Master of Social Work
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Upcoming MSW Info Sessions: Tuesday, April 9 at noon and 5:30 p.m.
vnsr威尼斯城官网登入 College
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Abolitionist Master of Social Work Program Purpose Statement:
The vnsr威尼斯城官网登入 Abolitionist Master of Social Work (MSW) program's purpose is to be a facilitator of curiosity, power analysis, ingenuity, and healing for our student community to prepare them for advanced, global social work practice.
We journey together toward this purpose, rooted in the following Abolitionist MSW Program Values:
Multiplicity of “Knowing”
We believe that there are many ways of both acquiring knowledge and of knowing something to be true. We value scientific inquiry, indigenous community wisdom, somatic experience, empathetic reasoning, artistic expression, and more. We disbelieve in prescribing a single way of learning, teaching, or demonstrating understanding. In order to provide the profession with quality social workers, we must be committed to classrooms that are student-centered and capable of facilitating and evaluating all types of learning. We must draw on convention and innovate beyond it, open to new research and experience in pedagogy. We will thus model to our students methods of individual, group, and institutional engagement that considers the unique needs, expressions, capabilities, and knowledge of individuals.
Collectivism
Drawing on the person-in-environment framework, we believe that well-being of all persons is interdependent and interconnected. Whether working one on one with a client, working in families or groups, or working with institutions, communities, and societies, harm or healing from one part of the system has an impact on the entire set of relationships. Social workers and the profession of social work are not separate from the relationships, communities, and societies in which they practice. Therefore it is crucial that we find ways in the classroom to make collective decisions, share responsibility for our learning and goals, understand ourselves as part of a larger, global community, and prepare to apply collectivist principles to practice.
Critical Analysis for Systemic Change
We believe that effective social work requires the ability to think critically and analyze power structures. Competent and integrous social work must use critical thinking skills in order to identify, interrupt, and transform harm. In order to prevent further harm, we must recognize and mobilize against the violence of existing power structures. This includes the imperative to antagonize white supremacy, dismantle carceral systems, and challenge the ways in which social workers have been recruited to enforce oppressive hierarchies of power.
Transformative Healing
We believe that systems, patterns, and instances of harm must be transformed in order to heal, for the good of all people, locally and globally. Transformative healing holds individuals and systems accountable to harm, provides collective pathways to healing, and shifts systems and cultures for future well-being. Interventions must seek first to interrupt harm, but further to transform the material and relational conditions (poverty, racism, trauma, etc.) that made the harm possible. We intend, rather than restoring what was, to transform together into what is possible.
Radical Imagination
We believe that we have not yet created conditions that facilitate the realization of human rights for all. In order for social workers to create those conditions, we must dream beyond what is, into what is possible. Social work will not be satisfied until all people are free from oppression. Because the status quo has failed to provide liberation for all people, we must develop a culture of radical imagination and commitment to experimenting with new ways of being whole.
Important information
What is Abolition?
Abolition seeks to build the kinds of support, safety, accountability, protection, and justice that create alternatives to criminalization. Abolitionist Ruth Wilson Gilmore clarifies that "Abolition is presence, not absence. It’s about building life-affirming institutions." Through the creative collective work of healing, imagination, and transformation, we dream and build a world beyond the carceral state. Instead of upholding the systems we already have, social workers must educate and train ourselves for the future we seek to build. We believe that abolition social work is the fulfillment of our deeply held values, the future of our profession, and the framework we need to build a better world.
For more information we invite you to read these resources:
http://criticalresistance.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/What-is-Abolition.pdf
http://aas.princeton.edu/news/what-abolition-and-why-do-we-need-it
http://www.bostonreview.net/articles/why-policing-and-prisons-cant-end-gender-violence/
How many credits for completion?
The program offers a two-year MSW. This is a 56-credit program. Full-time will include on average 12 credits a semester, two courses every eight weeks. We offer a part-time option that will include one course every eight weeks.
Advanced Standing Option: Do you have your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program? If so, you can apply to our Advanced Standing program and complete your MSW degree online in one year. To qualify for advanced standing you must have completed your Bachelor’s in social work within the last 10 years. This is a 32 credit program.
What are the courses?
vnsr威尼斯城官网登入 College’s Abolitionist Master of Social Work Program (MSW) will focus on critiquing the carceral logic and providing students with a “Restorative to Transformative Practices” certificate. Elective courses are available to allow you to prepare for clinical licensure, including the Wisconsin substance abuse specialty. All students will have the necessary coursework to apply for their Advanced Practice Social Work (APSW) Licensure.
Take innovative courses such as: Systems of Oppression, Social Movements, Mutual Aid, and Organizing for Change, Social Work Towards Abolition, The War on Drugs: The Criminalization of Addiction and Substance Use, Trauma Healing Interventions, Transformative Healing for Groups and Families, Dreaming a New World: The Collectivist Abolition Lab.
Courses will be formatted with both synchronous and asynchronous activities to facilitate the connection between your other learning colleagues while allowing for flexibility in your multifaceted life. We know the stress and sacrifice it takes to enter into an educational program.
What is the Cost per Credit?
$866 per credit, financial aid available for students. vnsr威尼斯城官网登入 College Financial Aid Office is here to help you through the process.
Is there a Required Practicum Placement?
If you are in the two-year program you will complete two practicums. During your first year you will complete a 400-hour practicum and in your second year you will complete a 500-hour practicum.
If you are in the advanced standing program you will complete one 500-hour practicum.
The MSW Practicum Director will assist you in locating a practicum site that will meet your career goals. We will allow for your practicum to be in your place of employment if applicable.
What if I’m out of state?
We’d love for you to join us. We can assist you with determining your state’s various licensing requirements.
How do I apply?
Students will be required to submit an FREE application to vnsr威尼斯城官网登入 College and a personal statement (in the form of a written statement, video submission, or another creative expression) in order to be considered for acceptance into the program. Follow all instructions in the application portal.
In order to apply click here: http://xr2n.vrps.net/apply
I still have questions, who can I contact?
Please reach out to Cameron Overton (cameron.overton@vrps.net), program director, for any questions about the program. We want to know YOU and help in any way possible. If you have questions about the application process or financial aid, please contact Katie Kipp (katie.kipp@vrps.net), your admissions counselor, and she will answer any questions you may have. You can also call her at 414-382-6045.
Important Accreditation Information
vnsr威尼斯城官网登入 College's Master of Social Work program has achieved candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).
Candidacy for a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the BOA indicates that it has made progress toward meeting standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. A program that has attained candidacy status has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the standards set by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) but has not yet demonstrated full compliance.
Students that are admitted to candidate programs in the fall (or later) of the academic year in which the program is granted candidacy status will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation. Candidacy is typically a 3-year process and attaining candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain initial accreditation.
Candidacy applies to all program options, which includes locations and delivery methods.
Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Review our program’s candidacy status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.
GET IN TOUCH!
Have questions about studying at vnsr威尼斯城官网登入? We invite you to connect with our Admissions team to learn more.