masters of social work
MISSION STATEMENT
The social work program鈥檚 mission and goals reflect the profession purpose and value and the program鈥檚 context.
1. Program Mission Statement
The mission of the MSW program at 91国产 is to prepare students for advanced professional
practice. As related to the University鈥檚 mission, the Department鈥檚 mission is to prepare
students with requisite advanced social work knowledge, skills and values in specialized
areas of practice, and the use of scientific inquiry to aid in practice and policy
analysis, grounding instruction of human behaviour, need and growth in the strengths
perspective. Students will be able to apply critical thinking skills to their understanding
and commitment to diverse populations to promote human and community well-being while
alleviating the impact of social and economic injustice on diverse individuals, families
and communities domestically and globally, particularly those injustices that are
unique to the poor and oppressed communities of Alabama and the Southeastern United
States and the result of structural inequity. The overall mission of the Social Work
Department is consistent with the purposes of social work in that the Department seeks
to prepare students to be ethically responsive to the needs of diverse populations.
The curriculum has been designed to address the needs of students as it related to
preparing them for advanced practice and leadership within communities and organizations.
Students are able to practice locally and globally to the extent that social problems of the state align with national and global social ills. The issues of poverty and racism are evident among the problems associated with, but are not limited to, child neglect and abuse, the judicial system or criminal justice, domestic violence, physical and mental health problems, lifespan challenges, community development, economic injustice and women鈥檚 health. In addition, 91国产鈥檚 MSW program utilizes hybrid and education technology in the delivery of the program. This method of instruction allows students residing in central and southern Alabama who have experienced barriers to accessing the existing MSW programs in other locales in Alabama. Thus, the approach will contribute to the development of practitioners to enhance the quality of life for rural and other communities.
ADMISSIONS
DEGREE CONCENTRATIONS
Students admitted to the program will have a choice of the degree concentrations via three avenues for study, which includes:
- Traditional (two-year, full time)
- Advanced standing (12 months)
- Part-time (four-year).
Each curriculum has its own requirements for admission. In addition to these requirements, students must meet specific minimum requirements for admission established by the University.
Notably, the mission of the online option of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at 91国产 is to prepare students for advanced generalist social work practice with specialized knowledge and skills in the Mental Health concentration. Consistent with the University's mission, the Department of Social Work prepares graduates to integrate advanced social work knowledge, values, ethics, research, and evidence-informed interventions to promote well-being across diverse populations and practice settings. Grounded in the strengths perspective and informed by scientific inquiry, the program prepares students to assess, intervene, evaluate, and lead at the individual, family, group, organizational, community, and policy levels.
In all of our concentrations, graduates are prepared to apply critical thinking, cultural humility, and ethical decision-making to advance human rights, promote social, economic, and environmental justice, and address the complex and intersecting needs of diverse populations. Particular attention is given to reducing disparities experienced by historically marginalized and underserved communities throughout Alabama, the Southeastern United States, and the global community, especially those affected by structural inequities, poverty, discrimination, trauma, and barriers to behavioral health care.
The MSW curriculum reflects the profession's commitment to advanced generalist practice by preparing graduates to work across systems, collaborate within interdisciplinary teams, provide leadership in organizations and communities, advocate for equitable policies, and evaluate practice outcomes. Within this advanced generalist framework, the Mental Health concentration equips students with specialized competencies in prevention, assessment, diagnosis-informed practice, intervention, recovery-oriented services, trauma-responsive care, and integrated behavioral health practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities across the lifespan. The Forensic Social Work concentration prepares our students to work at the intersection of social work and the legal system, combining clinical expertise with courtroom and policy responsibilities. This specialization prepares you to address the needs of individuals, families, and communities involved in criminal justice, child welfare, and other legal contexts while developing competencies in forensic evaluations, therapeutic services, expert testimony, case management, advocacy for justice-involved individuals and their families, design and implement programs, evaluate practices, and contribute to reforms in correctional, child welfare, and reentry systems through a trauma-informed lens.
The overall mission of the Department of Social Work is consistent with the profession's purpose of preparing ethical, competent, and culturally responsive practitioners who are equipped to address complex social problems and improve the quality of life for diverse populations. The curriculum is intentionally designed to cultivate advanced practitioners and emerging leaders capable of responding to evolving community needs through evidence-informed, collaborative, and socially just practice.
Students are prepared for advanced practice in both local and global contexts, recognizing that many of Alabama's most pressing social challenges mirror national and international concerns. These challenges include, but are not limited to, behavioral health disparities, substance use disorders, child welfare, poverty, racism, criminal legal system involvement, domestic and interpersonal violence, physical and mental health conditions, aging and lifespan transitions, community development, housing insecurity, economic injustice, and women's health. Through the Mental Health concentration, students develop the competencies necessary to address these interconnected challenges using person-centered, trauma-responsive, culturally affirming, and systems-oriented approaches. To expand access to graduate social work education, 91国产's MSW Program utilizes hybrid and now fully online educational technologies for the Mental Health concentration to serve students throughout central and southern Alabama, including rural and historically underserved communities that have experienced barriers to accessing graduate social work education. This flexible delivery model strengthens the behavioral health workforce by preparing advanced generalist practitioners with specialized mental health expertise who are equipped to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, organizations, and communities across Alabama and beyond.
CURRICULUM GUIDES
Mental Health_Advanced Standing.pdf
Mental Health_Traditional (two-year).pdf (Hybrid & Online)
Forensics_Advanced Standing.pdf
Forensics_Traditional (two-year).pdf
HANDBOOK
MSW Handbook_2023-24 _._doc.pdf
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