Leon Ginsberg, Interim Chair and Professor
GinsbergLH@appstate.edu

Dr. Julie Sprinkle, Program Director and Assistant Professor
SprinkleJE@appstate.edu

http://www.soc.appstate.edu/socialwork/index.htm

The Department of Social Work offers the Master of Social Work (135*/44.0701) with concentrations in
            Community and Organizational Practice (135B)
            Individuals and Families (135C)

The MSW degree is designed to prepare practitioners who can apply the knowledge and skills of advanced social work practice in an area of concentration. Students are provided a curriculum intended to prepare them to apply a broad range of knowledge and skills with a high degree of proficiency and deliver and evaluate services in ways that are discriminating and self critical. A goal of the program is for graduates to advance the quality of their practice and that of the profession. The MSW curriculum provides the foundation content in values and ethics, diversity, populations-at-risk, social and economic justice, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, research, and field education. An advanced curriculum focused upon one area of concentration addresses the foundation areas in greater depth, breadth, and specificity.

Appalachian is in candidacy for accreditation of this MSW program with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Academic Credit is not awarded for life or previous work experience.

Entry with Advanced Standing:
Applicants who are graduates of Council on Social Work Education-accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree programs during the seven years preceding application and who have earned average grades of 3.5 or greater in their undergraduate course work may apply, by letter, for Advanced Standing in the MSW program. Only graduates of such Bachelor of Social Work programs are eligible for Advanced Standing. The prerequisites and basic admissions criteria for Advanced Standing are the same as those for admission to the two-year program. Those admitted as Advanced Standing students are not required to complete the required foundation courses (SW 5005, 5010, 5020, 5030, 5040, 5200, 5210, 5220, 5230, and 5240).

Students admitted to Advanced Standing are required to enroll in and earn a grade of B or better in SW 5001, Advanced Standing Transitional Seminar, and up to six hours of additional course work, if deemed necessary by the social work faculty at the completion of the Transitional Seminar. The number of hours required for advanced standing students is 33 semester hours plus up to 6 additional hours if deemed necessary by the social work faculty.

Location of Program: This program is offered on campus in Boone in the format described in this Bulletin. Off-campus cohorts are started periodically, and follow a part-time extended program format. For information on upcoming off-campus cohorts, please contact the Office of Extension and Distance Education: http://www.ext-dl.appstate.edu.

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (Major code: 135*/44.0701)

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; an undergraduate liberal arts background, including courses from the following areas: English/composition, biology (e.g., human biology), social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, political science, history), humanities, and mathematics; complete application to the Cratis Williams Graduate School (http://www.graduate.appstate.edu), including resume, three letters of recommendation, official GRE general test scores, and official transcripts from all colleges attended; personal statement.

Basic Criteria for Unconditional Admission: Undergrad GPA = 2.5 with a 3.0 in last 60 hours;
(GPA X 400) + GRE-V + GRE-Q = 2000.

Location: On Campus and Off Campus; Off-Campus cohorts begin periodically, and follow a part-time extended format.

Other Requirements for the MSW:

Thesis: None required.
Proficiency: None required.
Comprehensive: None required.
Product of Learning: None required