School of Social Work

Degree Options Admissions Financial Assistance Academic Standards

Advising Special Academic Opportunities School of Social Work Faculty Program and course Offerings

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University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

The School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, established in 1918, is one of the oldest and most respected social work programs in the country. From its founding, the School has been committed to advancing knowledge through education, research, and community engagement.

An academic unit within the University, the School of Social Work offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, along with continuing education for practicing professionals. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Board of Accreditation. Students and graduates are eligible for full membership in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Mission and Vision School of Social Work

• Prepares courageous leaders to transform social work practice, policy, research, and education in a community-engaged and inclusive environment
• Develops and advances innovative approaches to understand, prevent, and ameliorate complex social problems
• Builds collaborative partnerships to promote social justice

Goals of the School of Social Work are to:

• Educate professional social workers with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to engage in culturally competent practice with diverse populations and communities, to critically analyze personal, familial and environmental factors affecting practice settings and practice techniques, and to advocate for those who confront barriers to maximizing the achievement of their fullest potential.
• Engage in scholarly activities that contribute to professional knowledge about complex social problems and innovative approaches to ameliorate those problems.
• Provide service to local, national, and international communities through the development of and participation in collaborations with social agencies, community-based organizations, government, and foundations.

The MSW Program

Students in the MSW Program prepares students for advanced practice in either Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Small Groups or in Community, Organization, and Social Action (COSA).

The MSW curriculum emphasizes evidence-informed practice, cultural responsiveness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public engagement. Graduates are equipped to lead and serve in a range of public and private settings, addressing complex social issues that promote social justice.

Faculty in the School are nationally recognized scholars whose work informs policy and practice. Their research spans areas such as racial justice, child and family well-being, health equity, and economic justice.  Their work is done in partnership with communities, agencies, and organizations across Pittsburgh and beyond.

Students, alumni, and faculty actively engage in collaborations with social agencies, grassroots organizations, government partners, and foundations. These connections support the School’s mission to create a more just and equitable society while training professionals who can lead in a rapidly changing world.

Enrollment Options

Students can earn their MSW through two formats: in-person and online.

The in-person MSW program allows students to pursue full-time or part-time study, with or without advanced standing. Students may specialize in Direct Practice or in Community, Organization, and Social Action (COSA). In addition, the in-person program offers certificate options:

• Direct Practice students may earn a certificate in one of the following areas: Children, Youth and Families; Gerontology; Home and School Visitor/School Social Work; Integrated Healthcare; Mental Health.; or MA Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Study
• COSA students may earn a certificate in one of the following areas: Human Services Management; Community Organizing Practice; Gerontology; or MA”s Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Study.

Students in the in-person program may also elect to pursue joint or cooperative degrees. Students must apply and be admitted separately to each academic unit. Approved joint degree options include:

• Master of Social Work / Master of Divinity (MSW/MDiv)
• Master of Social Work / Master of Public Administration (MSW/MPA)
• Master of Social Work / Master of Public and International Affairs (MSW/MPIA)
• Master of Social Work / Master of International Development (MSW/MID)
• Master of Social Work / Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (MSW/PhD)
• Master of Social Work / Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH)
• Master of Social Work / Master of Business Administration (MSW/MBA)

The online MSW program offers a Direct Practice specialization and is designed for part-time study in an asynchronous format. Online students may also earn a certificate in one of the following areas: Children, Youth and Families; Integrated Healthcare; or Mental Health.

MSW Admissions Criteria

All applicants to the MSW Program must meet the following criteria:

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate coursework
• Successful completion of a 3-credit course in statistics or quantitative analysis

Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission.

Required application materials include:

• A personal statement (3-5 pages) responding to specific prompts
• Twp references (one academic and one professional recommended)
• A signed field education participation agreement
• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended

Applicants are also encouraged to have 60 undergraduate (or combined undergraduate and graduate) credits that include 30 credits in liberal arts and 30 in social sciences. These are recommended but not required.

Liberal arts areas include:

• Humanities (English, languages, literature, philosophy, religion, communication)
• Fine arts (art, photography, dance, theater)
• Natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics)

Social science areas include:

• Psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, social work, history, criminal justice

Advanced Standing Applicants

Applicants for advanced standing must have earned a CSWE-accredited BSW degree within ten years of their intended enrollment. International applicants with a BSW-equivalent degree should contact CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service.

Admissions information is available on the School of Social Work website.

Admission of Students

The School of Social Work welcomes applications from students in other countries whose credentials meet the requirements and the standards of the School of Social Work and the Office of lnternational Services of the University.

MSW applican s from other countries must apply directly to the School of Social Work. Applicants must submit the completed application form, additional required forms, and other required materials in English. Additional University of Pittsburgh application procedures for international students are described at http://www.socialwork.pitt.edu/admissions-aid/international-students. Other information and assistance for international students can be found online at www.ois.pitt.edu/intladmissions.html.

 

International students who hold a baccalaureate degree in social work from a program that is not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and who are interested in obtaining advanced standing credit must submit their transcript to the council for a determination of equivalency. Further Information can be found online at www.cswe.org.

Financial Assistance

Students interested in financial assistance to meet tuition and/or living costs should direct inquiries to both the Office of Admissions of the School of Social Work and the University’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Students should be advised that limited resources often preclude anyone funding source from granting awards that meet total financial needs. As a result, students are strongly encouraged to seek financial aid packages consisting of partial awards (including loans and scholarships) from a variety of sources, including the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and the School of Social Work Financial Aid Sources, Office of Admissions,

Applications for financial assistance are accepted only after an admissions decision has been made. Awards are made for a one-year period. New applications are required for each succeeding period.

Academic Standards

The School of Social Work’s expectations for student and faculty conduct are described in school policies and embody the standards of professional social work. They can be found in the MSW Handbook which is updated on an annual basis.  Students in the School of Social Work are required to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics. Below is the current academic standard fot the school of social work.

Academic Standards in the MSW Program (#9:3)

 A. I n the MSW Program, required courses must be taken for a letter grade (see Grading Policy and University of Pittsburgh Grading System, https://www.registrar.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/Grading%20System.pdf). Should a student earn a grade below a “B-” in any required course, or earn an “NC” in Practicum, following the appropriate review (see #11:1), the course must be taken again. The option of re-enrolling in a required course in which a grade of “C+,” “C”, “C-“, “D+,” “D”, “D-“, “F” or NC was earned can be exercised once during a student’s degree program. The second grade earned is the grade that will be counted in the student’s QPA, provided a Course Repeat Option form has been completed. A student will be dismissed, without expectation of readmission, from the MSW Program if he or she does not receive a grade of “B-“or 104 higher in a required course (or “S” in Practicum) on the second attempt or fails two or more courses. A full-time student who fails all of the courses in which they are enrolled during a semester (including Practicum) due to a medical circumstance must submit proof from a medical provider to the MSW Program Director and will be medically withdrawn from the semester.

B. Some courses in the MSW Program build directly on others and can be thought of as constituting a sequence. Typically, these sequences involve required skill and substantive courses. Thus, Community Organization and Human Services Management and Direct Practice With Individuals , the first required COSA and Direct Practice skill courses, are premised on students having achieved basic competence in the two generalist skill courses (Generalist Social Work Practice and Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations). Similarly, the more advanced required skill courses in each specialized practice area build on the first required skill course(s). Sequences exist as well with research, human behavior and social environment, and social welfare/policy courses, wherein the second-level courses build on the generalist courses in each of these areas. For courses offered as part of a sequence, students must receive a grade of “B-” or better in an earlier course (or courses) in order to register for a more advanced course.

 C. Practicum education is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/NC) basis. Students are expected to demonstrate satisfactory performance in their Practicum-based learning assignments. Should a student receive a grade of “NC” in a Practicum placement, the Practicum credits and the Practicum hours for that placement will not be counted towards the number needed to satisfy MSW degree requirements. The option of re-doing a Practicum placement in which a grade of “NC” was earned can be exercised only once during a student’s degree program provided the Course Repeat option is followed. A student will be dismissed without expectation of re-admission from the MSW Program if he or she does not demonstrate satisfactory performance in a second Practicum placement opportunity. Practicum placement grades are not included in the calculation of student’s GPA

 D. Students in the MSW Program must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. If, after completing at least nine (9) quality point credits, a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.00, the student will be placed on academic probation (see #11:1). Students will be allowed to register for nine (9) to twelve (12) additional quality point credits, typically completed in one term by full-time students, to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.00. Parttime students will be allowed to register for a total of twelve (12) credits over two (2) consecutive academic terms to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Failure to do so in both of the above will result in dismissal without possibility of readmission to the MSW Program.

 E. To qualify for graduation, students must have a final cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. No student will be permitted to graduate from the MSW Program with a final grade of “C+”, “C”, “C-“, “D+”, “D”, “D-” or “F” in a required course or an “NC” in Practicum placement. A student will be permitted to graduate from the MSW Program with a “C+”, “C”, “C-” in an 105 elective course (not including required elective courses) as long as the student’s cumulative QPA is 3.00 or higher. F. Dismissal from any of the Fellowships and any other MSW training or certificate program does not automatically constitute dismissal from the MSW Program.

Academic Review Policy

The School maintains an academic review policy that applies to all degree-seeking students and is designed to ensure high academic standards, including satisfactory performance in field education, satisfactory academic coursework, and reasonable progress toward degree completion. When students are not making adequate academic progress for various reasons, the School may initiate a review process. Below are the review processes specific to the MSW Program, as outlined here and in the MSW Program Handbook which are part of the Academic and Professional Behavior Policy (#11:1)

Types of Academic and Professional Behavior Reviews : Discretionary and Mandatory Academic Reviews

Discretionary Review
 A Discretionary Review may be held for academic or professional performance matters that do not require a Mandatory Review. Discretionary Reviews can be convened in the following situations (this list is not exhaustive):

• The student accumulates multiple “G” or “I” grades, has a term GPA below 3.00, or earns two or more grades of “B-” in a given term.
• There is a violation of academic integrity or professional behavior. Violations of professional behavior subject to Discretionary Review include those outlined in Section II, Clauses A, B, C, M1, and M2B of the Academic and Professional Behavior Policy.

Mandatory Review
Mandatory Reviews are required when the seriousness of the academic or professional concern precludes resolution through informal processes. For MSW students, Mandatory Reviews are triggered by the following academic performance matters:

• A cumulative GPA that falls below 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
• A grade below “B-” in any required course.
• A grade of “NC” in Practicum (SWGEN 2099, SWINT 2099, or SWCOSA 2099).

Academic Probation in the MSW Program (Policy #9:6)

An MSW student will be placed on Academic Probation if:

• After completing at least nine (9) grade-point credits, their cumulative GPA falls below 3.00.
• They receive a grade lower than a “B-” in a required course.
• They receive a grade of “NC” for Practicum placement.

Procedures for Academic Probation are outlined in the Academic and Professional Behavior Policy (#11:1), Section VII (Types of Academic and Professional Behavior Reviews) and Section VIII (Conduct of Academic and Professional Behavior Reviews).

A student placed on Academic Probation may be required to modify their MSW course of study. This may include changes to academic registration and/or adjustments to Practicum placement, including delayed entry or suspension of field placement.

Academic Integrity Policy

The School of Social Work maintains an Academic Integrity Policy that applies to all students and faculty members. The policy is designed to ensure that both students and faculty uphold the ethical standards expected of them in fulfilling their academic and professional responsibilities.

The school’s Academic and Professional Behavior Policy (Policy 11:1) outlines the professional behavior standards for MSW students and describes the process for addressing and resolving any violations of this policy.

You can find the full policy in the MSW Student Handbook and linked below MSW handbook.

Statute of Limitations for School of Social Work Degrees and Leaves of Absence

MSW Program

There is a four-year limitation on the earning of the MSW degree. The four-year period is counted from the date of entry into the program for four full academic calendar years. Under extenuating circumstances (listed below), an advisor can recommend an extension of time to the MSW program director and the associate dean for academic affairs. If approved, the period of extension and the conditions for completing the program will be recorded in the student’s folder, with a copy sent to the student. Extenuating circumstances include the following:

1. extended illness of the student,
2. extended personal emergency,
3. involuntary mobilization into a U.S. military unit, and
4. death of a close family member.

Under special conditions, MSW students may be granted one leave of absence. A maximum leave of one full academic year may be granted to master’s students. A student wishing to take a leave of absence must submit in advance to the MSW program director a written request that indicates the length and rationale for the leave. The MSW program director and the associate dean for academic affairs will review the request. If approved, the time of the leave will not count against the total time allowed for the degree being sought by the student. Readmission following an approved leave of absence is a formality.

PhD Program

There is an eight-year statute of limitations for the completion of the PhD for students who enter with an MSW and who are not pursuing an MPH. There is a 10-year statute of limitations for students in the MSW/PhD program or the MPH/PhD program. Course work and the comprehensive examinations should be completed within three years and the dissertation within five. Under exceptional circumstances, a candidate for the PhD may apply for an extension of the statute of limitations. Requests for an extension of the statute of limitations must be submitted to the doctoral program director and must be approved by the doctoral committee and the dean. The request must be accompanied by a program assessment of the work required of the student to complete the degree and evidence of the extenuating circumstances leading to the requested extension. Students who request an extension of the statute of limitations must demonstrate proper preparation for the completion of all current degree requirements.

Under special conditions, doctoral students may be granted one leave of absence. A maximum leave of two academic calendar years may be granted to doctoral students. A student wishing to take a leave of absence must submit in advance to the doctoral program director a written request that indicates the length and rationale for the leave. The doctoral program director and the associate dean for academic affairs will review the request. If approved, the time of the leave will not count against the total time allowed for the degree being sought by the student. Readmission following an approved leave of absence is a formality.

NASW Code of Ethics

Professional ethics are at the core of social work. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to guide social workers’ conduct. The Code is relevant to all social workers and social work students, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve. The NASW code of ethics can be viewed online at www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/default.asp.

Advising

Students are assigned an academic advisor at the beginning of the student’s matriculation into the MSW program. Academic advisors.

Academic advisors meet with admitted students each semester to help them understand the overall course of study, the matriculation process, and the semester-by-semester coursework required to successfully meet academic requirements for graduation. Academic advisors also serve as the primary point of contact for navigating available resources and supports and direct students to the problem-solving process when needed.

Field/Practicum advising is provided through the Practicum Office and complements academic advising. While similar in structure and purpose, field advising is managed by practicum faculty and staff. This advising supports students in securing internship placements and understanding the learning objectives and grading process for practicum education.

Special Academic Opportunities

The school offers several academic resources and programs for its students, as detailed below:

Student Participation on School Committees

Students have opportunities to participate in the governance of the School of Social Work by serving on school committees. Information about the purposes and functions of the committees is distributed during the beginning of each fall term. Through the Office of the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, students can volunteer to serve on committees and become full members of those committees.

Student Executive Council (SEC)

All degree students in the School of Social Work comprise the membership of the student organization that elects the Student Executive Council. The council concerns itself with student life and serves as a liaison with the administration and faculty.

The Student Executive Council relies heavily on student participation, and it endeavors to be of service to the student body. Activities include the publication of a student newsletter, the development of discussion sessions around critical social issues, the provision of opportunities for social action, the participation in planning for orientation, and the planning of a variety of social events.

In addition, SEC members, representing the student body, are appointed to serve in the following organizations and/or committees:  Black Action Society; Student Chapter, NASW; Student Chapter, NABSW; Alumni Association (Liaison); BASW Club; and Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA).

The Student Executive Council is working to strengthen its involvement in diversity initiatives to benefit the student body.  More information regarding the activities and goals regarding diversity initiatives will be published as they are created.

Buhl Library

The Buhl Library of Social Work is a special collection of books, journals, and other resource materials specifically focused on social work. The Buhl Library is located on the first floor of Hillman Library and is staffed by a full-time social work librarian. Additionally, students at the School of Social Work have full access to the wide range of services provided by the University of Pittsburgh library system.

School of Social Work Faculty

• Elizabeth M.Z. Farmer, PhD - Dean
• Suzanne Pritzker, PhD - Professor; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
• Yodit Betru, MSW, DSW - Director, MSW Program; Assistant Professor
• Jaime Booth, PhD - Associate Dean for Research; Associate Professor
• Laura Borish, MSW - Clinical Assistant Professor; CWEB/CWEL Agency Coordinator
• Helen Cahalane, MSW, PhD - Clinical Associate Professor; Principal Investigator, Child Welfare Education and Research Programs
• Melvin Cherry, MSW, EdD - Practicum Assistant Professor
• Stevara Haley Clark, PhD - Director of Online Programs and Distance Education and Clinical Associate Professor
• Kyaien O. Conner, PhD - Donald M. Endowed Chair, Director of the Center on Race and Social Problems, Associate Dean for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Professor
• Quinton D. Cotton, PhD - Assistant Professor
• John Dalessandro, MSW - Practicum Assistant Professor
• Amy DeGurian, MSW - Practicum Assistant Professor
• Aliya Durham, MSW, MPIA . PhD- Assistant Professor; Director of Community Engagement, Center on Race and Social Problem
• Shaun M. Eack, PhD - James and Noel Browne Endowed Chair; Professor of Social Work and Psychiatry
• Stephanie Eckstrom, MSW - MSW Regional Program Director, Pitt-Bradford MSW Program
• Rafael Engel, PhD - Associate Professor
• Victor Figuereo, PhD - Assistant Professor
• Rachel Gartner, PhD - Assistant Professor
• Sara Goodkind, PhD - Professor; Doctoral Program Director
• Catherine Greeno, PhD -Associate Professor
• James Huguley, EdD - Associate Professor
• Ron Idoko, EdD - Associate Director, Center on Race and Social Problems; Founding Director of the Racial Equity Consciousness Institute, and Research Assistant Professor
• Leah Jacobs, PhD - Associate Professor
• Alicia Johnson, MSW, PhD - Clinical Assistant Professor; CWEL Academic Coordinator
• Nev Jones, PhD - Associate Professor
• Toya Jones, PMSW EdD - Assistant Professor; BASW Program Director
• Travis Labrum, PhD - Associate Professor
• Alicia Melnick, MSW - Practicum Assistant Professor
• Deborah Moon, PhD - Assistant Professor
• Elizabeth Mulvaney, MSW - Clinical Assistant Professor; Direct Practice Chair
• Mary L. Ohmer, PhD - Associate Professor; COSA Chair
• Marlo Perry, PhD - Research Associate Professor, Child Welfare Education and Research Programs
• Helen E. Petracchi, PhD - Associate Professor
• Mary Rauktis, PhD - Research Associate Professor
• Brooke Rawls, MSW - Assistant Professor; Academic Coordinator, CWEB Program
• Deborah Robinson, MSW - Practicum Assistant Professor
• Daniel Rosen, PhD - Professor
• Jeffrey Shook, PhD - Professor
• Tonya Slawinski, MSW - Director of Practicum Education
• Fengyan Tang, PhD - Professor
• John Wallace, PhD - David E. Epperson Chair; Professor; Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Development, David E. Epperson Chair and Professor, Joint Appointments: Kats School of Business, Department of Sociology, Dietrich School of Aars and Sciences
• Misha Zorich, MSW - Assistant Professor; MSW Regional Program Director, Pitt-Johnstown; Director of Academic Operations

Program and course Offerings