2012-13 General Bulletin

Master of Science in Social Administration

The Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) program prepares students for advanced social work practice in a variety of settings. The master’s curriculum is designed to address the wide range of skills and functions required of a professional social worker. Mandel School students are instructed on the various theories of individual and group behavior as well as community systems theory. The application of this knowledge, along with the appropriate use of practice principles and techniques, is a major educational objective.

The curriculum is divided into two levels: foundation and advanced. The foundation curriculum (27 credit hours) includes the knowledge, values, processes, and skills essential for the general practice of social work. It consists of general courses in social work methods, human development theory, social policy, research methods, and an introductory semester of field education. The advanced curriculum (33 credit hours) builds on the professional foundation and provides for advanced knowledge and practice skills in the concentration selected by the student. Concentrations include the following: aging; alcohol and other drug abuse; children, youth and families; health; mental health; and community development. School social work is available as a special emphasis.

Ability Based Learning Environment (ABLE)

The MSSA program incorporates an ability-based learning environment that enables students to develop and demonstrate mastery of eight core social work abilities. Classroom courses and field education are designed to help students develop each ability and continuously assess their learning throughout the educational experience. Mastery of the abilities is demonstrated in the field practicum and documented in a cumulative learning portfolio.

• Identify as a Reflective Professional Social Worker:  Students will demonstrate an awareness of the potential influence of their actions and words as a professional social worker upon individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Students will demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice decisions and activities, using self-correction to assure continual professional development.
• Advocate for Social, Economic and Environmental Justice: Graduates will advocate for human rights and social and economic justice as one of their primary responsibilities.
• Apply Social Work Methods: Graduates of the MSASS master's program are prepared to function as advanced practitioners in a changing arena of social work and social welfare. They are able to engage clients and client systems, assess client needs and strengths, provide or help arrange needed services and support, weigh intervention alternatives, implement change strategies, and evaluate results.
• Uphold Social Work Values and Ethics: Students will integrate social work values and ethics into their learning and professional practice.
• Integrate Cultural, Economic and Global Diversity: Students will integrate into their practice the knowledge, skills, and values needed for understanding and appreciation of a diverse world, and for ongoing development of competence in working with diverse populations and settings.
• Think Critically About Theory and Research Knowledge: Graduating students will be able to think critically about their practice and its knowledge base, and about the social problems and situations they encounter. Critical thinking in social work includes selecting appropriate theoretical approaches and strategies to apply in practice, using research findings to improve practice, evaluating one's own practice, and making contributions to knowledge in the field.
• Communicate Effectively: Graduating students will have the oral, written, nonverbal, and information technology skills that will enable them to communicate effectively and appropriately in professional roles and settings.
• Develop as a Social Work Leader: Social workers recognize that the context of practice is dynamic, and use knowledge and skill to respond proactively. Social work leaders are informed, resourceful, and proactive in responding to evolving organizational, community, societal and global contexts at all levels of practice in ways that improve quality of life.

Mandel School faculty place a high priority on the integration of theory with practice. To facilitate this integration, field work is done concurrent with course work. Through field education, students have the opportunity to acquire new skills and apply their classroom learning in their practice setting. The school is affiliated with over 350 agencies in the Greater Cleveland area, creating a vast network of field education as well as employment opportunities. Students are required to complete over 1000 clock hours of field education. The school and the affiliated agency or field setting agree on the content and conditions of field education, including the qualifications of social workers who serve as field instructors. Field placement decisions are based on educational criteria, with student interests and career objectives taken into consideration.

Concentrations

• Community and Social Development
• Direct Practice

Direct Practice Specializations

• Aging
• Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
• Children, Youth and Families
• Mental Health
• Health*

*Health specialization is offered only in the full-time format.

Program Options

Full -Time Program

Approximately one-half of Mandel School students are enrolled in the Full-Time Program. This program takes four semesters to complete. Students enroll for fall and spring semesters and are scheduled concurrently for classes and field work on a full-time basis. This program is demanding in depth and scope of experience. It is not advisable for students to assume extensive employment during their semesters of enrollment.

Advanced Standing Program

Advanced standing may be granted to students who have earned an Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) within the last seven years from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students must have earned a B or better in any social work course for which advanced standing is sought.

Intensive Weekend Program

The Intensive Weekend Program is designed to provide graduate-level education toward the MSSA to employed professionals who are maintaining full-time employment. Classes meet one weekend per month throughout the calendar year. Students are required to attend all classes. Students complete five courses each year and all program requirements in three years. Those who have graduated from an accredited BSW program in the last seven (7) years can complete the Intensive Weekend Program in two years.

Senior Year in Professional Studies Program

Undergraduate students of superior ability and achievement may be admitted to the Mandel School at the end of their junior year. This program enables qualified college seniors who are majoring in social work related fields to begin their first year of graduate study during what would normally be their last year of undergraduate work. Exceptional undergraduate students who are firmly committed to social work as a profession can earn both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years.

A student in the Senior Year in Professional Studies Program is permitted to substitute the first year (31 semester hours) at the Mandel School for the last year of undergraduate work. The bachelor’s degree will be granted by the undergraduate college when the student has completed his or her first year at the Mandel School.

Students applying for this program must be interviewed by an admissions officer as part of the application process to explore the candidate’s level of maturity, knowledge of social work, and readiness for professional education. Application for this program should be made prior to the second semester of the junior year.

To qualify for this program, students must demonstrate superior academic ability and achievement during their first three years of undergraduate study. All applicants must (a) have sufficient coursework in the social and behavioral sciences by the end of their junior year; (b) hold a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25; and (c) have successfully completed three-quarters of the major and minor courses in their area of concentration. Acceptance into the Senior Year in Professional Studies Program is contingent upon receipt of a written statement from the dean of the applicant’s undergraduate college, outlining any remaining requirements.

Note: This program is available to students at Case Western Reserve University, Hiram College, College of Wooster, Baldwin Wallace University, John Carroll University, Fisk University, and Ohio Northern University by joint agreement with these institutions. Interested students from other institutions are encouraged to speak with the director of admissions.

Part-Time Degree Program

Students may opt to complete their degree work on a part-time basis during their first year. During the second, third, and fourth years students complete field education requirements and carry a full-time, or nearly full-time, load.

Part-time students select classes from the full-time weekday schedule. These classes meet once a week for two hours. Employed professionals may participate in this program if they can arrange a flexible work schedule.

The part-time program may be completed in three years. Students granted advanced standing may complete the program in fewer semesters. Part-time students are required to register for a minimum of six credit hours per semester. A student must complete all degree requirements in a maximum of five years.

Non-Degree Study

Some designated courses may be taken on a non-degree basis with the permission of the assistant dean of academic affairs and the course instructor. A maximum of 12 hours earned on a non-degree basis may be counted toward requirements for the master's degree if the student is subsequently admitted as a degree seeking candidate. A bachelor's degree is required for enrollment.

Virtual MSSA Program (begins Spring 2013)

The Virtual MSSA Program option is designed to provide online graduate social work education for employed professionals who plan to maintain full-time employment. Classes meet online to complete all program requirements in two years for advanced standing, and three years for non-advanced standing.

Master of Nonprofit Organizations Degree Program

(begins Fall 2013 pending approval by the Ohio Board of Regents)

The Master of Nonprofit Organizations (MNO) degree program prepares students interested in the nonprofit sector for management and leadership positions, by building their skills, competencies, knowledge and capacity. The MNO degree has five program educational objectives for its graduates: (1) to bring contextual understanding to managerial decision-making; (2) to develop, analyze and apply relevant data; (3) to inspire and engage volunteers and professionals in the creation and implementation of ethically-grounded strategies to advance organizational mission; (4) to develop and implement revenue generation strategies; and (5) to manage human and financial resources effectively, efficiently and ethically.

The full time program consisting of thirty-nine (39) credit hours can be completed in twelve (12) months over three (3) consecutive semesters, with students beginning each year in the summer semester (June 1) and concluding at University graduation in the following May.

The curriculum will provide education that instills analytical skills, knowledge relevant to ethical and entrepreneurial decision-making, and expertise in acquiring and managing resources. Graduates will be trained to enhance organizational effectiveness, harness passion, dedication, and vision, make the best use of available resources and seek new resources. Graduates will gain hard and soft management skills and knowledge needed to address a wide range of issues confronting nonprofits and become professionals who work to influence political and social decisions, create stronger organizations, building the capacity, and advancing the mission.

Students accepted for the MNO degree program must posses a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. They must have a record of excellent academic performance and potential evidenced by grade point average and scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Students must also evidence a strong interest in the nonprofit sector through volunteer activities, internship experiences or employment in a nonprofit organization.

Eighteen-Month Advanced Standing Program

Advanced Standing students who are not in the Twelve-Month program generally follow the Eighteen-Month program leading to a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA).  Students follow a fall semester, spring semester, fall semester sequence of courses and they graduate in January.  Up to 15 hours of advanced standing may be granted to students who have completed their bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) in the last seven years from an institution that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).  Students pursue this option for the following reasons:

• One of the multi-disciplinary certificate programs or special focus areas
• Electives not offered during the summer semester
• Retaking core BSW courses in which they earned a grade of B- or below 

Aging

Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Plus-Chemical Dependency Professional License Eligibility

Children Youth & Families

Community & Social Development

Health

Mental Health-Adult

Mental Health-Children and Adolescent

Children, Youth & Families-School of Social Work

Twelve-Month Advanced Standing Program

The Twelve-Month Advanced Standing Program leading to a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) is available to students who obtained a strong academic record in their bachelor of science (BSW) program.

Up to 15 hours of advanced standing may be granted to students who have completed their bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). The Twelve-Month program follows a fall semester, spring semester, and summer session sequence of courses and is intended for students who have clear professional goals and can manage an accelerated proram of study.  Students complete their MSSA degree in August.  Because of the short time frame for completing the Twelve-Month Program, dual degrees, individualized curricula, and the school social work emphasis are not available in this program.

Admission to the Twelve-Month Advanced Standing Program is open to students who have a completed a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) in the last seven years from an institution which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Grades of B or better must have been attained in all foundation social work courses.  

Aging

Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Plus-Chemical Dependency Professional License Eligibility

Children, Youth & Families

Community & Social Development

Health

Mental Health-Adult

Mental Health-Children and Adolescent

Intensive Weekend Program 

The Intensive Weekend program offers human service professionals who are employed full time to pursue a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA). Classes meet one weekend per month through the calendar year and students are required to attend all classes. Students complete four courses each year (six during the first year), and complete all program requirements in three years.

Courses consists of four distinct components:

• A three-day weekend of classes (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
• A four-week study period, during which additional readings and written assignments are completed
• A two-day weekend of classes (Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
• A final study period of approximately three weeks, during which the final course assignment is completed and materials for the next course are received.

Aging

Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse 

Children, Youth and Families 

Community and Social Development 

Children, Youth, and Families:  School Social Work 

Mental Health-Adult

Intensive Weekend Advanced Standing

The Intensive Weekend program offers human service professionals who are employed full-time to pursue a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA).  Classes meet one weekend per month through the calendar year and students are required to attend all classes.  Up to 15 hours of advanced standing may be granted to students who have completed their bachelor's degree in social work (BSE) in the last seven years from an institution that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Aging Specialization

 Alcohol and Other Drug Abuses Specialization

Children, Youth and Families Specialization

Community and Social Development Specialization

Mental Health: Adult Specialization

Children, Youth and Families: School Social Work Specialization

Full-Time Program

The Full-Time program takes four semesters to complete.  Students are scheduled for classes and field education concurrently. In the first two semesters, students complete foundation courses which are prerequisites for concentration required courses.  Advanced electives are completed in the last two semesters.

Aging

Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse

Children, Youth, and Families

Children, Youth, and Families:  School Social Work

Community and Social Development

Health

Mental Health-Adult

Mental Health-Child