Master of Social Work

Welcome to the Master of Social Work Program at Governors State University!

 

We welcome you to the Master of Social Work Program at Governors State University (GovState)! We are excited to have you be a part of the social work community and look forward to supporting you in becoming a specialized social work professional. Our program is deeply committed to preparing the next generation of practitioners whose practice in schools and agencies with children, adolescents, adults and families is grounded in a social justice ethos. 

Students will be surrounded by a diverse student body and diverse faculty. Our faculty are committed to social justice and their expertise is expansive (e.g., medical/healthcare, criminal justice, trauma-informed care, school social work, forensics, advocacy, research, and more). Our coursework with field education (i.e., field placement) prepares students to practice in various settings with diverse populations.

After completing our curriculum, students can conduct multidimensional assessments, analyze the effects of socio-cultural, economic, and political influences on clients, advocate for and empower clients, and engage in research-informed practice.

As the MSW Program Coordinator, I invite you to work hard, ask questions, utilize resources, connect with peers and faculty, and take advantage of learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom (e.g., study abroad, public health brigades, campus events, research, and student organizations).

All in all, if you are looking to empower and enhance the well-being of individuals, groups, and communities and advocate for systems and processes that support client progress, then you’ve come to the right place!

Best Wishes,

Linda D Campos-Moreira, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.Ed., LSW
MSW Program Coordinator
Associate Professor of Social Work
MSW Academic Advisor, G 117
Governors State University
lcampos-moreira@govst.edu
Ph. 708-235-7141

             

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Mission Statement 

 The mission of the Master of Social Work Program at Governors State University is to prepare students to practice with a social justice ethos. Our social justice ethos is our guiding principle of challenging barriers and promoting access to political, social, and economic freedoms and rights. Students specialize in child and family practice and school social work practice. Students demonstrate proficiency in social work knowledge, values, and skill-based competencies to improve the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Through policy and program development, students learn to promote and advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with client populations.

Why a MSW?

An MSW prepares students for a career in an advanced specialized area of practice serving individuals, groups, communities, and organizations. Students who graduate with an MSW can seek clinical and leadership roles in a variety of public/private settings (e.g., advocacy organizations, counseling centers, child welfare agencies (IDCFS), hospitals, private practice, residential settings, schools, veteran administration systems, and more). After earning a master’s degree in social work from our CSWE-accredited program and meeting additional state requirements, graduates can immediately apply to become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Illinois. To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), 3,000 clock hours of post-MSW supervision and a clinical exam are required (reference your state guidelines). To learn more about the profession of social work, visit the National Association of Social Work website.

Program Description

The Social Work Department at GovState offers two programs:

The Advanced Standing MSW Program, which is comprised of 32 credit hours, is for students who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. Students can achieve their MSW degree in as little as one year (full-time). A two-year part-time option is also available. Based on the chosen practice specialization, students complete 16-20 hours of field education per week in both the Fall and Spring semesters.

The Full MSW Program comprises 60 credit hours for students without a (BSW) degree from a CSWE accredited program. Students complete their MSW degree in as little as two years (full-time). A three- or four-year part-time option is also available. Students complete field education at the generalist and specialized levels, completing 14 hours weekly at the generalist level and 16-20 hours weekly at the specialized level based on practice specialization. Each level requires a Fall and Spring term of field education, totaling four semesters of field education.

We offer the following specializations:

• School Social Work Practice (Professional Educator License/PEL) and 

• Children and Family Practice* (with the option of a subspecialty)
  
  
  • Flex/no subspecialty option—select from available electives (as long as prerequisites are satisfied)
  • Child Welfare Practice subspecialty (training to obtain an Illinois Child Welfare Employee License/CWEL)
  • Mental Health Subspecialty (training in DSM-5 specified diagnostic standards and related interventions for advanced mental health disorders) 
   

Both specializations satisfy the educational requirements of the IL Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license.  Students can work with children, adolescents, adults, families, organizations, and communities upon graduation.

 

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Accreditation

The MSW program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
The Council on Social Work Education
333 John Carlyle Street Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314-3457
Phone: 703.683.8080
Fax: 703.683.8099
https://www.cswe.org
Email CSWE

Delivery Format

Classes are held in person or on campus and primarily offered in the afternoon/evening (e.g., starting at 4:30 pm). Field Education is completed off-campus within a social service setting in the community. Scheduled times vary by selected field education site, yet with our vast network of placement sites, most students schedule field hours that fit their class/employment schedules. Students can enroll as a full-time or part-time student.

Why Study Social Work at GovState?

• We are Fully Accredited by The Council on Social Work Education.
• Our Program is Grounded in a Social Justice Ethos.
• We offer Full-Time and Part-Time Enrollment in the Afternoon/Evening Hours.
• Our Class sizes are Small.
• We have a Diverse Student Body and Faculty Population.
• Our Tuition and Fees are among the Lowest in Illinois.
• We offer Great Student life Opportunities (study abroad, clubs, advocacy).

Learn More!

Click here to view a Master of Social Work Fact Sheet.

Please register for an MSW Virtual Information Session

Application Deadlines for all MSW Applicants

Students are admitted into the MSW Program twice per year, in the Summer and Fall Semester. To receive the strongest consideration for acceptance and an earlier decision, apply by the priority consideration deadline.

Summer/Fall 2025 ----------------Priority Consideration: December 15th, 2024.
Summer/Fall 2025-----------------Standard Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Students seeking full-time status are strongly encouraged to apply early to start the field practicum/internship process sooner.

 

Student Involvement

The Social Work program has a well-established history of student involvement in the community, at GovState, and in the Social Work Department, through service and leadership by developing and involvement in student organizations (e.g. The Gay Straight Alliance, Veterans Resource Center, International Student Organization, and Student Senate).

• Social Work students founded Generating Hope, a student organization grounded in the belief that education is a human right that should be accessible to everyone—a belief supported by data that shows higher education significantly decreases recidivism and transforms the lives of those who have been formerly incarcerated.
• The Social Work Student Organization (SWSO) has been instrumental in coordinating an annual Social Work Advocacy Day in Springfield and raising funds for global and domestic communities (e.g. Haiti, Flint, Michigan, etc.)
• The social work honor society Phi Alpha not only recognizes academic excellence but also has spearheaded community service projects.
• Under faculty leadership, social work students have the opportunity for study abroad and service-learning opportunities in locations such as Ghana, Inuab, South Argentine, Nicaragua and Panama.
• Social Work students may enhance their professional skills by attending professional conferences and engaging in research with faculty.

Learning Goals

MSW Program Outcomes:

1. Prepare students for advanced specialized and multi-disciplinary practice at the individual, family, group, organizational, and community levels in schools and child and family settings.
2. Apply the values and ethical standards of the profession to practice. 
3. Conduct multidimensional assessments of individuals, groups, organizations, and communities considering cultural, economic, political, and system factors.
4. Apply theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate human development, behavior, agency, and interactions at all levels in Schools and Child and Family settings.
5. Conduct, critically analyze, and utilize research to evaluate practice interventions to improve practice and inform social policy.
6. Apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice and personal well-being.

Click here to view the MSW Student Handbook.

Click here to view the GSU CRTL School Social Work Matrix Final  (DEIAB)

 

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