2014-2015 Graduate Catalog Academic Catalog

Connect on youtube

This is an archived copy of the 2014-2015 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uwgb.edu.

Master of Social Work

http://www.uwgb.edu/socwork/msw/admissions.asp

UW-Green Bay and UW-Oshkosh have established a Collaborative MSW Program that prepares social workers for advanced practice as facilitators, partners and leaders in planned change activities with service users and community service providers. The program’s goal is to educate professionals ready to assume direct practice and administrative leadership roles within this region’s increasingly diverse and transforming rural and metropolitan environments.

The program aims to prepare practitioners who can work to strengthen families through services and policies supportive of family and community well-being; engage in interdisciplinary learning and coordinated inter-professional practice; provide leadership in the community and encourage and guide the inclusion and representation of Native Americans and members of diverse cultures in the region.

Program graduates provide leadership in the social work field:

  • Through their expertise in the use of skills associated with “best practice” models, particularly those that are family-focused and that serve diverse clientele;
  • By taking action to improve services, particularly in the public and tribal practice sectors and in rural social work practice;
  • By regularly utilizing research to critically analyze, improve and develop services within their areas of expertise;
  • By developing and refining services through collaborative efforts with diverse clientele;
  • By developing ongoing and innovative strategies for support of professional peers.

The program offers a full-time curriculum which can be completed in two calendar years for students entering at the foundation level or one year for students entering at the advanced level. A part-time program is also available which can be completed in nine semesters for students entering at the foundation level or five semesters for students entering at the advanced level. To meet the needs of working students, most courses in the program are offered evenings or Saturdays. Students also integrate and apply their classroom learning in a sixteen-hour per week field experience.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Collaborative MSW Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  1. Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75, with 3.0 in the last two years of study;
  2. Have an academic background in the liberal arts and have completed a minimum of 18 credits in the social sciences from among courses in at least three of the following disciplines: psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, and political science (BSW students meet this criterion);
  3. Through a written statement, three references (including one academic reference), and a relevant professional work/volunteer background, provide evidence of interest in and ability to work with social work clientele and in social work settings; documentation of breadth and depth of professional and/or volunteer experience (usually includes post-baccalaureate experience) that has prepared the applicant for advanced level practice;
  4. Have completed course work in: biological life sciences, statistics, research methods, and life span development or submit plans for completing this work prior to taking the Advanced Curriculum in the program; students who need to complete more than two support courses will not be admitted;
  5. For advanced standing, have graduated from an accredited baccalaureate social work program within the last eight years.

Detailed admissions information will be posted on the Collaborative MSW Program website in the fall of 2014.

Steps Toward the Degree

  1. Prospective student submits an admission application and is recommended for admission.
  2. Applicant is admitted to the Master of Social Work graduate program.
  3. The student submits an Official Declaration of Master’s Degree (GR-1 Form) to the Office of Graduate Studies no later than the end of the semester in which the first six graduate credits are completed. This confirms the student’s enrollment in the program.
  4. As part of advanced standing coursework, the student registers for SOC WORK 731 (fall) and develops a professional project proposal. Proposal is reviewed and approved by the course instructor.
  5. After successful completion of SOC WORK 731, the student registers for SOC WORK 734 (spring) and completes IRB materials and the Approval of Thesis or Project Proposal (GR-2 Form) is submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies by the course instructor.
  6. The student files an Application for Graduation with the Registrar’s Office through the Student Information System (SIS). The application must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar prior to November 1 for fall semester graduates, and April 1 for spring and summer semester graduates.
  7. Student registers for SOC WORK 732 (summer) and continue work on their project. Upon successful completion, the course instructor submits a grade. The instructor also files the Approval of Thesis Defense or Project Presentation (GR-4 Form) with the Office of Graduate Studies.
  8. Degree is awarded and graduate receives diploma.

Areas of Emphasis

In addition to requiring a common foundation of courses, the Collaborative MSW Program offers students a choice of two concentrations.

The Advanced Direct Practice concentration prepares students for leadership in the field through their work with and on behalf of individuals, groups and families. Work with vulnerable families who face multiple life challenges is emphasized.

Students may also concentrate their studies in social work Administration and Management. This concentration admits students who are interested in providing leadership in their management roles, particularly in public and tribal settings.

Degree Requirements

For program applicants who do not have a BSW degree completed within the last eight years, 60 credits are required for graduation. This includes a 28-credit two-semester foundation curriculum (fall and spring), and a 32-credit three-semester advanced curriculum (fall, spring, and summer). Applicants who have completed a BSW degree within the last eight years receive advanced standing and recognition for having completed all foundation requirements.

Students in the program are required to maintain a grade of B or better in all required social work courses.

Part-Time Option

Students entering the Foundation Program complete the part-time option in four years. Students entering the Advanced Standing curriculum complete the part-time option in two years.

Foundation Curriculum Requirements
Foundation Courses 128
Ethical Issues in Contemporary Social Work
Generalist Practice I
Skills Lab with Individuals, Families and Small Groups
Generalist Social Work Practice II
Skills Lab with Large Groups and Communities
Social Welfare Institutions
Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Social Welfare Policy: Contemporary Approaches
Field I: Foundations Social Work Field Practicum
Field II: Foundation Social Work Field Practicum
Advanced Curriculum Requirements 2
Advanced Requirements For All Students20
Practice Competence In a Diverse Community
Advanced Social Welfare Policy Analysis
Field III: Advanced Social Work Field Practicum & Integrative Seminar
Advanced Research Applications in Social Work Practice
Field Research Project
Field IV: Advanced Social Work Practicum/Integrative Seminar
Field Research Consultation
Select one concentration from below:12
Advanced Requirements for Direct Practice Concentration
Multi-Level Family Intervention
Advanced HBSE Selection (Choose one of the following courses):
Social and Family Influences on Early Development and Learning
Dying, Death, and Loss
PSYCH 530 (UWOSH)
Adult Development and Aging
PSYCH 690 (UWOSH)
Special Topics (see MSW Coordinator)
Psychopathology & Strength-Based Assessment
Special Topics (see MSW Coordinator)
WOM STUDIES 550 (UWOSH)
Women, Race and Class
Electives (Choose 6 credits from the list of Advanced Requirements: Electves)
Advanced Requirements for Administration/Management Concentration
Social Work Management & Supervision in the Social Services
Budgeting Course (Choose one of the following courses):
MPA 752 (UWOSH)
Public Budgeting & Finance
or
Public and Nonprofit Budgeting
Advanced HBSE Selection (Choose one of the following courses):
Organizational Behavior
or
MPA 723 (UWOSH)
Organization Theory and Practice
Elective (Choose 3 credits from the list of Advanced Requirements: Electves)
Advanced Requirements: Electives
In addition to Advanced HBSE options, students choose electives from the following approved list:
Ethical Issues in Contemporary Social Work (For BSW Students Only)
Social Work Management & Supervision in the Social Services
Emerging Issues in Child Welfare
Social Work and Crisis Intervention with Vulnerable Populations
Mental Health Theories
Treatment and Mistreatment of Offenders (or SOC WORK 575 (UWOSH) Treatment and Mistreatment of Offenders)
Legal Aspects of Social Work Practice
Special Topics
Independent Study
Team Leadership (UWGB)
MPA 711 (UWOSH)
Introduction to Public Administration
MPA 729 (UWOSH)
Health Care Organization and Management
MPA 752 (UWOSH)
Public Budgeting and Finance
MPA 760 (UWOSH)
Administrative Law
MPA 797-071 (UWOSH)
Nonprofit Management
MPA 797-071 (UWOSH)
Labor Management Relations in the Public Sector
Public and Nonprofit Budgeting (UWGB)
SOC WORK 571 (UWOSH)
Child and Family Welfare
Advanced Requirement: Professional Project 3
Total Credits60
1

A 28-credit set of foundation courses is required for all non-BSW students and for BSW students who received their degree more than eight years before entering the program. Eight credits of the foundation curriculum involve a field practicum in which students practice as social workers in a supervised field setting, carrying out a variety of generalist practice responsibilities.

2

All students are required to take 12 credits of required advanced course work. In addition, Advanced Direct Practice students are required to take 6 credits of required course work and 6 credits of additional electives. Administration/Management students are required to take 9 credits of required course work and 3 credits of additional electives. Eight credits of the advanced curriculum are associated with a field practicum in which students practice as social workers in a supervised field setting, with either advanced direct practice or with administrative responsibilities.

3

Students develop their project proposal in SOC WORK 731, and finalize their project proposals in SOC WORK 734. Students in the program meet professional project requirements by completing a research project during their final semester in the program in SOC WORK 732.

Faculty

Akakpo, Tohoro Francis, UW-Green Bay, Assistant Professor. BA (1986) University of Benin, Togo, West Africa; MPA (1994) University of Michigan-Flint; MSW (2002) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Ph.D. (2008) Social Work, Michigan State University, East Lansing.

Fields of interest: include at-risk families and juvenile delinquents; juveniles transitioning from residential facilities into community; child abuse and neglect; international social work, child labor and human trafficking; and the role of non-governmental organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Altepeter, Donna, UW-Oshkosh, Lecturer. BA Theology (1981); MSW (1983) St. Louis University; CICSW and ACSW.

Fields of interest: social work in health care and severe mental illness.

Aspenson, Karen J., UW-Oshkosh. BS Psychology and Sociology, Troy State University, Dothan, Alabama; MSW (2007) UW-Green Bay and UW-Oshkosh Collaborative MSW Program.

Fields of interest: mental health, direct practice methods, and trauma.

Bruno, David, UW-Oshkosh. Dr. David Bruno received a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling from Wayne State University. He also holds a Master of Social Work and a Master of Art in Marriage and Family Therapy from Wayne State University.

Fields of interest: children and family therapy, marital counseling, reactive depression, youth mentoring and application of the strengths perspective.

Fletcher, Adrianne, UW-Green Bay, Program Lecturer and Field Coordinator. BA Psychology, Cleveland State, Cleveland, OH; Master’s degree, Social Science Administration (2005) Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, OH.  Current Doctoral Candidate, Loyola University, Chicago; anticipated Ph.D., Social Work, spring 2015.  Professional practice: 25+ years in child protective services, foster care, child analysis, adult, child and family therapy, Indian Child Welfare, and work with homeless Veterans.

Fields of interest: social worker attitudes and beliefs and influences on decision-making and disproportionality of minority children in the child welfare system.

Giesler, Fredi, UW-Oshkosh, Associate Professor. BA Social Welfare (1981) Pacific Lutheran University; MSW (1991); Ph.D. Social Welfare (2002) University of Washington, Seattle.

Fields of interest: prevention science, child welfare, community-based program evaluation and policy research.

Groessl, Joan, UW-Green Bay, Assistant Professor and BSW Field Coordinator. BSW (1984) UW-Green Bay; MSW (1989) UW-Milwaukee; PhD (2013) Marian University; LCSW.

Fields of interest: mental health (particularly seriously and persistently mentally ill); forensic and homeless populations and administration.

Higgins, Doreen, UW-Green Bay, Associate Professor and Collaborative MSW Program Coordinator. BSW (1990) UW-Green Bay; MSSW (1991) UW-Madison; Ph.D. Social Work (2008) University of Kansas.

Fields of interest: health care policy; minority health and health disparities; the racial wealth gap; community reentry of aging ex-offenders; social work education and aging curricula.

Himmelheber, Sarah A., UW-Green Bay, Assistant Professor. BS Political Science and Sociology (2000), New College of Florida; MSW (2004) University of Georgia; Ph.D. (2012) University of Georgia.

Fields of interest: community food security, mental health, and community-based, participatory research.

Jick, Karen, UW-Green Bay, Lecturer. BS Social Work (1972); MSSW (1974) UW-Madison. LCSW; ACSW.

Fields of interest: child welfare; behavior health issues for children; marriage and family therapy; field education for social work students; social work ethics; international studies.

Mattila, Matthew, UW-Green Bay, Child Welfare Coordinator. BSW (1977) Pacific Lutheran University; MSW (1985) Portland State University.

Fields of interest: direct practice with children and families, family and divorce mediation, child welfare, forensic social work, and adult education.

Sallmann, Jolanda M., UW-Green Bay, Associate Professor. BSW (1992), MSW (1996) University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Ph.D. (2005) UW-Madison.

Fields of interest: violence against women across the life course, including its broader effects on mental health, substance use, criminal justice involvement, poverty and homelessness.

Trimberger, Gail E., UW-Green Bay, Assistant Professor and Program Chair. BSW (1981) UW-Eau Claire; MSSW (1982) UW-Madison; Ph.D. (2013) Marian University; LCSW.

Fields of interest: end-of-life, aging, grief, hospice and palliative care, bioethics.

Williams, Amy F., UW-Oshkosh, Academic Staff, Undergraduate and MSW Field Coordinator. BA Psychology (1992) Concordia University; MSW (1999) University of Minnesota.

Fields of interest: school social work practice, grant procurement, and program evaluation.

Courses

SOC WORK 699. Travel Course. 1-6 Credits.

Travel courses are conducted to various parts of the world and are led by one or more faculty members. May be repeated to different locations.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.

SOC WORK 701. Ethical Issues in Contemporary Social Work. 3 Credits.

This foundation course is designed to introduce MSW students to wide-ranging ethical issues that practitioners in various settings.
P: Admission to the MSW Program
Spring.

SOC WORK 702. Generalist Practice I. 3 Credits.

This course promotes masters' level development of skills necessary to practice social work with diverse individuals and family groups.
P: Admission to MSW Program
Fall Only.

SOC WORK 703. Skills Lab with Individuals, Families and Small Groups. 1 Credit.

This skills lab introduces students to a range of skills required for effective practice with individuals, families and small groups.
P: Admission to the MSW Program
Fall Only.

SOC WORK 704. Generalist Social Work Practice II. 3 Credits.

This course promotes masters' level development of skills necessary to practice social work with diverse groups within organizations and communities.
P: Admission to the MSW Program
Spring.

SOC WORK 705. Skills Lab with Large Groups and Communities. 1 Credit.

This skills lab introduces students to a range of skills required for effective practice with various professional and community groups, with organizations, and with communities.
P: Admission to the MSW Program
Spring.

SOC WORK 706. Social Welfare Institutions. 3 Credits.

This course examines the origins of and changes in American social welfare arrangements to meet human needs. It traces the evolution of the social work profession and social welfare efforts in relation to major economic, social, and political forces over time.
P: Admission to the MSW Program
Fall Only.

SOC WORK 707. Human Behavior in the Social Environment. 3 Credits.

Integration of theories and models examining the complexity of person/environment functioning with respect to individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities.
P: Admission to the MSW Program
Fall Only.

SOC WORK 708. Social Welfare Policy: Contemporary Approaches. 3 Credits.

In this course, students evaluate contemporary social policies affecting poor and disenfranchised groups in the U.S. Students are introduced to the processes of policy development and policy change.
P: Admission to the MSW Program
Spring.

SOC WORK 709. Field I: Foundations Social Work Field Practicum. 4 Credits.

Supervised social work practicum experience in a human services agency setting.
P: Admission to the MSW Program
Fall Only.

SOC WORK 710. Field II: Foundation Social Work Field Practicum. 4 Credits.

Supervised social work practicum experience in a human service agency setting.
P: Admission to the MSW Program
Spring.

SOC WORK 720. Practice Competence In a Diverse Community. 3 Credits.

Social work advanced practice course on working with diverse groups and communities.
P: completion of foundation req or advanced st.
Spring.

SOC WORK 721. Multi-Level Family Intervention. 3 Credits.

Advanced social work practice techniques for direct practice students working with families of many types and in varied settings.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.
Spring.

SOC WORK 722. Social Work Management & Supervision in the Social Services. 3 Credits.

Advanced social work practice of management and supervision methods for students working in management positions at any level in social service agencies.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.
Spring.

SOC WORK 727. Psychopathology & Strength-Based Assessment. 3 Credits.

This course examines mental health and mental illness from a strengths-based social work perspective. Cultural and community factors in defining these issues are addressed.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.
Spring.

SOC WORK 728. Advanced Social Welfare Policy Analysis. 3 Credits.

This course uses an analytical framework for analyzing social welfare policy to examine particular practice concerns. Particular attention is paid to rural/urban differences and to diversity issues.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.
Fall Only.

SOC WORK 729. Field III: Advanced Social Work Field Practicum & Integrative Seminar. 4 Credits.

Supervised social work practicum experience in a human service agency setting.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.
Spring.

SOC WORK 731. Advanced Research Applications in Social Work Practice. 3 Credits.

Advanced research course that prepares students to evaluate their own practice and to carry out independent research projects.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.
Fall Only.

SOC WORK 732. Field Research Project. 1 Credit.

Students learn how to conduct evaluation research by carrying out a project in their field unit, Field IV.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.

SOC WORK 733. Field IV: Advanced Social Work Practicum/Integrative Seminar. 4 Credits.

Supervised social work practicum experience in a human service agency setting.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.

SOC WORK 734. Field Research Consultation. 2 Credits.

Students work independently with the instructor to complete the required tasks associated with the Field Research Proj. The instructor provides technical assistance, advice, and problem-solving regarding IRB proposals, participant recruitment, data collection and management, data analysis and report development.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.
Spring.

SOC WORK 735. Emerging Issues in Child Welfare. 3 Credits.

Advanced standing elective course considering major new issues in child welfare practice, administration, funding and research.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.

SOC WORK 737. Social Work and Crisis Intervention with Vulnerable Populations. 3 Credits.

This course contributes to development of practice competency with vulnerable and oppressed groups and is for advanced level MSW students. The course teaches crisis intervention and emergency treatment approaches and then applies them to vulnerable populations of males and females in the United States.

SOC WORK 747. Mental Health Theories. 3 Credits.

This course examines the current mental health theories influencing social work direct practice.
P: MSW student.

SOC WORK 757. Treatment and Mistreatment of Offenders. 3 Credits.

Prepares social workers for an understanding of correctional models and their inherent values, bio-psycho-social theories of crime causation, and assessment and intervention skills within a generalist framework.
P: MSW student.

SOC WORK 777. Legal Aspects of Social Work Practice. 3 Credits.

This course provides students with the understanding of the field of forensic social work practice which includes both criminal and civil issues. Students will learn to conduct forensic assessments, write court reports, act as expert and fact witnesses and facilitate guardianships. The course covers practice knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts including child welfare, juvenile justice, adult corrections, victim/witness services, health/long-term care, mental health, domestic abuse and disability services. Students apply knowledge to ethical dilemmas encountered in the legal system and learn to advocate on behalf of clients.

SOC WORK 795. Special Topics. 3 Credits.

This course provides students an opporunity to strengthen practice while working with clients or agencies are mental health concerns, addictions, or violence issues.
P: completion of foundation curriculum or advanced standing.

SOC WORK 798. Independent Study. 1-3 Credits.

P: gr st.
Fall and Spring.

Social Media

More »