Social Work, MSW

Joint Program with the University of Akron

School of Social Work

Chester Building 302
(216) 687-4560
http://www.csuohio.edu/class/socialwork/index.html

Maggie Jackson, Graduate Program Coordinator

The Program

The mission of the Joint MSW program is to prepare students for specialized, advanced-level, self-critical, accountable, and autonomous practice with oppressed, at-risk, and vulnerable populations. The program provides a rigorous intellectual base, an opportunity for effective skill development, and an educational perspective that views human diversity as desirable and enriching to society. Students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values appropriate to the social work profession, the conceptual base of professional social work, the broad-based research strategies of the field, and the various social work roles and intervention strategies used in social work practice. The student may enroll in the program on a full-time, part-time, or advanced-standing basis, if qualified.

Distance Learning

The program is delivered through distance-learning technology, which transmits live-action video signals between the two campuses. Students and instructors at the two locations see each other through television monitors and speak to each other through an associated audio system. Each campus has a dedicated classroom equipped with three fixed cameras; an overhead document camera to display print materials, opaque objects, and transparencies; one camera facing the instructor; and one camera facing the students to capture their questions, comments, and reactions. Classrooms are equipped with three television monitors, one of which is used to view the students at the remote location. The technology is designed for maximum participation by students and ease of operation by the instructor.

Faculty Research and Publications

The faculty members of the joint Master of Social Work program conduct applied and basic research on a variety of major contemporary social issues, including drug abuse, aging
populations, health and mental health, juvenile offenders, family and children issues, social work practice, social policy analysis, and community service. In the past few years, faculty members have authored a number of books and journal articles. The research has been supported by several large federal and foundation grants and a number of smaller state and local awards. Opportunities exist for student involvement in this work.

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.

Careers in Social Work

Graduates of the joint Master of Social Work program hold a variety of positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The alumni roster includes directors of local agencies and other nonprofit organizations, as well as program planners and managers working in a broad spectrum of human service agencies.

Financial Assistance

A limited number of graduate assistantships and graduate tuition grants are available to qualified students. Interested students should contact the School of Social Work Program Director.

Admission Information

In addition to the College of Graduate Studies admission requirements at Cleveland State

University and The University of Akron, the joint MSW program requires of all applicants:

1. An undergraduate major in social work or a related field;
2. A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in social work and behavioral science courses taken prior to application for admission;
3. A minimum of eight courses in the social and behavioral sciences;
4. Three letters of reference;
5. An essay of three to five typed pages explaining:
   
   1. a. Why the student wants to be a social worker;
   2. Why a graduate degree is felt to be necessary to fulfill the applicant’s personal or professional objectives;
   3. The applicant’s views regarding diversity in society;
   4. A situation in which the student was the recipient/provider of help, emotionally, socially, or economically; and
   5. A description of the applicant’s previous social work/human service work experience.

Note: No credit is given for work or life experience.

6. Notification, in writing, of:
   
   1. Preference for the day, evening, or advanced standing program;
   2. Preference for full-time or part-time program;
   3. Intended second-year Area of Concentration—Micro (Direct) Practice or Macro Practice; and
   4. Preference for advanced standing. To qualify for advanced standing, the applicant must have an undergraduate degree in Social Work, a 3.5 grade-point average in the social work major, and 3.2 accumulative GPA.

The application deadline is February 28. Submit materials to the Cleveland State University Graduate Admissions Office.

Students are expected to adhere to the program format under which they were admitted (day/evening, micro/macro, full-time/part-time, advanced standing). Any changes in this admission status will be based on the program’s ability to accommodate the change. Changes must be requested before the beginning of the academic year.

Note: Applicants should be aware that having a prior felony conviction or prior sanctions for unprofessional conduct may impact future potential for obtaining field placements, social work employment, and licensure.

Apply Now: http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/apply.html