Social Work, M.S.W.

General Program Information

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Donna Cherry, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator
Box 70645
(423) 439-6018
email: cherryd@etsu.edu

Ms. Laurie Webb, Director, MSW Field Education
Lyle House, Room 206
(423) 439-3007
email: webbll@etsu.edu

Departmental website: www.etsu.edu/socialwork/

Faculty: Michael Burford; Donna Cherry; Dorothy Greene; Mary Mullins; Kelly Reath; Leslie Temme; Deborah Thibeault; Brittany Wilkins.

Program Purpose

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The purpose of the ETSU MSW program is to prepare students for autonomous clinical practice. The goals, objectives, and course content were developed with this purpose in mind. The MSW program learning goals include the following:

1. To prepare students with the knowledge, values, and skills of clinical practice;
2. To prepare students to engage in competent and responsible clinical practice within public and private agencies;
3. To prepare students to develop and use ethical research in the advancement and enhancement of social work practice.

The Master of Social Work program is a fully accredited program by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Applicants with bachelor’s degrees from accredited universities or colleges may apply for admission to the traditional, two (2)-year master’s program. The first-year foundation curriculum focuses on preparing students with a generalist social work perspective. The second-year curriculum focuses on preparing students for autonomous clinical practice.

Applicants who have attained a bachelor of social work (B.S.W.), subsequent to the year 1984, from a program accredited by the CSWE may apply for advanced standing, which can be completed in approximately twelve (12) months (for full-time students).

Full-time and limited part-time enrollment is available.

Program Admission Requirements

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1. A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credit-hours or 90 quarter credit-hours, with an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75;
2. A liberal arts base consisting of course content in:
   1. English composition and literature;
   2. Math and Natural Sciences;
   3. Humanities;
   4. Social and/or Behavioral Sciences courses taken from a combination of Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, and Government;
3. Three (3) letters of reference that address the applicant’s abilities and potential for graduate education and professional social work practice;
4. A résumé that includes personal data, educational experience, work/volunteer experience, special skills, attributes, and professional affiliations and recognition; and
5. The School of Graduate Studies requests a 150-300 word essay detailing “your interests in a graduate program at ETSU.” Please specifically address your interest in the ETSU MSW program in the essay.

(No academic credit will be granted for work experience.)

In addition to the above requirements, students graduating from a Council on Social Work Education accredited Bachelor of Social Work program subsequent to the year 1984 may apply for Advanced Standing status.

Additional Requirements

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Additionally, all applicants will be screened for evidence of the following intellectual and personal qualities compatible with social work roles and functions:

1. Sound interpersonal skills that would support respectful relationships and affirmation of people from diverse backgrounds.
2. Strong motivation for a career in social work and suitability for the profession.
3. Personal integrity that would demonstrate potential for meeting the objectives of the program and for adhering to the Code of Ethics established by the National Association of Social Workers.
4. Critical thinking skills and skills in oral and written communication consistent with graduate-level students.

Retention and Graduation Requirements

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The Master of Social Work degree will be conferred upon those students who meet the following requirements:

Satisfactory completion of all retention and graduation requirements as outlined in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.

• Satisfactory completion of no less than 63 semester hours for those admitted to the Traditional Entry program and 37 credits hours for those admitted to the Advanced Standing program.
• Completion of all required courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and at least a grade of “B” in all core courses and field coursework. Satisfactory completion of the foundation coursework is required before advancing to second-year coursework and internship. Students may repeat a course for which the final grade is “B-” or lower only one time in order to complete graduation requirements. However, the second grade does not replace the first; all grades are computed into the GPA.
• Satisfactory completion of the program’s culminating experience, with a grade of “B” or better, which is the integrating activity of the program and includes a comprehensive evaluation of the student’s performance.
• Upon completion of the foundation, students will be evaluated for continuation in the program based upon coursework, fieldwork, and suitability for the profession.
• The MSW program must be completed in 6 years.

Articulation Agreement

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The Clinical Addiction Counseling Studies Certificate will be awarded only to students who have been officially admitted to the program and successfully completed the 12 credits of approved coursework. The time limit for use of credit toward the certificate is six (6) years from the date of enrollment in the earliest course applied toward the certificate. In order to receive the certificate, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above on coursework.

A student may simultaneously pursue both the certificate and an ETSU graduate degree if duly admitted to both programs. Admission to a degree program and successfully completing coursework typically required for the graduate certificate does not automatically qualify a student for the certificate.