Social Work (Joint with UNCG), MSW

Graduate Coordinator: Jeffrey Shears Email: jkshears@ncat.edu Phone: (336)-285-2361
Department Chair: Arnold Barnes Email: abarnes@ncat.edu Phone: (336)-285-2298

The Joint Master of Social Work (MSW) program represents the efforts of faculty at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&TSU) and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). This is a single academic program with participation in instruction by faculty from each department. Instruction is conducted on the campuses of both universities. The program is accredited by The Council on Social Work Education and the curriculum has been designed by the joint faculty to provide students with a multicultural clinical social work education. The model for the curriculum is based on CSWE social work competencies, and contemporary, state-of-the-art theory and practice methods. The curriculum is organized by generalist year, specialist year, and field instruction. The primary purpose of the MSW program is to prepare students for multicultural clinical social work practice.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Evidence of a liberal arts foundation to include the following minimum 30 credit hours: 18 Social and Behavioral Sciences (Political Science, Psychology, Anthropology, Economics, Ethnic/Global Studies, History, and Sociology); 6 Humanities; 3 Human Biology or Human Development; 3 Statistics
• Applicants must demonstrate intellectual and personal qualifications considered essential to the successful practice of social work, such as sensitivity and responsiveness in relationships, concern for the need of others, adaptability, good judgment, creativity, integrity, and skill in oral and written communication. This determination shall be based on a review of the applicant’s references and written personal statement.
• Applicants to the Advanced Standing plan of study must have earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program, have a GPA in social work courses of 3.5 or better, and provide a letter of recommendation from his/her B.S.W. field supervisor (as one of the three recommendations required).

Program Outcomes

The JMSW Program’s competency-based curriculum has been designed to comply with the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), as revised in 2015. CSWE has delineated 9 core competencies, listed below, that must be adequately addressed in all BSW and MSW curricula.

• Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
• Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
• Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
• Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
• Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
• Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities