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Graduate Catalog 2004-2006: Programs

School of Professional Studies - Master of Social Work (MSW)

A weekend degree option
The School of Social Work began in 1966 to extend the programs of George Williams College. The MSW program was first accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in 1970 and continues to be fully accredited at both the Aurora and Williams Bay campuses. The George Williams Campus MSW program is a cohort program that accepts a limited number of part-time students. This ensures that the program remains small and intimate as well as being part of the larger MSW program which has over 300 MSW students. Classes are taught primarily by full-time faculty members. Academic advising is provided on site at the George Williams Campus, and field instruction is available in many locations convenient to students.

Accreditation

Aurora University’s School of Social Work is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Aurora University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

The Curriculum

The MSW degree requires a total of 60 semester credit hours. At the campus, the MSW program is offered part-time for working adults. Classes are held Friday evenings and Saturday mornings three weeks per month. The requirements for the MSW degree are completed in three years. Summer courses are required.

Foundation courses teach a generalist approach to social work practice by giving attention to skills for working with individuals, groups, families, and communities. Advanced courses teach skills for specialized work with children and families, schools, and other community services providers.

Field Instruction

Skills for social work practice are best learned when content learned in social work courses is applied in community practice settings. MSW students learn to apply knowledge through field education, which totals 1050 clock hours of work in community agencies. Foundation curriculum field placements require at least 15 hours per week in an agency and advanced curriculum placements require at least 20 hours per week. Lake Geneva area field placements are all supervised closely by certified field instructors for the School of Social Work.

Accommodations

Students and their families may choose to stay in the George Williams Campus. Cottages and motel rooms are available at a modest cost, and the recreational facilities of the campus are open to all guests.

Admission Requirements

1. Completed graduate application.
2. Official transcripts demonstrating an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average from an accredited college or university. If this requirement is not met, applicants must submit other evidence to support their academic capability.
3. Undergraduate coursework in the liberal arts.
4. Three professional letters of reference.
5. A written statement of one’s desire and purpose for making application to become a professional social worker.
6. Evidence of personal characteristics that include: maturity, integrity, ability to communicate effectively with diverse people, identification with the values and ethics of the social work profession, and commitment to social justice and work with vulnerable and oppressed populations.
7. Volunteer or paid experience which demonstrates knowledge and interest in the field of social work.

MSW Program Requirements

Prerequisites
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 SWK 6000 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

Note: Refer to course descriptions under the George Williams College of Health and Human Services

School of Professional Studies Faculty

Faculty from the Dunham School of Business and the School of Social Work also teach at the George Williams Campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.