Academic programs: MSW Programs: faq
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the mission of social work?
- What do social workers do?
- Where do social workers practice?
- What is the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree?
- What MSW program options are offered by Boise State?
- What is the focus of the Boise State MSW program?
- Do you have a half-time program?
- What qualifications are expected for applicants to Boise State MSW programs?
- What are the criteria for admission into the MSW program?
- Is the Graduate Record Examination required for admission?
- When will classes begin?
- What is a typical class schedule like?
- How large are classes?
- Who are the faculty?
- How much is it going to cost me?
- Where can I get additional information?
- How do I get a license to practice social work?
- I want to get a social work license without getting an MSW. Can I take a few courses from this program as a non-matriculated student?
- How can I become certified to practice school social work?
What
is the mission of social work?
The Preamble to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social
Workers states: The primary mission of the social work profession is to
enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs and empowerment
of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic
and defining feature of social work is the profession’s focus on
individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society.
Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that
create, contribute to, and address problems in living.
What
do social workers do?
According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) - www.naswdc.org -
social workers help people overcome social and health problems, such as
poverty, mental illness, child abuse and neglect, emotional instability,
illness, economic uncertainty, domestic violence, homelessness, and drug
abuse. They work directly with individuals, couples, families, and groups
to identify and overcome these problems. Some social workers also work
with communities, organizations, and/or systems to improve services and/or
administrate social and health programs. Social workers apply their professional
knowledge and skills to help people make the most effective use of their
own abilities. When adequate services do not exist in a community, social
workers promote the development of new services and programs.
Where do social workers practice?
Social workers are found in many settings, including private practice,
mental health, health, schools, community agencies, public welfare, agency
administration, legislative services and policy and planning. Social work’s
approach is unique among the helping professions because it focuses on
people’s problems in the context of their social environment. Social
workers believe that people are influenced by the strengths and weaknesses
of those around them – in their families, communities, workplaces,
and organizations.
What is the Master of Social
Work (MSW) degree?
The Master of Social Work Program prepares students for advanced direct
professional practice with individuals, families, households, groups,
organizations, and communities. Students learn the clinical, organizational,
policy and administrative skills necessary for promoting social and economic
justice and enhancing the quality of life for all people through agency-based,
culturally sensitive advanced professional practice.
What MSW program options are
offered by Boise State?
At Boise State we offer a Full-Program 63 credit MSW degree and a 37 credit Advanced Standing MSW degree in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston and Twin Falls. Persons with undergraduate degrees in social work (BSW) from a baccalaureate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may qualify for admission to one of our Advanced Standing MSW Programs. The Advanced Standing MSW may be taken as a full-time, one-year program or as a half-time, two-year program at the North Idaho or Magic Valley sites. The Full-Program MSW is taken as a two-year, full-time program in Boise or as a three-year, part-time program in Coeur D’Alene, Lewiston or Twin Falls. Graduates of all our MSW programs receive their degrees from Boise State University.
What is the focus of the Boise
State MSW Program?
Our MSW Program prepares students to work with diverse populations and
issues. We educate students for professional advanced direct practice
with individuals, families, households, groups, organizations and communities.
Do you have a half-time program?
We offer a half-time option in the Advanced Standing MSW Program in the North Idaho or Magic Valley sites. Interested applicants should request that option when they apply for admission. Our Full-Program MSW is offered full-time in Boise and part-time in Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston and Twin Falls. For additional information, please contact the MSW Program Coordinator.
What qualifications are expected
for applicants to Boise State MSW programs?
We are seeking potential students of exceptional maturity, with values
compatible with those of professional social work, with capacity for critical
thinking and self-reflection, and with strong potential for personal and
professional growth.
What is the criteria
for admission into the MSW program?
- Completion of the Boise State University Graduate
Admissions Application and The School of Social Work Application for
admission as a graduate student.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a distribution of liberal arts courses (70 quarter credits or 46 semester credits) and a minimum of 10 quarter credits or 6 semester credits in each of the general distribution areas: humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics. Applicants must have also completed coursework with a minimum of a “C” letter grade in a human biology course with a lab (4 semester credits) and a course which contains content on descriptive and inferential statistics (3 semester credits).
- Completion of course work that provides the student with a basic understanding of the biological processes of human behavior.
- An overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA)
of 3.0 or higher and a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the junior and senior
years of undergraduate study.
- Note: Applicants may not receive academic credit for work experience in the field or for life experience.
Is the Graduate Record
Examination required?
The Graduate Record Exam is not required for admission to Boise State
University School of Social Work Master of Social Work programs. However,
applicants may choose to submit GRE scores if their undergraduate Grade
Point Averages do not reflect their academic ability.
When will classes begin?
Classes begin in Mid-August.
What is a typical class schedule?
Full-time, Full-Program students in Boise study for four semesters earning 15 to 16 credits per semester. Full-time advanced standing students complete their MSW degrees in one year. Half-time Advanced Standing students complete their MSW studies in two years. In Boise most classes are offered during the day on Mondays and Tuesdays. There are some evening classes. The Northern Idaho Program and Magic Valley Programs offer a combination of evening, weekend and on-line classes.
How large are classes?
Classes are kept small to foster maximum interaction and exchange of ideas among students and faculty. Classroom classes typically have no more than 15 to 22 students. Practicum seminars typically have no more than 12 students.
Who are the faculty?
Boise classes are taught by full-time members of the School of Social Work faculty complemented by outstanding, community-based social work professionals. Northern Idaho classes are taught by full-time members of the faculty of the Boise State University School of Social Work, by members of the Lewis Clark State College Department of Social Work serving as BSU adjunct professors and by outstanding, community-based social work professionals. Magic Valley classes are taught by full-time members of the School of Social Work faculty complemented by outstanding, community-based social work professionals.
How much is it going
to cost me?
The Boise Program for 2008-2009 is anticipated to cost $2752 per semester for Idaho residents and $7040 for non-residents. Our MSW programs in Northern Idaho and the Magic Valley are self-funded. They receive no appropriated funds from the Idaho Legislature. 2008-2009 costs per credit are $370 for Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston and $350 for Twin Falls.
Where can I get additional
information?
Prospective graduate students should refer to the Graduate Catalog, available
on-line, or request that the Graduate College mail a paper copy. All information
for the MSW degree is on the School of Social Work web site. We are happy
to receive your calls or e-mail if you have additional questions.
Information about all Boise State MSW programs is available from:
William
Rainford, Ph.D., MSW
MSW Program Coordinator
willrainford@boisestate.edu
Ph: 208-426-4044
Boise
State University School of Social Work
1910 University Drive
Boise, Idaho 19725-1940
socialwork@boisestate.edu
Ph: 208-426-1568
Information about the Northern Idaho Advanced Standing MSW Program is also available from:
William
H. Whitaker, Ph.D., ACSW
Director of External Programs
wwhitak@boisestate.edu
Ph: 208-426-2579
Larry
Cronin, MSW, LCSW
Coeur d’Alene Site Coordinator
larrycronin@boisestate.edu
Ph: 208-292-2679
Sue Martin,
ACSW, LMSW, C-SSWS
Lewiston Site Coordinator
suemartin@boisestate.edu
Ph: 208-792-2783
Jamie Kelley, MSW, LCSW, ACSW
Twin Falls Site Coordinator
Jamiekelley2@boisestate.edu
Ph: 208-933-2361, Toll Free 1-800-680-0274 ext.2361
Application Forms, Letters of Recommendation Forms, and Northern Idaho Program Descriptions are available by clicking on the item you are seeking.
How do I get a license
to practice social work?
Licensure to practice social work in Idaho is administered by the Idaho
Bureau of Occupational Licenses and requires either a baccalaureate
or masters degree from an accredited program of social work education,
a passing score on the national licensing examination, and good moral
character. Graduates who have earned MSW degrees are eligible to take
the exam to be licensed as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). Following
a period of social work practice supervised by a Licensed Clinical Social
Worker (LCSW) MSW graduates are eligible to take the LCSW examination.
I
want to get a social work license without getting an MSW. Can I take a
few courses from this program as a non-matriculated student?
Maintaining our status as Idaho's oldest and largest school of social
work accredited through the Council
on Social Work Education prohibits us from offering classes to students
not enrolled in the MSW Program.
How
can I become certified to practice school social work?
Students may receive certification to practice school social work in the
State of Idaho by completing SOCWRK 597: School Social Work, an advanced
social work practicum in an approved K-12 educational setting under the
supervision of a professional social worker, and all other requirements
for the Master of Social Work degree.
If you received your Master of Social Work degree at a school other than Boise State, contact the MSW Program Coordinator about certification as a school social worker. For more information on school social work certification, consult the State Certification Manual or contact the Idaho Department of Education.