Social Work - Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups Concentration, MSW

Foundation Requirements

All MSW students must complete the MSW Foundation requirements listed below before being permitted to take concentration skill courses; second-level human behavior and the social environment, social welfare, or research courses; skill electives; and concentration field practicum, unless they are exempted via Advanced Standing credit or examination or an academic plan that is approved by the advisor and the program director.

Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups

Direct practice skills form the basis of service in family and children’s agencies, mental health and mental retardation programs, health services, work with juvenile delinquents and adult offenders, and substance abuse treatment. Through course work and field practicum, students in the direct practice concentration acquire the knowledge and skills needed to engage in direct practice with diverse populations of individuals, families, and small groups. Practice approaches include psychodynamic-psychosocial, cognitive-behavioral, and social systems. Consistent with an emphasis on client strengths and the values and traditions of the social work profession, students become skilled at mobilizing a variety of formal and informal support systems to assist clients in addressing their needs and realizing their potential.

Direct practice certificates entail a specific array of courses and field placement experiences that permit students to tailor their education and professional preparation.

Six certification programs are available to direct practice students. Direct practice students in the MSW program can elect to pursue a certificate in:

• Children, Youth and Families Certification (School of Social Work Certificate)
• Gerontology (University of Pittsburgh Certificate)
• Home and School Visitor (School of Social Work, School of Education, and PA Department of Education Certificate)
• Integrated Health Certificate (University of Pittsburgh Certificate)
• Mental Health Certification (School of Social Work Certificate)

Students are not required to pursue a certificate. Those who choose to do so, must declare their choice of a certificate program no later than the end of the first term of full-time study. Individuals intending to complete the Home and School Visitor certificate must declare their interest in their application for admission to the MSW program. Information about curriculum requirements, specialization, and certificate programs are available on the school’s Web site, http://www.socialwork.pitt.edu/academics/msw/concentrations/direct-practice

Electives:

MSW Courses