Advancement to Candidacy
Faculty
General Information
Specific Requirements for the Master of Social Work Degree
Student Handbook
Master of Social Work Degree
The School of Social Work offers a two year full-time or three year part-time accredited graduate program leading to a Master of Social Work degree. The program qualifies students to apply for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) certification process by the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners of the State of California.
The goal of the Master of Social Work program is the education of advanced social work practitioners that enables them to provide services that assure people equal access to resources, programs, and opportunities; assist individuals in the accomplishment of life tasks, the alleviation of individual and social distress and the realization of aspirations as they relate to oneself, others and the society as a whole; and finally, because of its special geographic location in the Southern California Pacific basin, the school seeks to prepare professionals who will work with the predominate ethnic minority groups of the region in order to enhance the quality of life for economically disadvantaged groups. Special emphasis is currently given to those human needs that relate to the continuum of health care and well-being, families in transition, and social/environmental factors that create stress as it relates to individuals and groups in the home, workplace, and community.
The program is organized around student experience in a field of service concentration during their first year (Aging, Health, Mental Health or Children, Youth and Families) and a methods concentration (clinical or administration) in their second year. The school is extensively involved in local, state and national human service issues through individual faculty research and community intervention programs. In addition, the school has made commitments in the area of chemical dependency research and practice through the Center on Substance Abuse and policy research and intervention through the Human Service Institute of Southern California.
The School of Social Work admits new students to the MSW program only in the Fall of each academic year. New students are not admitted to the program during the Spring semester. New students must apply for the program between November 1 and February 1 of the year before they desire entry. Students currently enrolled or on leave of absence from CSWE accredited schools of social work are considered transfer students and can apply to the program for either fall or spring admission.
All applicants must file two separate applications: one to the University Office of Admissions and Records and one to the School of Social Work. The School of Social Work will not consider any applicant who has not filed both required applications. Specific University admission requirements and procedures are outlined in Part Two of this bulletin. Specific School of Social Work requirements and procedures are outlined in the admissions packet as well as on a voice mail telephone system which is available 24 hours a day. Applicants should call (619) 594-6865 and follow the verbal prompts for information on the MSW program. The recorded message provides information on how to receive application packets as well as a summary of specific admission policies.
In addition to the regular application material, the University requires all applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination for admission. Scores must be reported to both the University and the School of Social Work. Applicants will not be reviewed by the School unless GRE scores are on file. Applicants must have taken and successfully passed one course in statistics and one course in human or general biology at the undergraduate or graduate level.
The School cannot accept any student into the program until the University has accepted them into graduate study. For this reason, we urge interested students to submit both applications as early as possible. Students who are qualified for admission but who submit applications after all students have been accepted are placed on a waiting list and can be admitted up until August 1.
All students must meet the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Part Two of this bulletin. In addition, the student must: (1) have earned at least 24 units of postbaccalaureate study with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) and received credit (Cr) in field practicum; (2) have no incomplete grades; (3) be recommended by the faculty of the School of Social Work; (4) be approved for advancement by the Graduate Division; (5) successfully pass a written qualifying examination given during the Spring semester in which the student will complete the 31 units of first year coursework.
In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the master's degree in Part Two of this bulletin, the student must complete an officially approved two-year or three-year 60 unit course of study including: (1) six units in social policy and services (Social Work 601 and Social Work 702B, 702C, or 702D); (2) nine units in human behavior and the social environment (Social Work 619, 620A or 620B and 720); (3) fifteen units of social work practice (Social Work 630, 631, 632, 739 or 740, and 744 or 745); (4) six units of research (Social Work 690 and 791A or 791B); (5) fifteen units of practicum (Social Work 650 and 750A or 750B); (6) three units of computer applications in social work (Social Work 610); and (7) six units of electives (Plan B students); (three units of electives and Social Work 799A (Plan A students). Within the 60-unit official program, students must complete (1) 25 units in generalist/foundation courses (Social Work 601, 619, 630, 631, 632, 650, 690); (2) six units in a field of service (Social Work 702B, 702C, or 702D and 720); (3) 20 units in a Social Work Methods Focus Area (Clinical or Administration).
The above courses excludes Social Work 610, 799A, 799B, and elective courses.
In addition, students must complete either a Thesis (Plan A) or a comprehensive written examination (Plan B)
At least 30 units of the program must be completed in residence at San Diego State University. A maximum of 30 units is transferable from another accredited graduate program in social work. Six units of elective credit may be taken from other schools or departments within the University with the permission of the graduate adviser. See Student Handbook for specific elective policies.
To receive the degree, students must earn a 3.0 (B) grade point average in academic courses and demonstrate professional competence for required practicum (Cr for all semesters).
In addition, students must adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics. This document is included in the student handbook and all students must adhere to its principles of professional conduct. Students who knowingly or unknowingly violate any part of the ethical code may be dismissed from the program without further qualification regardless of coursework, research, or other academic achievement.
The School of Social Work has a student handbook for graduate students. The handbook contains policies and procedures not specified in this bulletin in addition to information to aid students in completing the MSW degree program. Students must purchase a revised handbook at the beginning of fall as long as they are in the program. Handbooks are on sale at the Campus Store under Social Work.
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