The purpose of the Master of Social Work Program is to prepare graduate-level social workers with mastery of the knowledge, values and skills essential for advanced social work practice in a multicultural society. The school accomplishes this purpose through its full- and part-time programs of study for the M.S.W. degree in its on- and off-campus locations. The objectives of the M.S.W. Program are to:

Provide a foundation curriculum of the knowledge, skills, ethics and values essential for work with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.
Provide a concentration curriculum preparing students for advanced practice in either clinical social work practice or social work administration, planning and policy practice in a range of settings.
Promote students’ adherence to and application of the profession’s values and ethical principles.
Promote students’ understanding of the implications of diversity by educating them to identify cultural strengths and counteract individual and institutional prejudice, oppression and discrimination.
Enable students to use research methods to analyze and critically evaluate professional practice, programs and service delivery systems.
Promote students’ understanding of advocacy and involvement in advocacy to effect social and economic justice.
Provide a learning environment that instills in students a commitment to continued learning and self-critical practice.

The foundation

The foundation curriculum comprises the first 30 credits of the M.S.W. program. The purpose of the foundation practice, in laying the groundwork for concentration study, is to develop the knowledge and skill base necessary to apply and carry out core competencies (relationship building, problem identification, assessment, selecting and planning interventions, implementation, and evaluation) with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. Foundation practice emphasizes critical thinking, client strengths, commitment to social work values and ethical principles, self-awareness, professional development, evidence-based decision making, multicultural competency, and social and economic justice. The foundation curriculum includes courses in social work practice, human behavior, social policy, social justice, research and field instruction.

Concentration options

After completion of the foundation year of study, M.S.W. students choose an advanced concentration in either clinical social work practice or social work administration, planning and policy practice. The concentration curriculum prepares graduates for active roles in practice and program evaluation and in the generation of knowledge for future practice, programs and policy.

Both concentration options are available in Richmond and the clinical concentration is available at the Northern Virginia off-campus site. Northern Virginia students can complete the SWAPP concentration by attending classes one to two days a week in Richmond with a field agency placement in the greater D.C. area.

Clinical social work practice concentration

Clinical social work practice involves a mutual problem-solving process in which multidimensional assessment, goal setting, planned intervention and evaluation are prominent components, all of which are informed by current scientific knowledge. All clinical practice is grounded in the values and purposes of the social work profession. The goal of clinical social work is to promote effective coping with life challenges and transitions. This is achieved by helping people solve problems, change dysfunctional behavior, resolve emotional and interpersonal conflicts, develop and use social networks and resources and maintain achieved capacities and strengths. This goal rests on the fundamental belief in the dignity of all human beings and in communal responsibility for all members of the multicultural society.

Clinical social work practice takes place in the context of a purposeful relationship. The conscious use of the professional self is central in building and maintaining such relationships. Interventions may involve therapeutic, supportive, educational and resource management activities. These interventions are based on a process of strengthening and reordering of organizational structures in the lives of clients: intrapersonal (including intrapsychic), interpersonal, institutional and/or social.

SWAPPP concentration

The Social Work Administration, Planning and Policy Practice concentration prepares graduates to become leaders skilled in analyzing, formulating, implementing and evaluating policies, plans and programs. The knowledge, values and skills that are taught emphasize current theory and research through classroom and field-based experiences. Practice takes place in the context of a complex, changing environment in which communities and governmental, legislative, nonprofit and for-profit organizations advocate for, plan, and deliver social services and advocate for social change. The major themes within the integrated curriculum are social and economic justice, diversity, leadership, and advocacy.

Field instruction

Field instruction courses are an integral part of the curriculum of the School of Social Work. Academic credit is awarded for field instruction hours completed in a community agency under professional supervision. In the first field placement, students are expected to demonstrate in practice the professional knowledge, values and skills studied in the total foundation curriculum.

In the concentration component of the curriculum, students are placed in agencies according to their chosen concentration (clinical social work practice or social work planning and administrative practice) and their career interests. Examples of such agencies are: public social services, community mental health centers, hospitals, substance abuse treatment programs, schools, family and children’s services, and correctional facilities.

Part-time students planning to take either foundation or concentration field instruction (two semester or block option) must request placement in writing one full semester prior to the semester or summer in which they plan to begin field instruction. Such requests are to be addressed to the director of field instruction. Only one placement (foundation or concentration) may be taken in a block and the block placement option is only for students in the structured part-time program. Exceptions are sometimes granted for students with special learning needs.

Field instruction placements are generally available throughout Virginia, Washington, D.C. and in some neighboring states. Students residing in a community outside of Richmond may request field placement in their home community. Granting of the request depends on availability of appropriate resources. Students are, however, placed in agencies for field instruction primarily on the basis of curriculum requirements. Therefore, a number of students usually are placed in agencies a distance from Richmond (or their residence). Access to a car is essential and arrangements for travel must be made by students at their own expense.

Students may propose to complete one of their two field placements in their social work agency of employment. The proposal form may be obtained from the Field Department Office and the plan must meet the school’s educational requirements. This option is not available to Advanced Standing Program students who complete only one field placement during their three semesters in the program.

Credit for work or life experience is not granted in lieu of field instruction course credits.

Structured part-time study for the Master of Social Work degree

The school offers a structured part-time program leading to the M.S.W. degree on the Richmond campus and at its off-campus site in Northern Virginia. Students applying for the structured part-time program must: meet the same criteria for admission as full-time students; be admitted to the university prior to enrolling in any courses in the structured part-time program; and begin the program in the fall semester only. Students in the structured part-time program also must complete six credits each fall and spring semester and are expected to complete all requirements for the degree within a four-year period, making full-time work very difficult. The structured part-time program cannot be completed entirely in night or weekend study, given field practicum requirements and the scheduling of some courses. With the exception of the field practicum, foundation courses required in the structured part-time program are available in the evening (4 and 7 p.m. classes). Students may take the concentration curriculum (last 30 credits) on a structured part-time or full-time basis at the Northern Virginia off-campus site or on campus in Richmond.

Curriculum exceptions

Students must complete all required course work for the M.S.W. degree; however, modifications to the structure of the curriculum may be requested by students with special learning needs. VCU has an Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. They work with students to determine academic adjustments that may be needed. They can be reached by calling (804) 828-2253 (VTDD). Students with disabilities also may call the director of student services in the School of Social Work, (804) 828-0703, to discuss their particular learning needs. The director of student services in the School of Social Work works with these students to determine potential curriculum options.

Academic status

A minimum GPA of 3.0 (“B”) on a 4.0 scale over the entire period of study, a minimum of 60 credits in the two-year and part-time options, or 39 credits in the Advanced Standing Program, demonstrated ability in social work practice and acceptable professional behavior are required for graduation with a Master of Social Work degree.

Students must achieve a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the required foundation courses, exclusive of field instruction practicum, in order to continue into concentration study.

A student whose cumulative GPA is less than 3.0 at any point in the program after completion of the first 12 credits will be dropped from the program.

A student who receives any grade of “D” or “F” will be dropped automatically from the program without regard to GPA.

A student who earns a grade of “C” or below in more than six credits, exclusive of field instruction, will be dropped automatically and immediately from the program without regard to GPA.

Field practicum performance is graded on a pass/fail basis. The student must receive a grade of pass to continue in the program. The student who receives a grade of fail in the field practicum is dropped automatically and immediately from the program without regard to GPA.

A student who is dropped from the Master of Social Work program may petition the dean of the School of Social Work in writing for readmission to the program after a minimum absence of two semesters; readmission is not guaranteed. A student may be readmitted only once.

M.S.W course requirements

All students complete the same course requirements for the foundation curriculum prior to entering concentration courses. Concentration study varies according to the student’s choice of method.

Two-year program

Foundation
	credits
First year, fall semester
SLWK 601 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I	3
SLWK 602 Policy, Community and Organizational Practice I	3
SLWK 603 Social Work and Social Justice	3
SLWK 604 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups I	3
SLWK 693 Foundation Field Instruction I	3
	______ 15

First year, spring semester
SLWK 605 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups II	3
SLWK 606 Policy, Community and Organizational Practice II	3
SLWK 609 Foundations of Research in Social Work Practice	3
SLWK 610 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II	3
SLWK 694 Foundation Field Instruction II	3
	______ 15

Clinical concentration

Second year, fall semester
SLWK 703 Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders	3
SLWK 704 Clinical Social Work Practice I	3
SLWK 706 Research for Clinical Social Work Practice I	3
SLWK 793 Concentration Field Instruction	3
Elective	3
	______ 15

Second year, spring semester
SLWK 705 Clinical Social Work Practice II	3
SLWK 707 Research for Clinical Social Work Practice II	3
SLWK 710 Concentration Social Policy	3
SLWK 794 Concentration Field Instruction	3
Elective	3
	______ 15

Administration, planning and policy practice concentration

Second year, fall semester
SLWK 712 Social Work Planning and Administrative Practice I	3
SLWK 714 Research for Social Work Administration, Planning and Policy Practice I	3
SLWK 716 Concentration Social Policy for Social Work Administration, Planning and Policy Practice	3
SLWK 793 Concentration Field Instruction	3
Elective	3
	______ 15

Second year, spring semester
SLWK 711 Strategies for Social Work Planning and Administrative Practice	3
SLWK 713 Social Work Planning and Administrative Practice II	3
SLWK 715 Research for Social Work Administration, Planning and Policy Practice II	3
SLWK 794 Concentration Field Instruction	3
Elective	3
	______ 15

For information on the required sequencing of part-time courses, see the Structured Part-time Program on the school’s Web site