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Graduate Catalog 2004-2006: Programs

School of Social Work

The School of Social Work has its' roots in George Williams College which was established over 100 years ago to prepare YMCA leaders and other leaders in human service who were a part of the "group work" movement. The School claims the "group work" philosophy today which focuses building on the strengths of people, holistic development, and building community through group affiliations and linkages. This philosophy was reclaimed as the best social work practice for the future. The program prepares graduates to work with vulnerable populations and 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 (CSWE) at both the BSW and MSW levels. Up to 30 semester hours of credit can be granted toward advanced standing in the MSW program for those students who have graduated from a CSWE accredited BSW program. There are about 300 students in the MSW program. Both a part-time and a full-time 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. The school offers professionally guided internship experiences that put students who are interested, on the front lines of creative community initiatives. The George Williams Campus on beautiful Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, provides unique learning community experiences, including a three-day orientation retreat for those beginning their MSW program of study.

In 2004, a part-time as well as an advanced standing MSW degree program began at the George Williams Campus of Aurora University in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The School of Social Work prepares students to be social workers who are thoughtful, ethical, and courageous in their caring about people.

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.

Core Values for the School of Social Work

As a social work program, we affirm these underlying social work principles and believe in 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 holistic 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 the value of developing in a learning community.
  Accreditation and Certification

Council on Social Work Education Accreditation

The Master of Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Council on Social Work Education sets guidelines and policies which all accredited MSW programs must follow in order to attain their status as an accredited school. The MSW Policy Handbook contains the Council's Curriculum Policy Statement which the MSW program follows. CSWE re-evaluates and re-accredits 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 a Post-MSW Type 73 Certification curriculum authorized by the Illinois State Board of Education for social workers who have earned the MSW degree from a CSWE accredited program and who now what to become an Illinois school social worker.

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 curriculum provides instruction in human behavior in the social environment/theories of human development; social welfare and policy; social work practice; diverse populations; social work with groups; social work elective and social work research. Field instruction during the foundation year consists of 15 clock hours per week (225 clock hours per semester) during each semester for a total of 450 clock hours for the academic year.

The second year consists of a concentration in advanced-level courses in social work theory and practice; psychopathology; advanced social work electives; advanced social work practice electives and advanced social work research. Field instruction during the concentration year consists of 20 clock hours per week (300 clock hours per semester) during each semester 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; two letters should be academic references
5. Committed to high standards of personal and professional conduct, as reflected in the NASW Code of Ethics;
6. 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.
7. 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

Admission interviews are conducted on a selected basis. The interview may be conducted via the telephone or in person. If an interview is conducted the applicant's admission materials are reviewed and questions regarding the MSW program are answered.

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 academic ability, 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, MSW Admission Committee members evaluate 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.

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 semester. A provisional student whose admission status is not complete by the first day of the next semester (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 that 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.

Advanced Standing Students

Students who have earned a BSW degree within the last five years 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, and three-year part-time. The full-time program requires 15 semester hours of course work for four semesters. The part-time program requires 9 semester hours for the first four semesters (first two years) and then 12 semester hours per semester in the third year. Advanced Standing students may complete the program either as full- or part-time students. Full-time Advanced Standing requires 15 semester hours of course work for two semesters if 30 hours of advanced standing credit was granted. Part-time advanced standing requires 9 semester hours of course work in each semester in year one, and six semester hours of course work in each of the semesters in year two. Students will make a choice of which plan they will pursue at the time of admission.

Classes are normally held on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday of each semester on the Aurora campus. Classes on the George Williams Campus are held on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Program Prerequisites

The MSW Program requires that the following two prerequisites be met:

• SWK6090: Orientation
  All graduate students beginning the MSW program are required to attend an opening orientation retreat of several days (generally Friday evening through Sunday afternoon) before the regular fall semester begins (usually held in late August). There is an additional fee assessed to cover room, board, and materials.
• Statistics
  The student needs to have completed a basic statistics course in their prior academic program and to have received a 'C' grade or better. If this prerequisite has not been met in prior academic work the student needs to make arrangements to complete the requirement before enrollment.

Specific Program Components
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 the fall and spring semesters 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 and Spring semesters 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 students in the concentration curriculum 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.

Policy and Procedures for School Social Work (Excluding Post-MSW students)

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 Survey of the Exceptional Child (SWK5610) prior to the second year (school) 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 (school) field placement;
5. Complete and return the ISBE 73-44 and ISBE 73-42 by June 15th 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.

Post-Master Type 73 Program Requirements

1. The applicant must have earned a Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE approved program.
2. Applicants must contact the Office of Admissions for a Post-Master Type 73 Program application package and 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 School Social Work 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:
   • SWK6430 School Social Work Certification Course 3 semester hours
   • SWK5610 Survey of the Exceptional Child 3 semester hours
   • SWK6670 Post MSW-Type 73 Advanced Field Instruction (minimum of 250 clock hours in the field) 3 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 SWK6430. 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 four consecutive semesters from the first semester after being officially accepted into the certificate program. Any modification in the program completion plan must have prior approval of the school Social Work Program Coordinator.
10. Post MSW-Type 73 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 Illinois Basic Skills exam and the Illinois School Social Work exam. The Illinois Basic Skills must be passed before entering the program. The Illinois School Social Work Exam must be passed before applying for the Type 73 certificate.

Note: Information regarding the exams can be found by calling National Evaluation Systems, Inc. at 800-239-8107, or at www.icts.nesinc.com.

Program Academic Policies
Student Evaluation

Professional social work education requires high standards of academic, personal, and professional conduct. The educational program at the graduate level (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 the MSW level, 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.

Four Year Limit

Students must complete the program on or before a date four years from the date of matriculation. 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

SWK6090 Orientation (prior to taking first class)
Statistics (completed a basic statistics course with a grade of C or better prior to enrollment)
Foundation Curriculum 30 semester hours

Social Welfare 3 semester hours
SWK6140 Social Welfare Policy and Institutions

Human Behavior and Social Environment 3 semester hours
SWK6160 HBSE: Theories of Human Development

Social Work Practice Theory and Methods 12 semester hours
SWK6370 Social Work Practice I
SWK6380 Social Work Practice II
SWK6390 Cross-Cultural Social Work Practice
SWK6320 Social Work Practice with Groups

Research 3 semester hours
SWK6250 Research I: SW Research Methods

Field Instruction 6 semester hours
SWK6730 Field Instruction I
SWK6740 Field Instruction II

Social Work Elective 3 semester hours
SWK5000 level Elective

Concentration Curriculum 30 semester hours

Social Work Theory and Practice 12 semester hours
SWK6500 SW Perspectives on Psychopathology
SWK6510 Advanced SW Practice: Micro
SWK6520 Advanced SW Practice: Macro
Advanced Social Work Practice Elective SWK6000 level (either Advanced Social Work Practice with Families or Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals)

Research 3 semester hours
SWK6280 Research II: Project

Electives 6 semester hours
Note: six semester hours must be 5000-level or above

Advanced Field Instruction 6 semester hours
SWK6750 Field Instruction III
SWK6760 Field Instruction IV

Capstone 3 semester hours
SWK6990 Capstone

Total required to graduate 60 semester hours

School of Social Work Faculty

Adjunct Faculty
Adjunct faculty will vary each semester depending on the need for instructors. All adjunct faculty teach courses that draw upon their expertise. All adjunct faculty have an MSW degree.