Social Work Major (M.S.W.)
Program of Study
The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) prepares social work practitioners for advanced practice with individuals, families and groups in the areas of behavioral health practice and forensic social work. Graduates will be prepared to practice in a variety of behavioral health, substance abuse, or forensic settings.
The M.S.W. program is designed to help students achieve their maximum potential through a carefully structured curriculum of foundation and advanced courses. Students without an accredited undergraduate degree in social work are admitted to the regular 60 semester hour program that may be completed in four semesters.
Advanced standing is available to applicants who have graduated from an undergraduate accredited social work program within the past five years. Applicants for advanced standing must have earned a minimum 2.75 grade point average on the last 120 credits that appear on their bachelor’s degree transcript, as well as a 3.0 on all social work courses.
Prerequisites for Admissions
Students seeking admission to the M.S.W. program must demonstrate that they:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Have completed a broad liberal arts background with a minimum of 24 credit hours including at least one course in sociology, psychology, English, political science or history, statistics, and human biology. A course in introductory statistics is required. These undergraduate requirements may be taken at any accredited college or university, including community colleges. All prerequisites for admission must be completed prior to admission, except statistics and human biology, which must be completed by the end of the first semester in the program. All offers of admission are conditional upon the successful completion of the undergraduate coursework.
- Have earned a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average on the last 120 graded credits that appear on their bachelor’s degree transcript, with no more than two C’s in social work courses
- Meet the requirements for advanced standing if the applicant seeks admission to the Advanced Standing Program. Applicants for advanced standing must have graduated from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. See additional requirements below.
- Have submitted transcripts of any completed graduate courses.
- Submit three letters of recommendation. The three professional letters of recommendation are usually from persons such as professors, employers, supervisors, professional colleagues and community associates. Only one reference may be from a Seton Hall University Social Work program faculty member. Applicants who have been employed in a social service agency should request a recommendation from a recent employer or supervisor. Student applicants should provide a recommendation from a faculty advisor or instructor.
- Submit a 3-5 page Personal Statement that includes the following: your reasons for applying to the Seton Hall University’s Social Work Program; your personal values, philosophy, knowledge of social issues, and the professional and community experiences that have influenced your decision to enter the Social Work profession; your skills, strengths and weaknesses; and your plans for a career in social work. See next page for suggested Personal Statement Guidelines.
Provisional Admission
Provisional admission may be granted to applicants to the M.S.W. program who have a GPA below 2.75 on the last 120 graded credits that appear on their bachelor’s degree transcript and have an otherwise strong application. Provisionally admitted applicants must complete one semester of graduate courses (at least two courses) with a GPA of 3.0 to remain in the MSW program.
Transfer Applicants
Under certain circumstances, students may receive a maximum of 30 semester hours for work completed not more than five years prior to first registration from a CSWE- accredited graduate school of social work and for which a grade of at least a B was received. No course, including any transfer course, may be counted toward a degree if it was completed more than seven full calendar years prior to the date of graduation.
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits in the Seton Hall University Social Work program, to be eligible for the M.S.W.
Students currently or previously enrolled in another accredited master’s level social work degree program who are seeking admission as a transfer students are required to submit the following additional materials directly to the Social Work Program Director via mail or email:
- A brief written statement describing the reasons why they are requesting a transfer.
- A copy of practicum/field work evaluation(s), if applicable.
- One of the three recommendations must be from a faculty member or field supervisor affiliated with the program.
Any student registered in the program who wants to take a course at another university and transfer credit toward the Seton Hall University Social Work M.S.W. (i.e., a summer course) must receive approval from the Social Work Program Director.
Advanced Standing
Applicants for advanced standing must submit the following material in addition to the usual application requirements:
- Transcripts documenting eligibility for advanced standing.
- Recommendation for advanced standing from the Social Work Department chair/director of the school in which they completed their Bachelor of Social Work.
- A detailed evaluation of their field instruction experience and performance by the agency supervisor or an evaluation of their field performance from the field department.
Progression Requirements
Students in the M.S.W. program may graduate with no more than six credits (typically two courses) in which they earn a C (three credits for advanced standing students). Students in the 60 credit M.S.W. program are allowed to repeat two courses one time during their program to improve their grade. Students who have begun the concentration curriculum may not repeat a foundation course. Advanced standing students may repeat one course one time. Students who fail field courses must meet the Academic Standing Committee to discuss progression in the program. Students who have exceeded their allowable C credits and who have utilized their allowable course repeat option will be dismissed from the program regardless of their GPA. Students who receive any grade below a C and have utilized their allowable course repeat option will be dismissed from the program regardless of their GPA. Upon appeal, the Program Director may modify these constraints in exceptional circumstances.
In addition, students in the M.S.W. program must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. If the GPA falls below 3.0, the student is placed on academic probation according to University policy.
Additional policies are found in the M.S.W. Graduate Student Handbook.
Life Experience Statement
No credit will be given for work or life experience.
Pending Legal Action and Conviction Statement
Persons who indicate on the application that they have pending legal action or convictions will be asked to supply documentation on the nature of the offense and the disposition. All students upon admission into field education are required to have background checks prior to client content.
Individuals admitted to the program who are facing pending legal action or convictions may have restrictions placed on the area of study and field placements they may pursue. In addition, some field placement agencies require a criminal background check.
Applicants are also advised that the Professional Standards Committee in their state of residence may refuse to issue a license or certificate of registration to any person who has been convicted of any crime in this or any other state. Applicants may be denied admission, or if enrolled, terminated, from the program if they have not been truthful or provided inaccurate information in the application.
Course of Study
The expected course of study for the regular full-time program requires two years of coursework and field education.
Students in the regular part-time program are expected to complete their course work and field education in four years. The expected course of study for full-time advanced standing students is one year of course-work and field education or two years for part-time advanced standing students. Admission occurs in the Fall semester for both full and part- time students and in the Spring semester for part-time students.
Incoming advanced standing students will be required to take a three-credit intensive course on the philosophical and ethical foundations of social work practice at the beginning of regular classes.
A grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation.
To remain in good academic standing, graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 for all graduate courses. Students in the regular program must complete two different field placements.
Eligible students who wish to enroll as non-degree graduate students (not formally admitted to a graduate degree program) are required to apply for non-matriculated status (this option is available on the standard graduate application) and may schedule up to three approved Foundation Level courses. These students may have official transcripts sent to the Admissions Office from the baccalaureate granting institution and all institutions attended for graduate study and register for classes with the Registrar’s Office.
Planners
- Regular Standing Full-Time Curriculum Behavioral Health Concentration
- Regular Standing Full-Time Curriculum Forensic Concentration
- Regular Standing Part-Time Curriculum Behavioral Health Concentration
- Regular Standing Part-Time Curriculum Forensic Concentration
- Advanced Standing Full-Time Curriculum Behavioral Health Concentration
- Advanced Standing Full-Time Curriculum Forensic Concentration
- Advanced Standing Part-Time Behavioral Health Concentration Curriculum
- Advanced Standing Part-Time Forensic Concentration Curriculum
- Accelerated Program Full-Time Behavioral Health Concentration Curriculum
- Accelerated Program Full-Time Forensic Concentration Curriculum
Regular Standing Full-Time Curriculum Behavioral Health Concentration
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| Foundation Year | ||
| SOWK 6201 | Social Problems and Programs | 3 |
| SOWK 6511 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SOWK 6611 | SW Practice: Engagement | 3 |
| SOWK 6901 | Social Work Practice: Assessment and Methods | 3 |
| SOWK 6811 | Field I and Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 6301 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SOWK 6512 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SOWK 6812 | Field II - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 6910 | Research Method in Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 6912 | Social Work Practice: Intervention and Models | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Concentration Year - Behavioral Health | ||
| SOWK 7511 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SOWK 7512 | Theory and Models of Substance Abuse | 3 |
| SOWK 7811 | Field III - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7201 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| SOWK 7911 | Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7513 | Diversity & Oppression | 3 |
| SOWK 7812 | Field IV - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7912 | Prevention Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 7910 | Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 7913 | Wellness and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Regular Standing Full-Time Curriculum Forensic Concentration
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| Foundation Year | ||
| SOWK 6201 | Social Problems and Programs | 3 |
| SOWK 6511 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SOWK 6611 | SW Practice: Engagement | 3 |
| SOWK 6901 | Social Work Practice: Assessment and Methods | 3 |
| SOWK 6811 | Field I and Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 6301 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SOWK 6512 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SOWK 6812 | Field II - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 6910 | Research Method in Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 6912 | Social Work Practice: Intervention and Models | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Concentration Year - Forensic | ||
| SOWK 7511 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SOWK 7611 | Theory Pract Forensic Soc Wrk | 3 |
| SOWK 7612 | Forensic Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 7811 | Field III - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7201 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7910 | Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 7513 | Diversity & Oppression | 3 |
| SOWK 7714 | Forensic Social Work - Family | 3 |
| SOWK 7715 | Forensic Soc Wrk - Civil Court | 3 |
| SOWK 7812 | Field IV - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Regular Standing Part-Time Curriculum Behavioral Health Concentration
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| Foundation Year | ||
| SOWK 6201 | Social Problems and Programs | 3 |
| SOWK 6511 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 6301 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SOWK 6512 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Foundation Year | ||
| SOWK 6611 | SW Practice: Engagement | 3 |
| SOWK 6811 | Field I and Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 6901 | Social Work Practice: Assessment and Methods | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 6812 | Field II - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 6910 | Research Method in Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 6912 | Social Work Practice: Intervention and Models | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Concentration Year | ||
| SOWK 7511 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SOWK 7201 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7910 | Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 7513 | Diversity & Oppression | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Concentration Year - Behavioral Health | ||
| SOWK 7512 | Theory and Models of Substance Abuse | 3 |
| SOWK 7811 | Field III - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7911 | Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7812 | Field IV - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7912 | Prevention Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 7913 | Wellness and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Regular Standing Part-Time Curriculum Forensic Concentration
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| Foundation Year | ||
| SOWK 6201 | Social Problems and Programs | 3 |
| SOWK 6511 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 6301 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SOWK 6512 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Foundation Year | ||
| SOWK 6611 | SW Practice: Engagement | 3 |
| SOWK 6811 | Field I and Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 6901 | Social Work Practice: Assessment and Methods | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 6812 | Field II - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 6910 | Research Method in Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 6912 | Social Work Practice: Intervention and Models | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Concentration Year | ||
| SOWK 7511 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SOWK 7201 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7910 | Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 7513 | Diversity & Oppression | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Concentration Year - Forensic | ||
| SOWK 7611 | Theory Pract Forensic Soc Wrk | 3 |
| SOWK 7612 | Forensic Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 7811 | Field III - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7714 | Forensic Social Work - Family | 3 |
| SOWK 7715 | Forensic Soc Wrk - Civil Court | 3 |
| SOWK 7812 | Field IV - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Advanced Standing Full-Time Behavioral Health Concentration Curriculum
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | |
| SOWK 7000 | Advanced Standing Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| First Semester | ||
| Behavioral Health | ||
| SOWK 7201 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| SOWK 7511 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SOWK 7512 | Theory and Models of Substance Abuse | 3 |
| SOWK 7811 | Field III - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7911 | Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7910 | Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 7513 | Diversity & Oppression | 3 |
| SOWK 7812 | Field IV - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7912 | Prevention Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 7913 | Wellness and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Advanced Standing Full-Time Forensic Concentration Curriculum
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | |
| SOWK 7000 | Advanced Standing Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| First Semester | ||
| Forensic | ||
| SOWK 7201 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| SOWK 7511 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SOWK 7611 | Theory Pract Forensic Soc Wrk | 3 |
| SOWK 7612 | Forensic Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 7811 | Field III - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7513 | Diversity & Oppression | 3 |
| SOWK 7910 | Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 7714 | Forensic Social Work - Family | 3 |
| SOWK 7715 | Forensic Soc Wrk - Civil Court | 3 |
| SOWK 7812 | Field IV - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Advanced Standing Part-Time Curriculum Behavioral Health Concentration
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | |
| SOWK 7000 | Advanced Standing Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| First Semester | ||
| SOWK 7511 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SOWK 7201 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7513 | Diversity & Oppression | 3 |
| SOWK 7910 | Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Behavioral Health | ||
| SOWK 7512 | Theory and Models of Substance Abuse | 3 |
| SOWK 7811 | Field III - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7911 | Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7812 | Field IV - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7912 | Prevention Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 7913 | Wellness and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Advanced Standing Part-Time Curriculum Forensic Concentration
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | |
| SOWK 7000 | Advanced Standing Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| First Semester | ||
| SOWK 7511 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SOWK 7201 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7513 | Diversity & Oppression | 3 |
| SOWK 7910 | Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Forensic | ||
| SOWK 7611 | Theory Pract Forensic Soc Wrk | 3 |
| SOWK 7612 | Forensic Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 7811 | Field III - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7714 | Forensic Social Work - Family | 3 |
| SOWK 7715 | Forensic Soc Wrk - Civil Court | 3 |
| SOWK 7812 | Field IV - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Accelerated Program Full-Time Behavioral Health Concentration Curriculum
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours | |
| Foundation Year (Spring) | ||
| SOWK 6201 | Social Problems and Programs | 3 |
| SOWK 6511 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SOWK 6611 | SW Practice: Engagement | 3 |
| SOWK 6901 | Social Work Practice: Assessment and Methods | 3 |
| SOWK 6811 | Field I and Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOWK 6301 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SOWK 6512 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SOWK 6812 | Field II - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 6910 | Research Method in Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 6912 | Social Work Practice: Intervention and Models | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7513 | Diversity & Oppression | 3 |
| SOWK 7812 | Field IV - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7912 | Prevention Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 7910 | Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 7913 | Wellness and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| First Semester | ||
| SOWK 7511 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SOWK 7512 | Theory and Models of Substance Abuse | 3 |
| SOWK 7811 | Field III - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7201 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| SOWK 7911 | Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Accelerated Program Full-Time Forensic Concentration Curriculum
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours | |
| Foundation Year (Spring) | ||
| SOWK 6201 | Social Problems and Programs | 3 |
| SOWK 6511 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SOWK 6611 | SW Practice: Engagement | 3 |
| SOWK 6901 | Social Work Practice: Assessment and Methods | 3 |
| SOWK 6811 | Field I and Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOWK 6301 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SOWK 6512 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SOWK 6812 | Field II - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 6910 | Research Method in Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 6912 | Social Work Practice: Intervention and Models | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Second Semester | ||
| SOWK 7910 | Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 7513 | Diversity & Oppression | 3 |
| SOWK 7714 | Forensic Social Work - Family | 3 |
| SOWK 7715 | Forensic Soc Wrk - Civil Court | 3 |
| SOWK 7812 | Field IV - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| First Semester | ||
| SOWK 7511 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 |
| SOWK 7611 | Theory Pract Forensic Soc Wrk | 3 |
| SOWK 7612 | Forensic Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 7811 | Field III - Integrated Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 7201 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
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