Graduate Program in Social Work

Master of Social Work, M.S.W.

Director: Dr. Cindy Locklear

Program Description

The mission of the Social Work Program at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke seeks to prepare students to become leaders in enhancing the quality of life and seeking solutions to rural problems. It is particularly concerned with the consequences of injustice, and thus focuses on the empowerment of populations-at-risk and the advancement of economic, political and social justice in all communities. Additionally the mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke is to prepare students for professional social work practice within an advanced generalist model. Social workers prepared using an advanced generalist model have the capacity to practice in varied settings with diverse client populations. They are equipped to utilize resources available in rural areas and prepared for challenges faced when working with indigenous communities. They have an awareness of both historical and contemporary social issues that are embedded in a framework of a larger, more global reality. The MSW program offers a program for full-time and part-time students as well as an advanced standing program for students who have completed a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited social work program. Earned BSW degrees may be covered by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.

Program-Specific Admissions Standards

Applications are welcome at any time during the year, but the MSW program will not admit new students for spring semester and will admit advanced standing students in the summer only. All admissions will be for summer or fall terms.

Students with accredited undergraduate degrees in social work, who choose to enter either as regular full-time MSW students or regular part-time MSW students, are eligible to test out of selected first year courses.  This is done in order to avoid duplication and redundancy of course content of generalist program content from the BSW program.  If you are interested in testing out, please contact the program director.

Request your recommendations from professional supervisors or university faculty who are not members of the UNCP Social Work Department.

Submit an essay which incorporates both autobiographical information and discussion of a social problem. Detailed directions are available on the Graduate School website and must be carefully followed.

Degree and GPA

Advanced Standing

Minimum required undergraduate GPA of 3.2 overall

Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE accredited university within the past 5 years required for consideration. Earned BSW degrees may be covered by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.

Standard MSW Program

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university

Minimum required undergraduate GPA of 2.75 overall for the hybrid program or 3.0 or higher GPA for the fully online program

Prerequisite Courses

Applicants with a BSW Degree from a CSWE-Accredited University

Human Biology/ Human Development and Growth - 3 hours

Statistics - 3 hours

Applicants without a BSW Degree from a CSWE-Accredited University

Basic English Communication Skills - 6 hours

Fine Arts and Humanities - 9 hours

Social Sciences - 9 hours

Human Biology/ Human Development and Growth - 3 hours

Statistics - 3 hours

Three Recommenders

Professional supervisors or university faculty who are not members of the UNCP Department of Social Work

Essay

An essay which incorporates both autobiographical information and discussion of a social problem. Detailed directions are available on The Graduate School website and must be carefully followed.

Courses

• SWK 3450. Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3 credits)
• SWK 5010. Foundation Field I External Supervision (0 credit)
• SWK 5020. Foundation Field II External Supervision (0 credit)
• SWK 5030. Concentration Field I External Supervision (0 credit)
• SWK 5040. Concentration Field II External Supervision (0 credit)
• SWK 5050. Foundations of Social Work Practice (3 credits)
• SWK 5070. Social Welfare Policies and Analysis (3 credits)
• SWK 5080. Advanced Practice in Rural Settings (3 credits)
• SWK 5090. Human Behavior and the Social Environment (3 credits)
• SWK 5100. Social Work Research (3 credits)
• SWK 5200. Social Work in a Diverse Community (3 credits)
• SWK 5320. Community Development and Social Planning in Rural Communities (3 credits)
• SWK 5430. Advanced Practice with Individuals and Families (3 credits)
• SWK 5450. Advanced Intervention Research (3 credits)
• SWK 5580. Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups and Organizations in Rural Communities (3 credits)
• SWK 5650. Mental Health Diagnostics (3 credits)
• SWK 5700. Child Welfare (Rural/Indigenous Communities) (3 credits)
• SWK 5710. Grant Writing (3 credits)
• SWK 5720. Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals with Varying Abilities (3 credits)
• SWK 5730. Advanced Practice in School Social Work (3 credits)
• SWK 6060. Crisis Intervention in Social Work (3 credits)
• SWK 6300. Human Trafficking in the US (3 credits)
• SWK 6400. Forensic Social Work (3 credits)
• SWK 6500. Military Social Work (3 credits)
• SWK 6710. Advanced Practice with Indigenous Populations (3 credits)
• SWK 6800. International Social Work and Social Development (3 credits)

• SWKS 6xxx. Special Topics in Social Work (3 credits)