The Northern Idaho Advanced Standing MSW Program is a 12 month, full-time graduate program offered in Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene by the Boise State University School of Social Work. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Northern Idaho Advanced Standing MSW prepares students for advanced direct practice with individuals, families, households, groups, organizations, and communities. Students learn the clinical, organizational, policy and administrative skills necessary for promoting social and economic justice through agency-based, culturally sensitive professional practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What
is the mission of social work?
2. What do social workers do?
3. Where do social workers practice?
4. What is the Master of Social Work (MSW)
degree?
5. What MSW program options are offered by
Boise State?
6. What is the focus of the Boise State MSW
program?
7. Do you have a half-time program?
8. What qualifications are expected for applicants
to Boise State MSW programs?
9. What
is the criteria for admission into the MSW program?
10. When do classes begin for the Northern
Idaho Advanced Standing MSW Program?
11. What is a typical class schedule like?
12. When and where are Northern Idaho Advanced
Standing classes taught?
13. How large are classes?
14. Who are the faculty?
15. How much is it going to cost me?
16. Where can I get additional information?
17. How do I get a license to practice social
work?
18. I want to get a social work license without
getting an MSW. Can I take a few courses from this program as a non-matriculated
student?
19. How can I become certified to practice
school social work?
What is the mission of social
work?
The Preamble to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social
Workers states: The primary mission of the social work profession is to
enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs and empowerment
of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic
and defining feature of social work is the profession’s focus on
individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society.
Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that
create, contribute to, and address problems in living.
What do social workers do?
According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) (www.naswdc.org):
Social workers help people overcome social and health problems, such as
poverty, mental illness, child abuse and neglect, emotional instability,
illness, economic uncertainty, domestic violence, homelessness, and drug
abuse. They work directly with individuals, couples, families, and groups
to identify and overcome these problems. Some social workers also work
with communities, organizations, and/or systems to improve services and/or
administrate social and health programs.
Social workers apply their professional knowledge and skills to help people
make the most effective use of their own abilities. When adequate services
do not exist in a community, social workers promote the development of
new services and programs.
Where do social workers practice?
Social workers are found in many settings, including private practice,
mental health, health, schools, community agencies, public welfare, agency
administration, legislative services and policy and planning. Social work’s
approach is unique among the helping professions because it focuses on
people’s problems in the context of their social environment. Social
workers believe that people are influenced by the strengths and weaknesses
of those around them – in their families, communities, workplaces,
and organizations.
What is the Master of Social
Work (MSW) degree?
The Master of Social Work Program prepares students for advanced direct
professional practice with individuals, families, households, groups,
organizations, and communities. Students learn clinical, organizational,
policy, and administrative skills necessary for promoting social justice
and equality, and enhancing the quality of life for all people.
What MSW program options are
offered by Boise State?
At Boise State we offer a two-year, 61-credit MSW Program in Boise and
several advanced standing options. Persons with undergraduate degrees
in social work (BSW) from a baccalaureate program accredited by the Council
on Social Work Education may qualify for admission to one of our 1-year,
38-credit Advanced Standing MSW Programs. Advanced standing programs are
currently offered in Boise, Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene. Graduates
of all programs receive their degrees from Boise State University.
What is the focus of the Boise
State MSW Program?
Our MSW Program prepares students to work with diverse populations and
issues. We educate students for professional advanced direct practice
with individuals, families, households, groups, organizations and communities.
Do you have a half-time program?
We offer a half-time option in the Advanced Standing MSW Program in Boise.
Interested applicants should request that option when they apply for admission.
At present our other MSW programs are available only on a full-time basis.
We are investigating potential interest in half-time options for our other
MSW programs. If you are interested in half-time options, please contact
the MSW Program Coordinator.
What qualifications are expected
for applicants to Boise State MSW programs?
We are seeking potential students of exceptional maturity, with values
compatible with those of professional social work, with capacity for critical
thinking and self-reflection, and with strong potential for personal and
professional growth.
What is the criteria for admission into the MSW program?
- Completion of the Boise State University Graduate
Admissions Application and The School of Social Work Application for
admission as a graduate student.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
or university with a distribution of liberal arts courses (70 quarter
credits or 46 semester credits) and a minimum of 10 quarter credits
or 6 semester credits in each of the general distribution areas: humanities,
social sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics. Applicants must have
also completed coursework with a minimum of a “C” letter
grade in a human biology course with a lab (4 semester credits) and
a course which contains content on descriptive and inferential statistics
(3 semester credits).
- An overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA)
of 3.0 or higher and a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the junior and senior
years of undergraduate study.
- Note: Applicants may not receive academic credit for work experience in the field or for life experience.
When will classes begin for
the Northern Idaho Advanced Standing MSW Program?
Contingent on matriculating a sufficient number of qualified students,
classes will begin June 4, 2007.
What is a typical class schedule?
Full-time Advanced Standing students take three classes and practicum
during an eight-week summer session beginning in June followed by two
semesters of full-time study. The program offers a combination of evening,
weekend and on-line classes. The 2006-2007 schedule of classes is included
in the Northern
Idaho ASMSW Program Description.
When and where are Northern
Idaho advanced standing classes taught?
Classes are offered on evenings, weekends, and on line at the Lewis Clark
State College campus in Lewiston and at the LCSC Harbor Center in Coeur
d’Alene.
How large are classes?
Classes are kept small to foster maximum interaction and exchange of ideas
among students and faculty. Classroom classes typically have no more than
20 students. Practicum seminars typically have no more than 10 students.
Who are the faculty?
Classes are taught by full-time members of the faculty of the Boise State
University School of Social Work, by members of the Lewis Clark State
College Department of Social Work serving as BSU adjunct professors, and
by outstanding, community-based social work professionals.
How much is it going to cost
me?
The 2007-2008 cost for the 38-credit Advanced Standing program is $280
per semester credit, a total of $10,640. Comparison costs for other MSW
programs serving northern Idaho and information about financial aid are
included in the
Northern Idaho ASMSW Program Description.
Where can I get additional
information?
Prospective graduate students should refer to the Graduate
Catalog, available on-line, or you can request that the Graduate
College mail you a paper copy. All information for the MSW degree
is on the School of Social Work web site. We are happy to receive your
calls or e-mail if you have additional questions.
Information about the Advanced Standing MSW Program is available from:
William
H. Whitaker, Ph.D., ACSW
Director of External Programs
wwhitak@boisestate.edu
Ph: 541-805-5681
Larry
Cronin, MSW, LCSW
Coeur d’Alene Site Coordinator
larrycronin@boisestate.edu
Ph: 208-292-2679
Sue Martin,
ACSW, LMSW, C-SSWS
Lewiston Site Coordinator
suemartin@boisestate.edu
Ph: 208-792-2783
Boise
State University School of Social Work
1910 University Drive
Boise, Idaho 19725-1940
socialwork@boisestate.edu
Ph: 208-426-1568
Northern Idaho Program Information, Application Form, and Letter of Recommendation Form are available by clicking on the item you are seeking.
How do I get a license to practice
social work?
Licensure to practice social work in Idaho is administered by the Idaho
Bureau of Occupational Licenses and requires either a baccalaureate or
masters degree from an accredited program of social work education, a
passing score on the national licensing examination, and good moral character.
I want to get a social work
license without getting an MSW. Can I take a few courses from this program
as a non-matriculated student?
Maintaining our status as Idaho's oldest and largest school of social
work accredited through the Council
on Social Work Education prohibits us from offering classes to students
not enrolled in the MSW Program.
How can I become certified
to practice school social work?
Students may receive certification to practice school social work in the
State of Idaho by completing SOCWRK 597: School Social Work, advanced
social work practicum in an approved K-12 educational setting under the
supervision of a professional social worker, and all other requirements
for the Master of Social Work degree.
If you received your Master of Social Work degree at a school other than Boise State, contact the MSW Program Coordinator about certification as a school social worker. For more information on school social work certification, consult the State Certification Manual or contact the Idaho Department of Education.