Social Work

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Social Work

The MSW program is a unique collaboration between Nazareth College of Rochester and SUNY College at Brockport, both having a long history of social work education in Rochester.

Program Goals

As a reflection of its mission, the overall goals of the Master of Social Work Program are to:

1. Provide advanced social work education incorporating theoretical knowledge and critical thinking within an advanced integrated practice framework; emphasizing an ecological strength-based community collaborative, empowerment model of practice to promote social and economic justice.
2. Educate social work practitioners who are ethical, critical thinkers engaged in ongoing inquiry and life-long learning.
3. Develop practitioners who provide autonomous social work practice and leadership in health, human service, and other community organizations, as well as in diverse communities to assist high need or at-risk populations.
4. Infuse a critical understanding of culturally competent and gender sensitive advanced practice in working with diverse groups, and to adapt social work knowledge and skills to meet the needs of disenfranchised and historically oppressed groups.
5. Promote and support research and knowledge development to improve the effectiveness of social work practice, policies, and programs.
6. Promote the health and well being of individuals, families, groups, and communities by advancing social justice in a changing environment and in a global society.

The program’s commitment is to prepare social workers for advanced integrated practice within an interdisciplinary and community collaborative context. Students will be taught to facilitate individual, family, group, organizational, and community change that improves the lives of people, particularly those that have been oppressed and/or disempowered. The program provides opportunities for students to be on the cutting edge of new directions for social work practice.

Within the advanced integrated perspective of the program, students focus on one of two concentrations: Family and Community Practice, or Interdisciplinary Health Care. The two concentrations prepare students to work within a community collaborative based practice approach that involves interdisciplinary and inter-agency cooperative efforts. The focus of intervention in the community context provides opportunities to assimilate and integrate cultural diversity into change efforts.

The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, and is registered with the New York State Education Department.

For further information, call: (585) 395-8450
e-mail: grcmsw@brockport.edu
Website address: http://www.naz.edu/dept/social_work/

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0.
2. Presentation of official transcripts. The academic record should reflect a strong liberal arts perspective. The following are required: one (3 credit) course in Human Biology; one (3 credit) course in Statistics; three (3 credit) courses in the Social Sciences (including one in psychology, one in sociology, and a third in another discipline); three (3 credit) courses in the Humanities; one additional (3 credit) course in the Physical Sciences, Mathematics, or Computer Science. All courses must have a grade of “C” or better. (Note: If an applicant is currently enrolled in a prerequisite course, he/she may still file the application. The prerequisite course must be completed before the applicant begins matriculating into the program.)
3. Three reference forms and accompanying letters of recommendation.
4. Application and fee.
5. Completion of the personal-professional statement as described on the application form.
6. Preference is given to applicants with prior paid or volunteer experience with relevance to social work, though it is not required.

Students who have graduated within the past eight years from a CSWE accredited baccalaureate social work program are eligible to apply for admission to the MSW Advanced Standing Program. Additional minimum admission requirements are:

1. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
2. A copy of the applicant’s BSW field practicum evaluations.
3. Three reference forms and accompanying letters of recommendation, including one from a social work faculty member who can attest to the candidate’s ability to do graduate level work, and one from a social work supervisor who can attest to the candidate’s ability to engage in graduate level practice.
   

January 15 for Advanced Standing Admission to Summer Term
March 15 for Regular Admission to Fall Term

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