Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy Dual Degree, MA/MSW

Contact:

Carrie Jefferson Smith, Director, School of Social Work c jsmit04@syr.edu 315-443-5562

Dyane Watson, Professor of Practice, Department Chair, Marriage and Family Therapy dkwatson@syr.edu 315-443-6170

Faculty:

For full faculty listings please visit:

MSW program: http://falk.syr.edu/Faculty/Department.aspx#SWK

MFT program: http://falk.syr.edu/Faculty/Department.aspx#MFT

Program Description

This interdisciplinary program allows the student to complete degrees in two distinct professions, the Master of Social Work (MSW) and the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) in three years. The dual degree exposes students to the philosophical and legal distinctions of both degrees, creates a unique opportunity for MSW students to deepen their clinical training with couples and families, and introduces MFT students to a broader range of social work and social welfare course offerings as well as the art of clinical diagnosis which is in the scope of practice of the Social Work profession.

Accreditation

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

The MFT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.

Part-time Study

Given the rigorous nature of this program only full-time study is allowed. Students who are admitted to the program and drop below fulltime as defined by the sample program plan below will not be able to continue in the dual program.

Admission

Please note that effective Fall 2018, students will initially apply to either the MSW or MA program only, with admission to the Dual MSW/MA program at the end of year one via an internal admission process.

Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework. Application requirements include transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Admission requirement for this program include TOEFL or IELT S scores for international applicants.

Financial Support

Limited merit-based financial aid is available.

Facilities

The Social Work department is located in 244 White Hall on the Syracuse University campus and provides faculty and student work space. In addition, the Social Work department offers field placement at any of the 200 social welfare, human services and health agencies from 27 counties in upstate New York.

The Marriage and Family Therapy department located at Peck Hall, 601 E. Genesee Street near main campus houses a newly renovated, state of the art, clinical training facility with 14 counseling rooms, observation rooms, and a digital recording system.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

4. Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

5. Engage in Policy Practice

6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate awareness and regulation of self in system

2. Demonstrate engagement with cultural and contextual differences

3. Demonstrate MFT clinical competency skills across a variety of contexts

4. Demonstrate an applied knowledge of MFT legal and ethical guidelines and professional standards

5. Demonstrate an applied knowledge of MFT historical and current research-informed theoretical information

Transfer Credit:

The demands of this dual degree program may restrict your ability to transfer in courses from another MSW degree program. Please consult with the Social Work department directly to determine transfer credit eligibility.

Satisfactory Progress:

GPA of 3.0 or better & Pass Field Placement

Degree(s):

Students who complete all requirements will receive the dual Master in Social Work and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Students are required to complete all degree requirements as listed in the graduate course catalog for the Master of Social Work, and all degree requirements as listed in the graduate course catalog for the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Students will be required to complete the entire dual degree program before either degree is awarded.

Total Credits: 96

Degree Requirements

Students will choose one of the three sequence plans below. Variations in the chosen sequence plan is not recommended. Academic advising is required to alter the chosen program plan.