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).
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.
Graduate School
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