School of Social Work

The School of Social Work can be characterized as an “old new” School. Its roots grew out of George Williams College, established over 100 years ago to prepare YMCA leaders, and other leaders in human service that were in the “group work” movement. The School claims the “group work” philosophy today, which focuses on building on peoples strengths, holistic development, and building community through group affiliations and linkages. The “old” philosophy is also reclaimed in the best social work practice for the future. The program prepares graduates to work with specific vulnerable populations and specific social problems confronted in social work practice, but also to work on a new vision of service delivery that is asset-driven, community-based, and integrative.

The social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education at both the BSW and MSW levels. Up to 30 semester hours of credit for Advanced Standing for those who have graduated from an accredited BSW program. There are about 300 students in the MSW program and about 70 students in the BSW program. In the MSW program, both a part-time program (day or evening) and a full-time (day) program are offered.

The city of Aurora is the perfect environment for experiential learning with its highly diverse population; urban, suburban and rural influence; rapid social change, and the challenges of resulting social problems. The University and the School of Social Work have several strong partnerships with the Aurora and Chicago area communities to work toward these ends. We have professionally guided internship experiences that put students who are interested, on the front lines of creative community initiatives. The George Williams College campus on beautiful Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, provides unique learning community experiences, including a four day orientation retreat.

Our motto, “Act Out....Dare to Care” suggests that the School of Social Work prepares students to be social workers who are thoughtful, ethical, and courageous in their caring about people; they are also preparing to ACT as professional practitioners, and learning and action will forever be tied.

Accreditation and Certification

CSWE Accreditation
The Master of Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Council on Social Work Education sets guidelines and policies which all accredited BSW and MSW programs must follow in order to attain their status as an accredited school. In the MSW Policy Handbook can be found the Council’s Curriculum Policy Statement which the MSW program follows. CSWE re-evaluates and re-accredits BSW and MSW programs on a regular basis. Aurora University was re-accredited in 2000.

School Social Work Certification
Type 73 Certification in School Social Work is authorized by the Illinois State Board of Education for students who complete the requirements of the School Social Work concentration. Additionally, the Program offers Type 73 Certification by the Illinois Board of Higher Education for School Social Work personnel to social workers who have earned the MSW degree from a CSWE accredited program.

School of Social Work

School History
The Master of Social Work program was founded in 1966 at George Williams College, which had a long history of group work and leadership training for the YMCA. The MSW program emerged from a program in group work administration to prepare people for human service in voluntary agencies such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, and settlement houses, which can be traced back to 1890.

The School of Social Work prepares students for professional social work practice that is responsive to the diverse needs of the community in which they will practice. Students are educated to skillfully apply current knowledge and humanitarian values toward the promotion of mutual well being and the solution of human problems within a holistic context.

School Mission
The mission of the School of Social Work of George Williams College of Health and Human Services of Aurora University is to promote the development of resilient communities, organizations, social groups, families, and individuals through professional education of ethical, committed social work practitioners. We seek to improve human service delivery to diverse and vulnerable populations by emphasizing prevention, service integration, interdisciplinary cooperation and community-based programs that are focused on family and group affiliation, serving particularly the diverse regional populations of northern Illinois. The Master of Social Work program aims to provide quality educational preparation for entry into advanced social work practice in the Group-centered Perspective.

Core Values for the School of Social Work
As a social work program, we affirm these underlying social group work principles and their relevance today in empowering people to enhance their lives, communities, social service systems, and society:

• A belief in the inherent strengths and coping resilience of people, realized in improved social support networks;
  A focus on the positive and wholistic development of people through natural communities, groups, and families, thereby supporting prevention and contributing to the development of collaborative social service systems;
• A belief in the capacity of people to empower themselves through mutual aid and to advocate for social change when encountering obstacles to individual and collective well being;
• A belief in the social work role to facilitate group and network affiliation, particularly for isolated, vulnerable populations;
• Use of an experiential learning model and value of developing in a learning community.

Master of Social Work

The primary objective of the MSW Program in the School of Social Work is to prepare students for advanced social work practice. The student acquires the professional foundation of social work knowledge, values, and skills in a generalist practice social work model.

The foundation year (three consecutive trimesters, fall-winter-spring) provides instruction in human behavior in the social environment; social welfare and policy; social work practice; diverse populations; and social work research. Field instruction during the foundation year consists of 15 clock hours per week during each term for a total of 450 clock hours for the academic year.

The second year consists of a concentration in the Group-centered Perspective with advanced-level courses in social work theory and practice; human behavior in the social environment; and social work research. Field instruction during the concentration year consists of 20 clock hours per week during each term for a total of 600 clock hours for the academic year.

MSW Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MSW program will need:

1. Liberal arts background;
2. Grade point average of 3.0 overall (on a 4.0 scale);
3. A “Statement of Purpose”;
4. Three (3) letters of recommendation;
5. Personal characteristics indicative of the capacity for professional practice as evidenced by:
   1. personal maturity;
   2. a high level of personal integrity, readiness to identify with the values and ethical principles of the social work profession;
   3. commitment to social justice and to improvement of the condition of vulnerable and oppressed groups.
6. Volunteer or work experience which demonstrates knowledge and interest in the field of social work, supported by at least one letter of recommendation which addresses the qualities of genuine concern for people, readiness to be of service to others, and potential for direct service skills.

Admission Interviews
After submission of the MSW Admission material, applicants are contacted by letter and informed that their materials have been received. Potential candidates may be notified by letter to contact the MSW Admission Coordinator to set up an admission interview. During the interview the applicant’s admission materials are reviewed and questions regarding the MSW program are answered. Potential candidates are notified by letter of the admission decision.

Admission Review Process
The School of Social Work strives to recruit a diverse group of students who have had relevant and significant work and life experiences, and who can relate to diverse and vulnerable populations. The MSW Admission Committee will consider factors relating to the applicant’s work, service, and extracurricular experience, especially as they relate to promotion and development of resilient communities, organizations, social groups, families and individuals. In reviewing applications, the Admission Committee evaluates all transcripts, the “Statement of Purpose”, and letters of recommendation.

Application Considerations
Potential applicants for the MSW program should note that a criminal background may render them ineligible for a field internship which is a requirement to complete the MSW program. The applicant may also be ineligible for licensure after graduation. Any questions regarding this may be directed to the MSW Admission Coordinator, 630-844-5419.

Provisional Admission
A student seeking regular admission whose official transcripts or other required documents have not arrived by the established deadline due to circumstances beyond the applicant’s control and who otherwise meets all requirements for admission to the program may be admitted provisionally for one term. A provisional student whose admission status is not complete by the first day of the next term (excluding summer) will be administratively dropped from classes.

Conditional Acceptance
On occasion, an applicant may be accepted into the program conditionally. Conditional acceptance requires that an applicant meet certain conditions either prior to beginning the MSW program or concurrent with enrollment in the MSW program. Applicants being accepted conditionally are notified in writing of the necessary conditions which must be addressed prior to full acceptance being granted. Full acceptance is required if students are to be permitted to continue in the MSW program beyond the initial Fall Term.

Advanced Standing Students
Students who have earned a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited institution and who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship (at least a “B” grade) in social work courses and excellence in the field may apply for Advanced Standing for up to one-half of the semester hours (30 semester hours) required for the MSW Program at Aurora University. Advanced standing students are required to complete a “Bridge Course” offered through the School of Social Work in the summer prior to fall enrollment. Special admission procedures and standards apply to advanced standing applicants (For additional information on Advanced Standing, please refer to the MSW Policy Handbook).

MSW Program Options
The School of Social Work offers two graduate program options leading to the Master of Social Work degree: two-year full-time or three-year part-time. The two-year full-time program option is structured to be completed through enrollment in day courses. There are two options with the three-year part-time program: classes two evenings per week (part-time evening program); or classes one day per week (part-time day program). Advanced standing students may complete the program full or part-time in day courses. Students must make a choice of which structured plan they will pursue at the time of admission.

Classes are normally held on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday of each term. Weekend opportunities (Saturday) for selected elective courses are also available.

Program Prerequisites

The MSW Program requires that the following prerequisites be met:

Writing Evaluation
All students prior to beginning fall term, first year are required to complete a writing evaluation. This evaluation is to determine if any remedial work is needed to bring a student’s writing skills up to graduate level expectations. If a student is in need of remediation, a learning plan will be developed.

SWK 609: Orientation Practicum
All graduate students beginning the MSW program are required to attend an opening Orientation Practicum of several days (generally Thursday through Sunday) before the regular Fall Term begins (usually held in late August). There is an additional fee assessed to cover room, board, and materials.

Statistics
All graduate students are required to complete a statistics course prior to enrollment in SWK 628: Research II. A non-credit statistics course approved by the School of Social Work may be taken to meet the statistics requirement.

Students who meet the following criteria may apply for a course waiver:

1. Completion of statistics course within 5 years of date of application to the MSW program;
2. Grade of “B” or better was received;
3. Computer experience with data analysis software (strongly recommended).

Students who meet the above criteria with the exception of “C”-having computer experience, are still strongly encouraged to enroll in a statistics course in which they will receive computer experience (a workshop course is offered at Aurora University). Students will find the Research sequence extremely difficult if they are not familiar with SPSS or another data analysis software program.

Internships (Field Instruction)
Field instruction provides students with an opportunity to practice and integrate social work theory in the field under the guidance and instruction of an experienced social work field instructor. Students may select a field placement from affiliated agencies in consultation with the Coordinator of Field at the School of Social Work.

First year, full-time students are required to complete a minimum of 15 clock hours of field instruction per week during Fall, Winter, and Spring terms for a total of 450 clock hours for the academic year. Second year, full-time students are required to complete a minimum of 20 clock hours of field instruction per week during Fall, Winter, and Spring terms for a total of 600 clock hours for the academic year.

Part-time students begin their field placement in the second year and are required to complete a minimum of 15 clock hours of field instruction per week during each regular term for a total of 450 clock hours for the academic year. Part-time, third year students, complete 600 clock hours of field instruction for the academic year.

Course Schedule Time Blocks
The School of Social Work schedules classes to meet on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. Classes are offered both day and evening.

Post-Master Type 73 Program Requirements

1. The applicant must have earned a Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE approved program.
2. Contact the Office of Admissions for a Post-Master Type 73 Program application package. Complete the application, request two letters of recommendation, and arrange to have your official transcript showing your MSW sent to the Office of Admission. When all components of the application package are received by the Admission Office it is then forwarded to the Program Coordinator. All applicants must show proof that they have passed the Illinois State Board of Education “Basic Skills” Exam. Information about this exam can be found at www.icts.nesinc.com.
3. Applicants are then requested to call and arrange for a pre-acceptance interview with the Program Coordinator.
4. A letter will be mailed within ten business days of the pre-acceptance interview confirming or denying admittance to the program.
5. Once admitted, the Coordinator and applicant will complete a Program Completion Plan. The applicant should then register for course work as a part-time student.
6. Academic requirements include successful completion of the following courses:
   • SWK-643 School Social Work Certification Course (offered Fall term only) 3 semester hours
   • EDU-561 Survey of the Exceptional Individual (offered each term) 3 semester hours
   • SWK-667 Post MSW Advanced Field Instruction (offered each term) (minimum of 250 hours in the field) 2 semester hours
7. We believe that the student should play a vital role in determining their field placement. As is the case with our regular MSW students, we maintain a file with the names, addresses, phone numbers and contact persons of schools which have participated as internship sites, from which students can choose. Placements need to be arranged before you can register for SWK-643. Students should begin to make arrangements for internships around January.
8. The student must maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA for the entire course sequence.
9. The program must be completed within 6 consecutive trimesters from the first term after being officially accepted into the certificate program. Any modification in the Program Completion Plan must have prior approval of the Program Coordinator.
10. Post MSW students are not required but are encouraged to enroll in elective course offerings related to school social work practice as a means of rounding out their training experience.
11. As of July 1, 1988 the State of Illinois requires that anyone seeking professional certification to function as a school social worker in public schools must pass two proficiency examinations: the Basic Skills Exam and the School Social Work Exam. The Basic Skills must be passed before entering the program. The School Social Work Exam must be passed before applying for your Type 73 certificate.
    
    Information regarding the exams can be found by calling National Evaluation Systems, Inc. at 800-239-8107, or at www.icts.nesinc.com.

Policy and Procedures for School Social Work
Beginning December 31, 2001, all graduate social work students interested in taking course work toward the Type 73 Certification must be in good standing with the School of Social Work and will be required to complete the following procedures:

1. Apply to take the ISBE Basic Skills examination;
2. Take and pass the Basic Skills Exam by August 1st of the academic year preceding the second year field placement;
3. Complete a course that meets HB150 guidelines, such as Exceptional Child (EDU 561) prior to the second year field placement;
4. Secure a field placement in the public school setting by actively seeking an internship. Since internships in the school setting are very competitive, it is recommended that students begin to look before the end of January of the academic year preceding the second year field placement;
5. Complete and return the ISBE 73-74 and ISBE 73-42 by June of the academic year preceding the second year field placement.

Students who complete these procedures and are accepted into the School Social Work sequence, follow the MSW program structure outlined in this book. Students will need to enroll in the “school sequence” sections of SWK 676, 677, 678. Students pursuing the school social work sequence will graduate with 61 semester hours.

Program Academic Policies

Student Evaluation
Professional social work education requires high standards of academic, personal, and professional conduct. The educational program at both the undergraduate (BSW) and graduate levels (MSW) requires the development of ethics and values as well as knowledge and skills.

In accordance with Aurora University regulations, the School of Social Work reserves the right to maintain academic standards for admission and retention in the social work program at both the BSW and MSW levels, above and beyond compliance with the general academic standards of the University.

Also recognizing that there are professional competencies and conduct not measurable by academic achievement alone, the School of Social Work reserves the right to make decisions regarding admission and retention based on high standards of personal and professional conduct. Because social work education involves a significant amount of internship experience and preparation for helping vulnerable populations, student evaluation will honor not only the rights of students, but also the rights and well being of clients and others to whom students relate in a professional role.

Five Year Limit
Students must complete the program on or before a date five years from the date of matriculation or petition for an extension to a committee of social work faculty. A statute of limitations of five years applies for re-application to the MSW program or transfer of credit.

Credit for Life Experience
In accordance with the standards of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), credit may not be given for life experiences.

NOTE: Please refer to the MSW Policy Handbook for complete policies and procedures of the School of Social Work and Aurora University.

MSW Program Requirements

1. Prerequisites
   • ECN/SBS 232 General Statistics or transfer equivalent (or concurrent with program)
   • SWK 609 Orientation Practicum (prior to enrollment)
2. Foundation Curriculum (30 SH)
   1. Social Welfare (3.0 SH)
   • SWK 614 Social Welfare Policy & Institutions
   2. Human Behavior & Social Environment (6.0 SH)
      • SWK 615 HBSE I:Ecological Perspective
      • SWK 616 HBSE II: Theories of Human Development
   3. Social Work Practice Theory & Methods (11.0 SH)
      • SWK 637 Social Work Practice I: Generalist Principles (3 sh)
      • SWK 638 Social Work Practice II: Individuals & Families (3 sh)
      • SWK 653 Social Work Practice III: Families & Communities (3 sh)
      • SWK 639 Cross-Cultural SW Practice (2 sh)
   4. Research (2.0 SH)
   • SWK 625 Research I: SW Research Methods
   5. Electives (2.0 SH)
   • 2 semester hours; must be 500-level or above
   6. Field Instruction (6.0 SH)
   • SWK 673 Field Instruction I & Integrative Seminar
   • SWK 674 Field Instruction II & Integrative Seminar
   • SWK 675 Field Instruction III & Integrative Seminar
3. Concentration Curriculum (30 SH)
   1. Human Behavior & Social Environment (6.0 SH)
      • SWK 650 HBSE III: Social Work Perspectives on Psychopathology
      • SWK 654 HBSE IV: Group-centered Perspective: Theory & Integration
   2. Social Work Theory & Practice (6.0 SH)
      • SWK 651 Advanced SW Practice I: Micro
      • SWK 652 Advanced SW Practice II: Macro
   3. Research (5.0 SH)
      • SWK 628 Research II: Project-Design (2 sh)
      • SWK 629 Research III: Project-Data Collection & Analysis (2 sh)
      • SWK 619 Research IV: Project-Presentation of Findings (1 sh)
   4. Electives (4.0 SH)
   • 4 semester hours; must be 500-level or above
   5. Advanced Field Instruction (9.0 SH)
      • SWK 676 Field Instruction IV & Integrative Seminar
      • SWK 677 Field Instruction V & Integrative Seminar
      • SWK 678 Field Instruction VI & Integrative Seminar

* School Social Work sequence enroll in specific sections of SWK 676, 677, 678.

Total: 60 Semester Hours Required to Graduate

School of Social Work

Full-Time Faculty

• Sandra Alcorn, Ph.D.
• Chris Ahlman, Ph.D.
• Ann Bergart, Ph.D.
• Donette C. Considine, MSW
• Marge Epstein, Ph.D.
• Zareena Kheshgi-Genovese, DSW
• Maryann Krieglstein, Ph.D.
• Darlene Lynch, Ph.D.
• Fred McKenzie, Ph.D.
• Munira Merchant, Ph.D.
• John Morrison, DSW
• Don Phelps, Ph.D.
• Marianne Piet, DSW
• Gloria Rosenbaum, DSW
• Susan Ross, Ed.D.
• John Webster, Ph.D.
• Micheal Weuste, MSW
• Janet Yanos, Ph.D.

Adjunct Faculty

• Jean Fritz, MSW
• Denise Hayworth, MSW
• Daniel Klein, Ph.D.