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MSW Curriculum and Model Programs

The curriculum is designed for students to gain a generalist perspective on social work. This perspective is essential to 1) assess and address social needs, and 2) to help individuals, families, groups, and communities develop and function effectively. The generalist perspective includes:

- An eclectic theoretical grounding within a systems framework for assessing multiple points and levels for potential intervention.

- The need for effective multi-level interventions that focuses simultaneously on individuals, families, groups, communities, or organizations and society.

- Multi-system and multi-level interventions, using an evidence-based and outcomes oriented planned change model.

The curriculum begins with generalist foundation courses required of all students.

Required Generalist Courses for All Students (31 credits)

Core Requirements:

SSW 600 Social Welfare Policy and Services I (3);
SSW 610 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3);
SSW 611 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3);
SSW 620 Micro Practice in Social Work I (3);
SSW 621 Micro Practice in Social Work II (3);
SSW 630 Macro Practice in Social Work I (3);
SSW 631 Macro Practice in Social Work II (3);
SSW 650 Field Instruction I (3);
SSW 651 Field Instruction II (4);
SSW 660 Introductory Research Methodology (3).

Exemption Examinations

Exemption examinations may be taken for the courses SSW 600, 610, 611, and 660. Passing of these exams exempts the student from taking the course, but no credit is given. In place of the exempted course(s), electives must be taken to fulfill the required amount of credits. Exemption examinations are given prior to the start of the fall semester.

Advanced Requirements for Students in MACRO Concentration (29 credits)

SSW 665 Research Methods in Social Welfare Management (3);
SSW 752 Field Instruction III (4);
SSW 753 Field Instruction IV (4);
SSW 790 Human Service Organizations in a Changing Environment (3);
SSW 791 Managing Systems in Human Service Organizations (3);
SSW 792 Community Building (3):
One course designated as Advanced MACRO elective (like SSW 730-Interprofessional Leadership) (3);
One Elective (3);
One Advanced Policy Course (3);

Advanced Requirements for Students in Clinical Concentration (29 credits)

SSW 661 Evaluation of Clinical Practice (3);
SSW 752 Field Instruction III (4);
SSW 753 Field Instruction IV (4);
Three courses designated as Advanced Practice (9);
One course designated as Advanced Policy (3);
Electives per advisement to total 60 credits.

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MODEL PROGRAMS

Full-Time Program

Part-Time Program

Advanced Standing Program

Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Criminal Justice (M.A.) -- Clinical Concentration

Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Criminal Justice -- MACRO

Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Law (J.D.) with Albany Law School -- Clinical Concentration

Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Law (J.D.) with Albany Law School -- MACRO Concentration

Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Public Health

Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Bioethics with Union Graduate College

Joint M.S.W./Ph.D. Program

Internships in Aging Project

Full-Time


First Semester (Fall)			Credits
SSW	600	Social Welfare Policy and Services	(3)
SSW	610	Human Behavior and Social Environment I	(3)
SSW	620	Micro Practice in Social Work I	(3)
SSW	630	Macro Practice in Social Work I	(3)
SSW	650	Field Instruction I	(3)
Second Semester (Spring)
SSW	611	Human Behavior and Social Environment II	(3)
SSW	621	Micro Practice in Social Work II	(3)
SSW	631	Macro Practice in Social Work II	(3)
SSW	660	Introductory Research Methodology	(3)
SSW	651	Field Instruction II	(4)
Second-Year Clinical Model Program
Third Semester (Fall)
SSW	xxx	Advanced Practice	(3)
SSW	xxx	Advanced Practice	(3)
SSW	661	Evaluation of Clinical Practice	(3)
SSW	xxx	Elective	(3)
SSW	752	Field Instruction III	(4)
Fourth Semester (Spring)
SSW	7xx	Advanced Policy	(3)
SSW	7xx	Advanced Practice	(3)
SSW	xxx	Elective	(3)
SSW	753	Field Instruction IV	(4)
Second-Year MACRO Model Program
Third Semester (Fall)
SSW	665	Research Methods in SW Management	(3)
SSW	752	Field Instruction III	(4)
SSW	790	Human Service Organization in a Changing Environment	(3)
SSW	792	Community Building	(3)
SSW	7xx	Advanced MACRO course	(3)
Fourth Semester (Spring)
SSW	753	Field Instruction IV	(4)
SSW	791	Managing Systems in Human Service Organizations	(3)
SSW	7xx	Advanced Policy**	(3)
SSW	xxx	Elective	(3)
TOP	Electives may be chosen from any courses classified as an Advanced MACRO, Advanced Practice, Advanced Policy, Electives, or any graduate level course in another department. Clinical Concentration students may also take MACRO Core Courses as Electives.

Part-Time Program for the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)** Foundation for All Students
Fall 1
SSW	610	Human Behavior and Social Environment I	(3)
SSW	630	Macro Practice in Social Work I	(3)
Spring 1
SSW	611	Human Behavior and Social Environment II	(3)
SSW	631	Macro Practice in Social Work II	(3)
Summer 1
SSW	600	Social Welfare Policy and Services	(3)
Fall 2
SSW	620	Micro Practice in Social Work I	(3)
SSW	650	Field Instruction I **	(3)
Spring 2
SSW	621	Micro Practice in Social Work II	(3)
SSW	651	Field Instruction II **	(4)
Summer 2
SSW	660	Introductory Research Methodology	(3)
Advanced Requirements in the Clinical Concentration
Fall 3
SSW	7xx	Advanced Practice	(3)
SSW	xxx	Elective	(3)
Spring 3
SSW	7xx	Advanced Practice	(3)
SSW	7xx	Advanced Policy**	(3)
Summer 3
SSW	xxx	Elective	(3)
Fall 4
SSW	661	Evaluation of Clinical Practice	(3)
SSW	752	Field Instruction III **	(4)
Spring 4
SSW	7xx	Advanced Practice	(3)
SSW	753	Field Instruction IV **	(4)
Advanced Requirements in the MACRO Concentration (Effective Fall 2000)
Fall 3
SSW	790	Human Service Organizations in a Changing Environment	(3)
SSW	792	Community Building	(3)
Spring 3
SSW	791	Managing Systems in Human Service Organizations	(3)
SSW	7xx	Advanced Policy**	(3)
Summer 3
SSW	7xx	Advanced MACRO course	(3)
Fall 4
SSW	665	Research Methods in Social Work Management	(3)
SSW	752	Field Instruction III **	(4)
Spring 4
SSW	xxx	Elective	(3)
SSW	753	Field Instruction IV **	(4)
TOP	Electives may be chosen from any courses classified as an Advanced MACRO, Advanced Practice, Advanced Policy, Electives, or any graduate level course in another department. Clinical Concentration students may also take MACRO Core Courses as Electives. ** - FIELDWORK REQUIREMENTS: Students MUST work a 500 hour internship each academic year. This equals 2 days per week for 2 semesters. This fieldwork will occur in your second and fourth year. For more information click here.

Advanced Standing Curriculum For Students who graduated not more than six years ago from a baccalaureate degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Students receive advanced standing credit for up to 21 credits (must have B or better in comparable undergraduate courses). Courses are:
May receive credit for:
SSW 600	Social Welfare Policy
SSW 610	Human Behav Soc Env 1
SSW 620	Micro Practice 1
SSW 630	Macro Practice 1
SSW 650	Field Instruction 1
SSW 660	Research 1
SSW xxx	Elective (3)
Summer (10)
SSW 611	Human Behavior and Social Environment II
SSW 621	Micro Practice II
SSW 651	Field Instruction II
CLINICAL CONCENTRATION FALL (16)
SSW 631	Macro Practice II
SSW 661	Evaluation of Clinical Practice
SSW 7xx	Advanced Practice
SSW 7xx	Advanced Practice
SSW 752	Field Instruction III
Spring (13)
SSW xxx	Elective (3)
SSW 7xx	Advanced Policy**
SSW 7xx	Advanced Practice
SSW 753	Field Instruction IV
Electives may be chosen from any courses classified as an Advanced MACRO, Advanced Practice, Advanced Policy, Electives, or any graduate level course in another department. Clinical Concentration students may also take MACRO Core Courses as Electives. In the Fall and Spring, classes are two or three days a week, field placement two days a week. MACRO CONCENTRATION
Fall (16)
SSW 631	Macro Practice II
SSW 665	Research Methods in Social Welfare Management
SSW 790	Human Service Organizations in a Changing Environment
SSW 792	Community Building
SSW 752	Field Instruction III
Spring (13)
SSW 791	Managing Systems in Human Service Organizations
SSW 7xx	Advanced Policy*
SSW xxx	Elective
SSW 753 TOP	Field Instruction IV

Dual Degrees

Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Criminal Justice -- Clinical Concentration

Program of Study (70 graduate credits, including at least 63 credits in required courses)

Social Welfare

Students must complete:

SSW 600, 610, 611, 620, 621, 630, 631, 650, 651, 752, 753
Three Advanced Practice Courses
One Advanced Policy Course per field of study or advisement

Criminal Justice

Students must complete:

Area requirements by taking one course in three of the four following substantive areas:
Nature of Crime: CRJ 601, 602, 606, or 607
Law and Social Control: CRJ 620, 623, 626, or 629
Administration of the Criminal Justice Process: One graded course from the administration sequence in either of the two series: CRJ 540 - 559 or 640 - 659

or

Planned Change: CRJ 560 or 561

Course requirements in support sequence: CRJ 504 or CRJ 679 or CRJ 681 and CRJ 682

Electives (7 credits minimum) from Criminal Justice to total 70 credits

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Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Criminal Justice -- MACRO

Program of Study (70 graduate credits, including at least 57 credits in required courses)

Social Welfare

Students must complete:

SSW 600, 610, 611, 620, 621, 630, 631, 650, 651, 752, 753, 790
Either SSW 791 or 792 as advised
SSW 665 or CRJ 691

Criminal Justice

Students must complete:

Area requirements by taking one course in two of the three following substantive areas:

Nature of Crime: CRJ 601, 602, 606 or 607

OR

Administration of the Criminal Justice Process: One graded course from the Administration Sequence in either of the two series: CRJ 540 - 559 or CRJ 640 - 659

Course requirements in support sequence: CRJ 504 or CRJ 679 or CRJ 681 and CRJ 682, CRJ 691 or SSW 665

Electives (13 credits minimum) including at least three credits from each of the substantive area groupings in Criminal Justice

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Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Law (J.D.) with Albany Law School -- Clinical Concentration First Year
Full-time Albany Law School: 31 Credits
School of Social Welfare: 0 Credits
First Semester (Fall)			Credits
		Legal Methods	(1)
		Contracts	(3)
		Property I	(3)
		Introduction to Lawyering	(2)
		Introduction to Civil Procedure	(3)
		Torts	(4)
Second Semester (Spring)
		Contracts	(3)
		Property II	(3)
		Criminal Law	(3)
		Introduction to Lawyering	(2)
		Constitutional Law	(4)
Second Year
Full-time School of Social Welfare: 31 Credits
Albany Law School: 0 Credits
Third Semester (Fall)			Credits
SSW	600	Social Welfare Policy and Services	(3)
SSW	610	Human Behavior and Social Environment I	(3)
SSW	620	Micro Practice in Social Work I	(3)
SSW	630	Macro Practice in Social Work I	(3)
SSW	650	Field Instruction I	(3)
Fourth Semester (Spring)
SSW	611	Human Behavior and Social Environment II	(3)
SSW	621	Micro Practice in Social Work II	(3)
SSW	631	Macro Practice in Social Work II	(3)
SSW	660	Introductory Research Methodology	(3)
SSW	651	Field Instruction II	(4)
Third Year
School of Social Welfare: 20 Credits
Albany Law School: 10 Credits
Fifth Semester (Fall)			Credits
SSW	7xx	Advanced Practice	(3)
SSW	7xx	Advanced Practice	(3)
SSW	7xx	Advanced Practice	(3)
SSW	661	Evaluation of Clinical Practice	(3)
SSW	752	Field Instruction III	(4)
Sixth Semester (Spring)
SSW	753	Field Instruction IV	(4)
		Albany Law School Electives	(10)
Fourth Year
Full-time Albany Law School: 33 Credits
School of Social Welfare: 0 Credits
			Credits
		Professional Responsibility*	(3)
		Electives*	(30)
* TOP	May be taken as a summer course.

Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Law (J.D.) with Albany Law School -- MACRO Concentration First Year
Full-time Albany Law School: 31 Credits
School of Social Welfare: 0 Credits
First Semester (Fall)			Credits
		Legal Methods	(1)
		Contracts	(3)
		Property I	(3)
		Introduction to Lawyering	(2)
		Introduction to Civil Procedure	(3)
		Torts	(4)
Second Semester (Spring)
		Contracts	(3)
		Property II	(3)
		Criminal Law	(3)
		Introduction to Lawyering	(2)
		Constitutional Law	(4)
Second Year
School of Social Welfare: 31 Credits
Albany Law School: 3 Credits
Third Semester (Fall)			Credits
SSW	600	Social Welfare Policy and Services	(3)
SSW	610	Human Behavior and Social Environment I	(3)
SSW	620	Micro Practice in Social Work I	(3)
SSW	630	Macro Practice in Social Work I	(3)
SSW	650	Field Instruction I	(3)
Fourth Semester (Spring)
SSW	611	Human Behavior and Social Environment II	(3)
SSW	621	Micro Practice in Social Work II	(3)
SSW	631	Macro Practice in Social Work II	(3)
SSW	660	Introductory Research Methodology	(3)
SSW	651	Field Instruction II	(4)
		ALS Legal Profession/Professional Responsibility*	(3)
Third Year
School of Social Welfare: 20 Credits
Albany Law School: 11 Credits
Fifth Semester (Fall)			Credits
SSW	665	Research Methods in Social Work Management	(3)
SSW	790	Human Service Organizations in Changing Environment	(3)
SSW	792	Community Building	(3)
SSW	7xx	Advanced MACRO course	(3)
SSW	752	Field Instruction III	(4)
Sixth Semester (Spring)
SSW	753	Field Instruction IV	(4)
		Albany Law School Electives (once course from Finance Options)	(11)
Fourth Year
Full-time Albany Law School: 29 Credits
School of Social Welfare: 0 Credits
			Credits
		Albany Law School Electives	(3)
	May be taken during spring or summer.
*	May be taken during spring or summer.
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Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Public Health

Dual Degree Program in Social Work (M.S.W.) and Bioethics with Union Graduate College

Joint M.S.W./Ph.D. in Social Welfare

The School offers a joint M.S.W./Ph.D. program, that enables students to obtain both degrees in approximately one less semester than would be required if the degrees were pursued independently. The student receives the M.S.W. and can complete the Ph.D. with an additional 24 hours of course work plus other requirements outlined for the Ph.D. Program. Students can apply to both programs simultaneously or they may enter the Ph.D. program after acceptance into the M.S.W. program. Students must be accepted into the Ph.D. program no later than the semester prior to receiving the M.S.W. degree.Students currently enrolled in a joint program at the master's level, including advanced standing students, should consult with the Program Chair regarding their eligibility before applying. Requirements for the joint program are outlined below.

M.S.W./Ph.D. Joint Program -- 84 credits (minimum)

All students are expected to enroll in the following required courses (46):

SSW 600 Social Welfare Policy and Services (3)

SSW 610 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3)

SSW 611 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3)

SSW 620 Micro Practice in Social Work I (3)

SSW 621 Micro Practice in Social Work II (3)

SSW 630 Macro Practice in Social Work I (3)

SSW 631 Macro Practice in Social Work II (3)

SSW 650 Field Instruction I (3)

SSW 651 Field Instruction II (4)

SSW 823 Social Welfare Practice Theory (Proseminar) (3)

SSW 826 Social Welfare Policy (Proseminar) (3)

SSW 862 Social Welfare Research (Proseminar) (3)

SSW 863 Application of Advanced Methods in Social Welfare Research (Proseminar) (3)

Plus two courses in Statistics (6)

Required Courses for Students in MACRO Concentration (20):

SSW 753 Field Instruction III (4)

SSW 754 Field Instruction IV (4)

SSW 790 Human Service Organizations in a Changing Environment (3)

SSW 791 Managing Systems in Human Services Organizations (3)

SSW 792 Community Building (3)

One Elective (3)

Required Courses for Students in Clinical Concentration (20):

SSW 752 Field Instruction III (4)

SSW 753 Field Instruction IV (4)

Three courses designated as Advanced Practice (9)

Plus a minimum of 3 credits of Elective graduate courses related to direct practice

You may select your second-year concentration (Clinical or MACRO) during your first year of enrollment.

Supporting and Elective Courses required for all students: appropriate courses totaling at least 18 graduate credits to complete the master's concentration and to develop the doctoral social welfare problem and practice intervention area of study.

Additionally, all students must:

a) Have a satisfactory record in all course and seminar study;

b) Complete satisfactorily the language or computer proficiency requirement;

c) Complete satisfactorily the qualifying examination;

d) Complete satisfactorily the University residence requirements;

e) Complete satisfactorily the predissertation research requirement;

f) Complete satisfactorily the doctoral essay;

g) Submit an acceptable dissertation based on independent research; and

h) Complete at least two acceptable substantive courses outside of the School of Social Welfare

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*Advanced MACRO courses may be selected from the following approved courses: SSW 793 Leadership in Human Services, SSW 794 Community Economic Development, SSW 795 Development (Fundraising, Marketing, Grants), SSW 796 Action Research, SSW 7xx Interprofessional Leadership for School, Family, and Community Partnerships, or SSW 7xx Managed Care and Social Work.

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**Although you may take an advanced policy course from any of the advanced policy options, SSW 782 International Social Work is dedicated to MACRO issues.

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Social Welfare Certificate Programs at UAlbany-SUNY

Through UAlbany-SUNY certificate programs, social work students improve their cultural competence and leadership skills while gaining in-depth insight into specific areas of social work. These programs include:

Certificate in Women's Studies (offered in conjunction with the UAlbany-SUNY Department of Women's Studies)
Certificate in Women in Public Policy* (offered in conjunction with the UAlbany-SUNY Rockefeller College for Public Affairs and Policy)
Certificate in Non-Profit Management and Leadership* (offered with the UAlbany-SUNY Center for Nonprofit Management)
Certificate in Health Disparities (offered with the UAlbany-SUNY School of Public Health)

* Only MSW graduates with a concentration in MACRO (Management Efficiency, Advocacy and Empowerment, Community Building, Resource Development, and Outcome Evaluation) are eligible to earn this certificate.

Learn More About

School of Social Welfare
University at Albany, State University of New York
Richardson Hall, 135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12222 PHONE (518) 442-5320 FAX (518) 442-5380

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