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MSW Program ApplicationRevised February 2013UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDASCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORKMaster of Social Work ProgramInformation PacketThank you for your interest in our Master of Social Work Program. As the USF Graduate Catalog indicates,our program is a specialized course of study designed to prepare graduates for clinical practice withindividuals, families and groups in agency or organization-based community practice settings. The programis designed to produce graduates who exhibit professional standards, values, and ethics in the practice ofsocial work; who demonstrate a respect for human beings and a commitment to the capacity for growthand change in people; and who demonstrate the application of professional social work principles throughprofessional discipline and self-awareness in the service of all clients. Graduates will be able to engage in arange of practice methodologies appropriate for treatment of individual and family problems and in workwith groups.Program DescriptionThe graduate program in social work is a course of study designed to respond to an identified need in theregion for skilled clinical social work practitioners. It is built upon a core of information basic to social workpractice, followed by advanced scholarly study in preparation for clinical work with individuals, families, andsmall groups. An intense field practicum affords the student the opportunity to apply theory gained in theclassroom to the problems of agency clients. The MSW program is fully accredited by the Council on SocialWork Education.Program OptionsThe MSW program is offered as either a full-time or part-time program.Full-time plan: offered over four semesters (Fall, Spring, Fall, and Spring). Electives are offered duringthe Summer.The field practicum requirements are completed during semester one through four.Part-time plan: offered over eight consecutive semesters. At this time, the three-year plan is beingoffered on an alternative cycle (contact school for start dates). The field practicum requirements arecompleted during semesters two through eight.Advanced standing (full-time): offered in the Spring and Summer semester for 3 semesters (Spring,Fall, and Spring). Electives can be taken during the Summer semester. Applicants who have graduatedfrom an accredited BSW program within the last 5 years may be eligible to apply for advanced standingstatus.Advanced standing (part-time): admitted in the fourth semester of the part-time program.Admission decisions for the two-year plan are made each Spring for classes beginning in the Fall semester. The same decisions forthe part-time students are made in the six-month period prior to the beginning of the next class.1
MSW Program ApplicationRevised February 2013Program RequirementsMSW ProgramMSW program for students with a bachelor’s or other master’s degree consists of 60 semester hours ofstudy, as follows: (see attached course schedule) 17 hours of foundation courses 24 hours of advanced courses 13 hours of supervised field instruction 6 hours of elective workMSW Advanced Standing ProgramThe program offers recent graduates from an accredited BSW program (within the last 5 years) the optionof applying for advanced standing which provides for entry into graduate study under different standardsthan students entering with other degrees. This difference reflects recognition of the professionalfoundations content provided in an accredited BSW program. Students who qualify by receiving a “B” orbetter in an undergraduate social work course can be waived out of 17 hours of foundations content, thuscompleting the degree with 38 hours of course credit hours. The course of study for the MSW 48 semesterhour advanced standing program consists of: (see attached course schedule) 24 hours of advanced courses 8 hours of supervised field instruction 6 hours of elective workThe Master of Social Work program is a rigorous, two or three year course of study. Students areencouraged to devote sufficient time to their studies. All students receive a comprehensive evaluation byfaculty at the end of the first semester.Field InstructionField instruction in social work education is a specially designed learning experience, not intended as amechanism to accrue on-the-job training. Students currently employed in a social agency may notcomplete their field placements in their current jobs except with the consent of the MSW Field PlacementCoordinator. In this case, a special contract is drawn up between the School and the agency to define andprotect the learning process for the student-employee. Students should be aware that most fieldpracticums occur Monday-Friday during normal business hours. Therefore, students shouldmake arrangements to accommodate field practicumsElectivesAll social work students must take two electives (six hours total) during their coursework at the School ofSocial Work. Several elective courses are offered by the School each semester and during the summer.Electives taken in another department must be pre-approved by the Chair of the Graduate ProgramNote: Since the curriculum is heavily sequenced with required courses, students are cautioned thatwithdrawal from any one course is tantamount to withdrawal from the MSW program. In this event, astudent must re-apply for admission to the program at the time the program is offered again.MSW/MPH Dual DegreeThe MSW/MPH program is a collaborative effort between the School of Social Work and College of PublicHealth. Interested students should contact the School of Social Work for more details. Admissions to eachprogram are conducted independently. Students must gain admissions to either the School of Social Workor the College of Public Health, then submit the dual degree application to the other program.2
MSW Program ApplicationRevised February 2013MSW Program(s)Full-Time Advanced Standing: (Total Hours 48)(Yr 1) Sem 1Foundationcourses waived(17)(Yr 1) Sem. 2SOW 6124 (3)PsychopathologySOW 6342 (3)Social Work Practicewith IndividualsSummer ElectivesSocial WorkElectives areavailable duringthe summer(Yr 2) Sem. 1(Yr 2) Sem.2SOW 6236 (3)Social Welfare PolicyDevelopment and AnalysisSOW 6126 (2)Health, Illness, andDisabilitySOW 6362 (3)Social Work Practice withCouples and FamiliesSOW 6368 (3)Social Work Practice withGroupsSOW 6438 (3)Evaluations of ClinicalPractice in Diverse SettingsSOW 6375 (3)Advanced Social WorkMacro PracticeSOW 6536 (4)Field Instruction IIISOW 6539 (4)Field Instruction IVElective (3)Elective (3)SOW 8907 (1)Capstone ProjectFull-Time Non-Advanced Standing: (Total Hours 60)(Yr 1) Sem 1SOW 6105 (3)Foundations inHuman BehaviorSOW 6235 (3)Foundations ofSocial Welfare andPolicySOW 6305 (3)Foundations ofSocial Work MicroPracticeSOW 6348 (3)Diversity and SocialJustice(Yr 1) Sem 2SOW 6124 (3)PsychopathologySummer ElectivesSocial WorkElectives areavailable duringthe summer(Yr 2) Sem 1(Yr 2) Sem 2SOW 6236 (3)Social Welfare PolicyDevelopment and AnalysisSOW 6126 (2)Health, Illness, andDisabilitySOW 6362 (3)Social Work Practice withCouples and FamiliesSOW 6368 (3)Social Work Practice withGroupsSOW 6405 (3)Foundations of SocialWork Research &StatisticsSOW 6438 (3)Evaluations of ClinicalPractice in Diverse SettingsSOW 6375 (3)Advanced Social WorkMacro PracticeSOW 6535 (4)Field Instruction IISOW 6536 (4)Field Instruction IIISOW 6539 (4)Field Instruction IVClinical Elective (3)*Clinical Elective (3) *SOW 8907 (1)Capstone ProjectSOW 6342 (3)Social Work Practicewith IndividualsSOW 6186 (2)Foundations ofSocial Work MacroPracticeSOW 6534(1) by student preference and class availability may be taken during summer*ElectivesscheduledField Instruction I3
MSW Program ApplicationRevised February 2013*All students are required to take 6 credit hours of electives .Electives scheduled by student preference and classavailability may be taken during summer semester to lighten course load in fall and spring semesters.Part-Time Course Schedule: (Total Hours 60; AS 48)Sem 1SOW 6105 (3)Found of HumBehaviorSOW 6305 (3)Found of SocialWork MicroPracticeSOW 6348 (3)Diversity andSocial JusticeSem 2Sem 3SOW 6186 (2)Foundations ofSocial WorkMacro PracticeSOW 6342 (3)Social WorkPractice withIndividualsSOW 6235 (3)SOW 6405 (3)Found of SocialWelfare and PolicyFundamentals ofSocial WorkResearch &StatisticsSOW 6534 (1)Field Instruction ISOW 6553 (2)Field InstructionSem 4ADVANCEDSTANDING ENTERHERESOW 6124 (3)PsychopathologySem 5SOW 6236 (3)Social WelfarePolicy Developmentand AnalysisSOW 6362 (3)SOW 6342 (3)Social WorkPractice withIndividuals(AS ONLY)SOW 6438 (3)Social WorkPractice withCouples andFamiliesSOW 6555 (2)Field InstructionEvaluation of ClinicalPractice in DiverseSettingsSOW 6554 (2)Field InstructionSem 6SOW 6368 (3)Social WorkPractice withGroupsSem 7SOW 6126 (2)Health, Illness,and DisabilitySOW 6557 (2)Sow 6556 (2)Field InstructionField InstructionSem 8SOW 6375 (3)Elective (3)Advanced SocialWork MacroPractice*All students arerequired to take 6hours of electives.SOW 8907 (1)Capstone ProjectElectivesElectivesSOW 6558 (2)Field Instruction(180 clock hours per semester or 12 hours per week)The highlighted courses are waived for advanced standing students.Part-Time Field Program Field InternshipPart-time students should carefully examine the challenges of combining the MSW program with a job andpersonal responsibilities. Courses are offered on week nights and the field seminars may be offered onSaturdays. Field practicum opportunities are rarely available evenings and weekends so that studentsmust be prepared to complete internship requirements during normal working hours.AdmissionsIf you wish to apply for admission to our program, please follow the guidelines outlined below. You willnote that some materials are to be sent to the USF Graduate School, and some materials should be sentto the School of Social Work.4
MSW Program ApplicationRevised February 2013All applicants must meet the pre-requisites of an undergraduate Liberal Arts background as defined in theProcedures and Criteria for Admission portion of this application. Gaining admission to the MSW program isa competitive process. Applicants who meet the minimum criteria will not necessarily be acceptedinto the program due to space limitations. The minimum criteria are:An applicant must have one of the following:1. A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and satisfying at least one of the followingcriteria:o "B" average or better in all work attempted while registered as an undergraduate student workingfor a degree, oro "B" average or better in all work attempted while registered as an upper division undergraduatestudent working for a baccalaureate degree.2. A bachelor's degree with a "B" average or better from a regionally accredited institution and a previousgraduate degree with a "B" average or better from a regionally accredited institution.3. The equivalent bachelors and/or graduate degrees from a foreign institution.NOTE: "B" average is equivalent to a 3.0 GPAThe MSW program does not grant social work course credit for life or previous work experience.SOW policy regarding the TOEFL (The Test of English as a Foreign Language) passing score is the sameas the USF Graduate School.If you should have any further questions, please call the School at (813) 974-2063 and ask to speak to theChair of the Graduate Admissions Committee.Deadlines Spring Semester- October 15th Fall and Summer Semester- February 15thGraduate AssistantshipsAcademically strong students with a GPA over 3.5 are encouraged to apply for a competitive GraduateAssistantship. These assistantships provide for up to 12 graduate hours of tuition and guaranteestudents 10 hours of employment with a Social work professor per week for two semesters. Studentswill work closely with their assigned Professor on course preparation and research projects. Oncestudents have been accepted into the MSW program, they will be sent a GA application. The GraduateAssistantships are highly selective and GA applications are due by June 1 st. Students will be notifiedafter June 15th. This only applies to Fall applicants.Procedures & Criteria for AdmissionApplicants are required to apply to both the USF School of Social Work and the USF Graduate School. Theprocedures and required materials are outlined below.USF Graduate Admissions Application5
MSW Program Application Revised February 2013The USF Graduate Admissions application is available online. Consult the USF Graduate SchoolWebsite and Graduate Admissions link.Applicants must also submit: Official transcripts of all undergraduate & graduate coursework attempted and/or completed GRE scores are not required for application to the program, but if students wish to include their GREscores (test taken within [5] years preceding application) they can be forwarded by EducationalTesting Service to the Graduate Admissions Office. Information about the GRE test, test dates, andapplications may be secured from the Continuing Education Testing Services, SVC2060,(www.outreach.usf.edu/conted/testing) or directly from the Educational Testing Service, CN 6000,Princeton, NJ 08541-6000.Send to:USF Office of Graduate Admissions4202 E Fowler Ave., SVC 1036Tampa, Fl. 33620-2910School of Social Work Application (see attached)Send to: USF School of Social Workc/o MSW Admissions Chair13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1400Tampa, Fl. 33612Three reference forms (see application form) These references should be completed by theapplicant’s current and previous professors and supervisors in social service positions. NOTE: TheSchool of Social Work Recommendation Form must be provided to each person from whom theapplicant is soliciting a reference (see pages 11-16 for copies of form). Please do not submitpersonal references.You may also submit a “Request for Recommendation” form to those you are requesting referencesfrom. You can find the form at this link: http://socialwork.cbcs.usf.edu/ assets/docs/LoR.pdfEssay’so Essay 1 should be approximately 500 words, typed, double-spaced, and must be submittedwith the School of Social Work’s application. Please include: how your life experiences,including those relating to human diversity, have led you to an interest in the Social Workfield; your reasons and readiness for pursuing a graduate degree; and an assessment ofyour strengths and weaknesses. In addition, you should describe any experiences that youhave had either voluntary or paid, in working with people.oEssay 2 should be approximately 500 words, typed, double-spaced, and must describe anational or global social problem. Assuming you have the power and resources at yourdisposal, what would you recommend for intervention and/or social change to address thesocial problem? Be sure to support your ideas.Student Resume.Applicants for Advanced Standing status should submit a copy of their undergraduate fieldpracticum evaluation.A personal interview with members of the faculty may be part of the admissions process. Thisinterview will cover all matters relevant to the candidate’s qualifications. Arrangements may be6
MSW Program ApplicationRevised February 2013made for the interview to be held elsewhere when traveling distance poses a hardship for theapplicant.Early submission is strongly recommended. All credentials must be received by the GraduateAdmissions Office prior to the deadline for applications to the Master of Social Work program.Admissions Criteria:See USF Graduate Catalog for University Admissions CriteriaAdditional Admissions Requirements: It is preferred, but not required that all applicants to the Master’s Degree program in Social Workhave completed one year of post undergraduate work in a social service agency (in a servicecapacity) or its equivalent as determined by the MSW Graduate Admissions Committee. Experiencesthat might be considered as equivalent to one year’s work include supervised field practicum hours,extensive volunteer experience, or other professional work experiences.All MSW applicants will have their undergraduate transcripts evaluated in relation to a set of liberal artscourse pre-requisites. Please review your undergraduate courses in advance to determine whether youhave met the criteria. All applicants must attain a liberal arts background, which we define as thefollowing course work:6 hours English6 hours Math6 hours Sciences3 hours Humanities3 hours Social SciencesWith the exception of the human biology content, applicants graduating from an A.A. degree program ina Florida state community college or holding a baccalaureate degree from a Florida stateuniversity/college usually will meet these liberal arts requirements. However, any applicant may beadvised as to an appropriate course of action if found deficient in any liberal arts requirement as a precondition for admission.However, any applicant may be advised as to an appropriate course of action if found deficient in anyliberal arts requirement as a pre-condition for admission. For example, applicants accepted in the MSWprogram but lacking content in human biology will be required to take a course on human biology or itsequivalent, i.e., Foods and Drugs; Human Sexuality; or Sex, Reproduction and Population prior tograduation.All Admission materials must be received by the Graduate Admissions Office and by theSchool of Social Work by the specified deadlines of the year for which admission is beingsought. (Please see page 5 for deadlines dates.)7
The MSW program does not grant social work course credit for life or previous work experience. SOW policy regarding the TOEFL (The Test of English as a Foreign Language) passing score
