Master of Social Work (MSW) Curriculum

         The MSW at CSUF requires completion of 60 semester unit hours over two years of full time study.   Foundation coursework is founded on a generalist social work practice curriculum that prepares students for advanced academic work in one of two specialization options, Child Welfare or Community Mental Health.  Within each of the client population focused options, students are exposed to lifespan perspectives which address life cycle issues and concepts from birth to old age.  While the options are designed to allow students to focus on a particular population, it is expected that the student’s education will involve sufficient generic content to allow him/her to transfer this knowledge to any population or service setting.  The program will emphasize a Direct Practice method concentration.  This methodological approach is designed to prepare students for advanced practice and leadership roles in public and non-profit social services agencies, and in voluntary agencies serving children, youth, and families and in those providing community mental health services to the chronically and seriously mentally ill.   Presently the program does not offer a part time study or advanced standing.

First Year Foundation Curriculum

          The first year foundation courses provide students with knowledge of critical thinking within the social work context, and an understanding of the values of the profession and its ethical standards and principles.  All foundation courses address the issue of practice without discrimination and focus on the value of respect for clients regardless of age, class, race, gender, religion, sex, sexual orientation, family structure or disability.  Furthermore, the foundation courses provide students with knowledge of the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues, and understanding of how to apply generalist practice skills within systems of all sizes, and how to function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.

          The multicultural perspective is a key component of the California State University, Fullerton, MSW program. The key goal in emphasizing the multicultural perspective is to prepare students to practice social work effectively in an increasingly complex and diverse multicultural and multiracial society.  All courses in the MSW program therefore incorporate the multicultural perspective, with the goal of increasing students’ sensitivity to the human needs of all races, ethnic, cultural and oppressed sexual groups.
In line with the Educational Policy of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the first year foundation courses cover the following content areas:

• Social work values and ethics
• Diversity
• Populations-at-risk, and social and economic justice
• Human behavior and the social environment
• Social welfare policy and services
• Social work practice
• Research
• Field education

MSW 501: Social Work Perspectives on Human Behavior I (3)
MSW 502: Social Work Perspectives on Human Behavior II (3)
MSW 510: Social Work Practice I (3)  
MSW 511: Social Work Practice II (3)
MSW 520: Social Welfare Policy and Services I (3)
MSW 521: Social Welfare Policy and Services II (3)
MSW 530: Applied Social Work Research Methods I (3)
MSW 531:  Applied Social Work Research Methods II (3)
MSW 540: Social Work Field Instruction I (2)
MSW 541: Social Work Field Instruction II (2)

Second Year Advanced Curriculum
          The second year courses build upon the foundation courses of the first year and therefore, are more focused in nature, preparing students for autonomous professional social work practice in the areas of child welfare or community mental health.  At the advanced level, students are expected to understand theory, analyze it for its contextual properties and implement culturally competent practice in one of the specialization areas.  Additionally students will be prepared to evaluate their practice and programs, and create research questions that demonstrate advancement of ideas with specific populations.   Furthermore, students are expected to understand the connection between personal troubles and social issues, and realize that social change is a natural extension of social work practice at all levels.  They will therefore be prepared to advocate and organize for this end.  Under the supervision of program approved field instructors, students will complete internship hours that allow them to carry out advanced curriculum objectives.  And, at the conclusion of their study students will prepare a capstone project that reflects their knowledge, skills and values as professional social workers.

          The California State University, Fullerton, MSW program has two specialization options: Child Welfare and Community Mental Health.  The program will emphasize a Direct Practice method concentration.  This methodological approach is designed to prepare students for advanced practice and leadership roles in public and non-profit social services agencies, and in voluntary agencies serving children, youth, and families and in those providing community mental health services to the chronically and seriously mentally ill. 

Child Welfare Specialization

          The California State University, Fullerton MSW aims to prepare advanced child welfare professionals as change agents who have a current knowledge of theories related to children, youth, and family services. 

MSW 503: Social Work Perspectives on Human Behavior III (3) 
MSW 512: Child Welfare: Advanced Practice I (3)
MSW 513: Child Welfare: Advanced Practice II (3)
MSW 522: Child Welfare Policy and Social Work (3)
MSW 550: Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations (3)
MSW 542: Advanced Social Work Field Instruction I (3) 
MSW 543: Advanced Social Work Field Instruction II (3) 
MSW 550: Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations (3)
MSW 560: Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues in Social Work (3)
MSW 596: Master’s Project Development (2)
MSW 597: Master’s Project (1)
Electives: May be taken outside of the MSW program(3)
MSW 561: Social Work Practice and the Law (3)
MSW 570: Social Work Practice in Substance Abuse Treatment (3)
COUN 522: Techniques of Brief Treatment and Assessment (3)
COUN 525: Psychopharmacology for Counselors (3)
COUN 535: Addictions Counseling (3)
HESC 520: Advanced Topics in Community Health (3)
PSYC 545: Advanced Psychopathology (3)
SOCI 503/GERO 503: Aging and Public Policy (3)

Community Mental Health Specialization

          The California State University, Fullerton MSW aims to prepare advanced mental health practitioners with a current knowledge of theories related to care, support and activism in the community mental health arena. 

MSW 503: Social Work Perspectives on Human Behavior III (3) 
MSW 514: Community Mental Health: Advanced Practice I (3)
MSW 515: Community Mental Health: Advanced Practice II (3)
MSW 523: Mental Health Policy and Social Work (3)
MSW 550: Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations (3) 
MSW 542: Advanced Social Work Field Instruction I (3)
MSW 543: Advanced Social Work Field Instruction II (3)
MSW 560: Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues in Social Work (3)
MSW 596: Master’s Project Development (2)
MSW 597: Master’s Project (1)
Electives: May be taken outside of the MSW program (3)
MSW 561: Social Work Practice and the Law (3)
MSW 570: Social Work Practice in Substance Abuse Treatment (3)
MSW 580: Social Practice with the Poor and the Homeless (3)
COUN 522: Techniques of Brief Treatment and Assessment (3)
COUN 525: Psychopharmacology for Counselors (3)
COUN 535: Addictions Counseling (3)
HESC 520: Advanced Topics in Community Health (3)
PSYC 545: Advanced Psychopathology (3)
SOCI 503/GERO 503: Aging and Public Policy (3)

Course Description

Course Sequence