Rutgers Newark: Department of Social Work

Overview and Mission

The Rutgers-Newark Department of Social Work prepares students to become BSW level generalist professionals to carry out the mandates of the social work profession with a diversity of client systems and with the most vulnerable members of society. With a focus on the urban environment, the program seeks to develop a cadre of competent generalist practitioners who:

• Have a passion and a calling for the profession.
• understand and adhere to social work ethics and values.
• exhibit respect for diversity, demonstrate cultural awareness and competency.
• advocate for social and economic justice.
• contribute to and influence policy and research.
• engage in life long learning.

Department Mission and Objectives

The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Social Work

• Is a proud profession with a long history of helping individuals, families, groups and communities through direct and indirect interventions.

• The major is anchored in a liberal arts foundation, social work knowledge, values and skills.

• Is an exciting career choice with many options and rewards.

• Is a growth field.; employment of social workers expected to increase by 22 percent during the 2006-16 decade, which is much faster than the average for all occupations (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos060.htm#outlook).

• Salaries are competitive.

• Fields of practice include but not limited to: gerontology, child welfare, substance abuse, health, mental health, corrections, school social work, disabilities and homelessness.

A minor in Social work/social welfare is currently NOT available. This updates and corrects the information in the 2008-2011 Rutgers Newark Undergraduate Catalog.

The major requirements include course work and internships. See catalog and additional listing of courses and sequencing.

http://catalogs.rutgers.edu/

curriculum guide

Applying to the major

Social Work Student Handbook

Information You Should Know

• The major is offered full and part-time; courses available in the evening and a limited number on Saturday.

• Students receive the BA degree. The transcript indicates the major as social work. The BA in social work is the same as the BSW degree.

• Curriculum consists of general education requirements, social work classes and internships.

• Transfer students are able to integrate into the program and will be advised during their orientation and registration process. Articulation agreements regarding transfer courses are in place with several community colleges. Questions relating to general transfer issues and credits should be directed to the Dean of Student Affairs Office 973-353-5800. http://www.rutgers-newark.rutgers.edu/dsanwk/index.html.

• Academic credit is NOT given for life or work experience.

• Declaring the Social Work major requires: GPA of at least 2.0; one semester at RU-N; C or better in a required social work class (subject: 910) taken at RU-N ; Application with essay and Declaration of Major Form must be submitted to the Dept.

• Opportunities for research and involvement with special projects available with individual faculty members and through independent study.

• Active Social Work Student Organizations.

• Supervised Internships: Junior field (one semester 100 hours); senior field 2 semesters - 420 hours. All internships coordinated through the Director of Field Education.

• Work Study and the internship: Involves utilizing current social service related employment to meet some aspects of internship requirements; considered on a case by case basis by the Director of Field Education.

• Internships can usually be arranged to meet the needs of students, but evening and weekend placements cannot be guaranteed. Student must have some flexibility in schedule. Additional information also found in Field Education Manual http://www.andromeda.rutgers.edu/~bswrun/resources.html

• MSW Advanced Standing: available to BSW graduates applying for the MSW.Credits from the undergraduate degree are applied to the MSW course of study if accepted as an Advanced Standing student; typically able to earn MSW in approx.1 year fulltime study or two years part-time study. Many schools of Social Work offer the advanced standing option. Usually the BSW graduate has up to 5 years to apply for MSW study as an advanced standing student.

Licensing and Certification: must apply for and is granted by NJ Board of Social Work Examiners. http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/social/swlic.htm.

Certified Social Work (NJ) (CSW) available only to those holding an undergraduate degree in social work. Certification is required by many employers for social work/human services positions at the BA level.

LSW-Licensed Social Worker and LCSW-Licensed Clinical Social Worker require the MSW degree.

Faculty and Staff:

Phylis Peterman, DSW, LCSW: Assoc. Prof and Chairperson
ppetermn@andromeda.rutgers.edu

Gwendolyn Barnes, BA: Dept. Administrator
porterb@andromeda.rutgers.edu

Carol Dobos, MSW, LCSW: Dir of Field Education
cdobos@andromeda.rutgers.edu

Marion Jackson, MSW: Asst. to Dir of Field
mariongr@andromeda.rutgers.edu

Audrey Redding-Raines, MSW, MPA: Instructor
aredding@andromeda.rutgers.edu

Paul Shane, Sci D: Assoc. Professor
pgshane@andromeda.rutgers.edu

Elizabeth Sloan-Power, PhD: Assistant Professor
elisloan@andromeda.rutgers.edu