MSW Program

The Master of Social Work program is designed to educate a diverse group of students who are committed to effecting change in the social conditions of diverse, oppressed and disadvantaged groups of children and their families. Toward this goal, students will be prepared for advanced social work practice with a series of required and elective courses that will provide them with knowledge, skills and values that reflect strengths-based and empowerment approaches that are family-centered, community-based and interprofessional, and are directed toward change at the individual, family, community and system levels.

The program requires students to study in five core areas: human behavior and the social environment, social work practice, social policy, social research, and a field practicum experience in local health, education and social service settings in Boston and the surrounding towns. These core areas of study are further contextualized by eight curricular themes: human rights and social justice; values and ethics; diversity; family-centered; community-based; interprofessional collaboration; and strengths and ecological perspectives. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to select elective courses that support and strengthen their particular area of interest. In the first year of the program, students prepare for practice with individuals, small groups, families, organizations and communities, and study in the five core areas.

The second year of the program is organized around a singular concentration on children and families in their local communities, especially those children and families who are most at risk for not being able to participate fully in society's services, resources and supports. Some of the conditions that put families at-risk include, but are not limited to, poverty, homelessness, violence, immigration, stigmatization and discrimination, children who have special health and education needs, and substance abuse. Students identify a particular area of interest for their concentration (e.g., violence in the lives of children and families), and use their policy, practice, research, human behavior and field practicum experience to further refine their knowledge and skills in that area. For example, a student with an interest in violence might be placed in the Child Witness to Violence Program at Boston Medical Center for their concentration field practicum, and might use their advanced human behavior class to write a grant proposal that focuses on supporting families experiencing violence.

Upon completion of the MSW degree, students are eligible to sit for the licensing examination (LCSW) in Massachusetts. Students planning to practice in other states can consult the NASW web site (www.naswma.org/legal/licensing general.htm) for additional information on licensing.

Applicants to the program will need to consult the catalog for specific admissions requirements for MSW students. Students may pursue admission to the program in the following categories: full-time and half-time in the regular two and four year programs, and full-time and half-time in the advanced standing program.

Full-time study is completed in four full-time semesters on a two-year, fall and spring semester schedule. Half-time study must be completed within four years, and usually includes no more than eight half-time semesters on a four-year, fall and spring semester schedule. Advanced standing full time is completed in a two semester (fall and spring) schedule. Advanced standing half time is completed in a two year (fall and spring) schedule.

The MSW program was granted full accreditation on June 9, 2003 by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), the professional accrediting organization for all social work programs in the country.

For a detailed list of courses, please go to the graduate section of our catalog in .pdf and click on " Social Work Division: Master of Social Work."

Contact Information:

For any questions or further information concerning this or any Wheelock College Program, please contact:

Wheelock College
Graduate Admissions
200 The Riverway
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 879-2206
1-800-734-5212
graduate@wheelock.edu
www.wheelock.edu