practice;
Demonstrating the knowledge of the roles of behavioral health providers working in primary care settings, theories and models of care, and cross-cultural issues; and
Demonstrating skills in engagement, assessment, intervention planning and implementation, and practice evaluation in the primary and behavioral health care setting.

M.S.W. Practicum Education

All Generalist students admitted to the 66 credit hour program are required to satisfactorily complete 900 clock hours (18 credit hours) at approved practicum sites. Advanced Standing students are required to satisfactorily complete 450 clock hours (9 credit hours).

If employed in a human services agency meeting the department’s criteria as a placement site, the student may apply to undertake the practicum at her/his place of employment. This may be accomplished when the agency is willing to shift the student’s work role and supervision in such a manner as necessary to meet the school’s educational objectives for practicum instruction.

M.S.W. Electives

The Marshall University Department of Social Work provides electives as enrichment to the specialized learning in the advanced year. M.S.W. students are required to take 2 3-credit hour electives in their Generalist year and 2 3-credit hour electives in the Specialization year. For example, behavioral health care workers are asked to know psychopathology, substance abuse, managed care, AIDS, and a range of other substantive areas. Many school social workers share the need for the same content.

In addition, it is noted that social workers frequently change jobs, often to another field of practice. Social work education seeks to teach students to think critically, analyze systematically, and know where to find information and resources within the context of social work history, development and values. It is this type of education that best prepares students to function in a rapidly changing society.

Online-Only Program

The Master of Social Work (MSW) “Online Only” Program is offered only to those students admitted to Advanced Standing status. The Online Only MSW Program requires the completion of 36 academic credit hours and is offered ONLY ONLINE. Students will not be allowed to take any other face to face or hybrid courses (although they will be allowed to take online only electives which are identified on the MSW Advanced Standing Online Only Plan of Study. This program option is designed for students entering the MSW Program who have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and meet the requirements for Advanced Standing status. The program will consist of the advanced content (36 credit hours). Those Advanced Standing status students admitted to the MSW Online Only program option require the completion of 36 academic credit hours which includes 9 credit hours of field education. The Advanced Standing Program is for students entering the MSW Program with a BSW degree and who meet specific GPA requirements.

M.S.W. Advanced Standing Online Only Program

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
SWK 613	Adv Human Behavior Social Env	3
Social Work elective (Advanced Behavioral Health)		3
SWK 614	Adm SWK Pract Behav Health	3
SWK 616	Policy Prac in Beh Health	3
SWK 622	Int Health Policy & Services	3
SWK 642	Adv Social Research I	3
SWK 643	Adv SW Research II	3
SWK 653	Adv Field Practicum	9
Social Work elective (Advanced Behavioral Health focus)		3
SWK 615	Psychopathology	3
Total Credit Hours		36

Describe the research and data/outcomes the implementation of this new program option is based upon.

Based on Marshall University’s research and current Online Learning programs, there are more than 600 courses that are 100% fully online. These online courses allow online students to start—and finish—the online degree of their choice. Marshall’s online learning program offers close to 300 e-courses every semester and serves nearly 17,000 students annually. Marshall’s Online-Only M.S.W. program offers off-campus students located in the Tri-State Region of WV, Ohio, and KY an opportunity to complete the MSW degree in a one calendar year timeframe.

With M.S.W. Online Learning from Marshall University in Huntington WV, M.S.W. students can earn a quality degree completely online, while continuing to meet work and family obligations.

Students study with the same quality faculty and earn the same degree or certificate as on-campus students.

Marshall University online learning offers many distinct advantages for today’s students, who need and want:

Flexibility to fit in classes with professional and personal commitments.
The opportunity to study for a degree anytime, anywhere, and earn a degree from an accredited and respected university; and
An affordable college education. Marshall University’s MSW Online Only students benefit from a special distance tuition rate that is less than Marshall’s regular tuition costs, and out-of-state online students pay the same special rate as West Virginia students. In addition, fully distance education students do not pay fees for on-campus services.

How Does Online Learning Work?

Requirements

Online courses are accessible to students with a wide range of computer experience. At a minimum, you will need a desktop or laptop computer, reliable Internet access, and a webcam and mic. Students should be comfortable using e-mail and accessing the Internet to go online. Blackboard support is available 24/7 and our IT service desk is available to help all students.

Getting started

Marshall’s M.S.W. Online-Only program option delivers courses via Blackboard, an online learning management system. Fully online courses are the same as those taught on campus, but delivered asynchronously, so there are no face-to-face or on-site attendance requirements. You can also choose hybrid courses, which combine asynchronous and face-to-face learning delivered through Blackboard Collaborate, a two-way video tool. Review Online Learning FAQs.

Communications

M.S.W. Online-Only students will communicate with M.S.W. instructors using Marshall e-mail, or by using the Blackboard Course Messages tool for online course. Blackboard also posts general information and updates for online students on its News and Alerts pages.

What Are the Online Learning Tuition and Fees?

Fully distance learning students in the M.S.W. Online-Only pay a prorated distance education tuition based on their level, up to the appropriate hours cap (12 hours for undergraduate / 9 hours for graduate). M.S.W. Online-Only students must be enrolled in the Online-Only program and be designated as distance education students to receive the special tuition rate.

Admission Requirements

All M.S.W. program options are offered utilizing a cohort model and those admitted begin the M.S.W. program in the Fall Semester of each academic year. Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website: http://www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission. Applications are received in the Marshall University Office of Graduate Admissions via the online application www.marshall.edu/admissions/graduate/ and cc’d to Leslie Lucas beginning in October of the year prior to the applicant’s desired admission date. It is recommended that applications be submitted as soon as possible so that they are forwarded by the Office of Graduate Admissions to the M.S.W. Admissions Committee to be reviewed for priority admission by January 30th. Applications will be received and reviewed after the priority date, but it is highly recommended that applications be submitted as early as possible. Applicants are encouraged to check with the Office of Graduate Admissions regarding the completion of their applications. Applications need to be completed prior to being sent to the MSW Admissions Committee and need to include: Two professional references, resume, personal statement, all transcripts (from all colleges and universities attended) sent directly to Graduate Admissions.

Graduate Admissions Application Procedures and Performance Standards

The receipt of a bachelor’s degree from an accepted, accredited college or university is the basic requirement for admission as a graduate student to Marshall University and cannot be waived. Applicants must fulfill all admission requirements as specified in the Graduate Catalog. Students enrolled in the last semester of an undergraduate program may be admitted to some programs conditionally for one term subject to completion of the bachelor’s degree program and subject to departmental approval.

Complete and return all pages of the Graduate Application for Admission form to the Graduate Admissions Office.
When you submit the application, request the Registrar at the institution which awarded your bachelor’s degree (except Marshall University) to send an official transcript directly to the Graduate Admissions Office. The transcript from the institution that awarded your bachelor’s degree must contain the name of the degree earned and the date the degree was conferred. The Graduate Admissions Office cannot accept unofficial transcripts, including transcripts that are faxed or stamped “Issued to Student,” or transcripts mailed or delivered by the student or a third party. Individual schools and programs may require additional credentials or documentation.
Provide all other admission materials and letters of recommendation that may be required by the program to which you are applying. NOTE: If your program requires letters of reference, the letters must be original, must be signed and be sent directly to Graduate Admissions. These may be emailed from an identifiable email account of the person providing the reference. Reference letters sent via email need to have the signature of the person providing the reference (signed and scanned). These may be sent to services@marshall.edu and cc’d to Leslie Lucas.
Note: Applicants may apply online at www.marshall.edu/admissions/graduate/.

Summary of Admissions Policy and Procedures for Notifying Applicants of Admission or Contingency Conditions

Applicant submits application and all required credentials (as published by program) to Marshall University Graduate Admissions;
Graduate admissions will review the application and request any additional credentials needed or other items needed to make the application complete;
When the application is complete, graduate admissions determines if applicants meets basic university admission requirements (baccalaureate degree from accredited school and English proficiency requirement);
The file is sent to the MSW Program Director, Department of Social Work, via share point, for review and for admission decision;
Department of Social Work notifies graduate admissions of their decision, via decision sheet with signature (two week turnaround required, unless there is a program deadline that has not yet passed);
Graduate admissions enters the decision in Banner, sends official, standard Marshall University decision letter with all needed info (901, residency, admission status, etc.);
Program should then (after Marshall University letter is sent) send the accepted applicant a follow-up letter welcoming them to the program and explaining next steps.

Specialist/Advanced Standing Program

An applicant for admission to the Master of Social Work program who holds a baccalaureate degree from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education may be admitted to with advanced standing. The social work baccalaureate degree from a CSWE accredited institution fulfills the requirements for the MSW foundation year.

The Marshall University Department of Social Work seeks mature students with a demonstrated ability to work with people, emotional stability, good interpersonal skills and the ability to perform well academically. To ensure that entering students meet these standards, the faculty has set the following requirements for Specialist/Advanced Standing applicants holding a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited program:

A bachelor’s degree from an accepted, accredited institution of higher learning;
A minimum of 27 credit hours in the social sciences, i.e. communications (6), natural sciences (3), humanities (9), and social sciences (9);
A minimum of three credit hours in each of the following courses: research methodology, and human biology.

Additionally, an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is recommended to be considered for admission to the Marshall University Master of Social Work program. While we consider applicants whose undergraduate GPA does not meet this standard, applicants with GPAs less than 2.75 will be considered on a case by case basis.

The application file is complete when all of the following are received by Graduate Admissions:

Completed Graduate Admission application. Application forms are available online.
An official academic transcript is required from each college/university you have attended, including those at which you were enrolled for academic credit as a non-degree student and/or credits which you transferred to another college. All transcripts must bear the official seal and signature of the institution attended. You must request these transcripts directly from the Registrar or appropriate officer of each institution and ask that they send them directly to Graduate Admissions at Marshall University.
Advanced Standing Admissions: Applicants who obtained a BSW within the last 7 years from an undergraduate social work program accredited or in candidacy by CSWE with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and a social work GPA of 3.25 may be eligible to apply to the Advanced Standing 36-hour program. BSW applicants with less than a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a social work GPA of less than 3.25 will rarely be considered for the 30-hour program and will rarely be allowed to transfer social work coursework from their undergraduate degree toward their MSW degree. Additionally, if an Advanced Standing applicant received a grade of “C” or lower in any social work foundation courses as a BSW, they may be asked to re-take these courses by the Admissions Committee as a condition of admission. Applicants who wish to be considered for the 36 hour Advanced Standing program should submit their field evaluations if available, or one of their three letters of recommendation should be from their Director of Field Education, on-site Practicum Supervisor, or Practicum/Practice Instructor if the field evaluation is not accessible.
Admissions Statement: This statement must be submitted with the application for admission. Submit a carefully written personal statement that addressing the following four topics:

Describe a social problem or problem strategy that is of greatest interest to you.
Describe your commitment to engage in social work roles that involve social welfare institutions and systems most likely to have an effect on major social problems.
Describe in detail how you would insure that your work is relevant to the most economically and socially disadvantaged groups in our society.
Describe the intellectual and personal qualifications that will enable you to practice social work successfully.

Note: If there are gaps or deficiencies in your academic record of if you have ever had an academic review, please address these in an addendum to your statement (recommended for all applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or less).

Resume: Please include current/past employment as well as volunteer and service roles served. This can be emailed to Dr. Peggy Proudfoot Harman at harman@marshall.edu after you have submitted your online application.
All Applicants: If there are gaps or deficiencies in your academic record or if you have ever had an academic review, please explain (recommended for all applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or less)
Two Recommendations: Provide all admission materials and letters of recommendation. The letters must be original, must be signed and be sent directly to Graduate Admissions. These may be emailed from an identifiable email account of the person providing the reference. Reference letters sent via email need to have the signature of the person providing the reference (signed and scanned). These may be sent to services@marshall.edu and cc’d to Leslie Lucas. Click to access the Letter of Recommendation Request Form.
Note: Applicants may apply online at www.marshall.edu/admissions/graduate/.
Applicants are encouraged to submit at least one academic recommendation. If the applicant has not enrolled in classes within the past 5 years, this requirement may be waived and an additional work reference substituted. Evaluations should be submitted from persons who have been directly responsible for assessing and supervising your human service related work/volunteer experience and academic performance. Avoid personal references (coworkers, advisors, friends, clergy, personal therapists, etc.). The Marshall University Department of Social Work MSW program requires three recommendation forms, however letters accompanying the forms are welcomed and strongly encouraged. It is highly recommended that applicants who wish to be considered for the 30-hour Specialist/Advanced Standing program should submit their field evaluations if available, or one of their three letters of recommendation should be from their Director of Field Education, on-site Practicum Supervisor, or Practicum/Practice Instructor if the field evaluation is not accessible. The school reserves the right to request additional supportive material from persons acquainted with the applicant’s academic and/or practice capabilities.

Specialist/Advanced Standing Online Program

Admission requirements for the Advanced Standing online program are the same as those for the Advanced Standing hybrid/face-to-face program.

Program Requirements

For Conditional and/or Provisional admissions: The student and advisor will develop a Plan of Study or blueprint for graduation requirements. The Plan of Study must be on file in the Graduate College office before the student registers for the 12th semester hour.

Behavioral Health Area of Specialized Practice

The Behavioral Health Area of Specialized Practice prepares students to conduct clinical social work practice in assessing, treating, and evaluating mental health, substance abuse, and physical health in relation to one another across practice settings. A focus throughout the specialization will be on understanding the multiple factors that influence health disparities and best practices to increase health equity, particularly for marginalized populations. There will be a special emphasis on effectively serving vulnerable populations with multiple needs. The Behavioral Health specialization integrates Generalist practice by enhancing and expanding on Generalist knowledge, values, and skills in the application of the planned change process across all size systems.

The Behavioral Health specialization extends and enhances the Generalist practice skills of engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation and termination across all sized systems by incorporating clinical courses focused on Advanced Clinical Social Work in Behavioral Health with Individuals and Families.

Plan of Study

Composition of the Master of Social Work Program Generalist/Foundation

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Curriculum		15
Field		9
Electives		6
Total Credit Hours		30

Generalist

The M.S.W. program consists of a foundation-level Generalist curriculum to include the following:

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
SWK 501	Foundations of Gen Practice I	3
SWK 511	Foundations of HBSE	3
SWK 521	Foundations of Social Policy	3
SWK 531	Foundations of Gen Practice II	3
SWK 541	Foundations of Research	3
SWK 551	Foundations of Field Practicum (450 work hours)	9

All Generalist 2-year students must complete 66 credits in order to graduate from the program. All students enrolled in the regular 66 credit program must complete two separate (2-3 semesters each) academic yearlong field placements.

Advanced Curriculum

Advanced Standing status students are granted 30 credit hours for their BSW and take 36 hours of M.S.W. curriculum in an Area of Specialization either in behavioral health practice or behavioral health administration. Advanced Standing status students begin study in the fall and complete the program in the summer of the following year.

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
SWK 615	Psychopathology	3
SWK 631	Int Health Models & Pract	3
SWK 633	Adv Clin SW Prac Ind Fam	3

The spring semester includes the following courses:

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
SWK 634	Adv SW Prac Gps Com & Org	3
SWK 670	Adv Theory & Pract Child	3
SWK 673	Family & Community Violence	3
SWK 655	Comorb Ment & Phy Disorders	3
SWK 653	Adv Field Practicum (450 work hours)	9
Electives		6

Students who enter the program with Advanced Standing (30 credit hours total) complete only one (1) academic (two semesters) year-long field placement (9 credit hours, 450 work hours).

M.S.W. Advanced Standing Behavioral Health Administration - Online Only Program

The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) “Online Only” Program is offered only to those students admitted to Advanced Standing status. The Online Only M.S.W. program requires the completion of 36 academic credit hours and is offered ONLY ONLINE. Students will not be allowed to take any other face to face or hybrid courses (although they will be allowed to take online only electives which are identified on the M.S.W. Advanced Standing Online Only Plan of Study. This program option is designed for students entering the M.S.W. program who have a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree and meet the requirements for Advanced Standing status. The program will consist of the advanced content (36 credit hours). Those Advanced Standing status students admitted to the M.S.W. Online Only program option require the completion of 36 academic credit hours which includes 9 credit hours of field education. The Advanced Standing program is for students entering the M.S.W. Program with a B.S.W. degree and who meet specific GPA requirements.

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
SWK 613	Adv Human Behavior Social Env	3
Social Work elective (Advanced Behavioral Health)		3
SWK 614	Adm SWK Pract Behav Health	3
SWK 616	Policy Prac in Beh Health	3
SWK 622	Int Health Policy & Services	3
SWK 642	Adv Social Research I	3
SWK 643	Adv SW Research II	3
SWK 653	Adv Field Practicum	9
Social Work elective (Advanced Behavioral Health focus)		3
SWK 615	Psychopathology	3
Total Credit Hours		36