Social Work
PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION
Matthew Ringenberg, Program Coordinator
Office: Swart Hall 230
Telephone: (920) 424-1419
Website: https://uwosh.edu/socialwork/programs/msw/
E-mail: socialwork@uwosh.edu
FACULTY/GRADUATE INSTRUCTIONAL ACADEMIC STAFF
Eggum, Fischer-Williams, Hudson, Power, Ringenberg, Schneider, Short-Meyerson, Weeden
PURPOSE
The UW Oshkosh MSW program prepares competent professionals to meet the mental health care and various other social service practice needs of the Fox Valley and beyond.
The UW Oshkosh MSW has four Goals:
Prepare advanced degree social workers to assume leadership roles in clinical/mental health care, health care, corrections, school social work, advocacy and community organizations, immigration, and aging settings in order to meet the growing needs of the Fox Valley and beyond.
Prepare professional social workers to engage in activities that will contribute to the development and improvement of social policy at local, regional, state, and national levels as it pertains to culturally relevant mental health and health care services.
Engage in collaborative partnerships with other academic units and degree programs at UW Oshkosh, as well as with organizational entities in the Fox Valley region in order to improve community well-being.
Engage in teaching, research, and evaluation activities that promote best practices in social work practice and encourage innovation and discovery to improve the well-being of those in need.
MSW students in the Foundation Curriculum will become competent in the 9 practice competencies mandated by the 2015 Council on Social Work Education-Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. The MSW Program offers two concentrations in the Advanced Curriculum: Clinical/Mental Health Practice and Advanced Direct Practice. Advanced coursework is interdisciplinary and allows students to take relevant elective courses in Public Administration, Nursing and other relevant fields, as well as Social Work. Graduates will be competent in the 9 CSWE Practice competencies and will have practice expertise specifically in mental health or their chosen subfield.
The program offers a full-time curriculum, which can be completed in two calendar years for Foundation students or one year for Advanced Standing students. A part-time program is also available, which can be completed in three years for students entering at the foundation level or two years for students entering at the advanced level. To meet the needs of working students, courses in the program are offered evenings and on Saturdays. Students also integrate and apply their classroom learning in a 950-hour field experience (500 for those entering as Advanced Standing student).
DEGREES/CERTIFICATES
Completion of the program will lead to the degree: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS INFORMATION
In addition to the requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies specified in the POLICIES section of this Bulletin, the program has established the following policies and procedures for admission:
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the MSW program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75, with 3.0 in the last two years of study;
- Have an academic background in the liberal arts and have completed a minimum of 18 credits in the social sciences from among courses in at least three of the following disciplines: psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics and political science (BSW students meet this criterion);
- Complete the supplemental program specific application online. This application allows applicants to express in writing their career goals, understanding of the social work profession and to describe their relevant skills, experiences, and background. Applicants should be prepared to provide specific information about their relevant/related work and volunteer history. This information will be used to determine the applicant’s readiness for the MSW program;
- Provide contact information for three professional references (including one academic reference, if applicant has graduated in last five years) who can evaluate the applicant’s readiness for an MSW program;
- Have completed coursework in: biology, statistics, research methods and lifespan development or submit plans for completing this work prior to taking the advanced curriculum in the program;
- For advanced standing, have graduated from a CSWE accredited baccalaureate social work program within the last 8 years.
Applicants complete and submit the on-line UW System Graduate Admissions e-Application (apply.wisconsin.edu/) for the Office of Graduate Studies along with the $56 nonrefundable graduate application for admission fee. Additionally, applicants must submit the required supplemental materials, which include: online supplemental application and all transcripts from previous colleges attended. These instructions are available at:https://uwosh.edu/socialwork/programs/msw/
Areas of Emphasis
In addition to requiring a common foundation of courses, the MSW program offers two Practice Concentrations: Mental Health Care and Advanced Direct Practice. This curriculum prepares students for practice in community-based, and institutional mental health, health care, corrections, aging, community development and school settings. Graduates in the mental health care concentration will be prepared to seek the Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential in Wisconsin and will meet the Wisconsin state requirements for completion of a clinical concentration.
Location of Classes
Courses are located at the UW Oshkosh Campus. Some courses are offered in a hybrid, online format.
Field Hours
Students in the Foundation curriculum will complete a 450-hour Field internship with a generalist focus. This internship is completed during the spring and summer terms over the course of 25 weeks and typically requires 18 hours per week at the placement. Students in the Advanced curriculum will complete a 500 hour Field Internship in a setting that is specific to the identified practice concentration. This internship is completed during the fall and spring terms over 34 weeks and typically requires 14.7 hours per week at the placement.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The current accreditation for the MSW Program is valid through June 2024.
SUMMARY
- Structure
The program is comprised of core courses and electives. - Academic Plans of Study
Social Work is the description for the Social Work plan of study. - Minimum Credit Requirements
- For program applicants who do not have a BSW degree completed within the last eight years or all non-BSW students, 55 credits are required for graduation. This includes a 27 credit, three-semester foundation curriculum (summer, fall, and spring) and a 28 credit, advanced curriculum (fall and spring). The intervening summer includes both Foundation and Advanced coursework
- Applicants who have completed a BSW degree within the last eight years receive advanced standing for all foundation requirements.
- All students are required to take 19 credits of required advanced coursework. In addition, each concentration has 6 credits of required concentration-specific practice courses. Students also complete three (3) credits of concentration-specific electives.
- Admission to Candidacy
Students must satisfy fully the Office of Graduate Studies requirements for advancement to candidacy as stated in the POLICIES section of this Bulletin. Students must confer with their program coordinator/advisor to plan and receive program approval for their admission to candidacy. Students should apply for Admission to Candidacy after completing 9-21 credits. The Office of Graduate Studies gives final approval to Admission to Candidacy. - Graduation Requirements
Candidates must satisfy all program and Office of Graduate Studies academic, culminating, and degree requirements to be eligible for graduation and degree conferral.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Foundation Curriculum: 27 credits
The following courses are required for all students without a BSW degree earned within 8 years prior to enrollment.
Core Courses:
Social Work
701 2 Ethical Issues in Contemporary Social Work
702 3 Generalist Practice I: Individuals, Families, and Small Groups
703 2 Generalist Practice Lab: Interviewing
704 3 Generalist Social Work Practice II
707 3 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
708 2 Social Welfare Policy: Contemporary Approaches
709 5 Foundation Field and Seminar I
710 5 Foundation Field and Seminar II
711 2 History of Social Work
712 0 Social Work Seminar
Advanced Curriculum: 19 credits
Core Courses:
Social Work
712 0 Social Work Seminar
728 2 Advanced Social Work Policy Practice
729 5 Advanced Field and Seminar I
731 2 Program Evaluation, Practice Outcomes and Evidence-based Practice
733 5 Advanced Field and Seminar II
736 Practice Competence in a Diverse Community
741 3 Qualitative Research Methods
Mental Health Care Practice Concentration: 9 credits
Social Work
724 3 Advanced Practice Methods in Mental Health Care
727 3 Psychopathology
3 credits of electives
Advanced Direct Practice Concentration: 9 credits
Social Work
725 3 Advanced Direct Practice Methods
726 3 Social, Economic and Environmental Justice
3 credits of Electives
COURSE OFFERING(S)
| Social Work 571 | 3 (crs.) |
| Child & Family Welfare | |
| Examines the historical trends in services to children and their families within the framework of supportive, supplemental, and substitute services which have evolved over time as part of the service structure in child welfare. While recognizing the impact of impoverishment, changing family structures, and other aspects of pressures on contemporary parenting, attention is given to resiliency forces and practitioner approaches which encourage parenting strengths and home-based intervention options as preventive strategies in child welfare services. 371/571 | |
| Social Work 575 | 3 (crs.) |
| Treatment and Mistreatment of Offenders | |
| Examines the application of generalist social work practice within the criminal justice system focusing on the change agent role in working with juvenile and adult offenders in both community-based corrections and institutional settings. Prepares social workers for an understanding of correctional models and their inherent values, bio-psycho-social theories of crime causation and develops assessment and intervention skills within a generalist framework. 375/575 | |
| Social Work 643 | 3 (crs.) |
| Family Practice in Systems Perspective | |
| Application of family theory and current research findings to social work practice with families. Topics include role theory, communications theory, and major systems-oriented theories and techniques of family counseling and intervention. The family as a small problem-solving group. Prerequisite: Social Work 220 or consent of instructor. | |
| Social Work 701 | 2 (crs.) |
| Ethical Issues in Contemporary Social Work | |
| This course introduces the student to the framework of ethics in a diverse society for advanced generalist practice in health and mental health settings. To clarify ethical issues, social workers will need to use ethical concepts paired with social work knowledge, skills and values, when dealing with populations at risk. This course presents the student with basic philosophical theories and moral and ethical decision making models to prepare the student to fully understand the logic system of the client as well as one’s own values and behaviors. (2 credits) Prerequisites: Admission to the MSW program. Special fees may apply. | |
| Social Work 702 | 3 (crs.) |
| Generalist Practice I: Individuals, Families, and Small Groups | |
| This course is one of two graduate foundation MSW courses, emphasizing the development of competency with engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation with individuals, families and small groups at the master’s level. Integrating theories, models, and methodologies used with evidenced based practice students incorporate the knowledge, values, ethics, and skills needed for competence reflected in a culturally diverse practice setting, applying a strengths-based approach. Developing an understanding of self, how one’s values impact relationships with client systems through application of critical thinking, students will acquire an understanding of advanced-level generalist practice and the change process at all points using evidence-based practice models. (3 credits) Prerequisite: Admission to the UWOSH MSW Program. Special fees may apply. | |
| Social Work 703 | 2 (crs.) |
| Generalist Practice Lab: Interviewing | |
| In this lab course students will practice developing rapport, assessment and intervention skills with individuals and families. Students will be introduced to a range of skills required for effective practice, and will build on knowledge acquired in SW 702. This course focuses on interviewing methods of social work practice and outlines the change process model, which is taken from different theoretical perspectives. Students will learn about the use of self when establishing relationships, exploring issues, and implementing strategies for problem-solving. Students will practice effective termination of services in social work practice with individuals and families. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW Program | |
| Social Work 704 | 3 (crs.) |
| Generalist Social Work Practice II | |
| This course promotes master’s level development of knowledge, values and skills necessary to practice social work with diverse groups and within organizations and communities. Prerequisites: Admission to the MSW Program. | |
| Social Work 705 | 1 (crs.) |
| Skills Lab with Large Groups and Communities | |
| This practice lab introduces students to a range of skills required for effective work with various professional and community groups, with organizations, and with communities. Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in Soc Work 704. | |
| Social Work 706 | 3 (crs.) |
| Social Welfare Institutions | |
| This course examines the origins of and changes in American social welfare arrangements to meet human needs. It traces the evolution of the social work profession and social welfare efforts in relation to major economic, social, and political forces over time defining populations at risk and the nature of social and economic justice in the U.S. This course prepares students for the study of social welfare policy that is informed by its past. Prerequisites: Students enroll in this course during their first semester in the Program. | |
| Social Work 707 | 3 (crs.) |
| Human Behavior in the Social Environment | |
| This course will introduce students to the integration of theories and models examining the complexity of person/environment functioning with respect to the wide variety of social work practice contexts. Applying an ecological and strengths-based approach, the biological, cultural, psychological and social contexts of human behavior and functioning are examined. This approach prepares students with a theoretical foundation and multi-level understanding of client systems. Prerequisites: Admission to the MSW Program. | |
| Social Work 708 | 2 (crs.) |
| Social Welfare Policy: Contemporary Approaches | |
| This course prepares foundation year MSW students for competent generalist social work policy practice. Students will develop an understanding of Social Work’s historical, contextual view of social welfare policy, commitment to human rights and social justice, access to services and resources and advocacy for evidence-based social service policies. Students will develop competent knowledge and skills for policy practice at the local, state, national and international levels. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW Program. | |
| Social Work 709 | 6 (crs.) |
| Foundation Field and Seminar I | |
| This course facilitates student application of classroom learning in a social service agency. Students will demonstrate their practice competency in all nine CSWE areas of social work practice competency. In this internship students will gain a generalist perspective of social work practice and prepare to move into an advanced area of practice concentration. This course prepares students to apply theories, models, and ethical principles in a specific social service delivery system. Emphasis is placed on promoting competence through strength-based, culturally competent, generalist practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW Program. | |
| Social Work 710 | 4 (crs.) |
| Foundation Field and Seminar II | |
| This course is a continuation of the SW 709 Foundation Field and seminar course and facilitates student application of classroom learning in a social service agency. Students will demonstrate their practice competency in all nine CSWE areas of social work practice competency. In this internship students will gain a generalist perspective of social work practice, enhance their professional social work skills, and prepare to move into an advanced area of practice concentration. This course prepares students to apply practice theories, models, and ethical principles in a specific social service delivery system. Emphasis is placed on promoting competence through strength-based, culturally competent, generalist practice. Prerequisite: Complete and pass SW 709. | |
| Social Work 711 | 2 (crs.) |
| History of Social Work | |
| This course provides a foundation for understanding the origins of social work, particularly in the lands that became the United States. Students completing this course will be knowledgeable about the values that have motivated social helping and those that drove the later creation of the profession of social work. Students will also explore the various cultural threads that shape views on helping in the United States and the events and traditions from which they emerged. Finally, students will examine the role of social policy in addressing the needs of the vulnerable in society and how the interests of other groups help shape those policies as well. Co-requisite: Soc Work 701 Ethical Standards of Social Work Practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW Foundation Program. | |
| Social Work 712 | 0 (crs.) |
| Social Work Seminar | |
| The Social Work Seminar is designed to provide information and guidance regarding content that is necessary to navigating either graduate work in general, such as the nuances of APA writing, or social work in particular, such as the social work licensing process in Wisconsin. The course involved a series of presentations by the instructor or guest speakers about selected topics necessary to succeed in this program. Attendance is required. No grades are assigned. Prerequisites: Admission to the UWO MSW Program. | |
| Social Work 721 | 3 (crs.) |
| Multi-Level Family Intervention | |
| Advanced social work practice techniques for direct practice students working with families of many types and in varied settings. Prerequisites: Completion of Soc Work 720 and 731; concurrent enrollment in Soc Work 729. | |
| Social Work 722 | 3 (crs.) |
| Social Work Management & Supervision in the Social Services | |
| Advanced social work practice of management and supervision methods for students working in management positions at any level in social service agencies. Prerequisites: Completion of Soc Work 720 and 731; concurrent enrollment in Soc Work 729 | |
| Social Work 723 | 3 (crs.) |
| Advanced Practice Methods in Health Care | |
| This course prepares students in the Health Care concentration for interprofessional practice in health care service settings. Students will learn to apply the strengths-based model, and incorporate theory and evidenced based practice. Focusing on a collaborative, interprofessional approach to health care, students advance intervention skills in working with a broad, diverse population. The course facilitates knowledge regarding policy, advocacy, direct client care, and service leadership. Students will implement strategies that foster a team approach in health care services. Prerequisite: Admission to the Advanced MSW Curriculum. Special fees may apply. | |
| Social Work 724 | 3 (crs.) |
| Advanced Practice Methods in Mental Health Care | |
| This strengths-based Clinical Mental Health course uses an in-depth analytical framework for teaching students mental health theories, diagnosis, evidence-based practice, and a collaborative and exploratory approach to clinical mental health in Social Work. Particular attention is paid to cultural diversity in mental illness prevention, diagnosis, and effective treatment. Students develop therapeutic skills to work with individuals, families, and groups. This course is designed to facilitate student ability to carry out leadership roles in the mental health system, work within multidisciplinary teams, and help maintain the clients’ ability to cope in society from social, psychological, and physical perspectives. Prerequisite: Admission to the Advanced MSW Curriculum. Special fees may apply. | |
| Social Work 725 | 3 (crs.) |
| Advanced Direct Practice Methods | |
| This course prepares students in the Advanced Direct Practice concentration for professional social work practice. An understanding of humanistic, cognitive behavioral, critical, and postmodern social work theories coupled with the ability to integrate theory into advanced direct practice is evidenced and measured. Students learn to apply a strengths-based model and principles of evidence-based practice across social work practice sectors and aligning populations served by advanced level social workers. Principles of environmental and economic justice and sustainability underpin the course. Prerequisite Admission to the Advanced MSW curriculum. | |
| Social Work 726 | 3 (crs.) |
| Social, Economic, & Environmental Justice for Social Work | |
| This course is designed to increase students’ awareness and competency in diversity, social, economic, and environmental justice in social work practice. The course will focus on changes in the profession’s justice mission that have resulted in an emphasis on a broader understanding of the person-in-environment perspective that includes issues of the natural environment. Through understanding the levels of community engagement, students will increase their understanding of issues of diversity, human rights, social, economic, and environmental justice and integrate that understanding by increasing their self-awareness and engaging members of the community regarding their experiences as members of minority groups embedded in American culture. They will detail how this experience helped them raise their sense of self-awareness and improve their ability to self-regulate emotions in order to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies. Prerequisites: Admission to the MSW Advanced Program or completion of the MSW Foundation Curriculum. | |
| Social Work 727 | 3 (crs.) |
| Psychopathology | |
| This course examines mental health and mental illness from a strengths-based social work perspective. Cultural and community factors defining these issues are addressed. Prerequisites: Admission to the Advanced MSW Curriculum or instructor permission. | |
| Social Work 728 | 2 (crs.) |
| Advanced Social Work Policy Practice | |
| This course prepares advanced year MSW students for competent policy practice in health care and mental health care practice contexts. Students will develop leadership skills to promote human rights and social justice, improve service access and delivery and evaluate policy outcomes. Students will engage in policy practice at the local, state, national and international levels. Prerequisites: Advanced standing admission to the MSW program or completion of Foundation Curriculum. | |
| Social Work 729 | 5 (crs.) |
| Advanced Field and Seminar I | |
| This course is part of the MSW capstone experience. Students apply their knowledge and skills in this advanced, concentration specific, field practicum. Students integrate and apply the material learned in the classroom and in the foundation internship/BSW Internship. Students are afforded the opportunity to demonstrate all nine practice competencies and behaviors in the Advanced field internship. The Field Seminar offers students the opportunity to address questions and challenges experienced in the social work agency field placement, and integrate practice, policy and research. Students will develop their capacity as leaders in the field and contribute to the welfare of the agency through integration of advanced practice methods. Prerequisites: Admissions to the MSW Program with Advanced Standing status or complete and pass SW 710. Special fees may apply. | |
| Social Work 731 | 2 (crs.) |
| Program Evaluation, Practice Outcomes and Evidence-based Practice | |
| This course prepares students to engage in practice-informed research and research informed practice. Students will critically evaluate practice interventions and determine if theory-based, best/evidence-based practices are being employed in the practice setting. Students will be equipped to suggest evidence-based service delivery improvements. This course will prepare students to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities and to apply quantitative research methodologies in mental health and health care practice settings. Prerequisite: Admission to the Advanced MSW curriculum. Special fees may apply. | |
| Social Work 732 | 3 (crs.) |
| Field Research Project | |
| Students work independently with the instructor to complete a social work research project related to their Advanced Concentration Field Internship or social service employment. The instructor provides technical assistance, advice, and problem-solving regarding research question development, IRB proposals, participant recruitment, data collection and management, data analysis and report development. Students obtain IRB approval, collect and analyze project data and write a final report. Prerequisites: Admission to the Advanced MSW Curriculum or instructor permission. This course was previously required and will now be an elective. | |
| Social Work 733 | 5 (crs.) |
| Advanced Field and Seminar II | |
| This course is a continuation of the SW 729 course and is part of the MSW capstone experience. Students continue to develop, broaden, and sharpen their knowledge and skills in their practice concentration. In the final semester of the MSW Field internship students integrate and apply the material learned in the classroom and in prior Field practicum experiences. Students are expected to demonstrate competence in all nine areas of practice in the Advanced Field internship. In the integrative seminar students will address issues in the social work field placement, and integrate practice, policy and research. Students will complete an agency-based program evaluation in this course and demonstrate their capacity as professional leaders. Prerequisite: Complete and pass SW 729. | |
| Social Work 735 | 3 (crs.) |
| Emerging Issues in Child Welfare | |
| Advanced standing elective course considering major new issues in child welfare practice, administration, funding and research. Prerequisites: Completion of foundation requirements or advanced standing. | |
| Social Work 736 | 3 (crs.) |
| Practice Competence in a Diverse Community | |
| Ethical and proficient social work practice requires that program graduates be able to understand how diversity and difference characterize and shape the human experience and are critical to the formation of identity. The dimensions of diversity are understood as the intersectionality of multiple factors including but not limited to age, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sex, sexual imitation, and tribal sovereign status. Taught from a decolonizing social work perspective, this course contributes to the development of such proficiency and preparation for advanced level social work practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW Program or completion of the MSW Foundation Curriculum. | |
| Social Work 737 | 3 (crs.) |
| Social Work & Crisis Intervention with Vulnerable Populations | |
| The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to…people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty (NASW Code of Ethics). This course contributes to the development of such proficiency for advanced level MSW students. The course teaches crisis intervention and emergency treatment approaches and then applies them to vulnerable populations of males and females in the United States. Prerequisites: Students must have a BSW degree, or have completed the MSW Foundation Curriculum. | |
| Social Work 741 | 2 (crs.) |
| Qualitative Research Methods | |
| This course introduces Advanced MSW students to qualitative methods for social work practice and research. The purpose of the course is twofold. The first purpose is to help students expand their understanding of qualitative methods and their implications for practice and research. The second is to help students understand the importance of context and the social justice implications of voice and story in social work research and practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the Advanced MSW curriculum and successful completion of Soc Work 731 or consent of instructor. | |
| Social Work 747 | 3 (crs.) |
| Mental Health | |
| This course examines the current mental health theories influencing social work direct practice. Prerequisites: Admission to a UWOSH graduate program, or special student status with MSW degree. | |
| Social Work 777 | 3 (crs.) |
| Legal Aspects of Social Work Practice | |
| This course provides students with the understanding of the field of forensic social work practice, which includes both criminal and civic issues. Students will learn to conduct forensic assessments, write court reports, act as expert and fact witnesses and facilitate guardianships. The course covers practice knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts, including: child welfare and juvenile justice, adult corrections, victim/witness services, health/long-term care, mental health, domestic abuse and disability services. Students will apply knowledge to ethical dilemmas encountered in the legal system and learn to advocate on behalf of clients. Completion of MSW Foundation Courses or Advance Standing. | |
| Social Work 795 | 3 (crs.) |
| Special Topics | |
| This course provides students opportunity to strengthen practice skills while working with clients or in agencies, focusing on mental health concerns, addictions or violence issues. Prerequisites: Completion of foundation requirements or advanced standing. | |
| Social Work 798 | 1 – 3 (crs.) |
| Independent Study | |
| Reading and research under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty. Independent Study credits may only be earned when this activity is included as part of an approved program plan. Prerequisites: Approved program plan and consent of instructor. | |