MSASS - Academic Programs
The Master of Science in Social Administration (M.S.S.A.) program prepares students for advanced social work practice in a variety of settings.
The master's curriculum is designed to address the wide range of skills and functions required of a professional social worker. MSASS students are instructed on the various theories of individual and group behavior as well as community systems theory. The application of this knowledge along with the appropriate use of practice principles and techniques is a major educational objective.
The curriculum is divided into two levels: foundation and advanced. The foundation curriculum (22 credit hours) includes the knowledge, values, processes, and skills essential for the general practice of social work. It consists of general courses in social work methods, human development theory, social policy, research methods, and an introductory semester of field education. Students with a bachelor's degree in social work may be eligible for advanced standing and may have up to 15 credit hours of the foundation course requirements waived.
The advanced curriculum (38 credit hours) builds on the professional foundation and provides for advanced knowledge and practice skills in the concentration selected by the student. Concentrations include: aging; alcohol and other drug abuse; children, youth and families; health; mental health; management; and community development.
The faculty at MSASS place a high priority on the integration of theory with practice. To facilitate this integration, all field work is done concurrent with course work. Through field education, students have the opportunity to acquire new skills and apply their classroom learning in their practice setting. The school is affiliated with over 300 agencies in the Greater Cleveland area, creating a vast network of field education as well as employment opportunities.
Students are required to complete 1,080 to 1,208 clock hours of field education. The school and the affiliated agency or field setting agree on the content and conditions of field education, including the qualifications of social workers who serve as field instructors. Field placement decisions are based on educational criteria, with student interests and career objectives taken into consideration.
Aging
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
Children, Youth and Families
Health
Mental Health
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and the Aging concentrations are offered only in the full-time format.
Management
Community Development
The Macro Concentration elective courses are offered only in the Intensive Semester format.
The traditional full-time program is a four-semester program. Students with a bachelor's degree in social work who are granted advanced standing may complete the program in three semesters.
The Twelve Month Advanced Standing Program enables qualified graduates of accredited baccalaureate social work programs to earn the master's degree in a twelve month period. Eligible students begin the program in the fall term and complete it the following summer.
In the final summer term, students complete 15 credit hours including the required course Discrimination and Inequality; a designated elective course; and a specially designed integrative seminar. The integrative seminar is designed to direct students in assessing their knowledge and skills, defining their philosophy of practice, and setting career goals.
Field education requirements are met in a single placement that covers the twelve month period. Macro concentration students will need to take some courses in the Intensive Semester (weekend) format in order to complete the program in the twelve month period. Due to the special nature of this program, exceptions to the pattern of enrollment are not allowed.
Additional admission criteria for this program include:
- a grade of B or better in all social work courses
- eligible for full advanced standing (waiver of 12 hours of course work plus 3 credit hours of field education)
Students entering on probationary status are not eligible for this program.
Students eligible for the Twelve Month Advanced Standing program may follow the usual 18 month pattern of enrollment if they choose, enrolling Fall, Spring, and the following Fall terms. This alternative pattern does not include completion of the integrative seminar or other summer courses offered to Twelve Month program students.
Undergraduate students of superior ability and achievement may be admitted to the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at the end of their junior year.
A student in the Senior Year in Absentia Program is permitted to substitute the first year (31 semester hours) at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences for the last year of undergraduate work. The bachelor's degree will be granted by the undergraduate college when the student has completed his or her first year at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.
Students applying for this program must be interviewed by an admissions officer as part of the application process to explore the candidate's level of maturity, knowledge of social work, and readiness for professional education. Application for this program should be made prior to March 31 during the second semester of the junior year.
Requirements for admission to the Senior Year in Absentia Program are as follows:
- attainment of a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 in all courses in the student's undergraduate program;
- completion of three-quarters of the major and minor concentration requirements in the undergraduate program.
Final acceptance into the Senior Year in Absentia program is contingent upon receipt of a written statement from the dean of the applicant's undergraduate college, guaranteeing that the student will receive the baccalaureate degree from that college upon satisfactory completion of 31 semester hours at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences of Case Western Reserve University.
Note: This program is available to students at Case Western Reserve University, Hiram College, the College of Wooster, Baldwin Wallace University, and John Carroll University by joint agreement with these institutions. Interested students from other institutions are encouraged to speak with the Office of Admissions.
The school offers a format of concentrated weekend learning for social workers with career experience who are employed full-time. This program is available in Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Toledo, and Erie, PA. At least five of the foundation and advanced courses are offered at sites outside Cleveland.
Classes meet one weekend per month throughout the calendar year. Five courses are offered each year and one course is taken at a time. This program allows students to complete their field education requirement at their place of employment. A student can expect to earn the degree in three years. If granted advanced standing, a student can complete the program in two years.
Students may opt to complete their degree work on a part-time basis during their first year. During the second and third years, the student will complete field education requirements and carry a nearly full-time load.
Extended degree program (EDP) students select classes from the full-time week-day schedule. Employed social workers may participate in this program providing they can arrange a flexible work schedule.
Field education requirements may be fulfilled at the student's place of employment. Such placements must be approved by the Director of Field Education.
The EDP program may be completed in three years. A student must complete all degree requirements in a maximum of five years. Students granted advanced standing may complete the program in fewer semesters. EDP students are required to register for a minimum of six credit hours per semester.
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