Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Overview
The curriculum of the MSW program will align closely with the accreditation standards established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program will encompass foundational courses providing students with essential knowledge and skills, as well as advanced specialized courses designed to deepen their expertise in key areas of practice. Core coursework will include:
- Social Problems and Programs: Understanding the historical, political, and economic contexts shaping social welfare policies and practices.
- Social Policy Analysis: Developing critical analytical skills to evalsuate social policies and advocate for effective changes.
- Human Behavior and Social Environments: Examining theoretical frameworks for understanding individual and community behaviors within diverse social contexts.
- Theory and Practice I, II, and III: Progressive development of essential social work practice skills, from foundational engagement techniques to advanced clinical interventions.
- Field Education with Integrated Seminars: Structured internships complemented by reflective seminars to integrate academic knowledge with practical experience.
- Research Methods in Social Work: Training in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies essential for evidence-based practice.
- Specialized courses in Mental Health and Psychopathology, Substance Abuse Theory, and Forensic Social Work: Focused coursework to equip students with the advanced skills necessary to practice effectively in these specialized areas.
Each course will be thoughtfully designed to address CSWE competencies, provide rigorous academic instruction, practical application opportunities, and reflective practice, ensuring graduates are fully prepared to handle complex social work challenges.
Practicum Education
Practicum education will serve as a cornerstone of the MSW program at Saint Peter’s University. Students will engage in experiential learning through supervised field internships across diverse settings such as healthcare facilities, schools, social service agencies, and community organizations with a focus in Hudson County. These placements will be strategically aligned with the students’ areas of specialization, ensuring that their field experiences are both relevant and impactful.
The practicum will enable students to apply classroom learning in real-world environments under the supervision of experienced professionals. It will allow students to develop essential professional competencies, such as client engagement, assessment, intervention planning, case management, and ethical decision-making. Each placement will be structured to ensure progressive development, starting from foundational skill-building and moving toward advanced, autonomous practice.
Students will participate in integrated seminars alongside their field placements. These seminars will offer a structured environment for students to reflect critically on their practice experiences, discuss ethical dilemmas, and explore strategies for addressing diverse client needs effectively. This reflective practice will be instrumental in fostering self-awareness, professional identity, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
Furthermore, Saint Peter’s University will foster strong partnerships with local and regional organizations to provide high-quality field placement opportunities. These collaborations will not only enhance the learning experience for students but will also strengthen the university’s role as a valuable community resource committed to social change and advocacy.
Overall, the Master of Social Work program at Saint Peter’s University will offer students a rigorous and comprehensive education, blending academic knowledge with hands-on practice. Graduates will be equipped to enter the workforce as competent, ethical, and compassionate social work professionals prepared to make meaningful contributions to their communities and society at large.
Generalist Practice Curriculum (30 Credits)
Curricular Area: Human Behavior and the Social Environment (6 credits)
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 credits)
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 credits)
Curricular Area: Social Work Practice (12 credits)
- Social Work Community Practice: Leading for Change (3 credits)
- Social Work Practice with Individuals (3 credits)
- Social Work Practice with Families and Groups (3 credits)
- Diversity & Cross-Cultural Issues (3 credits)
Curricular Area: Policy (3 credits)
- Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)
Curricular Area: Research (3 credits)
- Research I (3 credits)
Curricular Area: Field Education (6 credits)
- Field Education Internship and Seminar I (3 credits)
Field Education Internship and Seminar II (3 credits)
Specialized Curriculum: Clinical Practice (30 Credits)
Curricular Area: Advanced Clinical Practice (18 credits)
- Advanced Clinical Practice with Individuals (3 credits)
- Advanced Clinical Practice with Families (3 credits)
- Advanced Clinical Practice with Groups (3 credits)
- Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis (3 credits)
- School Social Work Practice: Trauma in Children and Adolescents (Elective, 3 credits)
- School Social Work Practice: Trauma in Adults (Elective, 3 credits)
Curricular Area: Social Policy (3 credits)
- Clinical Practice: Policies & Administration (3 credits)
Curricular Area: Research (3 credits)
- Research II: evalsuation of Clinical Social Work Practice (3 credits)
Curricular Area: Field Education (6 credits)
- Field Education Internship and Seminar III (3 credits)
- Field Education Internship and Seminar IV (3 credits)
Additional Specialized Electives for School Social Work (Optional 6 Credits)
- Child and Adolescent Development (3 credits)
- School Systems and Policies (3 credits)
- Trauma-Informed Practice (3 credits)
- GE-502. Psychological Foundations of Learning (3 credits)
- GE-509. Historical/Cultural Background of English Language Learners (3 credits)
- GE-614. Educating Students with Disabilities/Specialized Instruction (3 credits)
- GE-616. Effective Class Mgmt/Behavior Intervention (3 credits)