To
respond to the dire need for social workers in California and the
South Bay community, the College of Health and Human Services has
stepped up to the plate and has been actively developing a Master
of Social Work (MSW) program. The new program is slated to accept
and welcome its first class of 50 students in Fall 2006. The MSW
program, like all other programs of the University, will exemplify
the spirit of “communiversity” by way of responsiveness,
service, collaboration, dignity, reciprocity and partnership with
our immediate community. The proposed program is a direct answer
to meet the community’s need and interest in developing a
cadre of social workers reflective of its own cultural and rich
demographic diversity. Rooted in outreach and activism, the new
program will have a social service focus, rather than a therapeutic/clinical
bent, with attention in developing the cultural competencies needed
to serve the traditionally under-served populations of Los Angeles
County and the state of California. Curriculum and program design
will spring from collaboration between the community and the university.
Community based research will emphasize reciprocity with grassroots
response to community interests and needs.
Larry
Ortiz, Ph.D., has assumed the role of Coordinator of the new program.
He comes with many years of experience in social work education
and administration. Assisting him in the development of the program
are Ginger K. Wilson, LCSW, who recently retired from CSU Los Angeles
as the Director of Field Education, Wilfred Lee, MSW and Susan Einbinder,
Ph.D.
The
MSW program will be offered in a two year “full-time”
curriculum, which will comprise of 60 rigorous semester units. The
core courses will orient students to subject areas of human behavior
in the social environment, social welfare and policy, social work
practice, research, and field education. As students progress through
the curriculum, two concentrations will offer substantive knowledge
in the areas of Children, Youth, and Families or Community Mental
Health.
In
November 2005, an informational orientation will be held for prospective
students. For more information or to be included in the emailing
list, students should contact Ginger K. Wilson via email at gwilson@csudh.edu
or by phone at (310) 243-3122.
