MYRON B. THOMPSON SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Navigation

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Undergraduate Program

Graduate Program

Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work

Undergraduate Program

Note: All three programs require the completion of an application.

Bachelor of Social Work

The BSW program has two goals: (1) to prepare students for beginning-level generalist practice, and (2) to prepare students for advanced social work education. The program combines both academic course work and field practicum in a two-year course of study beginning in the junior year. The curriculum is predicated on and extends the liberal arts perspective.

Admission Requirements

The applicant must have: (a) been admitted to UH Manoa; (b) completed the UH’s General Education Core requirements (special consideration is given to second semester sophomores for early admission); (c) completed the knowledge-base courses identified by the school; (d) a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5; and (e) must provide evidence of motivation for and commitment to social work education (e.g., personal, volunteer, and/or social-work-related experience).

Application Deadlines

Students are admitted to the BSW program in the fall and spring semesters.

February 1 for the fall semester; October 1 for spring.

Degree Requirements

The student must (a) fulfill all UH Core requirements; (b) complete the required undergraduate social work curriculum listed below; (c) earn an aggregate of no less than 124 credit hours; and (d) have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

BSW Curriculum

Candidates must complete the following curriculum requirements:

1. The following social work knowledge-based courses must be included in the General Education Core or as lower division electives: any introductory political science course, PHIL 110 or 111, any introductory psychology course, SW 200 and a biology course that emphasizes human biology
2. Social work major courses (38 credit hours) including SW 302, 303, 325, 326, 360, 361, 391, 402, 403, 440, 490, and 491.
3. Electives required in upper division liberal arts courses (21 credit hours) including one course in each of the following areas: (a) small group, community, or organizational theory; (b) analysis of a social institution, problem, or issue; (c) ethnic or cultural factors; (d) American values; (e) women’s issues; (f) research design and methodology; and (g) other related topics.
4. Other electives (6–8 credit hours).

Graduate Programs

Master’s Degree

Master of Social Work

The MSW curriculum prepares students for professional advanced practice and requires 57 credit hours. The course work must be completed within a four-year period, of which four semesters of practicum and completion of the research requirement are required. Students may waive some foundation courses by examination and reduce the number of credits needed to receive their degree.

The foundation curriculum covers social welfare policies and services; human behavior in the social environment; research; social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities; and practicum. The advanced curriculum is organized around four concentrations: child and family, gerontology, health, or mental health. Elective courses in such areas as family therapy, substance abuse, criminal justice, child abuse, gerontology, and cultural practices may be offered.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or its equivalent from a recognized foreign institution of higher learning; a 3.0 GPA; evidence of the ability to manage the rigors of graduate school; a liberal arts background; and evidence of motivation for social work as a career.

Application Deadline

February 1 (MSW admission occurs in the fall only).

For further information, write to the school at Henke Hall #230, 1800 East West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, call (808) 956-7182, or check the website at www.hawaii.edu/sswork.

Neighbor Island Distance Education MSW Delivery Option:

Application Deadline

December 15, 2010. For admission deadlines after 2010, check with the department.

The MSW degree is now available to neighbor island residents via distance education technology. Classes include instruction via interactive television, computer-based delivery, face-to-face onsite, and hybrid or blended approaches. It is a three-year program that offers a child and family concentration.

For more information, call Macy Huynh at (808) 956-9470 or visit the website at www.hawaii.edu/sswork/de.

PhD in Social Welfare

The PhD program prepares students for leadership roles in the profession of social work and social welfare. It advances the school’s mission to understand the relationship between cultural characteristics and effective professional practice. It encourages scholarly inquiry to enhance knowledge of culture, particularly those of the Asia Pacific region, and the societal structures intended to enhance well-being. The curriculum exposes students to a program of study and investigation that places its highest priority on independent inquiry and the enhancement of intellectual, creative, and analytical abilities. Each student will obtain the ability to conduct independent research on a critical social problem.

The program is designed to provide sufficient structure to guide students through the program as well as the flexibility and rigor that are the hallmarks of doctoral education. The organization of the curriculum is divided into required courses to ensure that all students are equipped with comparable basic knowledge; specialization work, in which students largely design their own curriculum; electives; a dissertation design requirement; and the dissertation. The PhD in social welfare requires 46 hours of course credit excluding dissertation credits.

Application Deadline

January 15 (PhD admission occurs in the fall only).

For more information, call (808) 956-3831 or check the website at www.hawaii.edu/sswork/phd.html.

SW Courses