Social Work (MSW)
Faculty
Joanna Almeida, Assistant Professor
Gary Bailey, Professor of Practice, Director Urban Leadership Program
Sandra Bailly, Assoc. Professor of Practice & Field Education Specialist
Nancy Blumberg, Assoc. Professor of Practice & Field Education Specialist
Tamara Cadet, Assistant Professor
Silvana Castaneda, Associate Professor of Practice and Field Education Specialist
Shelli-Ann Dewsbury, Associate Professor of Practice
Abbie Frost, Associate Professor
Paul Gould, Associate Professor of Practice
Johnnie Hamilton-Mason, Professor
Kim Kelly Harriman, Associate Professor of Practice, Director of Field Education
Suzanne Hecker, Associate Professor of Practice and Field Education Specialist
Denise Humm-Delgado, Professor
Katherine Jungreis, Associate Professor of Practice
Hugo Kamya, Professor of Practice
Melinda Gushwa, Assistant Professor and Director MSW Program
Dana Grossman Leeman, Associate Professor of Practice, Director of MSW Online Program
Anjali Fulambarker, Assistant Professor
Peter Maramaldi, Professor
Katie Novick-Nolan, Associate Professor of Practice
Kimberly O'Brien, Assistant Professor
Kelly Pratt, Associate Professor of Practice
Michelle Putnam, Professor
Jennifer Putney, Assistant Professor
Julia Riley, Professor of Practice
David Robinson, Professor of Practice and Director of Simmons Center for Applied Community Research
Shari-Lynn Robinson-Lynk, Professor of Practice
Nora Rushford, Professor of Practice
Suzanne Sankar, Professor of Practice and Associate Dean
Beverly C. Sealey, Associate Professor
Kristie Thomas, Assistant Professor
Cheryl Parks, Professor and Dean
Description
The Master of Social Work degree prepares graduates for advanced practice in clinical social work. Students can elect to specialize in their advanced year in one of four specialization areas. MSW students can also earn a Certificates in Urban Leadership, a Certificate in Health Care and Social Work, or Licensure as a School Social Worker.
Mission Statement
The mission of the MSW program is to prepare masters level professional practitioners with skills for clinical social work practice in a multicultural world using knowledge based on scientific inquiry and field-informed practice. This educational experience, consistent with the history and philosophy of the social work profession, is grounded in a values perspective that emphasizes client strengths and diversities, actively opposes all forms of oppression and supports social and economic justice. The education is designed to help students develop competence, critical thinking and problem solving abilities as well as cultural sensitivity, and self-awareness.
Students learn multiple social work roles and skills necessary to be effective within evolving fields of practice. Graduates will be able to work with a variety of populations and social issues, using a broad and flexible array of interventions at an advanced level. They will have the ability to work with individuals, families, groups and communities to facilitate development and change in the service of social justice. Graduates will be prepared to practice with an appreciation for the dignity and worth of the person and the importance of human relationships; with a sense of integrity and a commitment to human rights.
Learning Outcomes
Program Goals
- Provide education for generalist practice and a concentration in clinical social work in a learning environment that models respect for diversity.
- Infuse all activities of the School including the implicit and explicit curricula, with the values and ethics of the social work profession.
- Prepare students for competent ethical practice in a multicultural world.
- Prepare students to practice in the context of a complex, rapidly changing global environment.
- Promote the development of professional knowledge and skills and accountability through critical thinking, self reflection and a commitment to life-long learning.
Detailed competency standards defined by the Council Work on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards can be found on CSWE Website.
Requirements for entry into program
Students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average. Relevant work or volunteer experience is also required.
Costs
Including financing and fellowships / assistantships
| SSW |
$1010 per credit hour |
| Activity Fee |
$52 per semester |
| Field Education Fee |
$52 per field placement |
Delivery Mode or Modes Available (full-time, part-time, locations, technologies, etc.)
Full-Time Program
Students in the full-time MSW Program typically require two years to complete their degree. They are assigned a field placement for three days a week for both years of the Program and take classes two days per week.
Part-Time Extended Program
The Extended-Study Program offers students the option to expand a two-year program into two-and-a-half, three or four years. The first year of the Program could be called part-time, as students devote two days a week to classes and study. Simmons offers flexible evening and Saturday scheduling to accommodate working professionals; however, not all program requirements can be met in the evening or on Saturdays. In the subsequent years, students must plan four or five days per week for classes and field placements. Most students complete the program in three years. Note: A limited number of 16 hour per week/11 month placements are available to students in the Full-Time and Extended Programs.
Advanced-Standing Program
The Simmons School of Social Work offers a 12-month Advanced-Standing Program to qualified applicants with a bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) who have graduated within the last five years from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Program includes one three-days-per-week (24-hour) field placement from September to August, concurrent with a total of eight advanced-level courses.
Online Program
SocialWork@Simmons is the online Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Simmons School of Social Work. The degree is 65 credit hours and remains a foundation and advanced field placement in a commitment setting. All classes are held in an online platform.
Degree requirements
Credits
Students can complete the degree in two years, three or four years. The MSW degree requires 65 credit hours, consisting of 44 credit hours of classroom courses 17 credits hours of field placement.
Core, Pre-requisite, and elective course requirements and progression, etc.
Full-Time Program
Students in the full-time MSW Program typically require two years to complete their degree. They are assigned a field placement for three days a week for both years of the Program and take classes two days per week.
Fall Foundation Year
| SW 409 | Dynamics of Racism & Oppression | 3 |
| SW 401 | Social Policy and Services | 3 |
| SW 411A | Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 3 |
| SW 421A | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 446A | Field Education | 4 |
| SW 402 | Information Literacy Program | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Foundation Year
Summer Course Options
Electives and limited sections of SW 414, SW 409, and SW 577 are offered during the summer semester. The Summer course schedule differs from fall and spring. Students using financial aid need to take a minimum of 5 credits to be eligible during the Summer. Please contact student financial services with aid questions.
Advanced Clinical Year
| SW 424A | Advanced Clinical Practice | 3 |
| SW 509 | Evaluation in SW Practice | 3 |
| | Elective | 3 |
| | Elective | 3 |
| SW 447A | Field Year 2 | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Advanced Clinical Year
| SW 424B | Advanced Clinical Practice | 3 |
| | Elective | 3 |
| | Elective | 3 |
| | Social Action course | 3 |
| SW 447B | Field Year 2 | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
SW 441 Research, must be completed prior to enrollment in Evaluation, 509.
SW 409 Racism, must be completed during a student’s first year of coursework.
Social Action courses can be taken any semester after SW 401(Social Policy) and SW 409 (Racism) are completed. Note: May be taken concurrently with SW 409.
Electives: Students take five (5) electives. Of these five, one course must fulfill the social action requirement.
SW 509 Evaluation in SW Practice, is offered in the fall and spring semesters and must be taken concurrently with Field Education ll, SW 447A or B. Urban Leadership students should register for 509 in the fall.
SW 421, SW 424: Students must stay in the same sections (day, time, and professor) for practice classes (SW 421 and SW 424) both fall and spring semesters.
Students in Specializations must complete the elective requirements to graduate with a Specialization.
Total Credit Hours: 65
Extended Study Program
The Extended-Study Program offers students the option to expand a two-year program into two-and-a-half, three or four years. The first year of the Program could be called part-time, as students devote two days a week to classes and study. Simmons offers evening and a very limited number of Saturday classes to accommodate working professionals; however, not all program requirements can be met in the evening or on Saturdays. In the subsequent years, students must plan four or five days per week for classes and field placements. Most students complete the program in three years. Note: A limited number of 16 hour per week/11 month placements are available to students in the Full-Time and Extended Programs.
Advanced Standing Program
The Simmons School of Social Work offers a 12-month Advanced-Standing Program to qualified applicants with a bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) who have graduated within the last five years from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Program includes one three-days-per-week (24-hour) field placement from September to August, concurrent with a total of eight advanced-level courses.
Field Placements
Students apply their academic knowledge through direct-practice internships with individuals, groups, agencies, and larger systems. Prior to entering the MSW Program, students meet with our field education faculty to assess interests, discuss learning goals, and arrange an internship plan. First-year internships provide a strong foundation of social work practice skills. Mid-way through their first placement, students meet with an advisor to plan for the advanced second-year placement. Second-year internships focus on advanced clinical skills and areas of specialization.
Full-Time Students
Internships are three days (24 hours) per week from September to May for both years of the MSW Program. Students take a total of four courses concurrently the other two days. Summer class options and evening classes are offered.
Extended Program Students
Internships, taken during the second and third years of the program, are three days (24 hours) per week from September to May. Students can choose to do placements 16 hours per week for 11 months.
Employment as Field Placement
On occasion, students who are currently employed by a human service agency may be permitted to do their internship as a supervised "job placement" at their current agency. Students interested in this option must apply to the field department. Only placements that meet the strict criteria — including the provision of a new LICSW supervisor and a new work assignment — are approved. Only one placement can be a job placement.
Concentrations, specializations, etc. (Campus)
Clinical specializations build on Foundation Year required courses and the first-year field placement to expand a student's assessment, intervention, and practice evaluation skills. Students may choose from four different specializations, each addressing the specific needs of particular client populations. Although electing a specialization is not required, SSW concentrations allow students to delve deeply into an area of interest and related skills development through a combination of electives taught by faculty experts and a second-year field placement working in a related practice setting.
- Clinical Specializations
- Child And Family Specialization
- Trauma And Interpersonal Violence Specialization
- Specialization In Mental Health And Addictions
- Specialization In Health And Aging
Licensure, certification, etc.
Licensure in School Social Work
Students in the M.S.W. program interested in practicing as a school social worker can elect to earn the Massachusetts state license to be a School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor, the certification required to work as a clinical social worker in many school settings.
Requirements for the M.S.W. with Licensure as a School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor include:
- Sixty-two credits in the MSW program and three required courses (eight credits) taken in the Simmons College Department of Education
- Successful completion of the two SSW field placements; one placement must be in a school setting and one placement must be in a setting serving children and families
- Attainment of passing scores on the MTEL Communication and Literacy tests by completion of the first year of MSW study.
Students planning to work toward the school social worker license should schedule a meeting with the Coordinator of Academic Services or with the Assistant Dean soon after acceptance into the MSW program to begin to plan a course schedule. Field placement planning should be guided by licensure requirements.
Certificate In Health Care And Social Work
The MSW with Certificate in Health Care and Social Work is designed to educate the generation of clinical social workers to work in the new and expanding health care delivery system being implemented under the Affordable Care Act. Students graduating with the Certificate in Health Care and Social Work are prepared to work in health services settings including: community health centers, primary care practices, teaching and community hospitals, integrated behavioral health clinics and other health care organizations.
Students earning the certificate complete all regular MSW program requirements, including:
A Year I, Social Work Research Methods
course addressing health disparities, healthy communities, and theories of health behavior, disease prevention and non-medical barriers to health care.
A Year II, Social Work Practice in Healthcare
| SW 478 | SW Practice in Healthcare | 3 |
course focusing on social work skills and roles in complex health systems, including hospitals, community health centers, primary care clinics and integrated behavioral health services.
Elective choices including:
| SW 460 | Motivational Interviewing | 3 |
| SW 483 | Cognitive Behavioral App Pract | 3 |
| SW 438 | Alcohol, Drugs & Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 482 | Domestic Violence Family Welfa | 3 |
| SW 425 | Family Approaches | 3 |
| SW 464 | Understanding Suicide: Prevention,_Intervention, and Postvention | 3 |
A Social Action course including:
| SW 523 | Advocacy and Social Action | 3 |
| SW 554 | Hlth Care Pol and Soc Action | 3 |
| SW 583 | Social Action & Gerontology | 3 |
Year I placement in health care service delivery continuum, examples include:
Early Intervention, AIDS service organizations, elder service organizations, long term care facilities.
Year II placement examples include:
Community health centers (primary care and integrated behavioral health units), teaching hospitals or community hospitals (medical social work), the Boston Public Health Commission (community based programs).
Urban Leadership Certificate
Urban Leadership students earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, plus a certificate in urban leadership in clinical social work. ULP students take two leadership courses concurrently with the field internships. These leadership courses allow students to explore their own leadership skills, build a theoretical understanding of leadership, and practice specific leadership skills in the classroom and community. Students work in small teams throughout their course of study in the ULP with a local community partner to explore the application of varying models of leadership to real life leadership opportunities and dilemmas. In this process, students learn about the nature of leadership in the context of social work and urban communities.
In addition, the curriculum includes four required mini courses:
| SW 407 | Community Politics | 0 |
| SW 408 | Transformative Public Speaking:_Oral Presentations for Leadership | 0 |
| SW 530 | Introduction to Grant Writing | 0 |
| | Open elective | |
Dual (and other) degree options