Academic Programs
Graduate
Curriculum
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Program of Study Options
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Course Descriptions
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Sample Plan of Study
General
The University of Maine School of Social Work educates social
workers from a generalist perspective of social work practice. The MSW
curriculum of the school has been developed to both reflect and promote
the advances in contemporary advanced social work practice. Curriculum
design and materials incorporate theory and practice approaches that
have been developed throughout the country as well as those that have
been created by faculty and practitioners to meet rural state and local
needs. Upon graduation, students are prepared to deal with a wide
variety of current and emerging human problems using a generalist
approach to practice that allows the social worker to select and apply
the appropriate intervention. The curriculum consists of
foundation and advanced year courses, field practicum and electives.
Foundation Curriculum
The foundation courses present an orientation to social work
practice and provide the necessary base upon which to build the more
advanced body of knowledge, practice and skills offered in the advanced
year field of practice. The foundation is designed to provide an
integrated system of courses that collectively introduce the student to
the elements of the profession. There is emphasis on social work as a
diversified profession with many functions and a variety of approaches.
The foundation courses present content in human behavior and the social
environment, social welfare policies and services, research, social work
practice, and field practicum. The student thus completes the foundation
courses prepared to intervene at the individual, family, group,
organization, and community levels.
Advanced Curriculum
The advanced curriculum prepares graduates for practice in one
concentration area: advanced generalist social work practice.
The advanced generalist focus of the University of Maine MSW program was
chosen because of the rural locale of the University and faculty
interest in recent trends in social work education and practice.
The rural social service delivery systems of Maine are in need of
practitioners who can competently fulfill a variety of practice roles.
Social workers in Maine often find themselves working in settings where
they are either the only social worker or one of very few. Thus,
the demands of rural practice in our region require that professional
social workers be able to move among different settings, contexts,
clients systems, and problem areas, while providing high quality,
competent, and evidence-based practice. The advanced generalist
perspective embodies the dualistic essence of social work, the legacy of
perceiving and addressing personal troubles and public issues
concurrently.
Field Practicum
The field practicum is an integral part of the school's total education
program and provides each student with the opportunity to apply
concepts, principles and theories learned in the classroom to practice.
The major focus in the field practicum is on the student's acquisition
of practice knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes in working within service setting. Students in the full
program engage in two field practica: the foundation year internship is
400 clock hours (approximately 16 ho
General
The University of Maine School of Social Work educates social
workers from a generalist perspective of social work practice. The MSW
curriculum of the school has been developed to both reflect and promote
the advances in contemporary advanced social work practice. Curriculum
design and materials incorporate theory and practice approaches that
have been developed throughout the country as well as those that have
been created by faculty and practitioners to meet rural state and local
needs. Upon graduation, students are prepared to deal with a wide
variety of current and emerging human problems using a generalist
approach to practice that allows the social worker to select and apply
the appropriate intervention.
In addition, students develop competence in working in a specific field
of practice areas so that they graduate from the program with the
specific knowledge and skills necessary for advanced practice in a
particular field of service. The curriculum consists of foundation and
advanced year courses, field practicum, and electives.
Foundation Curriculum
The foundation courses present an orientation to social work
practice and provide the necessary base upon which to build the more
advanced body of knowledge, practice and skills offered in the advanced
year field of practice. The foundation is designed to provide an
integrated system of courses that collectively introduce the student to
the elements of the profession. There is emphasis on social work as a
diversified profession with many functions and a variety of approaches.
The foundation courses present content in human behavior and the social
environment, social welfare policies and services, research, social work
practice, and field practicum. The student thus completes the foundation
courses prepared to intervene at the individual, family, group,
organization, and community levels.
Advanced Curriculum
The advanced curriculum prepares graduates for practice in one
concentration area: advanced generalist social work practice.
The advanced generalist focus of the University of Maine MSW program was
chosen because of the rural locale of the University and faculty
interest in recent trends in social work education and practice.
The rural social service delivery systems of Maine are in need of
practitioners who can competently fulfill a variety of practice roles.
Social workers in Maine often find themselves working in settings where
they are either the only social worker or one of very few. Thus,
the demands of rural practice in our region require that professional
social workers be able to move among different settings, contexts,
clients systems, and problem areas, while providing high quality,
competent, and evidence-based practice. The advanced generalist
perspective embodies the dualistic essence of social work, the legacy of
perceiving and addressing personal troubles and public issues
concurrently.
Field Practicum
The field practicum is an integral part of the school's total education
program and provides each student with the opportunity to apply
concepts, principles and theories learned in the classroom to practice.
The major focus in the field practicum is on the student's acquisition
of practice knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes in working with
diverse client systems within a service setting. Students in the full
program engage in two field practica: the foundation year internship is
400 clock hours (approximately 16 hours per week) over the course of the
academic year, plus a two hour weekly seminar, and the advanced year
internship is 500 clock hours (approximately 20 hours per week).
Advanced standing students complete only the advanced year field
practicum.
Electives
In addition to the required courses in the foundation and advanced year
curriculum, the school has developed a number of elective courses to
provide knowledge in a range of areas relevant to social work practice.
Electives have included courses such as Family Treatment in Social Work
Practice, Social Work Practice with Groups; Social Work Practice with
Children and Adolescents, Grant Writing, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse,
and Group Work in Health and Mental Health Settings. Electives are also
available in other University departments.
urs per week) over the course
of the academic year, plus a two hour weekly seminar, and the advanced
year internship is 500 clock hours (approximately 20 hours per week).
Advanced standing students complete only the advanced year field
practicum.
Electives
In addition to the required courses in the foundation and advanced year
curriculum, the school has developed a number of elective courses to
provide knowledge in a range of areas relevant to social work practice.
Electives have included courses such as Family Treatment in Social Work
Practice, Social Work Practice with Groups; Social Work Practice with
Children and Adolescents, Grant Writing, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse,
and Group Work in Health and Mental Health Settings. Electives are also
available in other University departments.
