Mar 28, 2024  
2003-2004 Graduate Catalog 
    
2003-2004 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Social Work



The School of Social Work offers graduate study leading to the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. The goal of the program is to prepare graduates for advanced practice from a generalist perspective in a wide range of social work settings. Using a combination of cognitive work in the classroom and guided experience in field practica, the curriculum covers five course content areas: human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policies and services, research, social work practice, and field education. The curriculum provides opportunity for students to acquire, test, and refine the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for practice as professional social workers. There are two avenues to the Master of Social Work degree, the regular program and the advanced standing program.

Prior to entering their final year of study, students choose a concentration in one of two fields of practice: social work practice with families and children, or in health and mental health. The MSW requires 63 credit hours of study and may be taken on a full-time or half-time basis.

Upon completion of the MSW degree, graduates are prepared to seek licensing as Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW) by successfully completing the examination offered by the Maine State Board of Social Work Licensure. After a prescribed period of satisfactory, supervised post-MSW practice in a mental health setting, graduates who have met certain academic requirements are qualified to be examined for licensing as Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW).
The regular program consists of 45 credit hours of classroom work and 18 credits of supervised practicum. The practicum includes a minimum of 900 clock hours divided between two agency settings. The full-time program is designed to be completed in four semesters. The half-time extended program is designed to be completed in four years. The full-time program for advanced standing students includes a nine week summer session and two semesters. The part-time advanced standing program includes the nine week summer session and four semesters.

Classroom courses are offered on two consecutive weekdays. An attempt is made to accommodate the needs of half-time students by clustering classes. Practicum sites are, when possible, selected near students’ home communities.

Students with BSW or BASW degrees obtained no more than six years prior to application, from undergraduate social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may be eligible for advanced standing upon meeting general eligibility requirements and submitting the following additional materials from their undergraduate program director: a statement that the student has had 400 or more clock hours in field practica, a description of the field experience, and the student’s final field evaluation. Advanced standing students usually complete the program with 41 credit hours (31 credit hours of classroom work and 10 credits of supervised practicum). This includes a nine-week bridging course in the summer. Applicants who have completed some foundation content coursework in another CSWE accredited program within the past five years may request a review of that coursework for possible equivalency or elective credit. In no case can academic credit be given for prior work or life experience.

The MSW program was fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in June, 1995 for eight years.

To be considered for fall admission, completed applications must be received by February 15. Additional information is available from the MSW Program Coordinator, School of Social Work, 112 Social Work Building (207 581-2389) or e-mail (soclwork@maine.edu).

Graduate Faculty

Gail B. Werrbach, Ph.D. (University of Texas, Austin, 1988), Associate Professor and Director, School of Social Work. Families and children, mental health, child welfare.

Sandra S. Butler, Ph.D. (University of Washington, Seattle, 1991), Associate Professor. Gerontology, Social policy, poverty, homelessness, advocacy.

Elizabeth DePoy, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania, 1988), Professor. Social work in health settings, disability, research methodology.

Stephen, Gilson, Ph.D. (University of Nebraska, 1991), Associate Professor, Disability, health policy, legislative advocacy.

Diane C. Haslett, Ph.D. (University of Illinois, Chicago, 1991), Associate Professor. Group work, women’s issues, adolescence and teenage pregnancy.

Cary Jenson, Ph.D. (Virginia Commonwealth University, 1997), Assistant Professor. Child mental health, social work research.

Lenard Kaye, D.S.W. (Columbia University, 1982). Professor and Director Center on Aging, Gerontology, Administration, Strategic Planning

Nancy Kelly, M.S.W. (Rutgers University, 1986), Field Coordinator. Developmental disability, child welfare.

John Peters, M.S.W. (Yeshiva University, 1990), Lecturer. Mental Health, child welfare, trauma, social work practice.

Winston Turner, Ph.D. (Brandeis University, 1987), Professor. Social work research and evaluation, mental health and substance abuse services.
Emeritus Faculty

Cleo S. Berkun, D.S.W. (University of California at Berkeley, 1981), Associate Professor Emeritus. A School of Social Work. Adult development, minority and women’s issues, issues of middle age and aging.

Patty A. Coleman, Ph.D. (Bryn Mawr College, 1989), Associate Professor Emeritus. Social policy, social movements, advocacy, social service management; issues in health, race & gender studies, and family policy.

Donald M. Pilcher, Ph.D. (University of California, San Diego, 1976), Professor Emeritus. Research and social policy.