Family Support in Social Work Minor/Certificate

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www.mscd.edu/socialwork

The Family Support in Social Work Minor/Certificate of Completion provides knowledge and understanding of family systems theory and family life developmental models. It provides the basis for supporting traditional and non-traditional families, including case management and service coordination in a variety of service delivery areas. An approved agency field experience of 135 hours is required and may be completed in the student’s work setting or as a volunteer.

The minor/certificate of completion recognizes the completion of a selected set of courses that focus on a particular career concentration that supports families through social work principles and practices. It is designed for professionals and beginning professionals wishing to enter the field or to enhance their family social work support skills.

The Family Support in Social Work Certificate of Completion is the same as the Family Support in Social Work Minor but does not require that students complete a degree. All information about the Family Support in Social Work Minor applies to the certificate of completion. Students must complete each course in the certificate program with a grade of “C” or better. The courses cannot be taken pass/fail.

The minor students are referred to as beginning professionals. (Social work majors are referred to as generalist social workers.) The knowledge and skills of minor students will enable them to perform important agency roles such as case aides, paraprofessionals, service coordinators, parent educators, parent advocates, home visitation specialists, etc. These courses are open to other MSCD minors, majors and non-degree-seeking students wishing to supplement their education.

In addition to completing the required courses listed below, minors must select one concentration and complete the concentration course(s) including SWK 3990 Agency Experience II in an agency serving the concentration population. Minors may complete only one concentration.

Concentrations are:

Family Preservation Services
Developmental Disabilities Services
Early Intervention Services: Birth through Five
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Gay and Lesbian Services
Women’s Services
Aging Services

Core Curriculum Required Courses:

Total: 11

Concentrations for Family Support in Social Work Minors:

A. Family Preservation Services:

Total: 24

Note:

*Major papers and/or assignments will reflect students’ area of concentration

Additional Information:

Case Aid Child Welfare stipends provided by the Colorado Department of Human Services have been awarded since 2000 to current public child welfare employees who are enrolled in the Family Support in Social Work Minor/Certificate of Completion Program. Stipends in the amount of $3,000 are awarded to selected recipients who are required to complete SWK 399A Agency Experience II in public child welfare agencies. A required work pay-back of one year as a paid worker in public child welfare must be completed following completion of the Family Support in Social Work Minor/Certificate of Completion Program.

B. Developmental Disabilities Services:

Total: 24

Note:

*Major papers and/or assignments will reflect students’ area of concentration

C. Early Intervention Services:

Total: 24

D. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services:

Family Support in Social Work Core
SWK 3000 - Applied Legal Issues in Social Work *
SWK 3010 - Social Work Services for Children and Adolescents
SWK 3020 - Case Management in Social Work Practice *
SWK 399D - Agency Experience II (Child and Adolescent Mental Health)

Total: 24

Note:

*Major papers and/or assignments will reflect students’ area of concentration

E. Gay and Lesbian Services:

Family Support in Social Work Core
SWK 3000 - Applied Legal Issues in Social Work *
SWK 3020 - Case Management in Social Work Practice *
SWK 3500 - Foundations for Social Work with Gays and Lesbians
SWK 399E - Agency Experience II (Gay and Lesbian)

Total: 24

Note:

*Major papers and/or assignments will reflect students’ area of concentration

F. Women’s Services:

Family Support in Social Work Core
SWK 3000 - Applied Legal Issues in Social Work *
SWK 3020 - Case Management in Social Work Practice *
SWK 3600 - Social Work with Women
SWK 399F - Agency Experience II (Women’s Services)

Total:

Note:

*Major papers and/or assignments will reflect students’ area of concentration

G. Aging Services:

Total: 24

Note:

*Major papers and/or assignments will reflect students’ area of concentration

Enrollment and Completion Requirements for Family Support in Social Work:

Minor and Certificate of Completion Program:

All minor and certificate students must submit an Enrollment Packet to the Social Work Department prior to course registration. Students will receive written acceptance from the Social Work Department. Many certificate minor courses are offered annually. SWK 1010 and SWK 1020 are required within the first semester and students are required to sign an agreement of completion form when applying to program to ensure appropriate sequencing of classes. Completion models and application materials are available in the Social Work Department and on the department’s website, www.mscd.edu/socialwork

Students must complete each course in the certificate program with a grade of “C” or better. The courses cannot be taken pass/fail.

All minor students must receive course grades of “C” or better and must have a grade point average of 2.5 or above in the courses that compose the Family Support in Social Work Minor to successfully complete it.

Changing from the Social Work Minor or Certificate to the Social Work Major:

Family Support in Social Work Minors and Certificate of Completion students who wish to continue into the social work major may count 13 of the 24 required credits courses toward the major: SWK 1010, SWK 1020, SWK 3000, SWK 3020, and the concentration course(s). The remaining 11 credits would count toward the 120 credits required of all students graduating from MSCD.