Master of Social Work

Council on Social Work Education Accreditation Status: Candidacy (Effective June 2009).

The MSW Program is a two-year full time program. Classes are conducted on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6:00-8:30) and all day on Saturday (9:00-4:00).

Students are in their field placement 16 hours a week (2 days) during the foundation/1st year of the program; and, 24 hours a week (3 days) during the advanced/concentration or 2nd year of the program. There are no exceptions to field. The Director of Field Education cannot guarantee evening or weekend placements. All students must satisfy the practicum hours to be in compliance with our accrediting agency, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and to meet the eligibility requirements for candidacy.

Goals of the MSW Program are to:

• Prepare students with the skills of advanced practice essential for working with individuals, families, organizations and communities with a specific focus on at-risk populations based upon socioeconomic and minority status. This goal is grounded in the Program’s mission statement which focuses upon the education of advanced social work practitioners skilled in the promotion of social change at the individual, group, organizational and community levels of interventions that further the achievement of social and economic justice.
• Prepare students with advanced skills essential for impacting upon the local and regional communities outside the university through scholarly research and active participation in community problem solving. This goal is grounded in the part of the Program’s mission statement that addresses the Department’s and the University’s commitment to applying its knowledge and expertise to community problem-solving.
• Prepare students with specialized skills essential for working with at-risk children and families with a special focus on the development, delivery, and management of services across an array of practice settings. This goal is related to the part of the Program’s mission statement that reflects our committed to the education of advanced social work practitioners skilled in the promotion of social change at the individual, group, organizational and community levels of interventions that further the achievement of social and economic justice.
• Prepare students with specialized skills essential for working with juveniles and their families with a special focus on gangs, and other youth issues impacting upon urban areas. This goal is related to the part of the Program’s mission statement that reflects our commitment to the use of our knowledge and expertise to impact upon community problems associated with our urban setting. Some of the most intractable problems include crime, gangs, and family disorganization.

Foundation/1st Year Curriculum Outcome Objectives
Students completing the foundation curriculum will be able to:

• Utilize a liberal arts focus to identify the knowledge, values, and skills of social work practice with various sizes and types of systems within the framework of the individual behavior in the social environment approach.
• Describe, critically evaluate, and apply evidence-based theories of human behavior and life span development to understand individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities and the interactions between them.
• Describe and apply the generalist social work perspective to practice with individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities.
• Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession, describe and analyze past and present social welfare policy/policy research, and formulate and advocate for social policies against discriminatory and oppressive systems that advance social and economic justice.
• Identify, evaluate and apply research relevant to practice and evaluate one’s practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge, values and skill in nondiscriminatory social work practice related to clients’ age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, race, religion, national origin, sex, and sexual orientation.
• Demonstrate professionalism, including: critical thinking skills applied to one’s own practice, self-awareness and the professional use of self in interactions with clients, and a commitment to the norms and standards of professional behavior.
• Apply communication skills and professional relationship skills with diverse client populations, social work colleagues and those in other disciplines, supervisors, and individuals and groups within various organizational, community, and political systems.
• Recognize the principles and importance of ethical social work practice and ongoing social work supervision and consultation.
• Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.
• Use technology to access information and facilitate communication.

Advanced/Concentration/2nd Year Curriculum Outcome Objectives
Students completing the advanced/concentration year curriculum will be able to:

• Build on the foundation of generalist social work gained in the core year; apply advanced evidenced-based theory to understanding of client systems and to apply advanced social work practice skills within the area of concentration (juvenile justice and children and family practice) (Goal 2).
• Recognize the global context of practice, particularly as the context affects residents of Durham and surrounding local and regional communities (Goals 3 and 4).
• Demonstrate the ability to apply research concepts and strategies to inform social work practice and programs (Goals 2, 3 and 4).
• Demonstrate proficiency and in-depth knowledge about the core competencies of area of concentration (juvenile justice) and demonstrate insight into practice through ethical, critical, and developmental self-reflection (Goals 3 and 4).
• Apply advance knowledge and skills and social work values in practice with diverse urban populations without discrimination related to clients’ age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation (Goals 2, 3 and 4).
• Demonstrate the ability to design, analyze, evaluate and change social policy and to intervene against discriminatory and oppressive systems to advance social and economic justice (Goals 3 and 4).
• Use technology to advance practice skills and knowledge and to facilitate communication with clients and colleagues (Goals 2, 3 and 4).
• Understand a broad spectrum of change strategies and demonstrate the ability to match these strategies to the programmatic, organizational, and community challenges. Demonstrate differential application of these strategies in partnership with people who experience oppression and disenfranchisement (Goals 2, 3 and 4).
• Synthesize and apply scientific knowledge of both normal and abnormal adolescent development as it relates to juveniles and their families within the theoretical framework of the individual in the social environment (Goal 4)
• Understand the history, current policies and issues associated with the development of the juvenile justice system within the criminal justice system in the United States and globally (Goals 2 and 4).
• Identify, implement and evaluate appropriate interventions with at-risk youth and their families grounded in a focus upon the individual in the social environment with a high level of self-awareness and autonomy in working with vulnerable populations (Goal 2 and 3).
• Utilize appropriate research and evaluative methodology in understanding the nature of societal conditions which either enhance or impede the healthy adjustments of individuals to their social environments with a special focus on juveniles and their families (Goals 2, 3 and 4).

Applicants must apply to both the College of Graduate Studies and the Department of Social Work’s MSW Program. Two application packages, therefore, must be completed: a) the "Application for Admission into the College of Graduate Studies," and b) the supplemental application packet for admission in to the MSW program. The MSW supplemental application packet contains several forms and guidelines for completing the personal narrative and writing sample. Both applications must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies. The MSW program admits students for the fall semester of each year. To be considered for the fall semester, applications must be completed and submitted to the College of Graduate Studies by Feb. 1st. Interested individuals can begin requesting the social work supplemental application packet mid-November to meet the Feb. 1st deadline.


In addition to the admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, applicants requesting admission into the MSW program must meet the following requirements:

• An official transcript indicating completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The applicant’s transcript should indicate a strong liberal arts background, including courses in human biology, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, math, history, etc. International students must hold an equivalent degree based on a four-year curriculum; and, follow the admissions policies and procedures of North Carolina Central University’s College of Graduate Studies.
• A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or better (4.0 scale) and a grade point average of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale) in their major course of study.
• A personal narrative statement reflecting the applicant’s ability to communicate in the written word, demonstrate critical thinking about social problems, and demonstrate introspection (e.g., understanding of self, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, acknowledge personal growth, etc.)
• A professional resume. The applicant will submit a current resume that includes his/her work history, community/volunteer services, and evidence of some leadership skills.
• Two professional letters of recommendation from persons who can speak to the applicant’s ability and potential for success as a graduate student and professional social worker (e.g., former professors, employments supervisors, etc.).
• Writing sample. The applicant will submit a writing sample (professional journal article provided) that reflects their writing skills, organization and integration of content, comprehension, and clarity.

A personal interview with the MSW faculty may be required of an applicant in order to better evaluate his/her potential for becoming a professional social work practitioner.

Although we seek students with life experience and previous work experience, we do not grant social work credit for these experiences.

The MSW Program at North Carolina Central University does not offer an Advanced Standing Program. Applicant’s who are transferring from a MSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) may transfer up to six credits of courses taken during the foundation year/1st year and earned a grade of “B” or better in those courses.

• Successfully complete the two-year MSW curriculum with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
• Complete the capstone courses (Practicum I, II, III, and IV and the Master’s Research Project) with a minimum grade of “B”.
• Complete the application for graduation
• Complete the application for candidacy at least three months prior to the conferring of the MSW degree and received approval from the Graduate Council to be considered a candidate for graduation