College of Social Work

MSW Program Director: Pamela W. Graham

The curriculum at the MSW level is designed to educate professional social workers at the advanced level. Students may choose to concentrate their studies in either clinical social work or social policy and administration.

Goals of the Master's in Social Work (MSW) Program

The MSW program, nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), offers a broad professional education based on a systems perspective, which stresses how individuals live in their environment and how the environment affects them.

The goal of the master's program in social work at Florida State University is to provide quality preparation for advanced practitioners who will work with diverse client systems and problems. We emphasize empirically-based practice which focuses on preventing problems as well as treating them. Our curriculum is flexible so students may shape their own program to meet individual interests. Toward this end, the MSW program will prepare students to:

 * Understand the history of social welfare and the social-work profession and who can practice within the values and ethics of the social-work profession;

 * Apply the knowledge and skills of a generalist social-work perspective to empirically-based practice;

 * Have an understanding of and respect for diversity and work toward social and economic justice;

 * Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to clients' age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation;

 * Be aware of their responsibility to continue their professional growth and development, using supervision and consultation appropriate to social-work practice;

 * Critically analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, agencies, communities, and nations, and seek changes in social policies and practices;

 * Critically evaluate and apply research findings to practice and further evaluate their own practices and disseminate findings; and

 * Apply the knowledge and skills of advanced empirically-based social-work practice in an area of concentration.

Further goals of the master's program are to:

 * Remain vital and progressive by actively pursuing ongoing relationships and exchanges with social-work practitioners; groups that develop, implement, and benefit from social policies and services; professional associations; and disciplines and departments in the academic community;

 * Assume responsibility for systematic and high quality scholarship that evaluates social-work practice and develops and advances knowledge; and

 * Provide service to the people of the state of Florida.

Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS)

The College of Social Work adheres to accreditation standards established by the Council on Social Work Education. These standards are referred to as EPAS and were voted and put into effect July 1, 2002 (replaces 1994 CPS). For further details, refer to: http://www.cswe.org/NR/rdonlyres/111833A0-C4F5-475C-8FEB-EA740FF4D9F1/0/EPAS.pdf.

College of Social Work Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Florida State University College of Social Work to provide quality educational services at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels that prepare social workers to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of diverse populations with particular attention to the empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and/or living in poverty. The College of Social Work also has as its purpose to contribute to the knowledge base that supports evidenced-based social work practice and social policy development and to provide community service at the local, state, and national levels.

Master's Program Requirements

The requirements for the traditional Master of Social Work degree are normally completed in two years (four semesters) beginning in August of one year and ending in May of the last year. Students are expected to enroll as full-time students each of the four semesters. The degree is awarded upon completion of a minimum of sixty-one (61) semester hours, including thirty-nine (39) semester hours of on-campus instruction and twenty-two (22) semester hours of field instruction. Some specializations may require summer attendance between the first and second years.

Advanced Standing

The college offers an advanced standing program for graduates of an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education who have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, and who meet certain other course, field practice, and related work/volunteer experience requirements.

The advanced standing program is normally completed in three semesters. This program consists of a minimum of thirty-nine (39) semester hours including twelve (12) semester hours of field instruction. The student chooses to specialize in either social policy and administration or clinical social work.

Distance Learning Programs

The MSW degree is also offered at off campus locations in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Panama City as well as online for qualified applicants. Requirements are the same as for the full-time program.

Admission

Admission to the traditional master's program in social work is limited to August of each year, except for transfer and advanced standing students (see below). Application for admission to the program must be completed by June 1st of the year in which admission is planned and must be made both through the graduate student affairs office in the College of Social Work and through graduate admissions at The Florida State University. Applications for advanced standing students are to be completed by November 1st for spring admission and by March 1st for summer.

Minimum academic standards for admission to the MSW program requires: 1) a bachelor's degree (with a liberal arts foundation) from an accredited college or university; and 2) a GPA of at least 3.0 in upper-division courses on the undergraduate level OR a minimum score of 1000 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).

University requirements for admissions must also be met. A limited number of exceptions to these requirements are available. For further information and application materials, contact the Director of Recruitment and Admission at http://csw.fsu.edu.

Transfer Students

A limited number of students who have completed a full year of graduate study in an accredited College of Social Work may be admitted to the second year of graduate study. Applications should be completed before June 1st of the year in which admission is requested. Work completed more than four years before the date of admission cannot be credited toward the Master of Social Work degree.

Grade Requirements

The College of Social Work expects graduate students to maintain a "B" average in each semester of classroom work and a grade of "S" in each field education course. Continuation in the program with less than a 3.0 GPA will require the approval of the Dean of the College of Social Work. Students may not be in a field placement with an "I" or "NG" on their graduate record.

Doctoral Program Director: James E. Hinterlong, PhD

The mission of the PhD program is to develop social-work scholars and leaders in research and education who use systematic methods of inquiry and reasoned argument to advance knowledge. Specific goals of the program are:

 1. To offer courses and opportunities for experiential learning in systematic methods of inquiry that are sequentially integrated and foster independent capabilities.

 2. To offer courses and opportunities for experiential learning in adult pedagogy that are sequentially integrated and foster independent capabilities.

Admission

Admission to the PhD program as a full- or part-time student requires 1) a master's degree from a social-work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; 2) a score on the GRE of at least 1050, with a verbal score of at least 500 and a quantitative score of at least 550; and 3) a GPA of at least 3.0 on a four-point scale.

Each candidate for admission should also have completed at least two years of successful (paid) professional experience after having earned the first professional degree in social work, whether that first professional degree is a baccalaureate degree in social work or a Master of Social Work. (In special circumstances and in limited numbers, exceptions may be made to any of these requirements in conformance with University and college policy for such exceptions.) This requirement will ensure that applicants come with an experiential base of practice upon which they can draw during the period of doctoral study. All applicants will be considered on an individual basis. An interview may be requested. Students are admitted in the fall term of each academic year.

For further information, interested persons may request materials and application forms from the Doctoral Program Director at http://csw.fsu.edu/index.php?clickLink=phd.

Doctoral Program Requirements

An individualized course of study that meets the needs and preferences of the student is prepared by the student in conjunction with faculty members. This shall include core courses required of all students. There is no foreign language requirement for the degree. Supervised practice in the content area of the student's major substantive interests is optional.

The University's minimum residency requirements must be met. A written and oral preliminary examination must be passed by the student prior to admission to candidacy.

Upon satisfactory completion of the required individualized course of study, including completion and successful defense of a dissertation which represents an original contribution to knowledge, the student will be awarded the degree of Doctor of philosophy in social work.

Program Opportunities

The College of Social Work offers other unique opportunities that afford you the ability to focus on specialized areas of interest. With the guidance of faculty and our graduate adviser, you create a program of study, which meets your specific educational and career goals. For more information and certificate applications, visit the College's Web site at: http://csw.fsu.edu

Child Welfare Practice Certificate Program

This certificate program offers both undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to focus their curriculum on issues related to child welfare. Course work addresses: the prevention of neglect, abuse, exploitation, or delinquency of children; the protection of homeless, dependent, or maltreated children; the strengthening of families to maintain children in their own homes; the development of advocacy groups, and analysis of social policies and mental health issues related to this population. Child welfare practitioners provide a continuum of services in both public and private settings. For further information, visit http://csw.fsu.edu/index.php?clickLink=certificatesCHLD

Family Social Work Practice Certificate Program

This certificate program is designed for MSWClinical Concentration students who wish to develop advanced competence in couple and family social work. Course work for this certificate focuses on advance practice skills for those students wishing to pursue careers in mental health settings. For more details, visit http://csw.fsu.edu/index.php?clickLink=certificatesFAM

Social Work in Disaster Recovery Certificate Program

This certificate program will educate degree-seeking graduate students and train non-degree seeking professionals for culturally competent practice, advocacy, and long-term recovery case management with diverse populations in natural disaster relief efforts. This SWDR Certificate will equip participants with the knowledge, awareness, and skills necessary to provide culturally sensitive disaster relief services. An in-depth curriculum will be developed that emphasizes cultural awareness, evidence-based knowledge development, skills acquisition, and strategic planning with vulnerable populations in disaster relief and long term recovery efforts. For more details, visit http://csw.fsu.edu/index.php?clickLink=certificatesDIS

Certificate in Aging Studies

The FSU Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy offers an opportunity for concentrated education in aging studies. It provides an educational credential for students with an interest in aging, which indicates their completion of a multi-disciplinary course of study in the study of aging and old age. For further information, visit http://www.pepperinstitute.org/Certificate/.

The Arts and Community Practice Certificate

The program is an interdisciplinary certificate designed for undergraduate and graduate students who wish to develop a focused concentration on the application of the arts to community development. This is inclusive of groups and families and addresses all stages of human development. Particular attention will be given to prevention, enrichment, and response to social concerns. For more details, visit http://csw.fsu.edu/index.php?clickLink=certificatesART

Leadership in Executive and Administrative Development in Social Work (L.E.A.D.)

The mission of this leadership certificate is to educate students about leadership theories and practices and provide students with leadership experience. Learning about leadership will give these students the skills that they will need for middle and executive positions in social service organizations. An in-depth curriculum that emphasizes leadership, decision-making, client-centered management, team building, negotiating, budget and finance, and the successful management of grants will guide our students in the direction of being able to successfully manage social service agencies. For more details, visit http://csw.fsu.edu/index.php?clickLink=certificatesLEAD

Joint MSW/JD Program

This program is for students interested in combining an MSW with a degree in law. Persons graduating with this dual degree go into areas such as family law, child advocacy, domestic violence, public policy, and public defense. Students interested in this dual degree must be admitted simultaneously and independently to both FSU's College of Social Work and College of Law.

Joint MSW/ MBA Program

This curriculum is structured for graduate students enrolled in the Social Policy and Administration (SPA) concentration in the Advanced Standing MSW program and for students pursuing an MBA. The mission of this joint degree is to unite the strengths of both these degree programs and to educate students about leadership theories and practices, while also providing students with leadership experience from business and social-work perspectives. Mastering these skills will give these students the backgrounds that they will need for middle and executive positions in social-service organizations.

Joint MSW/MPA Program

Florida State University's Reuben O'D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy and the College of Social Work offer a joint degree program leading to the degree of Master's of Social Work (MSW) and Master's of Public Administration (MPA). This is one of the few joint degree programs in these fields offered in the U.S. This program prepares students for positions in public, private and nonprofit human service organizations by gaining knowledge in social work and public administration. Students must be admitted to both graduate programs independently.

Joint MSW/MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice

The MSW/MS is a collaboration between the College of Social Work and the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The joint degree is for graduate students in both programs who wish to expand their understanding of the connection between these two fields of study and gain expertise through work with forensic clients. Students must be admitted to both graduate programs independently.

Field Education

Field education is an essential component of the program and is designed to provide an educationally sound, supervised agency -based internship whose learning experiences:

  1. Enhance the students' ability to integrate theory into effective evidence-based social work practice,

 2. Broaden the students' range of skills for performing high quality social work functions,

 3. Strengthen the students' awareness of attitudes, motivations, and judgments identified with the profession of social work.

The Office of Field Education is responsible for assigning internships in consultation with the student and prospective field-agency representative. Internships are planned on an individual basis, according to the student's interests, location preferences, and other important facts.

NOTE: Due to agency requirements, students with a felony conviction may be ineligible for certain internships; however, field faculty will discuss appropriate alternatives. Field-education agencies are carefully selected, and have made a contractual agreement to provide experiences in professional practice, a range of educationally appropriate activities, and to make personnel and resources available.

Agencies affiliating with the College of Social Work represent the diversity found in social services throughout Florida and South Georgia. The College offers a wide array of internships in both public and private agencies, and with diverse populations of clients in areas such as child welfare, health, mental health, family counseling, aging, and corrections.

Continuing Education

The program of continuing education at the College of Social Work is committed to excellence in professional development for graduate practitioners. The goal of the continuing education program is to provide a continuum of instruction to professionals as an integral part of curriculum and practice.

Outstanding workshops and seminars are presented at the request of professionals, private and public agencies, and members of the College of Social Work.

The continuing education program is an authorized provider through the Florida Department of Professional Regulation to provide continuing education units (CEUs). CEUs are awarded to all participants who successfully complete any continuing education presentation.

Student Organizations

The Association of Student Social Workers (ASSW) is an organization of and for social work students. It is open to undergraduates as well as graduates and participation by all is welcome. The association is a good vehicle for socialization to the profession. It can be used as a channel for handling complaints and is an excellent way for students to get to know one another.

The Phi Alpha Honor Society serves as a means of recognizing outstanding academic students. The society involves itself in fundraising and community service.

College of Social Work Scholarships

Instructions on applying for scholarships are made available in December each year from the College (phone 850-644-4751 or 1-800-378-9550). Applications are accepted January – March 1. Awards are for fall semester only, except as noted (see Hurrle and Montgomery Scholarships). Deadline dates and applications are available on the College of Social Work Web site, at http://csw.fsu.edu/admissions-scholarships.php.

Citrus Health Network Scholarship for Graduate Students

For full- or part-time graduate students who are interested in working in the behavioral health-care field (e.g., mental health and substance abuse), and would consider working in the Miami-Dade County area.

Mark Degraff and Lula Hamilton Degraff Scholarship

For full-time senior undergraduate or full- or part-time graduate students who are interested in working with or conducting research relating to youth.

Joanna F. Gorman Scholarship

For full-time upper-level undergraduate or graduate students (MSW or doctoral) who plan a career in the field of child welfare, maternal and child health, community mental health, or primary prevention in health or mental health.

Dianne F. Harrison Scholarship

This award is presented at Spring Convocation for "Best Dissertation Prospectus." No application necessary.

Herdon Scholars/Helios Education Foundation Scholarship

This award is presented to full- or part-time graduate students who are Florida residents and have social work practice experience. Financial need is considered and awarded funds must be used towards university tuition.

Robert P. Hurrle Scholarship for Field Instruction

For Social Work majors who demonstrate a commitment to the field of aging or military social work. This stipend is offered each semester and is to be used while the student is completing a field practicum in one of these areas.

Margaret H. Jacks Scholarship in Aging

For full- or part-time MSW students who have completed at least one course on aging or demonstrated a commitment to the field of aging.

Richard M. King Scholarship in Social Work and Business Administration

For full- or part-time graduate students who are interested in earning both an MSW and a Master's in Business Administration.

James and Mary Koalska Undergraduate Scholarship

For full-time undergraduate students whose parents did not attend college. Financial need considered.

Joyce Harper Laidlaw Scholarship in Child Welfare

For graduate students who demonstrate dedication and commitment to work in the area of child welfare and show financial need.

Coyle and Mable Moore Scholarship

For full-time Social Work students who show evidence of good character and citizenship, volunteer work, and financial need.

Sarah Sealey Morrill Scholarship

For Social Work majors with interest in the field of community mental health.

MSW Class of 1975 March Graduates Scholarship

For two-year full-time MSW students interested in community-based practice, advocacy or public policy, with evidence of commitment to social-justice concerns.

Bernhard Scher Undergraduate Scholarship

For undergraduate (60 credit hours completed at college level) Social Work majors enrolled in Social Work classes, with overall GPA of at least 3.5. Essay on "Social Work Values" required.

Guy and Delories Spearman Scholarship

For BSW or MSW students from Brevard County with overall GPA of 3.0 or greater.

Maurice M. and Patricia V. Vance Scholarship

This award is presented MSW or Ph.D students who are returning to school after a hiatus of at least two years with the goal of forwarding themselves as social work professionals. Academic achievement, financial need, and dedication to the field are considered, with the greater emphasis on dedication to the field.

Victoria E. Warner Scholarship

For Florida A and M University graduates currently enrolled in MSW program at FSU (full- or part-time).

Patricia V. Vance MSW Student of the Year Award

This recognition award is given annually to a MSW student who has demonstrated to an outstanding degree those qualities of committed leadership and service that the social work profession acclaims. The award was designated as the Vance Award in recognition of Mrs. Patricia V. Vance, former associate dean and professor emeritus of the College of Social Work. Members of ASSW select the awardees.