Department of Social Work

Department Chairperson: Kimberly Mann

Email: kmann@csu.edu

Phone: 773-995-2843

Location: WSC 116E

Department Overview

This program is designed to prepare graduates for advanced professional roles as social service workers, supervisors, and administrators in public and nonprofit human service organizations. Graduates are also prepared for doctoral study in social work and related fields.

The Council on Social Work Education accredits the MSW program.

The curriculum utilizes a perspective that is trauma-informed, family centered, and strength based. It focuses on clinical practice with families and children, understanding the development and analysis of social policy, and designing and managing human service programs. Leadership and team building skills, cultural competency, as well as personal growth, are integral educational components of the program. The program emphasizes services to vulnerable, oppressed, and marginalized populations. The program also emphasizes a commitment to diversity and social and economic justice.

Mission

The mission of the MSW Program at Chicago State University is to prepare graduate social work professionals, who are committed to life-long learning through a competent, culturally sensitive, evidence-based, trauma informed, family centered practice, and who use their leadership skills with a spirit of inquiry to serve global, especially urban communities with a commitment to social, racial, and economic justice.

General Requirements

The MSW program requires completion of 60 credit hours of study, which includes a minimum of 12 credit hours of supervised field practicum. The full- time program may be completed in two calendar years. The part-time program may be completed in three or four calendar years. All requirements for the degree must be completed within 6 years from the date of initial enrollment. The first 30 hours of the MSW program are required foundation courses. Upon successful completion of the foundation, students may then choose from a concentration in the advanced curriculum. These options are Direct Practice in Family and Children Service, Administration and Planning in Family and Children Services, and School Social Work.
Students must maintain a 3.0 (B) average and receive a passing grade in field practicum in order to complete the program. It is also expected that students demonstrate a commitment to ethical social work practice as explicated in the N.A.S.W. Code of Ethics.
The fieldwork component of the MSW program is an integral part of the student’s educational experience. It provides opportunities for the development, integration, and application of professional knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes. Placements are made in a wide variety of human service settings in the public and private sectors.
Students must complete 400 clock hours during the first year and 550 during their second year in the program. Students in the School Social Work concentration must complete 600 hours during their second year. Most placement requirements are met by 2-3 days per week for 4 semesters. Professional liability insurance is required for field registration and is provided by a group policy.

Admission

A graduate application, the MSW supplement, official transcripts, and the nonrefundable application fee must be received by the Graduate School by July 15th (fall admission only). Early submission of application is recommended. Applications received past May 15th may be considered for part-time enrollment only. All applicants for admission to the MSW program must:

Have a BA or BS degree from an accredited college or university.
Have a broad liberal arts background (represented by course work in arts and humanities, history, science, mathematics, political science, economics, etc.) with a minimum of 12 hours of behavioral science.
Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (calculated using the last two years of undergraduate study). A limited number of applicants may be conditionally admitted with a GPA of 2.75. This exception may be granted to students who have been out of school for five or more years and have outstanding work experience in human services.
Submit three letters of recommendation from educators and/or professionals who can describe potential for success in the field of social work.
Submit a personal essay and participate in a departmental interview as requested.
In addition to the above, the following may apply:
A course to enhance writing skills may be required as a condition of admission.
Due to limited class size, we are unable to accept all qualified applicants.

Admission to Advanced Standing

Graduates who have completed a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program within the four-year period preceding their intended enrollment may apply for the advanced standing program.
Only social work courses with grades of B or better may be used for waivers or credit.
Advanced standing students who have not more than one social work course with the grade of “C” must retake that particular course or an equivalent course.
Advanced standing students may complete the MSW program in one calendar year on a full-time basis or two calendar years on a part-time basis.
Advanced standing applicants will be invited for a personal interview to evaluate their plan of study.
To qualify for advanced standing students must:
*have earned a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
*have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in social work courses

Admission to Post MSW / Professional Educator License (PEL) for School Social Work

All applicants applying to the Post MSW / Professional Educator License (PEL) for School Social Work must have the following:

You must hold an MSW from a CSWE accredited School of Social Work. Only those students who obtained a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 will be considered for admission
Students must successfully meet the minimum requirements of the State of Illinois.
You must complete the supplemental Post MSW / Professional Educator License for School Social Work application and submit it with your graduate application materials.

Transfer Credit

The MSW program may accept a maximum of 30 semester hours of transfer credit for graduate courses completed with a grade of B or better from a CSWE-accredited MSW program. Credits must have been earned within four years prior to enrollment, and the student must submit a letter of recommendation from the program and field director (if applicable) of the program.

Students who have graduate credits in a related field may request transfer of up to six credit hours to meet their elective requirements; however, courses from an earned degree may not be used toward the MSW degree. A maximum of six credit hours of courses taken in the CSU MSW program as an at-large student may be transferred upon admission.

A written request must be made to the Program Director for transfer credit and must be accompanied by the appropriate course syllabi. No academic credit is given for work or life experience.

Programs

Master of Social Work

Social Work, M.S.W.