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2024-2025 Academic Bulletin
Social Work/Community & International Development Dual Degree MSW/MSCID
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Andrews University has chosen to explore a collaborative between the Community & International Development Program (CIDP) and the School of Social Work in the College of Arts & Sciences to prepare students for service in occupations where social work and international development intersect. Social workers, particularly those in the areas of Administration and Development and International Social Work, may have an interest in international work. In such situations, the MSCID could equip them with a complementary skill set. Likewise, development and relief workers often find themselves in situations where social work skills in counseling and therapy would be useful. In addition, the MSCID/MSW collaborative allows for a greater breadth of employment opportunities for students.
Since both the MSW and MSCID programs reduce the total credits in order to reduce costs and achieve a more streamlined and efficient program, both degrees must be received simultaneously in order to fulfill the requirements of either degree. In the event that one degree was completed prior to enrollment for the dual degree program, the requirements for the second degree would be met through completion of the requirements shown below.
Collaborative Program Objectives
- To prepare students for various forms of work in which clinical and administrative skills in development and social work are needed;
- To enable students to integrate development and social work knowledge, values, and skills into a multifaceted approach to service, thereby enhancing their value in the world.
Distinctive Features of the Program
The program is designed to give students an integrated approach to both international development and social work. MSW students who take a social work focus area in International Social Work can choose a dual degree with CIDP.
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Total Credits - 75
MSCID students are required to complete 33 credit hours (if they don’t add a concentration. The two-year regular MSW degree requires 56 core credit hours. Due to the strict requirements of the Council on Social Work Education’s accrediting mandates, these core courses must all be taught or co-taught within the department by faculty holding an MSW degree.
This program model creates a curriculum that allows for the integration of 21–24 Social Work and CIDP credits, giving students the advantage of being able to reduce their total credit load. Since both MSCID and MSW programs already share courses in order to reduce costs and achieve a more streamlined and efficient program, the course work for both degrees must be taken either simultaneously or within one academic year of completion of one of the degrees in order to fulfill the requirements of either degree.
Because of CSWE requirements, students in the MSW/MSCID dual degree program will register for social work core classes in lieu of certain CIDP courses and will take a social work focus area in International Social Work. Students will take shared courses as outlined below.
Program Information
Information for the two programs (Social Work MSW and Community & International Development MSCID) follows:
Click here to jump to Community & International Development MSCID.
Social Work MSW
The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is a professional degree enabling the graduate to enter practice as an advanced-level practitioner. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of clinical, administration, and development focus areas. The foundation curriculum for the MSW consists of 9 core competencies that are required for every accredited MSW program: 1) Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior; 2) Engage diversity and difference in practice; 3) Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice; 4) Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice; 5) Engage in policy practice; 6) Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; 7) Assess and plan with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; 8) Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; and 9) Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. In addition, our program has added an additional competency: 10) Demonstrate a Christian social work perspective. The curriculum is designed to teach students the knowledge, values and skills, along with understanding of the cognitive and affective reactions and judgement that accompany these dimensions. Measurement outcomes for these competencies can be found on the first page of the Andrews University School of Social Work website. The Andrews University MSW program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education through the year 2027.
Delivery
All tracks of the MSW program are available in the face-to-face format. The Regular Standing and Accelerated Regular Standing tracks are also available in the interactive online synchronous format (see Global Campus definitions). Online students are encouraged to come to campus for graduation.
Dual Degrees Options
The MSW Dual Degree Programs allow the student to complete two degrees in one additional year, with a tuition reduction of 33% for the MSW credits. To facilitate this objective, the two programs will reduce the total number of required credits and will share a practicum and a limited number of elective courses. Specifically, the School of Social Work will reduce the required number of credits by 9-10 credits by allowing students to take their required social work electives in the other graduate program. In addition, approximately 16 credits will be shared between the two programs. The following Dual Degree options are available:
Curriculum
Core advanced interpersonal practice courses supplemented by optional areas of focus are offered. Students wishing to enroll in core graduate social work courses must be enrolled in the MSW program and/or have the instructor’s permission. Students may transfer up to 20% of the credits from one degree into the MSW program. All courses are subject to change based on accreditation needs.
Areas of Focus
Students may choose to specialize in the following focus areas: Human Resources, Mental Health, School Social Work, Marriage & Family, Christian Ministry, International Social Work, and Medical Social Work. Please refer to the School of Social Work website for further information: www.andrews.edu/cas/socialwork/. Students are not required to choose a focus area.
Additional Requirements
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in Social Work Program.
- No grade of D or F (or U) may count toward a graduate degree.
- The maintenance at all times of professional conduct and behaviors appropriate for a social worker according to the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics.
- Defense of the professional degree portfolio as part of SOWK689 Advanced Professional Seminar. This portfolio is a demonstrative collection of professional competencies.
- Other Andrews University degree requirements as presented in the Graduate Academic Information section of this bulletin.
Past experience strengthens all MSW student applications. However, following Council on Social Work Education requirements, no social work course credit can be given for life experience or previous work experience.
English Language Requirements
For those applicants whose native language is not English, the following is required:
- Demonstration of English proficiency by obtaining at least a minimum score on any one of the following exams. Exam must be taken within two years prior to enrollment.
- TOEFL ITP (paper-based): A minimum score of 550
- TOEFL iBT (internet-based): 80 with a minimum of 20 on each section
- IELTS (Academic version ): 6.5
- PTE (Academic version): 54
- MSW program participates in the Bridge program which allows students who are close to the minimum scores to take 3-6 credits of MSW courses along with ESL courses. Requirements to participate in the Bridge program are below.
- TOEFL ITP (paper-based): A score of 500-549 (2-3 ESL courses and up to 3-6 credits of regular MSW course work)* OR
*with permission of the department
- Nelson Denny: score of 13
- Personal interview with MSW program director or designee
Applicants who fail to meet any of the above may be admitted only after committee consideration of the specific circumstances. Additional course work in English may be required.
A student who graduated from a four-year English-speaking high school, college or university may be exempted from all or parts of the above requirements.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Students who are applying for admission to the MSW program are not required to take the GRE.
Assistantships
Students have the opportunity to apply for graduate assistantships—teaching or research. These assistantships give students the opportunity to develop their expertise. Students interested in becoming social-work educators—especially those with years of clinical experience—may teach undergraduate courses. Research assistantships offer experiences in community consulting, grant writing, and/or conducting research.
MSW Student Handbook
The MSW Student Handbook has been designed as the social work student’s aid in understanding the program requirements of the School of Social Work as well as relevant policies of Andrews University. Inside the handbook you will find information such as expectations of students, the MSW curriculum, departmental policies, and other relevant information.
Field Manual
The Field Manual has been designed as your aid in understanding field education requirements, your role as a student in a field agency, and relevant policies of Andrews University.
You are responsible for the information found in this handbook, so please take the time to familiarize yourself with the handbook and know where to find questions and answers if the need arises.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete this program will:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
- Engage diversity and difference in practice
- Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engage in policy practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess and Plan with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Demonstrate a Christian Social Work Perspective
Community and International Development MSCID
The Community and International Development program offers interdisciplinary study in the humanitarian and development field at the graduate level. This unique approach equips students with the skills needed to identify and respond to social and economic challenges across the globe. Program concentration options offer in depth training - preparing students for professional service in academia, policy, advocacy, project management, and administration.
In order to receive a Masters in Community and International Development, students will complete 30 credits of required coursework. Up to 6 credits may be transferred from another accredited/recognized institution and applied towards the 30 required credits according to the criteria listed in the official Andrews University Graduate Transfer Policy .
Delivery: This degree is offered in both an on-campus and as an interactive online synchronous program. Most courses are taught in-person and online simultaneously (see Global Campus definitions ). Online students are encouraged to come to campus for graduation.
MSCID Dual Degree Options:
The MSCID is also available with the following dual degree options:
Program Electives - 12
Choose 12 credits from the following options in consultation with the program advisor: Assistantships
Students may have the opportunity to apply for graduate assistantships within the Community and International Development Program. Please apply in the CIDP Office. Additional Information
The schools and departments regulate policies that govern the elective courses offered as part of the concentration package and some may not be available. Some elective courses may require prerequisites and should be discussed in advance with the program director/advisor for guidance in completing the concentration. The Field Practicum and Research Project/Thesis will necessarily be related to the area of concentration in order to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the chosen area, and with the possibility of applying course work in practice. Students are required to undertake a 720-hour internship (approximately 6 months at 30 hours per week) through a field placement with a domestic, national, or international organization/project. Internships are based on prior approval and advice from the program director. Arrangements for the internship will be made by the program director/advisor pending availability and feasibility of the placement proposed by the student. Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the following criteria, in addition to general admission requirements of the Andrews University School of Graduate Studies & Research: - A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
- An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in 8 or more credits of previously taken graduate courses graded A-F. Students may be admitted provisionally with a GPA of 2.6 or higher. Such students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher during their first 12 graduate credits to continue in the program.
- Completed Graduate Application packet.
- Completed coursework in Statistics and Research. Provisional acceptance may be granted without these courses with the expectation that the student will take them during the first year of enrollment. Credits for these prerequisites will not apply toward the MSCID.
The director of the program may request a personal interview or a third reference and/or other information. Students who apply for admission to the MSCID program have two options related to the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). For those students who are seeking a graduate scholarship, the GRE must be taken. Scholarship amounts are based on the score achieved on the exam. For students who do not seek a graduate scholarship based on the GRE score, the exam is not required. A reading knowledge of a foreign language is strongly recommended for those planning on graduate work. |
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