Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 University Catalog 
    
2018-2019 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Social Work, Department of


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Department Chair

David Chenot

Department Office/Website

Education Classroom 207
657-278-8452
hhd.fullerton.edu/MSW

Faculty

Caroline Bailey, Gordon Capp, David Chenot, David Cherin, Michelle Fernandes, Sean Hogan, Lori Melendrez-Allemand, Juye Ji, Dennis Kao, Mikyong Kim-Goh, Karen Kyeunghae Lee, Michelle Martin, Marcella Mendez, Marilyn Milligan, Debra Saxton, Kelly Segovia, Duan Tran

Introduction

The mission of the Department of Social Work is to educate committed professionals for direct social work practice with vulnerable children and families, underserved severely mentally ill individuals and groups, and older adults and their families, with special sensitivity to the multicultural populations of Orange County and nearby Southern California regions.

The M.S.W. program emphasizes ecological and open-systems perspectives that focus on the fit and interactions of a person or family within a variety of dynamic social and economic systems. Effective social work practice is seen as a change-oriented process that seeks to improve the quality of life of clients, ensures equitable access to opportunities and resources, supports social participation and advocates for fairness within a multicultural context.

The M.S.W. program is designed to address the growing need for social workers to work with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations in public and nonprofit social service agencies.

The Department of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (Council on Social Work Education, Commission on Accreditation, 1701 Duke Street, Ste. 200, Alexandria, VA 22314, phone number: 703-683-8080).

Degree Description

The Master of Social Work degree prepares students for professional positions in a wide-variety of fields, including but not limited to: mental/behavioral health (i.e., psychotherapist); child welfare services or aging/older adult services organizations; medical social work (i.e., hospitals or dialysis centers); school social work in public school settings; criminal justice/corrections (i.e., therapist, court mediator);  substance abuse (i.e., therapist); community organization; and administration in social services organizations. Learning outcomes include preparation for careers in the fields listed above. In general, the M.S.W. degree prepares students to significantly enhance the social functioning and interactions of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. It offers opportunities for study in three substantive areas: Aging, Child Welfare and Community Mental Health.The degree is also a mandatory prerequisite to apply for a license in the State of California. The license is entitled Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The curriculum in the M.S.W. degree includes content on human development, theory, social policy and research. However, the ability to apply knowledge in these areas, through practice with clients, is highly valued since social work is an “applied profession.” Over the course of the program, students spend 1,050 hours interning at social services organizations, learning how to work with clients, in preparation for the profession. Students take several social work practice and field seminar courses while in the program.

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from the Department of Social Work, Admissions Coordinator, 800 N. State College Blvd., EC 207A, Fullerton, CA 92831, (657) 278-3116

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

CalSWEC Stipend Program

The M.S.W. Program at CSUF has established eligibility for CalSWEC Title IV-E training funds.

The California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) is a unique partnership between social work education and the publicly supported child welfare structure. The mission and goals of the CalSWEC program are to re-professionalize public child welfare. CalSWEC provides financial support to M.S.W. students in exchange for a commitment to work in a public child welfare agency for a minimum of one year for every year of support received. The intent of the program is to strengthen and enhance the quality of practice by professionally trained and educated public child welfare social workers.

Title IV-E stipends provide for either two (2) or three (3) years of support for students enrolled in the M.S.W. program, full-time or part-time, respectively. The student signs a contract to secure full-time employment in a public child welfare agency for two (2) years (one year of employment for each year of support) but is expected to remain in public child welfare employment for longer than this minimum period. Once accepted into the CalSWEC program, students must undergo pre-screening for county employment, including fingerprinting and participation in the criminal clearance process.

With the passage of the Mental Health Services Act, a parallel training stipend program was established in California for M.S.W. students who specialize in mental health. Similar to CalSWEC Title IV-E, the mental health initiative, also managed by CalSWEC, offers training stipends for one year of support for students enrolled in the M.S.W. program in exchange for a commitment to work in a public mental health agency for a minimum of one year.

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

    Master of Social Work

    Courses

      Social Work

      Courses are designated as MSW in the class schedule.

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