Program Overview
The Master of Science in Social Administration (M.S.S.A.) program prepares students for advanced
social work practice in an area of concentration. Students acquire the abilities they need to work
effectively in a variety of settings. Through classroom and field work, they develop the knowledge,
values, and skills needed to function as social work professionals, and working ethically with
others to effect change in individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
The curriculum is divided into two levels:
foundation and
advanced.
|
Direct Practice Concentrations
- Aging
- Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
- Children, Youth, and Families
- Health
- Mental Health
The Aging; Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse; and Health concentrations are offered only in the
Full-Time Program.
Macro Practice Concentration
- Community Development
The Macro Concentration advanced elective courses are offered only in the Intensive Weekend
Program.
Special Focus Areas
- School Social Work
The School Social Work Focus is offered in the Children, Youth, and Family
Concentration
|
Foundation Curriculum
The foundation curriculum (24 credit hours) includes the knowledge, values, and skills essential
for the general practice of social work and is primarily completed during the first semester of
full-time enrollment and the first year of intensive weekend enrollment. It consists of general
courses in social work methods, socio-behavioral theory, social policy, discrimination and
inequality, research methods, and one semester of field education and. Most foundation courses are
prerequisites for concentration required courses and advanced electives.
|
Foundation Curriculum
|
| SPPP 470 |
Social Policy |
| SRCH 426 |
Introduction to Social Research |
| SSWM 477 |
Direct Practice Foundation Methods |
| SSBT 440 |
Human Development Over the Life Span |
| SSBT 540 |
Theories of Groups, Organizations, Communities, and Social Class |
| SSBT 584 |
Diversity, Discrimination, and Oppression |
| SSWM 577 |
Advocacy and Macro Skills |
| SASS 401 |
Field Education I |
| Total Foundation Credit Hours: 24 |
Advanced Curriculum
The advanced curriculum (36 credit hours) builds on the foundation courses and provides advanced
knowledge and practice skills in the concentration selected by the student. Concentrations include
aging; alcohol and other drug abuse; children, youth, and families; health; mental health; and
community development. School social work is also available.
Advanced courses are taken in research, policy, socio-behavioral theory, and practice methods.
When integrated with an advanced field education experience, students begin to gain an in-depth
understanding of the theories, policies, practices, values, and skills associated with the area of
concentration.
|
Advanced Curriculum
- One or two Socio-Behavioral Theory Courses (SSBT)
- One Advanced Research Course (SRCH)
- One Advanced Policy Course (SPPP)
- Two Advanced Methods Courses (SSWM)
- Three or four Free Electives
- Three Field Education Courses
Total Advanced Credit Hours: 36
|
|
