2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Department of Social Work
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Social Work is a professional practice. The primary educational goal of the major is preparation of generalist social work practice in social agencies. Through professional foundation courses and electives, students acquire skills, knowledge, values, and ethics required for beginning social work practice. A minor is not required for this major.
The Social Work Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver has trained undergraduate, social work professionals for the last fifteen years. We are proud of the accomplishments of our students and graduates who now serve the metropolitan Denver community in many key positions.
Metropolitan State University of Denver does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, handicapping conditions, gender or sexual orientation. The Social Work Department encourages ethnic and other minority students to apply.
Academic Programs
Rationale and Mission - The Social Work Major
The Social Work Department at Metro State is committed to educating and training B.S.S.W. social work professionals in generalist social work practice so that they may provide direct and indirect services to minority and majority clients. The focus of the department is on problems that often affect oppressed minorities representing people of color (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian American) and other diverse populations, including women and children, gender and sexual minorities, the developmentally delayed and the aging. The department is committed to helping individuals in need and working toward leadership in the social, economic and political context that often fosters painful and socially unjust human conditions.
The needs of metropolitan Denver and other areas warrant a generalist perspective in which students are able to identify the destructive impact of negative interactions between individuals and systems in their environment. Such interactions often have detrimental effects upon the social functioning of individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and larger systems. Through professional foundation courses and electives, students acquire skills, knowledge, values and ethics required for beginning social work practice. Clients are seen as partners in the process of working toward mutually agreed upon goals rooted in generalist practice. Using problem-solving methods aimed at individual and group empowerment, the impact of historic and current negative valuations of diverse, at-risk populations may slowly be mitigated.
Goals of the Social Work Major
The goals of the Social Work Department reflect the mission of MSU Denver and the purposes of the social work profession:
- To prepare students for generalist social work practice with diverse, at-risk populations, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and larger systems.
- To prepare students to be competent and effective, professional social workers, providing leadership and service in service-delivery systems that address the needs of diverse populations.
- To provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for understanding the dynamic nature of social problems, policies, agencies, and change in the context of a diverse environment as an evolving ecological system.
- To provide an ethical foundation to guide students in beginning and continued, professional social work practice in keeping with social work values.
- To prepare graduates to further develop their potential for lifelong learning and continued professional growth.
Objectives of the Social Work Department
- Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.
- Demonstrate the values of the social work profession with an understanding of respect for the positive value of diversity, including ethnic minorities, gender and sexual minorities, the aging, women and children, and the developmentally disabled.
- Practice without discrimination and with respect, the knowledge and skills related to clients’ age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
- Integrate practice, research, and policy skills, and utilize the strategies of advocacy and social change to ameliorate the distress of diverse populations who have often experienced or still do experience social and economic injustice.
- Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and contemporary structures and issues.
- Begin generalist practice with the theoretical knowledge and skills essential for social work with diverse client systems of all sizes.
- Apply the theoretical and conceptual knowledge base of the four sources of human behavior (biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural) across the life span to their understanding of the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Formulate, influence, and analyze the impact of social policies on diverse populations, workers and agencies.
- Evaluate research studies, apply findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions and those of other relevant systems.
- Use communication skills differentially with a variety of client populations, colleagues, and community members.
- Utilize supervision and consultation when applying generalist social work knowledge and skills on behalf of all client systems.
- Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems, and, under supervision, seek necessary organizational change.
Social Work Major, B.S.
Social Work is an exciting academic major, preparing students for professional entry-level work in the social and human services. Students in the major engage in the exploration of ways to ameliorate personal, interpersonal, and societal problems and learn skills and techniques in order to create change and make a difference in people’s lives. Social Work is a valuable degree as many employers recognize it as preparing graduates to utilize a variety of tools to work with diverse populations on multiple issues and goals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
there are over 112 million paid social workers in the U.S., but there is a great need for more. “Employment of social workers is expected to grow by 25 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations” (Bureau ofLabor Statistics, Aug. 2013). Bachelor-level social workers are employed in a variety of settings, including schools, prisons, non-profit and for-profit
private agencies, and governmental agencies. They work with individuals, families,groups, and communities as intake staff, resource and referral specialists, case workers, case managers, program coordinators, project directors, community organizers, and more.
Accreditation
The BSSW Program has been continuously accredited since 1997 by the Council on Social Work Education, the sole accrediting body for social work programs in the U.S. Accreditation assures that professional standards are met in curriculum content and delivery. Accredited programs periodically undergo rigorous review by CSWE in order to ensure compliance with educational standards.
Required Prerequisite Courses
The major requires 10 prerequisite General Studies and Social Work courses to set the foundation for coursework in the major. Students must have all prerequisite courses completed prior to entry into the major. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better. Upon approaching completion of the prerequisites, students may apply to the program (a formal application is required for acceptance into the major, see below). General Studies and Other Coursework
* Indicates course is a prerequisite and must be taken before entry into the program Oral Communication * (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
Social and Behavioral Sciences * (9 credits)
Note: 3 credits apply to SBS I and 3 credits apply to SBS II. Global Diversity (0-3 credits)
The Global Diversity requirement may be fulfilled with a course that also fulfills the Arts & Humanities, Historical, or Natural & Physical Sciences requirement. See General Studies requirements for course list. Multicultural (0-3 credits)
The Multicultural requirement may be fulfilled with a course that also fulfills the Historical or Arts & Humanities requirement. See Multicultural requirements for course list.
Total General Studies and Other Prerequisite Courses: 42 credits Social Work Prerequisites
Required Social Work Courses
Because the BSSW degree is professionally-oriented, students must pass through the curriculum in a sequential manner with lower-level courses preparing them for the work and expectations of upper-level courses. The following Social Work courses are required after students have been accepted into the BSSW Program. Students must adhere to the required coursework. Totals
All Required Coursework for the BSSW degree
| General Studies Prerequisites: |
42 credits |
| Social Work Prerequisites: |
5 credits |
| Major courses: |
55 credits |
| Additional (Elective and General Studies) courses: |
18 credits |
Total: 120 credits
MSU Denver requires that students have at least 120 semester hours to earn a bachelor’s degree. The BSSW degree does not require a minor. Additional Information
Child Welfare Stipend
Social Workers assume primary roles in providing intake, assessment, case planning, and ongoing services in all areas of child welfare. The child welfare stipend is designed for students interested in pursuing a career as a caseworker or supervisor in child welfare services. Since 1995 the Colorado Department of Human Services has awarded over $1,500,000 in Child Welfare Caseworker stipends to MSU Denver social work majors who have completed the child welfare courses. Students must apply through the Department of Social Work and compete for the Child Welfare Stipend program. The stipend program is an excellent way for students to gain knowledge and experience in this subspecialty and to secure an entry-level position with the Department of Human Services. Stipends in amounts ranging from $8,000-$14,000 are awarded to selected recipients. Recipients are required to complete their professional field experience in a public child welfare agency, and after graduation, they are required to work for one year as paid caseworkers in public child welfare. This work must be completed prior to starting an MSW program. Additional information about the Child Welfare Stipend program can be found on the Department of Social Work website.
Required Social Work Professional Foundation Courses for the Child Welfare Stipend
Professional Field Experience
Social Work Field Experience takes place during the fall and spring semesters of the student’s senior year. In order to integrate classroom knowledge with practice and to experience the role and requirements of a professional social worker, the student is placed in an approved social work agency for approximately 16 hours per week for 240 hours a semester (a total of 480 hours over both semesters). The student remains in the same agency for both semesters, progressing from orientation to beginning professional competence. Additional information about field experience, including eligibility, application, and securing a field site, can be found on the Department of Social Work website.
Application to the Major
Students who wish to pursue the BSSW should declare Social Work as their major with the Office of Admissions when they apply to MSU Denver. Admission to the BSSW Program is not guaranteed. To be considered for the major, students must meet the admission criteria and submit a BSSW Program application to the Department of Social Work in order to determine acceptance into the major. When applying to the BSSW Program, students should have the prerequisite liberal arts perspective courses and the introductory social work courses completed or they should be enrolled with the intent to complete them before the program begins. Students are accepted into the BSSW Program once a year. Beginning February 1, students may complete the application by visiting the Department of Social Work website and must submit the application by the posted application deadline. Students will be notified of their acceptance status by email. For complete application instructions and admission process information, please visit the Department of Social Work website at www.msudenver.edu/socialwork.
Credit for Life Experience
No credit is given for learning gained through life experience and no life experience credit may be used toward the BSSW Major.
Sequencing of Courses
Prior to entering the program, students are required to take specified prerequisites in the liberal arts and social work. Upon entering the program, students are required to take courses in a specified order. This course sequencing is mandatory and ensures necessary preparation for students to successfully complete courses throughout the program. Please note: Students who fail to follow the required course sequencing may delay their graduation by a year or more. In addition, students who take courses out of order may not receive credit for those courses and may be required to retake those courses.
A Grade of “D” or “F” in a Social Work Course
Students must receive a “C-” or better in all social work courses. Students earning a grade of less than “C-” must meet with their social work advisor before the start of the next semester. Please see the Department of Social Work website for further information.
Minimum GPA
A student must maintain a 2.67 overall GPA to stay in good standing in the Social Work program. Please see the Department of Social Work website for further information.
Transfer Students
Students transferring to Metropolitan State University of Denver must first apply as a transfer student through the Office of Admissions. Once they have been accepted into MSU Denver and have had their transcripts evaluated, they will be advised regarding remaining General Studies and other prerequisite requirements that must be fulfilled. Transfer students are also expected to meet the BSSW Program’s prerequisite requirements.
Social Work Course Transfer Policy
Incoming students who have taken Social Work courses at another college or university may have the coursework reviewed to apply for Social Work credit for the courses. To be considered, coursework must have been completed at a college or university accredited by a regional accreditation body (see MSU Denver website for additional information). In addition, certain coursework must have been completed within a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to be considered for transfer into the BSSW Program. There is a limit to the number of courses and the types of courses that may transfer in as Social Work credit. To be considered for credit, students must provide documentation that includes the course description, course syllabus, and requirements. For a full description of the transfer requirements and of the process for consideration of credit, please see the Department of Social Work website.
Online Program Orientation
All students accepted into the BSSW Program are required to successfully complete an online Program Orientation within a specified timeframe announced at the time of admission. Students who do not successfully complete the online Program Orientation will be dropped from their core Social Work courses and must wait until the following academic year to take the orientation and to begin the BSSW program.
Advising Appointments
Students who intend to major or minor in Social Work are first advised by the University’s Academic Advising Center. Contact the Academic Advising Center at 303-556-3680 or advising@msudenver.edu. Students who have less than 45 credits and are applying to the BSSW program must attend an information session. Transfer students with Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing with at least 45 credits and who are in process of applying to the BSSW program may make an appointment with the BSSW Program Advisor. Please see the department website for further information. Accepted students are assigned a faculty advisor before the beginning of the Fall semester and are required to contact their faculty advisor during their first semester in the program. Students may make an appointment with their assigned faculty advisor by contacting the department. Please see the Department of Social Work website for further information.
Advanced Standing in Graduate School
Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited social work program may apply for advanced standing (where available) in Masters-level social work graduate programs. Depending upon the graduate program, advanced standing students are able to complete their MSW in an accelerated course of study. Students are urged to contact graduate programs for their policies on advanced standing.
Social Work Minor
The Social Work Minor is designed for students interested in augmenting their major with social work courses. Graduates with a Minor in Social Work are not considered social workers. However, employers may value the minor, particularly if the student is pursuing a career in a helping field. Students must earn a “C-” or above to earn credit for the social work courses in the minor. Students must formally apply to the minor. The application form, criteria, and instructions can be found on the Department of Social Work website. Additional Information
Child Welfare Stipend
The Colorado Department of Human Services has a program for child welfare stipends. Current Title IV-E funded public child welfare case aid or case worker employees who are enrolled in the Social Work Minor may be eligible for the stipend program. Students in the stipend program are restricted as to the electives they may take for credit in the program. Acceptance into the stipend program is not guaranteed. For additional information, application, and requirements for the stipend program, please visit the Department of Social Work website.
Transferring to the Social Work Major from the Social Work Minor
Current Social Work Minor students may apply as a major to the BSSW Program. Students must be formally accepted into the program in order to be considered a BSSW Major. Upon acceptance into the major, students are to meet with the BSSW Program Advisor to receive a course of study plan. The application and admission requirements for the BSSW Major are defined above.
For further information, please visit the Department of Social Work at www.msudenver.edu/socialwork.
Family Support Certificate
The Family Support Certificate program is designed for students interested in establishing credentials in working with families. Typically, these students are already working for a state agency. Students pursuing a certificate do not have to be pursuing a major in the university, and the coursework they may take is limited to the specific courses listed below. Students must earn a “C-” or above to earn credit for the social work courses in the certificate program. Students must formally apply to the certificate program. The application form, criteria, and instructions can be found on the Department of Social Work website. Additional Information
Child Welfare Stipend
The Colorado Department of Human Services has a program for child welfare stipends. Current Title IV-E funded public child welfare case aid or case worker employees who are enrolled in the Family Support Certificate may be eligible for the stipend program. Students in the stipend program are restricted as to the electives they may take for credit in the program. Acceptance into the stipend program is not guaranteed. For additional information, application, and requirements for the stipend program, please visit the Department of Social Work website.
Transferring to the Social Work Major from the Social Work Minor
Current Family Support Certificate students may apply as a major to the BSSW Program. Students must be formally accepted into the program in order to be considered a BSSW Major. Upon acceptance into the major, students are to meet with the BSSW Program Advisor to receive a course of study plan. The application and admission requirements for the BSSW Major are defined above.
For further information, please visit the Department of Social Work at www.msudenver.edu/socialwork. Courses
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