To provide high quality professional education for students in integrated health and behavioral health practice in the public, publicly-funded and non-profit services, in keeping with the profession’s knowledge base, skills, values and ethics.
MSW Program mission statement: The MSW program fosters transformative learning experiences producing graduates who are leaders and practitioners for social change and social justice. Our highly skilled graduates practice from a multi-theoretical perspective in our diverse and global society.
Additional Admission Requirement for Master of Social Work
1. A broad liberal arts background with substantial preparation in the social and/or behavioral sciences.
2. An overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Official test scores:
If your undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, you do NOT need to take the GRE or MAT. Any applicant with an earned master’s degree or higher in another discipline is also exempt from test taking. For applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0, you must submit the official results of either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Since these two tests are very different in format and content, we recommend you carefully review each test to determine which one is most compatible with your strengths.
4. In addition to the current professional statement, applicants are required to submit another writing sample in the form of a critical analysis of a given quotation.
5. Work or volunteer experience in the social service field is desirable.
6. You may be called in for an interview
In addition to the basic admission requirements described above, the following requirements apply to all Advanced Standing applicants:
- Submit a copy of your final BSW field Evaluation from your senior field placement. This field evaluation should be completed by the individual at the agency who supervised you during your practicum. If currently in field, field evaluations can be submitted at the end of the fall semester.
- One of your letters of recommendation should be completed by either a social work professor or your employed work supervisor
Criteria for advanced standing applicants
- In addition to the about mentioned criteria you must have completed a BSW degree within 5 years of applying for acceptance into the advanced standing MSW program.
Prerequisites
A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university for the General Program. A BSW from a CSWE accredited undergraduate school for the Advanced Standing Program.
Program Requirements
Upon acceptance into the program, you will complete a tentative Plan of Study in consultation with the program coordinator. You must request that any transfer credits be considered at this time. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO MORE THAN THREE COURSES TAKEN AT SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY BEFORE ADMISSION CAN BE COUNTED TOWARDS THIS PROGRAM. You should meet regularly with the program coordinator to discuss your progress and revise your plan of study as needed.
Integrated Health and Behavioral Health Specialization
The Salem State University MSW Program defines integrated health and behavioral health practice as:
- Integrated practice perspective for micro, mezzo, and macro systems
- The integration of practice, policy, research, and field education
- An integrated understanding of physical, mental, and behavioral health
The MSW Program has adopted the definition of behavioral health delineated by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Program of Study
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