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MSW Program

Beginning in the fall of 2010, WSC will offer a Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW). Initially this program will have a single concentration in Clinical Practice with Children and Families. This program will prepare students for licensure as an LCSW and ultimately for the LICSW. The program will prepare students to work in clinical settings with adults, children and families; for advanced positions in child protective services; for clinical case management positions in health care and residential settings; and as school social workers (school social work licensure requires specific course work and field placements while in the program).

The program will offer some classes on-line, some classes as hybrid classes (part on-line and part face-to-face) and some classes totally face-to-face. Face-to-face classes will be offered primarily in the evening. Required field placements will usually be during the day but other possibilities will exist. The program is open to anyone who possesses an undergraduate degree though some social science and biology prerequisites will be required. The program consists of 66 credits of graduate work and can be completed in two years of full-time or four years of part-time study. Students who possess a BSW from a CSWE accredited program may be eligible for advanced standing which can be completed in one year of full-time or two- years of part study. There also may be the possibility of student housing for interested students. This detail has not yet been finalized. The Department of Social Work is presently seeking CSWE accreditation for the MSW program, and is expecting to be granted candidacy during the 2010-2011 academic year.

For more information about the MSW Program click here: MSW Program Description

BSW Program

The BSW program offers a major in Social Work that leads to a Bachelors Degree in Social Work (BSW). Graduates of this program are eligible, upon graduation, to sit for the state social work licensure exam (LSW) and are eligible for advanced standing at graduate schools of social work across the country. The program has a generalist focus and prepares students to work with clients in a variety of setting from programs that work with children, to health care settings, to services for the elderly.

The Social Work major consists of 16 credits of foundation prerequisites and 42 credits of social work courses. The major is designed to be completed in the final two years of the four year degree, but can completed part-time over a longer period of time. This plan makes the Social Work major accessible for students who are full-time or part-time and students transferring from other colleges. The program has articulation agreements with many area community colleges to ease the process of transfer. For our four year students, the major can be spread out over the entire four years of college. The Social Work major is offered as day classes with some on-line classes. Beyond the day classes, evening sections of social work classes will begin in the fall of 2009.

For more information about the BSW Program click here: BSW Program Description

Program Accreditation

The  BSW Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).  The Department is presently seeking accreditation for the MSW program.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING SOCIAL WORK CONTACT:

Dr. Robert C. Kersting, Chair,
Department of Social Work,
Westfield State College,
577 Western Ave.,
Westfield, MA 01086
(413) 572-5536,"TTD (413) 572-5250"
email: rkersting@wsc.ma.edu

updated 9/1/09