The Masters of Social Work Degree
Distance Education Option
for Neighbor Island Residents

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: Information is subject to revision before enrollment.

General and Curriculum Information

  • How many cohorts of students are currently studying on the neighbor islands ?

The First Cohort of students began May 2007 and graduated in 2010. The Second Cohort of students began May 2008 and will graduate in 2011. The third cohort of students began August 2010 and will graduate in 2013.

  • When will the next cohort begin?

Applications will be accepted in Fall 2012 with admission in Fall 2013.

  • What is the curriculum pattern for the MSW DE Option?

Please visit http://www.hawaii.edu/sswork/msw-prog.html or the School of Social Work Bulletin.

  • Is this a part-time degree program?

Yes, but some semesters may be considered "full-time" by UH Manoa campus definitions and you may qualify for financial aid. Students are required to take a "full-time" load over each academic year. This load is distributed over three semesters for each of the three years. Students should enter the program knowing that they will have to modify their life-styles and time commitments accordingly. The full demands and expectations of the UHM Campus MSW Option will apply to the MSW DE Degree Option.

  • How long will it take to complete the MSW DE Degree Option?

It will take three years to complete the full MSW program.

  • What will my schedule be like each semester?

Students typically take 2-4 classes per semester. You may take some classes in the summer.

  • What are the normal class times?

Classes are typically offered weekday evenings. Occasionally, there may be Saturday classes.

Classes delivered via interactive television (ITV) generally begin at 7:00 pm on weekday evenings, while classes on Saturdays are usually during the daytime. Classes delivered via Elluminate typically begin at 6:30 pm during weekday evenings.

Please note: Days and times of classes are subject to change.

  • How will MSW DE courses be taught? Interactive TV? The Internet? Face-to-Face?

The courses are delivered through interative television (ITV), also known as, Hawai`i Interactive Television Services (HITS), the Internet (eg. Elluminate and Laulima), and face-to-face. Students are expected to access the Internet and E-mail for obtaining handouts, submitting assignments, communication with instructor and student colleagues, on-line group discussions and projects, etc., depending on the instructor. Students should be ready to use all relevant technology.

  • If there are multiple sites on my island, am I allowed to apply to more than one?

Yes, you can mark two sites on your application and you will be informed about the decision about the placement. For example, if you reside on the Big Island, you may mark down the two sites of Kona and Hilo as possible locations.

  • After matriculation, can I take courses outside of the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work and apply them to my distance education MSW degree?

Yes, provided your advisor’s approval is obtained ahead of time. For non-UHM credits earned after enrolling at UHM as a graduate student, up to nine credits may be transferred, with advance approval by the graduate program and the Graduate Division. All Graduate Division policies regarding transfer credits apply.

http://www.hawaii.edu/graduate/policies/html/transfer.htm

  • Who will be my advisor? How will advising be handled?

All students will have an advisor assigned to them. This person is also the Site Coordinator for the DE Option on their neighbor island. This advisor will be responsible for academic and practicum advising, and for referring students to others who can resolve questions and issues.

  • Will I need a computer for the MSW DE Degree Option?

Yes, you will need a computer for the MSW DE Degree Option. Minimum and preferred specifications for computers are posted here.

  • Will I need access to the Internet?

Yes, and this access will need to increase as the curriculum progresses. Students should either have access to the Internet from their home, or from the place where most studying activity is anticipated.

  • Will I need a car for the MSW DE Degree Option?

You will need reliable transportation to and from the HITS location. In the second and third year of the program, you will be placed in a community agency for your Practicum, and during this time you will be required to have access to “professional transportation resources”. This may be a car, but it could be other appropriate transportation which meets the needs of the agency where you will be placed should you be required to make home visits, transport clients, etc.

  • Will I be required to travel to O‘ahu?

Yes. There will be a MANADATORY orientation session held on the Mānoa campus as the official beginning of the program. Students must attend this session because the first meetings of both courses will occur during this event.

Students may be required to gather once a year thereafter for a major School of Social Work colloquium or event.

Graduation and convocation will take place on the Mānoa campus at the end of the program.

Advanced Standing Information

  • How do I get more information about Advanced Standing?

Please contact the Admissions office to speak with a staff member at (808) 956-3833 or email sswadmit@hawaii.edu.

Application Information

  • If I live in another state or another country, can I apply for the Distance Education MSW Degree Option?

Because of the hybrid nature of the program, and our mandate to serve the Neighbor Islands, the Distance Education MSW Degree Option will be limited to Neighbor Island locations at this time. Students must be able to attend classes at neighbor island ITV studios.

In addition, although the program is open to out-of-state applicants, the focus of the program is to provide opportunities to Neighbor Island residents who are unable to access the Mānoa Campus program, as well as to build the social work workforce on the Neighbor Islands. Preference is currently being given to people who fit this description.

  • If I have not yet graduated with my baccalaureate degree, can I apply for the MSW DE option?

Applicants must have officially received the baccalaureate degree before being admitted to the MSW Program

If the student must apply before the baccalaureate degree has been granted, then the baccalaureate degree at least must be awarded before the first MSW class begins.

  • If I am already a student in the UH Mānoa Campus MSW program, can I switch to the DE Option?

There is no need to re-apply, but please speak to your advisor and the Admissions office at (808) 956-3833 or email at sswadmit@hawaii.edu.

  • If I am a student in the DE Option, can I switch to the UH Mānoa Campus MSW program?

There is no need to re-apply, but please speak to your advisor and the Admissions office at (808) 956-3833 or email at sswadmit@hawaii.edu.

  • If I am currently an MSW student at another university, am I eligible to apply for the Distance Education MSW Degree Option of UH Mānoa?

Technically, this may be possible, but it is not advisable to join a distance education cohort who have already begun work as a learning community. Joining an existing learning community cohort is a challenging task and not everyone is up to it.

In fact, it may be much more advisable for you to continue in the program where you already are. The completion of the MSW degree may actually be delayed by a year or more by transfering from the campus program to the distance education option.

In any case, preference in admissions is given to applicants from the neighbor islands who have demonstrated a commitment to work on their island and who have expressed plans to continue to work in their community.

  • I want to maximize my chances of being admitted to an MSW program. Can I apply simultaneously to both the Mānoa Campus Option and the Distance Education MSW Degree Option?

When you apply to the DE option, it is automatically an application into the Manoa campus-based program as well.

  • Can I get credit for work experience?

No practicum hour credits or waivers are given for prior paid or volunteer social work practice experience (according to the policy required by our accrediting body, the Council on Social Work Education). However, be sure to include this information on your resume and personal statement.

  • When will I receive my admission decision from the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work?

Most applicants will receive a decision letter between February and April.

Field Practicum Information

  • I already am employed in an agency. Can I do my field practicum in the MSW DE Degree Option in my current agency?

In general, no. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which accredits all social work degree programs, has strict requirements (See CSWE Accreditation Standard 2.1.6)

Under extremely unusual circumstances, with full agency administration cooperation, this can sometimes be worked out, but only after detailed agreements have been established. Any accepted and enrolled student contemplating such a request should begin immediately to discuss this with his/her agency’s top management, the MSW DE Degree Option Program Coordinator, and lastly with the Practicum Office of the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work.

  • Can I do my field practicum in the MSW DE Degree Option in the evenings and on weekends?

The standard expectation is that a field practicum is accomplished during the normal working day. Any modification to the "normal working day" definition, must, of course, be worked out with the Director of Practicum and the agency.

Students are required to complete four semesters of practicum totaling a minimum of 900 clock hours. Now is the time to figure out if practicum will fit into your life, school and work schedules. You will be spending a minimum of sixteen hours per week each semester in practicum. Generally, social service agencies are open Monday through Friday during regular working hours. See the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Bulletin for more details on practicum.

HCWEC Title IV-E Information

  • Will I be able to qualify for Title IV-E funding from DHS for the MSW DE Degree Option?

    Students who are currently employees of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Human Services will be able to apply for Title IV-E funding. You must be admitted both to the HCWEC Program of DHS and to the MSW DE Degree Option. The HCWEC Program of DHS will start at the same time as the MSW DE Degree Option and will be admitting five current, post-probationary period DHS employees into this program. For further information about the HCWEC Program, http://www.hawaii.edu/sswork/hcwec.html or contact Kai Duponte (808-956-7216, kaid@hawaii.edu).

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