Students who enter the Master of Social Work program from disciplines other than social work are given Foundation Standing. These students must take courses to lay a foundation for the concentration level social work courses. These foundation courses are taken during the first three semesters of the program.
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The ADVANCED STANDING option was developed to recognize the academic accomplishments of outstanding applicants who have completed a B.A. in social work or BSW from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
An area(s) of specialization is chosen after completing the foundation year or when entering at the advanced level. A short explanation of the concentrations offered by NNU is given in the following paragraphs.
The Clinical Social Work Concentration is guided by the Program’s mission and is dedicated to helping students gain both general and specific psychotherapy skills to be utilized in serving populations in rural and small town community settings. It is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills for assessment, treatment, and evaluation with client systems in various types of public and private settings with a focus on the mental health needs of rural and small town populations. Clinical social workers are the nation's largest providers of mental health and therapy services, outnumbering both psychologists and psychiatrists.
Clinical Concentration Courses
The Gerontology Social Work Concentration is guided by the Program's mission and is designed to help students meet the tremendous challenge and need of caring for the aging population. Social workers form an important link between older adults and the services designed to help them live with independence and dignity and to achieve maximum potential during later life. Social work with older adults focuses on the physical, psychological, social, and economic aspects of daily living and may occur in any number of settings.
Gerontology Concentration Courses
The Management, Community Planning, and Social Administration Concentration is guided by the Program’s mission and is organized to prepare students to assume leadership roles in human services management, planning, and administration in public and non-profit setting in rural and small town communities. Social work administrators are proactive leaders in public and private agencies that provide services to clients. Many elements of this area of social work practice are common to administration in other organizations. Also required, however, is knowledge about social policy and the delivery of social services, vision for future planning, an understanding of human behavior, and commitment to social work ethics and values. Increasingly, agencies are looking for an administration background and abilities. The capacity to work with and motivate others is key to success as a social work administrator, as are creative thinking and leadership.
Management Concentration Courses
A Dual Concentration is a combination of the clinical and management concentrations and gives the social worker advanced competencies in both areas. Social workers are often promoted into administration from direct practice or choose to enter private practice, which requires background and skills in management.