T. Keefe, Head. F. Besthorn, M. Boes, W. Burt, W. Downs, J. Hanson, C. Singleton Henkin, C. Juby, L. Kaplan, J. McCullagh, L. Praglin, R. Schneider, K. Van Wormer.
The Department of Social Work offers the following undergraduate and graduate programs and program certificates. Specific requirements for these programs are listed within this Department of Social Work section in the following order:
Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate
The Social Work Department at the University of Northern Iowa is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The undergraduate social work major prepares students for beginning level professional social work practice.
The mission of the Department of Social Work, in keeping with the broader mission of the University and the purposes of professional social work education, is to prepare students for competent, effective, and ethical-beginning and advanced-professional practice and leadership; to conduct scholarship that advances knowledge; and to provide service to local, state, national, and international communities. Using multidimensional theory, knowledge and skills, students and faculty are committed to enhancing human potential and growth in diverse human systems. This commitment is supported by the promotion of multi-cultural sensitivity, human rights, and social and economic justice within a framework of social work values and ethics.
The Social Work major requires a minimum of 120 hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
Design, Textiles, Gerontology, & Family Studies: 31F:055 or Psychology: 400:120 |
3 hours |
Social Work: 450:041; 450:042; 450:091; 450:144; 450:163; 450:164; 450:184*; 450:185; 450:192; 450:193 or 450:195; 450:196 |
41 hours |
At least two of the following courses: 450:121; 450:142; 450:143; 450:171; 450:172; 450:173; 450:175; 450:193**;450:194***; 450:195** |
6 hours |
Social Work: 450:080 OR Sociology: 980:080**** |
3 hours |
Total |
53 hours |
*450:184 can also be taken for 4 additional credit hours on an elective basis.
**Course may be taken for elective credit if not taken to fulfill core course requirements.
***Course may be repeated once with a different topic.
****400:102 or 800:072 may be substituted.
A minimum cumulative grade point average for all college work of 2.40 and a 2.40 grade point average for all UNI courses taken is required for admission to the Social Work major. A minimum UNI grade point average of 2.40 is required for graduation as a Social Work major.
Prior to the initiation of the second Social Work Practice course, social work majors are required to complete a departmentally-approved, 30-contact-hour volunteer experience in a social service agency.
In order to enroll in 450:184, a student must be a Social Work major and the following must be present: senior standing (90 or more credit hours); completion of 450:091 and 450:192 with a minimum grade of C in each course; 450:042; 450:164; 450:185; statistics course; and a minimum UNI grade point average of 2.40.
Students who graduate with a major in Social Work receive a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Social Work Certificate.
The Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.
The Masters Degree in Social Work (M.S.W.) is available only on the non-thesis option. The M.S.W. program is designed to prepare students for the advanced practice of social work in a variety of public and nonprofit settings. There are two avenues to the M.S.W. degree: the Two Year program, open to persons with baccalaureate degrees from an accredited college or university in other fields, and the Advanced Standing program, which is available only for qualified students who have graduated from a Council on Social Work Education (C.S.W.E.) accredited baccalaureate social work program. The Advanced Standing Program has a very limited Extended Enrollment Option.
All M.S.W students will complete a concentration in either Advanced Micro Practice or Social Administration Practice. The Micro Practice concentration is designed to prepare students for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, and groups. The Social Administration concentration is designed to prepare students for advanced administrative practice including: leadership, program planning and development; organizational development and change; and how to seek effective funding of programs. The concentration course credit can only be completed at the University of Northern Iowa.
The Two Year program requires a minimum of 60 semester hours, which consists of a generalist foundation core of 29 semester hours and completion of one of the two concentrations. The program is offered in cohort groups and consists of two full consecutive academic years with field practicum concurrent with fall and spring academic course work or with second year field practicum during the summer following completion of all other course work. Students are strongly encouraged to finish within this time frame. A minimum of 39 hours of 200-level course work is required for the non-thesis option.
The Advanced Standing program requires a minimum of 38 semester hours. The program consist of a summer core of 7 hours, preceding one full academic year of concentration courses with field practicum concurrent with fall and spring academic course work or with fiel practicum during the summer following completrion of all other course work. Students are strongly encouraged to finish within this time frame. A minimum of 32 hours of 200-level course work is required for the non-thesis option. The Extended Enrollment Option is available on a competitive, limited basis for applicants meeting the following:
1. Qualify for advanced standing
2. Work full time in social services
3. Can attend classes at times offered (three-hour blocks)
4. Can complete all requirements within a preferred three years but no more than four years.
Students interested in this program must submit a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study. Generlal graduate information and application for graduate admission can be found at www.grad.uni.edu/admission/default.aspx.
The Graduate Record Examination (General Test) is not required for admission to the program; however, applicants may wish to submit GRE scores in support of their application.
Admission to the M.S.W. is competitive. Applicants must comply with all of the policies and procedures pertaining to admission to graduate study as set forth in the catalog . In addition, applicants are required to submit the following in order to be considered for admission.
1. The Department of Social Work M.S.W. application
2. Three letters of reference, using the official M.S.W. departmental reference forms.
3. A personal autobiographical statement.
4. Official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (with the exception of the University of Northern Iowas), sent directly from the college or university attended to the Office of the Registrar at the Univeristy of Norther Iowa.
Required for Two Year Program: |
|
Social Work foundation core (for all two year students): 450:210; 450:211; 450:212; 450:213; 450:214; 450:215; 450:216; 450:218; 450:219 |
29 hours |
Concentration (select one of the following listed below) |
31 hours |
Total |
60 hours |
Micro Practice Concentration
Social Work: 450:240; 450:241; 450:242; 450:243; 450:244; 450:250; 450:255 (25 hours)
Electives to be selected in consultation with program advisor (6 hours)
Social Administration Concentration
Social Work: 450:250; 450:255; 450:260; 450:261; 450:262; 450:263; 450:264 (25 hours)
Electives to be selected in consultation with program advisor (6 hours)
Required for Advanced Standing Program and Extended Enrollment Option: |
|
7 hours |
|
Concentration (select one of the following listed below) |
31 hours |
Total |
38 hours |
Micro Practice Concentration
Social Work: 450:240; 450:241; 450:242; 450:243; 450:244; 450:250; 450:255 (25 hours)
Electives to be selected in consultation with program advisor (6 hours)
Social Administration Concentration
Social Work: 450:250; 450:255; 450:260; 450:261; 450:262; 450:263; 450:264 (25 hours)
Electives to be selected in consultation with program advisor (6 hours)
For information concerning admission or required courses for the M.S.W., contact the Department of Social work, M.S.W. Program, Sabin 30, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0405, or phone 319-273-5910, or visit www.uni.edu/socialwork/msw.
The University of Northern Iowa makes available, in addition to traditional programs, the opportunity for students to earn program certificates. Program certificates provide an alternative to programs leading to a degree, a major, or a minor; they certify that a individual has completed a program approved by the university. For information on the following program certificates, contact the Department of Social Work or the Office of the Registrar, which serves as the centralized registry.
Students who graduate with a major in Social Work from UNI receive a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Social Work Certificate. For information on this major see Social Work Major within the Department of Social Work section.
This UNI certificate program is designed to prepare Social Work majors for the field of substance abuse treatment. to receive a UNI certificate, a student must complete the requirements for the Social Work major (including graduation with the B.A.) and the specific course work and field instruction experiences as indicated.
Required: |
|
Social Work: 450:171 |
3 hours |
Electives: three of the following Psychology: 400:170 |
9 hours |
Total |
12 hours |
Field Instruction: students will spend a total of 440 hours in an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. To secure a field placement site the student may need to travel out of town. Experience with individuals, families, and groups will be required.