91AV

Vision:

The 91AV School of Social Work envisions a world where social workers are at the forefront of advocating with individuals and communities for human dignity and social inclusion by mobilizing efforts to end inequities, exploitation, and violence. 

Mission:

The mission of the School of Social Work is to provide transformative and collaborative learning that embraces the values of social inclusion and promotes enhanced quality of life for individuals and communities. 

Values:

Our values promote social inclusion¹ conceptualized as actions taken to improve quality of life, access to equitable resources, enhancement of human bonds within the context of cultural diversity, and engagement of people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society. Towards this end:

• We promote culturally informed practice that is respectful of the complexity and diversity of people’s lives and circumstances.
• We recognize that social exclusion prevents people from full and just participation in their communities as a consequence of inequities, discrimination, and disadvantage arising from adversity in early life and continuing across the life course.
• We practice social responsibility by raising public awareness of social exclusion, challenging discrimination and acting with and on behalf of groups, populations, and communities.
• We support person-centered collaborative practices and partnerships that bring together diverse workers and community members to meet the best interests of individuals, families, and groups.

1. “The process of improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of people, disadvantaged on the basis of their identity, to take part in society.” (2013, World Bank Publication)

References:

The School of Social Work prepares people for advanced professional practice and is accredited to offer the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree by the Council on Social Work Education. MSW graduates learn to understand the potential for individual and collective human development when people live with dignity and social justice; to identify people's strengths across diverse populations and how to build upon them; to understand the multiple social, cultural, political and economic factors influencing the design, development and evaluation of social policies and programs; to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out multiple social work interventions consistent with the School's mission and the profession's ethics; and to develop intervention strategies that empower individuals, families, groups, or communities.

The MSW degree offers graduates the opportunity to play active roles in health and mental health, alcohol and substance abuse, poverty and public welfare, women's and children's services, domestic violence, homelessness, corrections, applied arts and social justice and other emerging areas of service delivery. The program prepares graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in an array of settings and with diverse populations. The values and commitments embedded in the School's Mission Statement permeate our work in every area.

Program Goals

Prepare competent Master-level professional social workers who at every system level provide leadership to:

• Promote social inclusion to enable people, populations and communities to fully participate in society.
• Create person-centered collaborative and sustainable relationships across diverse communities and practice settings.
• Develop and apply ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. 

These goals are integrated into the social work curriculum. Through their presence in courses, fieldwork internships, and internal School governance we bring our Mission Statement to life.

The School of Social Work at the 91AV is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to offer the master's degree in social work.

Students in the campus-based program option can select from several progression plans. They may choose the 2-year, full-time program, a 3-4 year part-time program or complete their degree in as little as 16 months through the accelerated track. 

Students in the campus-based program option can earn certificates in Applied Arts and Social Justice, Trauma-Informed Practice, or Diversity in Aging. Certificates can be completed within the required 64 credit course structure.

Students who have graduated from an accredited BSW program can apply for advanced standing and complete their MSW in one year (See Advanced Standing). Advanced Standing status can completed full- or part-time students.

All traditional students are required to complete 64 credit hours of graduate study divided between classroom and fieldwork education. Field placements, or internships, consist of four semesters of supervised practice in approved social work settings; each semester includes 280 hours of practice experience. The curriculum is designed to provide an integrated foundation or knowledge base and advanced skills for social work practice within a concentration (Clinical Practice, Community Practice, or Integrated Practice).

Foundation Year courses emphasize an integrated social work perspective involving the social context and its impact on social policy, programs, and the social work profession. Courses include Human Behavior and the Social Environment I and II; Social Work Policy and Programs I and II; Social Work Practice I and II; Research I and II; and Field Integrating Seminars I and II. In addition, students spend 560 hours in a field setting, which permits students another learning mode through placements in social agencies and programs with structured on-site professional supervision.

Concentrations are offered in Clinical Practice, Community Practice, and Integrated Practice.  The Clinical Concentration prepares students with knowledge and skills for advanced practice primarily focused on individuals, families, and groups in multiple settings.   The Community Concentration provides students with knowledge and skills in an array of advanced practice roles in the areas of program and policy development, administration, supervision, political advocacy, community practice, and evaluation.  The Integrated Concentration combines the core curriculum of both the Clinical and Community Practice Concentrations. All concentrations prepare graduates for professional leadership positions within their communities, and all are enriched by a selection of electives.

Graduation Requirements

Students must successfully complete all courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 prior to graduation and fulfill all curriculum requirements.

Graduates of the 91AV SSW will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

1.   Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution.  

2.   Engage in culturally-informed relationship building respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. 

3.   Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. 

4.   Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. 

5.   Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. 

6.   Engage as critical consumers and producers of research and evaluation applied to clinical and community practices. 

7.   Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. 

• Petitions for transfer credits for graduate social work courses to be submitted at the time of acceptance to the School of Social Work
  • Up to nine (9) credits may be transferred for courses completed with a minimum grade of “B” and equivalent to 91AV SSW foundation courses
  • P/F courses will not be accepted for transfer credit 
  • No course electives nor courses from programs outside of social work will be considered for transfer credit
  • All courses to have been completed within seven (7) years of anticipated enrollment in the School
  • Applicants petitioning for transfer credits must include the following
    • Professional statement to include reasons for requesting transfer to the 91AV School of Social Work
    • A syllabus for each course being submitted for transfer credit

• Transfer students required to adhere to the degree-requirement progression plan in effect at the time of your admission (Note: Individualized provisions may, at times, increase the total credit hours required for graduation from the School of Social Work)
  • SSW reserves the right to require transfer students to enroll in SSW 526 Integrating Clinical\Community Frameworks as part of their progression plan
  • Consideration of transfer credit beyond nine (9) credits and/or any exception to the 7-year matriculation deadline will be on a case-by-case basis at the time of admission

• Qualified graduates of BSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may be considered for Advanced Standing under the following conditions:
  • Graduation from a CSWE accredited BSW program within seven (7) years of enrollment in the School of Social Work (exceptions to this time frame may be made on a case-by-case basis depending on work experience and the quality of the application materials)
  • Advanced Standing applicants must have received a “B” or better in all BSW courses (if you do not meet this expectation you must address this in your professional statement)
  • Evidence of work or volunteer experience working with people in a human service environment
  • Two (2) letters of reference including:
    • A letter from a faculty member within the BSW program who can speak to your academic abilities
    • A second letter from someone of your choice who can speak to your professional qualifications for an MSW program (letters from friends and family members are not acceptable)
  • Submit field evaluations documenting grade and hours completed (if BSW program is not able to supply a copy of the original field evaluations, a letter must be provided confirming that student received a passing grade and documenting the number of field hours completed)
• Students admitted into advanced standing must enroll in the required SSW 526 – Integrating Clinical/Community Practice Frameworks 3-credit course

Experiential Credit

• No academic credit awarded for life experiences or previous work experience

PROGRAM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

(Both Campus-based and Online Delivery Options)

• ACADEMIC/EXPERIENCE Requirements
  • Traditional Track

• Bachelor’s Degree from a US regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to enrollment
  • Cumulative Undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  • Evidence of work or volunteer experience working with people in a human service environment
  • Demonstration of graduate-level writing skills as evidenced in the required professional statement
    • With reference to 91AV’s School of Social Work Mission Statement and the definition of “social inclusion” provided therein
      • Please share your views on how you understand social inclusion and its connection to social justice, cultural diversity, and human dignity
      • Please share two examples that you have observed in society where social inclusion was absent. What are your recommendations for how to address these issues?
    • Why are you interested in the field of social work? What personal strengths and areas of development relate to you becoming a professional social worker?  In addition, if you are applying for the online delivery option, please assess your technological proficiencies from an online graduate program standpoint.
    • Please discuss a challenge or conflict you faced while working with people in a professional or volunteer setting and how you dealt with it.  Briefly describe the situation and share what, if anything, you would do differently.  Describe how this experience has affected you as a professional.
• Advanced Standing
• All requirements listed above for Traditional Track
• Additional requirements
  • Graduation from CSWE accredited BSW program [preferably within the last seven (7) years]
  • Equivalent coursework at the undergraduate level to 91AV’s Foundation courses completed with a “B” or better, strongly preferred
  • Evidence of significant experience in the human services field with MSW supervision

• PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
  • Applications for admission to the MSW program options
    • for campus options only        
      • Please follow detailed instructions on the application
    • for 100% online option only
      • Please follow detailed instructions on the application

• Only those applications completed by the application deadlines will be considered for admission; complete applications include
  • Traditional Track (Bachelor’s degree required)
  • Electronic application form to include
    • Professional statement
    • Current resume
    • Two (2) references from writers who can speak to your academic abilities and/or professional experience (letters from friends or family members are not acceptable)       
  • Official transcript/s reflecting conferral of Bachelor’s degree
    • Submitted directly to 91AV from the originating college or university
    • Additional transcripts MAY be required or requested (you may always submit additional transcripts if you feel they would strengthen your application)

• Advanced Standing (BSW required)
  • All items listed in Traditional Track
  • Additional requirements
    • Official transcript reflecting conferral of Bachelor of Social Work degree from CSWE accredited BSW program
    • Copies of field evaluations and verification of field hours completed

• International applicants and applicants with international degrees
  • Must have transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution
  • Must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university
    • 91AV accepts several methods of  
    • If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language or the International English Language Testing System is required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case by case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.