Missouri State University

Graduate College

2013-14 Graduate Catalog

Preliminary Edition
published April 2013

School of Social Work

Pummill Hall, Room 301, Phone: (417) 836-6953, Fax: (417) 836-7688
Email: swk@missouristate.edu
Website: http://www.missouristate.edu/swk/
Director: Carol Langer

Graduate faculty

Professors:  Susan C. Dollar, Mary Ann Jennings, Joan C. McClennen

Associate Professor:  Darryl R. Haslam

Assistant Professors:  Michele Day, Malikah Marrus

Clinical Faculty:  Regina Russell, Lisa A. Street

Per-Course Instructors:  Richele L. Babbitt, Angela R. Conover, Natalie Curry, Jannette Eldred, John Getchell, Beverly A. Long, Tressa Moyle, Luther Smith, Mary C. Turner, Cynthia Weaver, Jeremey Wolfe

Emeritus Professor:  John T. Pardeck, Lola Butler

Programs

Master of Social Work

Program Administrators:

MSW Program Coordinator
Dr. Darryl R. Haslam
03G Pummill Hall
417-836-4259
DHaslam@missouristate.edu

MSW Coordinator, Joplin
to be named
724 Illinois
Joplin, MO  64801
417-629-39742
@missouristate.edu

Field Education Coordinators:

Springfield Campus
Lisa A. Street, 03E Pummill Hall
417-836-6126; LisaStreet@missouristate.edu

Joplin Campus
to be named; 724 Illinois, Joplin, MO 64801
417-629-3942; @missouristate.edu

Program Description

The MSW program (fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education) prepares students for advanced social work practice in an area of family health concentration.  The student acquires the professional foundation of social work knowledge, values, and skills directed toward an area of concentration, which is family health.  Goals of the MSW program include the following.

  1. Provide foundation curriculum built upon the liberal arts that emphasizes a generalist perspective in family health and practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
  2. Prepare graduates committed to appreciating and accepting diversity among various groups of people.
  3. Provide the social work profession with graduates who are able to skillfully respond to social problems, social change initiatives and differing service delivery systems that affect family health.
  4. Infuse and affirm the values, ethics purpose and goals of the social work profession throughout the educational curriculum.
  5. To prepare advanced social work practitioners who understand and accept the responsibility to become and remain proficient in professional practice through lifelong acquisition of knowledge and skills.

The School of Social Work is currently offered at two campuses;  one in Springfield and one in Joplin.  The Springfield site is located in Pummill Hall at the primary Missouri State University (MSU) campus and is where the main department office of the School of Social Work resides.  The Joplin site is located in Webster Hall on the Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) campus.  While students at the Joplin site attend classes on the MSSU campus, they are MSU students only.  Since it is considered a satellite program offered via Missouri State Outreach program, in-state tuition is available to Joplin students regardless of whether they live in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas or Oklahoma.

The School of Social Work offers the MSW program in two formats:  the Advanced Standing and the Regular programs.  Both the Advanced Standing and the Regular programs are offered in full-and part-time sequences.

The Advanced Standing program is designed for students who have a baccalaureate degree in social work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program and who meet the other Advanced Standing program admission requirements.  Those who have substantial work experience in the social work field and/or have completed course work in social work (even a minor) but have not graduated with a BSW, are not eligible for Advanced Standing.   The Advanced Standing program involves 34 credit hours and can be completed in full-time status (three semesters) or part-time status (five semesters). Full-time Advanced Standing students begin their studies during the Summer semester of the admission year, while part-time Advanced Standing students may start in either the Summer or Fall terms.

The Regular MSW program is designed for students who do not have a baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by the CSWE, or who do not meet the other admission requirements for the advanced standing program.  The Regular program requires 62 credit hours to earn the MSW degree.  The student can complete the program in full-time status (two calendar years) or part-time status (four calendar years or in mixed status (three calendar years).  Students accepted for admission into the regular MSW program begin their studies in the Fall semester of  the admission year.

The School of Social Work offers Full-time and Part-time Advanced Standing and part-time Regular Programs on both the Springfield and the Joplin campuses.  The full-time Regular program is only offered on the Springfield campus at this time.

Master of Social Work Admission Objectives

Admission to the Master of Social Work program is competitive.  All applicants applying on time meeting the minimum standards will be considered for admission.  However, merely meeting these standards does not guarantee admission.  Only those students showing significant promise for a career in social work will be admitted to the program.   The MSW program is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all students regardless of their economic or social status, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, political orientation, disability, age, veterans’ status, or marital or parental status.

The MSW program has two levels of admission.

  1. Full Admission: Full admission to the School of Social Work MSW program may be granted to a person who meets all criteria and has completed all admission activities.
  2. Conditional Admission:The MSW program may admit students conditionally for one of two possible reasons:  a) on the condition that they complete some activity in the application process prior to beginning their MSW studies (i.e., a prerequisite for an applicant whose other qualifications are considered outstanding), or b) to qualify themselves during the initial phase of coursework (i.e., academic probation).  Upon successful completion of this activity or criteria set for conditional admission, the student is considered fully admitted to the program.  In this first reason, successful completion of these activities must be accomplished before taking MSW classes (or the offer for admission will be withdrawn).

Conditional admission is only offered in an exceptional set of cases and typically is not offered when more qualified applicants are available who meet the criteria for full admission. Therefore, there is no guarantee that conditional admission may be offered to any student during a particular admission year.

A semester is defined as the summer, fall, or spring in which the student is taking six or more credit hours.  All credits accumulated by the end of the semester will be used to determine the student’s ability to continue the program.

Proficiency Examinations and Life Experience

The MSW program does not currently allow completion of degree requirements through proficiency examinations except to use CLEP.  No credit will be given for life or work experience in lieu of field practicum, foundation courses, elective or family health concentration courses.

Transfer Students

The MSW program accepts transfer credits for required courses only from accredited graduate schools of social work.  A maximum of 12 graduate hours from such programs may be accepted if taken at the Foundation level.  No transfer course work will be accepted for classes taken at the Concentration level.  After a prospective student has been accepted for admission, the Graduate Admissions Committee will determine the amount of acceptable transfer credit (up to the maximum credit allowed) following a review of official transcripts, catalog descriptions, and course syllabi.  Primary emphasis is on assessing whether the objectives and content of transfer courses matches those of required Missouri State University courses.  Every effort will be made to ensure that students will not repeat content covered in courses completed in other social work programs.  Transfer work will not be accepted for courses in which the student earned less than a "B" or that was taken more than 7 years prior to enrolling in the MSW program.

Social Work Policies and Procedures for Review of Academic Performance and Grievances

All social work graduate students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner consistent with the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.  All policies concerning student academic performance and personal conduct are delineated by University Policies.  All related or other departmental policies and procedures are published on the School of Social Work web site: http://www.missouristate.edu/swk/.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for full consideration is February 20 (or the next business day if on a weekend) for the year of desired admission for both Advanced Standing and Regular MSW applicants.

Applications must have all application materials turned into and/or received by the School of Social Work and the Graduate College by the application deadline for full consideration.  Since the Graduate College materials may take processing time, applicants should complete these requirements at least two weeks before the deadline.

Any application materials submitted after the deadline are not guaranteed a review by the admission committee.  While some may be reviewed on a space-available, selective basis, all late applications will receive a lower priority of review or may not be reviewed at all, even if the applicant meets all program admission requirements.

The review of applications typically begins in mid to late January of the year of admission and early applications are often reviewed and ranked shortly after being submitted.  However, final notifications of results are not conducted until the primary group of admissions is determined.  Applicants may apply to the MSW program either on-line or by printed out, mailed in application forms found on the MSW website under Admission (listed below).  Paper applications may be submitted by mailing them to:  School of Social Work; MSW Admission Committee, 901 S National Ave, Springfield, MO 65897.

Important Note:  Applicants should visit the MSW website (www.missouristate.edu/swk for the latest information and updates related to admissions and to access the online application system.

Admissions to the Regular MSW program involves the “whole person” concept.  As such, the admission process takes into account a person’s character and personal fitness to the social work profession, academic preparedness for graduate study and potential to conduct applied social work as evidence by previous employment or significant volunteer experience in human services, the student’s statement of purpose, letters of reference, and other information relevant to the admission decision.

Admission Requirements for the Regular MSW Program

Applicants to the Regular MSW program must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission to the full-time or part-time MSW program:

  1. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by a regional agency recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.
  2. Applicants must have earned an overall GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for all undergraduate course work taken.  The GPA for upper-division course work (last 60 hours) in undergraduate classes may be used if higher than the overall GPA and if this GPA is calculated by the Graduate College or a referring college office.

 Notes with regard to the GPA:

  1. Those with less than a 3.00 who have exceptional qualifications toward becoming a professional social worker are welcome to apply, but are not guaranteed an admission review (based on the number of applications which meet the minimum standards).
  2. Graduate students who have completed at least 9 hours of graduate coursework from a particular program of study related to social work may request this GPA to be used in addition to the above.

Prerequisites:  Applicants must show evidence of a bachelors degree that encompasses a liberal arts perspective with at least 9 credits of social science, child, family or aging studies preferred.  A liberal arts perspective is considered a program of study that involves classes from many of all of the following areas:  economics, history or geography; natural, applied or life science; humanities, philosophy or literature; writing or other communication studies; mathematics or statistics; and social or human sciences.  No more than one grade of “C” or below will be allowed in liberal arts course work.

Applicants must also have taken at least 3 credits in research design and/or statistics, preferably in the social sciences, as evidenced in the departmental application and student transcript.

Admission Requirements for the Advanced Standing Program

Advanced Standing program applicants must meet the admission requirement listed under #2 for the Regular MSW program and also meet the following requirements:

  1. Have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from an undergraduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education no longer than seven years prior to admission to the MSW program.
  2. Have no more than one grade of “C” and no grades below C in social work major courses.
Application Materials and Requirements

All MSW program applicants must complete the required application materials and procedures below.  Note that certain items must be turned into the School of Social Work (SSW) office, while others must be submitted directly to the Graduate College office.

Items or Procedures for Graduate College office:

  1. Submit official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
  2. Submit all prior college transcripts and course work.
  3. Complete a Graduate College Application.
  4. Pay the required application fee.

Items or Procedures for SSW department office:

  1. Complete a department application for the MSW program.
  2. Submit a written personal statement essay that conforms to the requirements set forth in the MSW program website.
  3. Submit three letters of reference that indicate the applicant’s potential to be successful in graduate study and to become an independent, professional social worker.
  4. Any other forms or items listed on the website.
  5. A campus visit or personal interview on the applicant’s own expense on the Springfield campus required prior to admission.
Academic Standards

Students are expected to meet graduate school requirements for good academic standing of a 3.0 GPA for all graduate course work transferred in or earned at Missouri State University.  Students will be dismissed from the program for any of the following academic reasons:

  1. Two grades of “C” in any social work courses
  2. A grade of “no pass” or “C” in any field practicum (i.e., SWK 640 and SWK 780).
  3. A grade below “C” in any social work course
Research Requirement

A masters research project is required primarily conducted within the requirements of the two research classes in the MSW curriculum.  A poster presentation displaying this research is also required.

Comprehensive Examination

A comprehensive examination, typically administered in the final semester of the MSW program, must be passed by the candidate before a degree will be granted.

Degree Requirements for Regular Standing MSW Program

The Regular MSW program requires a minimum of 62 hours of graduate credit plus any prerequisite courses.  The required courses by curriculum level are listed as follows for both full-time and part-time options.  The first phase in the program is the Foundation Level and involves courses taken in the first year (if full-time status) or first and second years (if part-time).  These courses must be completed before enrolling in the second level of classes.  The second phase of course work is the Concentration Level and involves courses taken in the second year (if full-time status) or third and fourth year (if part-time).  Typical class schedules by semester and year are found on the School of Social Work website for both full-time and part-time students:  http://www.missouristate.edu/swk/

Required Courses for Regular Standing MSW Program:

Foundation Level Courses:

Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
SWK 705 Human Behavior in the Social Environment 3 hrs
SWK 710 Foundations in Social Work Practice with Individuals 3 hrs
SWK 715 Social Welfare Policy and Services 3 hrs
SWK 725 Foundations in Social Work Practice with Families and Groups 3 hrs
SWK 726 Foundations in Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations 3 hrs
SWK 730 Perspectives in Human Diversity and Societal Systems 3 hrs
SWK 740 Social Work Field Practicum I (450 hours) 10 hrs
  Level Total 28 hrs

Concentration Level Courses:

Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
SWK 746 Foundations in Social Work Research 3 hrs
SWK 750 Human Behavior and Family Systems 3 hrs
SWK 754 Perspectives on Individual and Family Health Assessment 3 hrs
SWK 755 Family Health Social Work Practice I 3 hrs
SWK 756 Family Health Social Work Practice II 3 hrs
SWK 760 Family Health Policy 3 hrs
SWK 780 Social Work Field Practicum II (525 hours) 10 hrs
SWK 797 Applications in Social Work Research 3 hrs
  Social Work Elective 3 hrs
  Level Total 34 hrs
  Degree Total 62 hrs

Current Elective Courses in the MSW Program:

Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
SWK 602 Rural Health (online) 3 hrs
SWK 696 Health Literacy in the Human Services (online) 3 hrs
SWK 699 Special Topics in Social Work Practice 3 hrs
SWK 741 Family Health and Family Violence 3 hrs
SWK 742 Family Health and Substance Abuse 3 hrs
SWK 743 Management and Program Development In Human Services (online) 3 hrs
Required Courses for Advanced Standing Program

The Advanced Standing MSW degree requires a minimum of 34 semester hours of graduate credit and involves the classes described above as the Concentration Level of course work.

Concentration Level Courses:

Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
SWK 746 Foundations in Social Work Research 3 hrs
SWK 750 Human Behavior and Family Systems 3 hrs
SWK 754 Perspectives on Individual and Family Health Assessment 3 hrs
SWK 755 Family Health Social Work Practice I 3 hrs
SWK 756 Family Health Social Work Practice II 3 hrs
SWK 760 Family Health Policy 3 hrs
SWK 780 Social Work Field Practicum II (525 hours) 10 hrs
SWK 797 Applications in Social Work Research 3 hrs
  Social Work Elective 3 hrs
  Degree Total 34 hrs

Social Work Courses

SWK 602 Rural Health

This course offers a study of health care delivery in rural communities. It includes theoretical foundations, cultural considerations and specific characteristics of rural environments and people. Local and international perspectives will be explored. This course has a community experience component. Identical with NUR 502. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 502 and NUR 502. May be taught concurrently with SWK 502. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 502 and SWK 602.

SWK 696 Health Literacy in the Human Services

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. This online course offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding functional health literacy and how the public's literacy skills affect interactions with health and human services professionals. Includes an examination of the data for national and international literacy levels and populations at risk for low literacy; research on health literacy; assessment tools; and practical techniques for addressing literacy issues in spoken and written communications at the practitioner and organizational levels. May be taught concurrently with SWK 696. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 696 and SWK 599.

SWK 698 Ethical Dimensions of Social Work

Examines the ethical dimensions of social work in the context of ethical issues related to practice; including tensions intrinsic to the mission of social work, and examination of various philosophical frameworks and codes of ethics, analysis of larger systems that create and sanction specific values and ethics, legal issues, and decision-making strategies. May be taught concurrently with SWK 598. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 598 and SWK 698.

SWK 699 Special Topics

Selected topic of advanced content in social work, relevant to fields of practice or practice methodologies. May be repeated to a total of 6 hours as topics change. May be taught concurrently with SWK 597. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 597 and SWK 699.

SWK 705 Human Behavior and Social Environment

Prerequisite: admission to MSW program. Content on life span development and the influence of various systems on the individual.

SWK 710 Foundations in Social Work Practice with Individuals

Prerequisite: admission to MSW program. Within a generalist framework, course provides an ethically-based, theory-driven, culturally competent approach to delivering professional social work services to individuals with varied issues and practice settings.

SWK 715 Social Welfare Policy and Services

Prerequisite: admission to MSW program or permission. Covers the historical development, philosophical orientation, and analysis of social welfare policy and services in the United States. Examines social welfare policy in multiple areas.

SWK 725 Foundations in Social Work Practice with Families and Groups

Prerequisite: admission to MSW program. Within a generalist framework, this course focuses on basic skills and concepts related to social work practice with groups and families. Topics include the basic skills required to facilitate group process and tasks, contrast between non-kin groups and family sessions, and strategies for working with families.

SWK 726 Foundations in Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations

Prerequisite: admission to MSW program. Uses social work methods to focus on the dynamics associated with organizational and community generalist practice. This course provides a knowledge base (i.e., theory, research, and practice wisdom), values, and practice skills for the generalist social work profession. Concentration will be on social work practice occurring with organizations and communities.

SWK 730 Perspectives in Human Diversity and Societal Systems

Theoretical perspectives and research findings on various populations at risk and the role of societal institutions in perpetuating social and economic injustice.

SWK 740 Social Work Field Practicum I

Prerequisite: admission to MSW program; and completion of, or concurrent enrollment with, all other foundation courses. Supervised social work experience in a social agency in the community with accompanying field instructional seminar. Seminar enhances student's integration of coursework learning practice and skills; examines student experiences in field agency. Students must complete 450 hours in placement; practicum liability insurance fee required. Supplemental course fee.

SWK 741 Family Health and Family Violence

Enhances students' understanding of the theories, policies, practices, and interventions related to family violence.

SWK 742 Family Health and Substance Abuse

This course provides an opportunity for the students to understand the problems of alcohol and drug use and dependence, and their impact on family health.

SWK 743 Management and Program Development in Human Service

Develop knowledge and skills for effective supervisors and administrators in human service organizations. Students will also learn grant proposal writing and develop an understanding of their management style and philosophy.

SWK 746 Foundations in Social Work Research

Prerequisite: admission to MSW program; and Advanced Standing or completion of all foundation coursework; or permission of department. Teaches foundational knowledge and skills in key social work research methods; reviews research concepts and tools most frequently encountered by the family-focused social work practitioner.

SWK 750 Human Behavior and Family Systems

Prerequisite: admission to MSW program; and Advanced Standing or completion of all foundation coursework. Examines the family within an ecosystemic context and provides key perspectives related to family development and how individual family member development affects and is affected by the family system. Also provides key foundations in Family Health Social Work Practice.

SWK 754 Perspectives on Individual and Family Health Assessment

Prerequisite: SWK 750; and admission to MSW program. Advanced topics related to individual and family-based assessment systems and tools. Provides basic awareness of when to use various individually-focused assessment (e.g., DSM-IV) and family focused assessment (e.g., FAD).

SWK 755 Family Health Social Work Practice I

Prerequisite: SWK 750; and admission to MSW program. Key theories and skills related to advanced social work practice with couples and families. Incorporates role-plays and/or class exercises to practice key family interaction skills.

SWK 756 Family Health Social Work Practice II

Prerequisite: SWK 754 and SWK 755; and admission to MSW program. Advanced assessment and family-centered practice interventions related to the family health perspective. Discusses problem identification and intervention for family-focused practice issues; also advanced practice theory integration and application.

SWK 760 Family Health Policy

Prerequisite: SWK 750; and admission to MSW program. Assists students in understanding how policies affecting family health are designed. Provides an analysis of the family health care delivery systems in the United States and other countries.

SWK 780 Social Work Field Practicum II

Prerequisite: admission to MSW program; and field coordinator approval; and completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, all other concentration courses. Supervised social work experience in a social service agency in the community with accompanying field instructional seminar. Seminar enhances student's integration of coursework learning and practice skills; examines student experiences in field agency. Students must complete 525 hours in placement; practicum liability insurance fee required. Supplemental course fee.

SWK 797 Applications in Social Work Research

Prerequisite: SWK 746; and admission to MSW program. Teaches advanced knowledge and skills in key social work research methods; reviews key research applications in social work practice settings, including evaluation of practice and program evaluation. Integration between research projects and student's professional interests in the field are encouraged.