Actually, there are 5 levels of education that provide preparation for a career in social work in Canada. They include:

• Diploma – Diploma of Social Work
• Undergraduate Degree – Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
• Graduate Degrees – Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

You should keep in mind that the level of education required for a career in social work varies with the type of work and work setting. In most provinces the BSW is the minimum educational requirement for entry into the profession.

The majority of universities require you to complete either 1 or 2 years of pre-professional studies before applying to their Social Work program.

There are several BSW programs in Canadian universities that admit students who already have an approved Bachelor’s degree. You can do a BSW as a second degree. It usually takes an extra 2 years. There are also a few programs that require an undergraduate degree for admission and may take an additional 1-2 years to complete.

Entry into Social Work programs usually includes the following:

· A grade point average ranging from 65-70 percent in your pre-professional studies or undergraduate degree.

· Completed coursework in the areas of English, Social Sciences, Humanities and Introductory Social Work courses.

· Written personal statements containing reasons why you wish to enter Social Work profession.

· Letters of reference.

· Volunteer or work experience in areas of social or human services that bear a direct relationship to Social Work.

· Personal interviews with the selection committee.

McMaster School of Social Work

The McMaster School of Social Work was established in 1968. This educational establishment provides educational opportunities for students who wish to prepare themselves for careers in social work or related professions. The McMaster School of Social Work is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University. It offers 2 undergraduate programs and 2 graduate programs.

For students without an undergraduate degree, the School offers a combined program of liberal arts and social work. After completion, students are awarded to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts B.A. and Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W). In addition, McMaster offers a Bachelor of Social Work B.S.W. degree for students who already possess a B.A.

At the graduate level, the School offers a one-year program leading to the degree Master of Social Work (M.S.W.). There are two major areas of concentration, analysis of social welfare policy and analysis of social work practice.

McMaster School of Social Work offers a PhD. in Social Justice

All programs are offered at both the undergraduate and Master levels, are accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education and may be taken on a full or part-time basis.

Employees in the Social Work in Pennsylvania

Employees in the social work field are often human and social service assistants and social workers. Social workers identify and then eliminate economic and social unfairness and improve the lives of families, groups, communities and individuals. Besides, they plan, formulate and enforce social policies, resources, services and programs required to meet primary human needs, and identify and end economic and social injustices.

Nowadays there is a number of schools that are ready to offer you an opportunity to get a degree in social work. If you want to pursue a degree in social work in Pennsylvania, then the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work can be the perfect choice for you.

This educational establishment is the fifth-oldest school of social work in the United States. The School of Social Work offers an undergraduate degree in Social Work, a masters in Social Work, and a doctorate program in Social Work. The School of Social Work’s doctoral program, started in 1948, is the second oldest social work doctoral program in the United States. The School also runs a Child Welfare Training Program site in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Nowadays the School of Social Work offers undergraduate degree, masters, and doctorate programs in Social Work, and is led by Dean Larry E. Davis.

The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work offers the following educational programs:

Bachelor’s Degree Program in Pennsylvania

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) was initially accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in 1973. It has been continuously reaffirmed since that time and has been ranked among the top undergraduate social work programs in the country. The BASW Program now offers both a Major in Social Work (BASW) and a Social Work minor. The BASW program offers opportunities for students to develop the basic training to work in a wide variety of settings.

Master’s Degree Programs

The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work, successor to the Division of Social Work in the Department of Sociology, was founded in September 1938 and accepted its first class of MSW students that year. We take pride in our history, while developing professional practice to meet future challenges. The MSW Program offers social work education for the 21st century and is ranked among the top graduate social work programs in the nation. The MSW degree provides the background and skills necessary to become leaders in direct practice with individuals, families, and groups, as well as options to specialize in community organizing or administration of agencies.

PhD Program

The doctoral program is one of the oldest and most highly regarded in the United States, and its graduates constitute the ranks of deans, professors, and leading researchers and scholars. Social work doctoral education prepares students for leadership roles in social work research, social work education, social policy, planning, and administration. The goal of the doctoral program of the School of Social Work is to provide students with advanced academic training that will allow them to contribute to the knowledge base of the professional.

Dual/Joint/Cooperative Degrees

MSW Dual, Joint, and Cooperative Degree Programs

Some students seek to complement their social work education and training by earning a degree in another discipline or profession. Others wish to further their education within the field of social work. The dual, joint, and cooperative degree programs offered by the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work afford students a unique way to complete their MSW studies while also pursuing another graduate degree. However, no student will be permitted to enroll or engage in more than one dual, joint, or cooperative degree program within the School of Social Work or between the School of Social Work and any other school or program during the course of earning that dual or joint degree.

Master of Social Work/Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work

Each year, a small number of applicants express interest in pursuing both an MSW and a PhD in social work. These individuals often already possess a graduate degree in a related academic field, but find that their personal and professional interests lie more fully in the field of social work. Such applicants typically are interested in grounding themselves in the practice base of the social work profession, while also seeking to develop their advanced research and intellectual skills.

Master of Public Health/Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work

This program provides a unique opportunity to combine the attainment of a master’s in public health and a PhD in social work. Since 12 credits can be applied to both degrees simultaneously, and since advising is arranged for all joint students, it is usually feasible for joint students to complete both degrees within the general timetable outlined for the doctoral program, although the number of electives necessarily becomes very restricted.

Contact Information:
University of Pittsburgh
School of Social Work
Admissions Office
2104 Cathedral of Learning,
Pittsburgh, Pa 15260
412-624-6302
E-mail: sst8@pitt.edu

MBA and Social Work Programs

It usually takes 18 months to complete this particular program of study. It’s very important to underline that students in these types of programs possess prior experience in the workforce.

Accelerated MBA Program in Social Work

Accelerated MBA program for social workers is designed to allow the student to complete the required course content in as little time as possible. And the classes are condensed and the breaks are shortened to accelerate completion of the degree.

MBA Degree in Social Work

Part time MBA Programs for Social Workers

Part time MBA programs are perfect for working professionals. The course of study may be extended over 3 years. Classes are usually held in the evenings or weekend after working hours.

Executive MBA/MSW Degree Programs

Executive MBA/MSW program is structured to accommodate the Executive’s schedule. These individuals possess 10 years or more work experience than their counterparts. Dual MBA/MSW program gives an opportunity to the student to combine the curriculum with another course of study.

There are several of the country’s top business schools, such as Yale, Duke, Harvard, and Stanford, that offer specific social work programs to prepare MBAs who want to combine traditional business skills with innovative approaches to solving social problems. These programs combine the finance and management training of an MBA with electives that cover everything from how to get venture capital and invest in emerging markets to innovating in healthcare and developing sustainable energy sources.

Schools like the Presidio School of Management in San Francisco or the Bainbridge Graduate Institute in Washington State also offer MBA degree in social work and DSW/PhD degree.

The University Of Maryland School Of Social Work offers dual-degree program.

• MSW/MBA with the University of Maryland College Park

Since 2004, the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University (ranked number one college of social work) has been teaching an intro course on social entrepreneurship along with the Olin Business School. Over 150 social workers have taken the class, represent many different countries, and have graduated with the capacity to integrate community development/social work practice and theory with the excitement and innovation found in the social entrepreneurship movement. The profession of social work has a proud tradition of teaching and inspiring social entrepreneurs and those who toil at implementing the work as well, but are rarely recognized.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work

Founded in 1920, the UNC School of Social Work is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation. Through innovative research that improves practice and enhances education, we search for solutions to the challenges of poverty, mental health, violence, and substance abuse. We prepare social workers to make a difference.

University of North Carolina is a graduate school offering M.S.W. and Ph.D. degrees
The MSW program is designed to educate social workers for advanced practice. Graduates are prepared to provide leadership in the development of socially- and economically-just policies that strengthen individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
With full-time, distance education and advanced standing options, the School offers a variety of ways for you to obtain your MSW degree. Concentration options include direct practice, management and community practice and a self-directed concentration.
MSW degree requirements include:
• 62 credit hours
• Up to 1,100 hours in field practice
The School also offers Dual Degree programs coordinated jointly with UNC’s School of Public Health, School of Law, Department of Public Administration, and Duke University’s Divinity School.
Ph.D. program prepares graduates to be leaders in their profession by conducting research on innovative social interventions and sharing their work through writing and teaching. Graduates are well prepared to assume leadership roles at the state, national and international level. Since the program’s inception in 1994, more than 60 graduates have received doctoral degrees and are now helping to shape the field of social work through faculty appointments, post-doctoral research and within government agencies, nonprofits and foundations.

Graduates hold faculty appointments nationwide at top academic institutions, including the University of Alabama, Columbia University, Indiana University, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, Florida State University, University of Denver, Washington University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Ph.D. requirements include:
• 45 credit hours
• Two-year residency
Additionally, the School offers certificate and licensure training opportunities as well as a study abroad program.
The UNC School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Contact Information:
UNC School of Social Work
Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building
325 Pittsboro Street CB# 3550
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550
Phone (919) 962-1225
Fax (919) 962-0890

Externships usually last only a few weeks. They are based on job shadowing and are typically unpaid and do not give you college credit. Sometimes, an externship is based on giving you experience in one specific skill, acting like a focused internship.

Cooperative education experiences are internship programs that are usually required and are available only to students in certain majors. Usually, they are full-time, and you’re much more likely to be offered a full-time job. If your college requires an internship, they usually have a cooperative education program. These positions are easier to get then typical internships and externships.

There are several obvious benefits why students decide to take internships. First of all, internship can give you a chance to prepare for the future job. You’ll have all of the experiences that a regular employee would have, but without as much responsibility. You won’t be expected to make major decisions, but you will more than likely get to watch how others make these decisions. No doubt that this will help you to be prepared for your future job where mistakes are not easily forgiven.

During your internships you’ll get an amount of experience and forensic social work degree. While you may not have full responsibilities like a typical employee, you will have exposure to your field of study. Sometimes, it is impossible to get experience in your field, as non-degreed jobs are not available. An internship will give you an edge over applicants who only have work experience in jobs like restaurants and retail.

Taking part in an social worker internship is already great for your resume. If you do a good job, you’ll additionally have people to write recommendations for you. If you decide to go on for an advanced degree in social work, you can get your internship director to write letters of recommendation.

Internship Programs in Social & Human Services:

• Alameda County Social Services Agency
• Americorps Programs
• Futures with Women and Children
• Cal Corps Public Service Center
• Camping Unlimited
• Center for Independent Living, (CIL)
• Clinica de la Raza – Mental Health Department
• Common Ground
• Community United Against Violence
• Department of Health and Human Services, Sacramento
• Easter Seal Camp Harmon
• EMQ Children & Family Services
• Everett Public Service Internship Program
• Fred Finch Youth Center
• Green For All
• Harold E. Jones Child Study Center
• Institute on Aging
• Northern California Cancer Center
• Patton State Hospital
• Richmond Area Multi-Services
• The Riley Center
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation
• Shanti
• Share our Strength Job Listings
• Vacaville Psychiatric Program
• Visions in Action

If you want to become a social worker, then you should earn your Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW), Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or Doctorate in Social Work (DSW or PhD).

Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences in Ohio

Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences in Ohio offers you a great chance to get a degree in social work.

Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences (MSASS) is a nationally and internationally recognized school of social work, one of the 6 professional schools within the Case Western Reserve University system. MSASS is located among many educational and cultural institutions in the University Circle in Cleveland, OH. This famous educational establishment was established in 1915, it is the first school of social work in the United States to be affiliated with a university. The school is consistently ranked among the top 10 schools of social work in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.

The Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences provides and integrates professional social work education, research, and service to promote social justice and empowerment in communities through social work practice locally, nationally, and internationally.

MSASS counts among its alumni many prominent educators, government officials, accomplished practitioners, researchers, and chief executives of national and regional agencies. Faculty achievements in professional organizations, research, and agency consultation further extend the school’s reputation as an active participant in the advancement of social work practice.

No doubt that an MSASS education is more than preparation. This is an opportunity to join a national network of scholars and practitioners who are shaping the course of social work in communities throughout the world.

MSASS offers the following degree programs:

Master’s Degree Programs

MSASS offers a flexible program for your masters degree in social work, including dual-degree programs, school social work, field education, direct practice and community development.

The Doctor of Philosophy

MSASS program of study prepares scholars, teachers, practitioners, and policy makers to be leaders who are capable of generating new knowledge for human services and social welfare. Our curriculum develops these abilities by emphasizing the creative and evaluative skills which are necessary for independent inquiry. Students are prepared to be knowledgeable in social and behavioral sciences; research design, research implementation, statistics, and the philosophy of science; theory-building and theories of social welfare; methods for the application and transmission of knowledge in human services.

Continuing Education

Continuing Education credits are available for social workers, counselors, psychologists, Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA), chemical dependency counselors (BRCH), nurses (CNE) and educators will get L.P.D.C. points for certification or licensure. We offer workshops in Akron, Cleveland, Massillon, Toledo, Westlake, Youngstown and Erie, P.A.

Contact information:
The Mandel School
11235 Bellflower Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Phone: 216.368.2290
msassweb@case.edu

If you want to enter the social work field, you’ll need to have a Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree is usually required for health care and clinical positions. Minesota degree programs in social work offer regular classroom studies, but applicable field experience can give you more knowledge and a better understanding of the field. The studies may include human behavior, research methods, policy analysis, general psychology, social justice and etc. During their education social workers learn to deal with people on a daily basis and be comfortable in such interactive situations.

School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota

The School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota is a top-ranked graduate school of social work. This educational establishment is a leader in creative learning ventures through distance education, interactive television, satellite, and independent study. The Ph.D. program joined the masters program in 1946, and is one of the oldest in the United States. In the fall of 2007, the school launched its first undergraduate major, Youth Studies. It also has offered undergraduate minors in Family Violence Prevention since 2001 and Social Justice since 2005.

Through its Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program, SSW prepares professionals for social work practice, equipping them with advanced skills to help individuals, groups, and communities enhance or restore social functioning and maximize favorable social conditions. The curriculum emphasizes social justice, the value of human diversity, and the empowerment of oppressed people.

Since 1946, our Ph.D. program has prepared scholars to take leadership roles in discovery and knowledge-building and in educating future social workers for practice. Students have the opportunity to be mentored by nationally prominent faculty with expertise in diverse areas of practice, policy and research.

Undergraduates are served in SSW three programs: a youth studies major, and social justice and family violence prevention minors. Youth studies is a unique interdisciplinary program that emphasizes experiential learning and prepares students for work in a multiracial, multicultural world. Social justice includes 30 hours of service learning, and family violence prevention draws many students from other disciplines at the University.

SSW is home to five dynamic research and training centers. Our main areas of focus include child welfare, violence prevention, family violence, work with involuntary clients, mediation, and social welfare history. The University’s Social Welfare History Archives is a rich scholarly resource for our faculty and students.

A leader in quality, creative education, our M.S.W. program offers flexible and innovative learning opportunities for students. SSW also has one of the most diverse student bodies within the University, a factor that contributes to a stimulating learning environment.

SSW is one of nine units within the new College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), created in July 2006 when six University colleges were reconfigured into three new, cross-disciplinary colleges. SSW, General College, and the Department of Family Social Science joined the former College of Education and Human Development to create CEHD, which examines education and human development across the lifespan. SSW had been a unit in the College of Human Ecology (CHE) since 1983, when it transferred to CHE from the College of Liberal Arts.

Contact Information:
School of Social Work
105 Peters Hall
1404 Gortner Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108

Campus map showing Peters Hall
Phone: (612) 625-1220
Toll Free: 800-779-8636
Fax: (612) 624-3744

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Texas Tech University College of Arts & Sciences

Texas Tech University College of Arts & Sciences is the largest college at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. It consists of 18 departments and offers 120 degree programs. It was founded in 1925 as one of the four original colleges of Texas Tech.

Texas Tech students come from every county in Texas, all 50 states and more than 90 foreign countries. Tech offers 150 undergraduate degree programs through 11 academic colleges, a graduate school and a school of law. Texas Tech University College of Arts & Sciences offers more than 100 master’s degree programs and over 50 doctoral degree programs

The Social Work Program at Texas Tech University prepares students to contribute to society through professional practice and civic participation. The program is designed to integrate a liberal arts foundation with the core principles, knowledge and skills of a generalist social work perspective.

Texas Tech University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees and certificates.

Contact Information:

Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway,

Lubbock, TX 79409

806.742.2011

University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work

The Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW) was established by the Texas State Legislature in 1967 with initial funding of $150,000. The “founding” faculty totaled seven individuals and twenty-six enrolled in the first class. The program was initially housed in a World War II Quonset Hut.

From these modest beginnings, the graduate program evolved over time to its current standing as a nationally recognized graduate social work program. The MSW (Master of Social Work) program has continually maintained its Council on Social Work Education professional accreditation since 1970 and in 1992 the PhD program was approved by the Texas State Coordinating Board.

Today, the College is housed in its own four-story building on campus and includes twenty-four fulltime faculty and approximately fifteen adjunct faculty. The faculty includes individuals whose writings have been considered for the Pulitzer prize as well as the 1997 Nobel Peace prize recipient – the GCSW is the only social work program in the world to have a Nobel laureate on faculty!

And today there are approximately 350 students enrolled in the MSW program with an additional 40 students in the PhD program. Students come from all walks of life, numerous states, and a number of international countries and they reflect the broad racial and ethnic diversity of our greater community.

The College’s academic offerings include the MSW and PhD with dual degree opportunities in business (Masters of Business Administration), law (Juris Doctorate), and Public Health (Masters in Public Health). Additionally the College offers certificates in gerontology, political social work, and trabajo social.

The College of Social Work offers wonderful international experiences including field placement opportunities and travel courses. Recently, students have traveled to England, Scotland, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, and mainland China for course work. To support the many international initiatives, the College has formal exchange agreements in place with City University of Hong Kong and the University of Wales.

Contact Information:

University of Houston
4800 Calhoun Rd.
Houston, TX 77004

There specialists are needed in many areas. Many private, public and non-profit organizations employ Licensed Clinical Social Workers. Clinical Social Work often takes place in residential facilities, hospitals, offices and the homes of clients.

How to Become a LCSW

If you plan to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you should understand that it takes effort and time. But LCSW can give you a wide range of job possibilities. Most often, those who wish to privately practice therapy or to work in psychiatric hospitals as a therapist, obtain an LCSW first.

Requirements for obtaining the title of LCSW vary in different states. But the basic requirement is the same – you should have at least a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW). The MSW generally requires that you obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the social sciences first. Research schools with BSW, MSW/MBA and DSW/PhD programs, some have combined degree programs where you can obtain both in 5 years.

It’s very important to underline that different MSW programs may have diverse approaches. If you want to become an LCSW to practice therapy, then you should find a program that emphasizes instruction in therapy.

After the MSW is obtained, many positions are open to you. In order to become an LCSW, you should work in a supervised position for 3000 hours, or about 2 years of post-graduate work. Actually the amount of hours may vary from state to state. These positions are often paid, and generally offer pay at a higher rate than those who are trying to get licensure to become a marriage and family therapist.

Once supervised practice hours are completed, you should apply to one’s State Board of Behavioral Examiners to take tests. The test consists of both a written and oral examination.

You should prepare for this test carefully. Information you need to know for the test includes the fundamentals of practicing therapy, current knowledge of state and federal laws affecting practice of therapy. Registration for testing will often give one tips on what to study. However, preparation for LCSW exams should begin long before registration.

Requirements for Getting LCSW

Some states have a minimum age requirement before an individual can sit for the LCSW exam. For instance, in Florida, one must be at least 21 to become an LCSW.

Once you have obtained an LCSW, you are licensed to practice therapy, or to take a wide range of other positions. You can work as school counselors, as part of think tanks that help influence social policy, as educator, or as part of psychiatric teams. Pay range usually varies depending upon the type of job you take and the area in which you live.

For Social Work degree candidates, some of the core coursework you will probably encounter in most include: Career Social Work, Theories of Social Work, Ethical and Professional Issues in Social Work, Applied Behavioral Psychology, Multicultural Social Work and the Psychology of Addiction.

When you are considering a Louisiana degree in Social Work, you should be aware that licensure is required for social workers. If you acquire your degree and a social work position, you will often be required by state law to participate in continuing career education programs.

Tulane University School of Social Work

Tulane University School of Social Work is a part of Tulane University is one of the oldest school of social work in the colloquial Deep South. The school is located on the main academic quad of Tulane’s Uptown New Orleans campus.

Tulane University began offering classes in social welfare in 1914. Sponsored by grants from the American Red Cross, a formal one-year program was implemented in 1921.

By 1927, with funding from a Rockefeller grant, the school became a separate program with a two-year curriculum qualifying students for the Master of Arts. In 1935, the University established the degree of Master of Social Work.

Master’s Degree in Social Work course of study is designed to offer the best of class in clinical and community training that addresses the unique needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students in the program enjoy a variety of learning experiences, including traditional and non-traditional class experiences.

You may complete the required 60-hour class and field curriculum through three options:
1. Accelerated 16-month program over four semesters: fall, spring, summer, and final fall semester
2. Extended program, including part-time study, which must be completed within three years
3. Joint degree programs with the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (MSW/MPH) and the Tulane Law School (MSW/JD)

The Tulane School of Medicine has partnered with several schools including the School of Social Work to offer a new interdisciplinary PhD Program in Aging Studies.

The program focuses on the processes of aging at the individual and social level. It examines how people change over the adult life course, on the interrelationships between older people and social institutions, and on the societal impact of the changing age-composition of the population.

The program emphasizes the dynamic interplay between the aging of individuals and their changing biomedical, social, and physical environments and on multi-level interactions among psychological, physiological, genetic, social, and cultural domains. Its goal is integration and synthesis within and across these domains.

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