Social Work

College: College of Health and Human Services
Phone: 703-993-2030 (Undergraduate programs)
Phone: 703-993-4247 (Graduate programs)
web: chhs.gmu.edu/socialwork

Faculty

Professors: Ritchie, Rome, Rose, Wolf-Branigin (chair)

Associate Professors: Cleaveland, Davis, Ihara, Matto, Tompkins (assistant dean for undergraduate studies)

Assistant Professors: Dugger, Inoue, Kirsch, Lee, Tsai

Instructors: Cuffee, Guillory, Prudden

Emeriti: Raskin

The mission of the BSW Program is to prepare entry-level generalist social work professionals who will demonstrate ethical leadership in innovative multidisciplinary practice, social reform, and research in diverse communities. Students are provided a range of opportunities to develop a broad knowledge and skills base consistent with the systems and strengths perspectives. They are expected to practice using core social work values and to examine and resolve ethical dilemmas. Classroom and field experiences prepare students to be competent in the use of relevant new technologies and in culturally sensitive, generalist social work practice.

The MSW Program seeks to prepare social workers for advanced professional practice who are innovative leaders bringing superior management, interpersonal, technological, research, and communication skills to the human service delivery system. Through a concentration in either social change or clinical practice, graduates will be prepared to empower individuals, strengthen families and communities, stimulate positive change through advocacy and social and political action, and help meet local, national, and global challenges. The MSW Program builds upon a foundation of generalist social work knowledge and skills that integrates micro and macro theory and practice and emphasizes empowerment and systems transformation. This foundation equips students to enhance human well-being and to promote social and economic justice through ethical professional practice with culturally diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Graduate MSW Social Work courses are restricted to students who have been admitted to the program and are not open to non-degree students.

The Department of Social Work will make reasonable efforts to work with a student to secure an appropriate field placement, but it does not guarantee a placement. A student with a criminal history may find it difficult to obtain a field placement or employment in a human service agency depending on the specific charge. It is possible that a student with a criminal background may not be able to be placed in a field practicum or complete their degree program. The Criminal Background Policy is available on the Social Work Department website at: http://chhs.gmu.edu/socialwork/.

Part-time students are encouraged to take at least 6 credits per semester to promote timely completion of the program.

Academic Advising

Each student is assigned an academic advisor who is a faculty member within their academic department or a professional academic advisor within the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). Academic advisor assignments are listed on the CHHS website, and students are expected to meet with their advisor regularly (at least once each semester) to seek advice about academic schedules and program plans, internships, and career guidance. Students also should meet with their advisor if they are experiencing academic difficulty or personal challenges or if they are feeling overwhelmed.

All students are responsible for knowing the requirements of their major as specified in the university catalog for their catalog year; academic deadlines outlined in the semester academic calendar; and university policies and procedures as stated in the catalog.

Students also should run their own degree-evaluation to identify graduation requirements and progress towards their degree. While academic advisors can give advice to students, students are responsible for the academic planning decisions they make. Academic advisors cannot be held responsible for mistakes made by students in selecting courses that may not count toward their degree and thus delay a desired graduation date.