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 2011
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
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Department Curriculum Committee
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
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Department Chair
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
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College Curriculum Committee
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
College Dean
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
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GPCC Chair
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
Dean, Graduate College
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
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Vice President for Academic Affairs
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
______________________________________________________
President
Date
III. Justification and Need for the Program
This proposal maintains two clinical specialization (mental health and children and families)
to the second year of the 60-hour MSW program. It replaces 4 required courses with four clinical
electives. This will allow the mentor and student to design a concentration year course of study
that more closely matches the interest in career vision of each student. Moreover, the additional
of these 4 electives will expand opportunities of our students to participate in for credit initiatives
such as study abroad, KSU based certificate training and courses offered by other graduate
program at KSU. It should be noted that of these 4 clinical electives, only one course may be
taken outside of the MSW curriculum of courses.
The proposal for a change after only 1 year of implementation of the last curriculum structure
begs the question about the value of rapid change. It should be noted that the proposals were
developed in consultation with faculty and students. They were created under the principles of
continuous improvement. These principles insure that the program outcomes will be state of the
art and adaptive to the changing environment. Moreover, the changes position us for the CSWE
accreditation re-affirmation process in 2012.

Appropriate specialization
Flexibility of clinical electives added to more closely match the needs of the local
provider community and current hiring trends. These electives provides expanded
opportunities to personalize a course of study that more closely matches the graduate
with the needs of the provider community.
Quantity of graduates
The quantity of graduates will be improved as this proposal allows for more accurate
tailoring of a student’s academic program.

Productivity
The four elective courses added by this proposal are designed to be taken by all students
in their second year. There will be NO new courses established with this proposal.
Rather, we will utilize current electives and existing courses that are currently required
in the 2010-1011 curriculum.
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. The final draft of the
proposal was 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.
CURRENT CURRICULUM
FOUNDATION YEAR
Semester 1
SW 7700
SW 7701
SW 7704
SW 7706
SW 7708
Foundations: Diversity, Social Justice, and Ethics
Social Work Practice I
Human Behavior In A Social Environment I
Introduction to Social Work Research I
Foundation Internship I
Semester 2
SW 7702
SW 7703
SW 7705
SW 7707
SW 7709
Social Welfare Policy and Services
Social Work Practice II
Human Behavior In A Social Environment II
Practice Focused Research Methods
Foundation Internship II
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
Mental Health (Community Mental Health Focus)
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
Mental Health (Substance Abuse Counseling Focus)
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 8708 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
Mental Health (Community Mental Health Focus)
SW 8708 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
Mental Health (Substance Abuse Counseling Focus)
SW 8708 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
Proposed Course Offering Schedule and Plan-of-Study
FOUNDATION YEAR
Semester 1
SW 7700
SW 7701
SW 7704
SW 7706
SW 7708
Foundations: Diversity, Social Justice, and Ethics
Social Work Practice I
Human Behavior In A Social Environment I
Introduction to Social Work Research I
Foundation Internship I
Semester 2
SW 7702
SW 7703
SW 7705
SW 7707
SW 7709
Social Welfare Policy and Services
Social Work Practice II
Human Behavior In A Social Environment II
Practice Focused Research Methods
Foundation Internship II
CONCENTRATION YEAR
Semester 1
Children and Families
SW 8702 Advanced Clinical Practice I: Working With Individuals
SW 8706 Bio-Psycho-Social Theories of Addiction
Clinical Elective
Clinical Elective
SW 8712 Advanced Field Placement III
Mental Health (Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Focus Areas)
SW 8702 Advanced Clinical Practice I: Working With Individuals
SW 8706 Bio-Psycho-Social Theories of Addiction
Clinical Elective
Clinical Elective
SW 8712 Advanced Field Placement III
Semester 2
Children and Families
SW 8708 Advanced Clinical Practice III : Working With Groups
SW 8709 Forensic Social Work
SW 8715 Clinical Elective
SW 8812 Clinical Elective
SW 8713 Advanced Field Placement IV
Mental Health (Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Focus Areas)
SW 8708 Advanced Clinical Practice III: Working With Groups
SW 8709 Forensic Social Work
SW 8715 Clinical Elective
SW 8810 Clinical Elective
SW 8713 Advanced Field Placement IV
NOTE: Clinical Electives are selected in consultation with faculty mentor. The selection of
electives will reflect the training interests of the student.
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.
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:
Substance Abuse Counseling
Clinical Internships
Leadership
Children and Families
Dr. Irene McClatchy
Dr. Dorcas Bowles
Professor Takeisha Wilson
Dr. Lisa Johnson
Dr. Steven King
Dr. Carol Collard
Professor Jennifer Moore
Dr. Louise Bill
Dr. Jennifer Wade-Berg
Dr. Quienton Nichols
Dr. Reni McClatchy
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.