KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE PROGRAM/CONCENTRATION PROPOSAL
FORM 02/25/04
PROGRAM OR CONCENTRATION NAME: Master of Social Work
DEPARTMENT: Social Work and Human Services
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: Fall 2010
Check One or More of the Following and Complete the Appropriate Sections
_____New Program Proposal**
__X_ Change in Program/Concentration/Degree Requirements
_____New Concentration Proposal
Sections to be Completed
All
III – VII, XII
I – VII, XII
**A new course proposal is required for each new course that is part of the new program
Submitted by:
______________________________________________________
Faculty Member
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
Department Curriculum Committee
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
Department Chair
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
College Curriculum Committee
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
College Dean
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
GPCC Chair
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
Dean, Graduate College
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
President
Date
III. Justification and Need for the Program
This proposal adds a clinical specialization (mental health) to the second year of the 60-hour
MSW program. It also adds four courses that will better equip our MSW graduates for entrylevel professional practice, by providing more in-depth, applied clinical content. These new
courses will replace the two current specialization courses and will remove the requirement for
two clinical electives.

Appropriate specialization
A clinical specialization of mental health is added to more closely match the needs of
the local provider community and current hiring trends. This specialization provides
specific content on practicing within the community mental health system, especially in
the areas of management of chronic mental disorders and case management practice.
Moreover, this has been identified by Georgia as a high need area due to chronically
unfilled clinical positions across the state.
 Quantity of graduates
The quantity of graduates will remain as-is.
 Productivity
The four classes added by this proposal are designed to be taken by all students in their
second year. Currently, the second year involves exclusive classes for two cohorts
(Children and Families & Substance Abuse). Even though we are adding a third
concentration, we are actually reducing the amount of unique classes. Thus, the
additional concentration will allow increased options for students, while simultaneously
decreasing teacher workload demands.
 Partnering
A key element of the program’s mission is to support the local provider community.
The development of this proposal was accomplished with input from our key
constituents and partners.
 Placement
This proposal makes changes to the last 30 hours of the program. All students have
completed what are considered foundation courses. The new courses as well as the
existing concentration courses build upon knowledge gained in foundation courses and
emphasize the application and expansion of basic theoretical knowledge. Students will
continue to take courses on the main KSU campus.
IV. Procedures Used to Develop the Program
The current curriculum for the MSW program was developed more than five years ago,
during the initial stages of our candidacy for national accreditation. CSWE, the accrediting body,
does not allow programs in candidacy to make any changes in their program or curriculum. In
February 2009, the KSU MSW program was granted fully accredited status for 7 years. Our
experience during the five-year candidacy period clearly demonstrated that curriculum changes
would be essential.
Our decision to propose changes in the concentration curriculum arose from the following
systematic process:
1. Feedback from students
a. Focus groups with various student cohorts
b. Exit interviews
c. Feedback during integrative seminars
d. Student course evaluations
2. Feedback from provider community
a. MSW Advisory Board
b. DFCS Advisory Team
c. Field Supervisor feedback
d. Agency Director feedback
e. State of Georgia initiatives related to Social Work shortages
3. Feedback from Faculty
a. Staff Development training
b. Faculty retreats
c. Faculty meetings related to continuous improvement of the MSW program
4. Feedback from Social Work Examiners
a. CSWE Accreditation Site Visitor feedback
b. Annual Program Meeting presentations
Continuous Improvement Process
Information and suggestions captured from the above sources were discussed in depth by
faculty and students. It was felt that the foundation curriculum was adequate, up-to-date, and
reflected current CSWE accreditation guidelines. Based on these same discussions, it was
determined that the second year (concentration) curriculum did not fully prepare our
graduates for entry-level professional practice or the LMSW/LCSW examinations. A small
working group developed this proposal for program modification. The initial proposal was
refined through discussion with students, faculty, and administrators. Following this
refinement, specific faculty were asked to develop course syllabi. The final drafts of the
proposal and syllabi were circulated to faculty for comments and suggestions. The proposal
before you represents the best thinking of our faculty and students.
V. Curriculum: Degree Program Requirements
Catalog description
Program Admission Requirements:
1. A liberal arts baccalaureate degree from an institution recognized by Kennesaw
State University.
2. A GRE score of at least 800.
3. A GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study.
Course Offering Schedule and Plan-of-Study
Current Plan of Study
Foundation Course Sequence (30 Credit Hours)
Semester I (15 Credit Hours)

SW 7700 - Social Work Foundations: Diversity, Social Justice and Ethics
SW 7701 - Social Work Practice I
SW 7704 - Human Behavior in a Social Environment I
SW 7706 - Introduction to Social Work Research
SW 7708 - Foundation Internship/Integrative Seminar II
Semester II (15 Credit Hours)
SW 7702 - Social Welfare Policy and Services I
SW 7703 - Social Work Practice II
SW 7705 - Human Behavior in a Social Environment II
SW 7707 - Practice Focused Research Methods
SW 7709 - Foundation Internship/Integrative Seminar II
Concentration Curriculum (30 Credit Hours)
Addiction/Substance Abuse Services
Semester III (15 Credit Hours)
SW 8701 - Individual and Group Practice in Addictions
SW 8714 - Addiction Policy in the U.S.
SW 8707 - Bio-Psycho-Social Theories of Addiction
Clinical Elective
SW 8712 - Advanced Field Placement III
Semester IV (15 Credit Hours)

Elective (3)
SW 8814 - Seminar in Substance Abuse
SW 8815 - Prevention Theory in ATOD Abuse
SW 8816 - Social Work Practice with Addicted Families
Clinical Elective
SW 8713 - Advanced Field Placement IV
Family and Children Services
Semester III (15 Credit Hours)
SW 8703 - Social Work Practice with Children and Youth
SW 8704 - Child Welfare: Policy Affecting Children, Youth, and Their Families
SW 8715 - Children and Youth Mental Health
Clinical Elective
SW 8712 - Advanced Field Placement III
Semester IV (15 Credit Hours)

Elective (3)
SW 8801 - Seminar on Clinical Practice in Child Welfare
SW 8812 - Clinical Practice with Abused and Neglected Children and Their
Families: Child Protective Services
SW 8803 - Family Therapy
Clinical Elective
SW 8713 - Advanced Field Placement IV
Program Total (60 Credit Hours)
Proposed Course Offering Schedule and Plan-of-Study
FOUNDATION YEAR
NO CHANGES PROPOSED
CONCENTRATION YEAR
Semester 1
Children and Families
SW 8702 Advanced Clinical Practice I: Working With Individuals
SW 8705 Advanced Clinical Practice II: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Service Planning
SW 8706 Bio-Psycho-Social Theories of Addiction
SW 8703 Social Work Practice With Children and Youth
SW 8712 Advanced Field Placement III
Semester 1
Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention
SW 8702 Advanced Clinical Practice I: Working With Individuals
SW 8705 Advanced Clinical Practice II: Assessment, Diagnosis and Service Planning
SW 8706 Bio-Psycho-Social Theories of Addiction
SW 8714 Addiction Policy in the U.S.
SW 8712 Advanced Field Placement III
Mental Health
SW 8702 Advanced Clinical Practice I: Working With Individuals
SW 8705 Advanced Clinical Practice II: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Service Planning
SW 8706 Bio-Psycho-Social Theories of Addiction
SW 8813 Family Therapy
SW 8712 Advanced Field Placement III
Semester 2
Children and Families
SW 8711 Advanced Clinical Practice III : Working With Groups
SW 8709 Forensic Social Work
SW 8715 Children and Youth Mental Health
SW 8812 Clinical Practice With Abused and Neglected Children and Families
SW 8713 Advanced Field Placement IV
Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention
SW 8711 Advanced Clinical Practice III: Working With Groups
SW 8709 Forensic Social Work
SW 8814 Substance Abuse Seminar
SW 8815 Prevention Theory in ATOD Abuse
SW 8713 Advanced Field Placement IV
Mental Health
SW 8711 Advanced Clinical Practice III: Working With Groups
SW 8709 Forensic Social Work
SW 8715 Children and Youth Mental Health
SW 8810 Community Mental Health Practice and Policy
SW 8713 Advanced Field Placement IV
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Courses Added to MSW Concentration Year:
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
8702
8705
8711
8709
8810
Advanced Clinical Practice I: Working With Individuals
Advanced Clinical Practice II: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Service Planning
Advanced Clinical Practice III: Working With Groups
Forensic Social Work
Community Mental Health Practice and Policy
Courses Deleted From MSW Graduation Requirement:
SW 8704
SW 8727
Child Welfare Policy Affecting Children, Youth, and Their Families
Elective
Elective
Forensic Social Work and Family Related Issues
Growth and Flexibility
The changes proffered by this document will insure that the KSU MSW Program offers state-ofthe art clinical training for graduate students. Growth will be in terms of quality rather than
quantity as the faculty is committed to developing a mid-size program that emphasizes intensive
clinical training. The proposed curriculum expands the flexibility of the curriculum in that more
options for specialization are offered.
Course Descriptions
The review package submitted to GPCC includes all new syllabi with the appropriate
GPCC forms for review.
VI. INVENTORY OF FACULTY DIRECTLY INVOLVED
Program Oversight and Administration
Dr. Alan Kirk, Director, MSW Program
Dr. Anne Hicks-Coolick, Department Chair
Teaching
Advanced Clinical Practice I :
Advanced Clinical Practice II:
Advanced Clinical Practice III:
Forensic Social Work:
Community Mental Health:
Dr. Irene McClatchy
Dr. Dorcas Bowles
Professor Takeisha Wilson
Dr. Lisa Johnson
Dr. Alan Kirk
COURSE/INSTRUCTOR SUPPORT DEPTH
All of the instructors listed above have more than 10 years full-time clinical experience. All are
knowledgeable in the teaching area.
VII. Outstanding programs of this nature at other institutions
Survey and comparative analysis
There are six other accredited MSW programs in the state of Georgia. Of these programs, four
present themselves as “Clinical Social Work Programs.” The development of this proposal
included a comprehensive review of their curriculum…especially the concentration curriculum.
Based on this review, it was clear that these programs emphasized a more generic or generalist
approach to clinical practice. Two of the programs emphasized advocacy and social change.
While two of the programs focused on family interventions. Our faculty committed to provide a
program that emphasized broad-based clinical practice-related activities.
Unique Features of KSU’s program:
The KSU program contrasts from other state programs as follows:
A. More emphasis on diagnostics and treatment planning
B. More emphasis on therapeutic models of intervention and the theoretical underpinning of
these models
C. Less emphasis on policy, advocacy, and large systems
D. Greater emphasis on faculty mentorship & student development
E. KSU faculty offer far more clinical experience than other Georgia MSW programs
XII. Accreditation
Business Content Audit:
Referencing the Business Content Worksheet, does this program or concentration, incorporating
the information proposed herein, have “traditional business subject” content delivered by faculty
or programs administered by the Coles College of Business? *
_____ Yes
If “yes,” complete a Business Content Worksheet and obtain necessary
approvals as indicated.
__X__ No
_____ Exempt Graduate programs administered by the Coles College are exempt.
__________
*
All graduate programs exceeding 50% business content are automatically required to meet AACSB
International business accreditation standards. The purpose of the audit is to prevent the unintended,
undesirable compulsory inclusion of programs subject to AACSB standards.