Curriculum
The MSW curriculum of the school has been developed to both reflect and promote the advances in contemporary advanced social work practice. Curriculum design and materials incorporate theory and practice approaches that have been developed throughout the country as well as those that have been created by faculty and practitioners to meet local and Asian and Pacific needs. The curriculum consists of foundation and concentration courses, practicum, research courses, and electives.
Upon graduation, students are prepared to deal with a wide variety of current and emerging human problems using an approach to practice-focused on individuals and families within mezzo and macro systems that allows the social worker to select and apply the appropriate intervention.
In addition, students develop competence in working in specific problem areas so that they graduate from the program with the specific knowledge and skills necessary for advanced practice in a particular field of service. In addition to the required courses in the foundation and concentrations, the school has developed a number of elective courses to provide knowledge in a range of areas relevant to social work practice. Electives are also available in other University departments. Students who are pursuing an MSW and another advanced degree at the University (e.g., public health, law), either simultaneously or consecutively, may apply to have up to 9 credit hours of graduate course work accepted for credit for both degree programs. Certificates may also be obtained in urban and regional planning and aging.
Foundation Courses
The foundation courses present an orientation to social work practice and provide the necessary base upon which to build the more advanced body of knowledge, practice principles, and skills offered by the concentrations. The foundation is designed to provide an integrated system of courses that collectively introduce the student to the components of the profession. There is emphasis on social work as a diversified profession with many functions and a variety of approaches.
The foundation courses present content in human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policies and services, research, social work practice, and practicum. The student thus completes the foundation prepared to intervene at the individual, family, group, organization, and community levels.
Advanced Curriculum
The advanced curriculum includes two courses focusing on the range of practice issues, intervention strategies and procedures in a specialized area of practice, advanced policy course work, one year of practicum, and the opportunity for research in the area of concentration.
The concentrations are the major focus of the advanced curriculum. They are organized around the fields of practice in which social workers are most often employed. These concentrations are in the areas of mental health, health, children and families, and gerontology. A focus on the justice system is also available. As part of the Hawaiʻi Child Welfare Education Collaboration (see description under Financial Aid), specialized courses in public child welfare are available in the child and family concentration. Students select a field of practice concentration by the end of their first year.
Various other options are available for completing the research requirement in the second year of study. All concentrations teach certain common advanced skills with a focus on individuals and families (e.g., direct intervention, expertise in functioning within organizations, assessment, interpersonal skills, and expertise in a range of social work roles). In addition, each concentration presents content specific to its field of practice. Students are required to take a minimum of one graduate social work elective course in the area of their concentration.
Practicum
The practicum is an integral part of the school’s total educational program and provides each student with the opportunity to apply concepts, principles, and theories learned in the classroom to practice. The major focus in the practicum is on the student’s acquisition of practice knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes in working with diverse client systems within a service setting.
Practicum is guided by curriculum goals and objectives. The practicum is further individualized by the student and the practicum instructor through the completion of a learning agreement approved by the practicum office. Students are expected to demonstrate a sense of responsibility, good judgment, responsiveness to the supervision of their work, and to demonstrate sensitivity and good interpersonal skills in professional interactions. Substandard performance in any of these areas is considered grounds for probation, suspension, or dismissal from the practicum.
The first year of practicum is considered to be a generalist approach to social work and is integrated with the student’s foundation practice courses. For second year students, practicum is integrated with their field of practice and is coordinated with the student’s concentration courses.
Practicum is available only to classified students admitted to the MSW degree program. Students are required to complete four semesters of practicum (SW 690 and SW 691 in the Foundation Year and SW 790 and SW 791 in the Concentration Year) totaling a minimum of 900 clock hours. All foundation classroom course work must be completed prior to or concurrently with the foundation practicum courses. It is strongly recommended that SW 606 and SW 690, and SW 607 and SW 691 be taken concurrently. SW 690 and SW 691 cannot be taken prior to SW 606 and SW 607 respectively. Concentration classroom course work must be completed prior to or concurrently with the concentration practicum courses. If students elect to participate in a practicum after completing their respective foundation or concentration classroom courses, a block practicum is an option. Block practicum consists of 450 clock hours over 14 weeks. No practicum clock hour credits or waivers are given for prior paid or volunteer social work practice experience.
Students are assigned to their practicum by the practicum office. More experienced students are placed in sites commensurate with their prior education and experience. All students are required to participate in a practicum orientation program, which precedes involvement in the practicum setting. The practicum orientation program conducted at the school is held at the beginning of each semester. Students attendance at the practicum orientation program is counted toward the student's 225 clock hours of foundation practicum.
First-year students attend practicum 16 hours per week for a minimum of 225 clock hours a semester and earn 3 credits per semester. Second-year students have the option, pending approval by the practicum office, of increasing their practicum hours beyond the minimum 3 credit hours (225 clock hours) per semester requirement. They may register for 300 clock hours per semester (20 clock hours per week) and earn 4 credit hours, or 375 clock hours per semester (25 clock hours per week) and earn 5 credit hours.
Practicum courses are available to first- and second-year students during the fall, spring, and summer terms. The opportunity for students to take block practicum off island—on the Mainland or internationally—will be considered on an individual basis but will only be allowed for students who have completed their relevant first- and/or second-year course work. Students must contact the practicum office about other requirements for practicum site certification for settings not on the island of their graduate program.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa holidays, rather than agency holidays, will be observed in the practicum. This includes the allotted weeks designated for vacation over the Christmas/New Year recess and the one-week spring recess.
Students participating in practicum cannot be defended or indemnified by the State of Hawaiʻi or the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the event of any legal action. Consequently, the school requires that students purchase professional liability insurance through the School of Social Work.
For more information, click here to go to the Practicum Website
Individual Study
The school encourages individual study whenever the student feels prepared to pursue a special interest. SW 699 Directed Reading and Research is available to students wishing to pursue this option. Students are encouraged to explore individual study with their faculty adviser. A maximum of 9 credit hours of SW 699 may be applied toward the MSW degree.
Advanced Research
Students select Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis) to complete the advanced research requirement.
Plan A (Thesis)
Students who choose the Plan A (thesis) option are provided the opportunity to complete a substantive research project in their area of concentration. They select a thesis committee and define a researchable question in consultation with the chair of their committee. During the Concentration Year, they conduct their study under the guidance of their thesis chairperson and committee. Upon completion of the thesis, the student makes a public presentation of the research in a seminar announced and open to both faculty and students. Also required is SW 651.
Plan B (Non-thesis)
Research projects and the research course must concern a topic related to the student's selected concentration. Students who elect Plan B are offered three options in completing the third and/or fourth semester research requirements. These options are:
1. One-semester course:
Semester Three or Four: SW 741 Review of Research in Social Work (3 credit hours);
2. Two-semester research project:
Semester Three: SW 743 Individual or Group Research Project-Plan B (2-3 credit hours). Once students register for SW 743, they must complete SW 744
and
Semester Four: SW 744 Individual or Group Research Project-Plan B (2-3 credit hours); or 3. One-semester research project: Semester Three or Four: SW 746 Individual or Group Research Project-Plan B (3 credit hours). For students doing only a one-semester project.
Course Organization
Students generally complete the foundation courses in the sequence outlined below. All foundation courses must be completed before students begin concentrations. The time required to achieve the MSW is a minimum of four consecutive fall-spring semesters. Students may also complete their requirements through a part-time program.
Full-Time Schedule
Foundation Year
First Semester
SW 606 Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)
SW 630 Social Welfare Policy & Services (3)
SW 640 Introduction to Scientific Methods & Principles in Social Work (3)
SW 659 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3)
SW 690 Practicum (3)
Second Semester
SW 607 Social Work Practice with Families & Groups (3)
SW 631 Social Work Practice in Communities & Organizations (3)
SW 650 Research Designs & Data Analyses for the Evaluation of Practice Effectiveness (3)
*Also required for Advanced Standing Students
SW 660 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3)
SW 691 Practicum (3)
Advanced Curriculum / Concentration Year & Advanced Standing
Third Semester
SW 717 Social Work Practice with Children & Families (3) or
SW 722 Social Work Practice in Health Care (3) or
SW 724 Seminar in Social Work Practice in Mental Health (3) or
SW 726 Social Work Practice with the Aged (3)
SW 741 Review of Research in Social Work (3) May be taken third or fourth semester or
SW 743 Individual or Group Research Project-Plan B (2-3) First course of a two-course sequence with SW 744
or
SW 746 Individual or Group Research Project (3) One-semester research project
SW 790 Second-Year Practicum (3-5)
Electives (V)
Fourth Semester
SW 718 Seminar in Social Work Practice with Children & Families (3) or
SW 723 Seminar in Social Work Practice in Health Care (3) or
SW 725 Social Work Practice in Mental Health (3) or
SW 727 Seminar in Social Work Practice with the Aged (3)
SW 741 Review of Research in Social Work (3) May be taken third or fourth semester or
SW 744 Individual or Group Research Project-Plan B (2-3) Pre: SW 743 or
SW 746 Individual or Group Research Project-Plan B (3) One-semester research project or
SW 700 Thesis Research (6)
SW 791 Second-Year Practicum (3-5)
SW 797 Advanced Social Policy & Change (3)
Electives (V)
All foundation courses must be completed before students begin concentrations. BSW graduates may waive foundation courses if established criteria are met.
Part-Time Study
Students who are employed or have other extensive commitments are encouraged to consider part-time study.
Students are admitted to the program for the fall semester and must complete all requirements within four years of admission to the MSW program. To provide flexibility, the school makes every effort to schedule evening as well as daytime sections for required courses. Advisers will assist students to plan part-time schedules in accordance with students’ needs and the sequencing requirements of the curriculum. Flexible practicum placements and hours are contingent on the availability of such placements. Part-time students are eligible for some financial aid programs if they carry at least 4 credits. For examples of a part-time schedule, click here.
Advanced Standing
Advanced standing in the MSW program is awarded to students who have earned a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program, and are admitted to the MSW program.
An applicant who is admitted into advanced standing in the MSW program will enter into the Concentration (second) Year of the program. Advanced standing requires that:
1. The student complete 30 credit hours to receive a Master of Social Work degree;
2. Twenty-four of the required 30 credit hours be at the 600 level or above; and
3. With the exception of SW 650 (which is a required course), Foundation year courses cannot be taken as electives.
4. Completion of SW 650: Research Designs and Data Analyses for the Evaluation of Practice Effectiveness; and
5. Completion of the Advanced Standing Integrative Seminar & Training (ASIST) course and practicum (3 credits).
MSW Waiver Program
The MSW waiver program offers incoming students the opportunity to waive foundation course requirements prior to the first semester of enrollment. If successful, the student will have a reduced number of required credits to complete for the MSW degree. Students entering as Advanced Standing may choose to take a waiver exam for SW 650 only.
The following courses may be waived by examination by all students:
SW 630 Social Welfare Policies and Services
SW 640 Introduction to Scientific Methods and Research Principles in Social Work
SW 650 Research Designs and Data Analyses for the Evaluation of Practice Effectiveness
SW 659 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
SW 660 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
Post-Baccalaureate Unclassified Students
Students may begin a plan of study in the fall or spring semesters (post-baccalaureate unclassified status) without being formally admitted into the MSW program. Selected foundation courses are open (on a space-available basis) to unclassified students. By petition to the Graduate Division, a maximum of 12 credit hours earned while in unclassified status (B average is required) may be applied toward fulfillment of the advanced degree requirement.
Related Certificate Programs
UHM Offers a wide range of graduate certificated programs in related and complementary fields to social work. These include public administration, planning studies, international cultural studies, gerontology, conflict resolution, women's studies, and more. Please see the UHM Catalog for a complete listing.
Students pursuing graduate certificates at UHM need to meet certificate requirements set by the Graduate Division and their chosen certificate programs. Certificates require a minimum of 15 credit hours of specified courses and a 3.0 GPA in those courses. Detailed information may be obtained by writing to the appropriate graduate chairs. For more information please go to the Graduate Division Website.
Continuing Education Program
The school provides continuing education in various formats to assist practitioners in acquiring current knowledge and undertaking new professional roles. Opportunities include:
- workshops, seminars, and symposia
- credit courses in the MSW program
- advanced courses intended especially for practitioners
- training for new and continuing practicum instructors
- training designed, under contract, for specific agency needs
For more information, please review the information on this site, or contact Jennifer Kishida, MSW and PhD Program Assistant, at jenkishi@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-3831.
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