Social Work

Department Chairperson and Graduate Program Director: Jay Memmott, Ph.D., M.S.W., LCSW
Department of Social Work
1400 W. 22nd St., 371
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Phone: (605) 357-1594
Jay.Memmott@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/socialwork

FACULTY

Associate Professors:

Jay Memmott, Department Chairperson and Graduate Program Director, Ph.D., M.S.W., LCSW. University of Kansas.
Debra Norris, Ed.D., M.S.W., University of South Dakota.
Elizabeth Talbot, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.S., C.S.W.-PIP, Loyola University.

Assistant Professors:

Jarod Giger, Ph.D., M.S.W., LCSW, University of Missouri.
Peter Kindle, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.S., University of Houston.
Soonhee Roh, Ph.D., M.S.W., LCSW, New York University.

Instructors:

Deborah Aden, Director of Field Education, M.S.W., LCSW, University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Kathy LaPlante, M.S.W., University of California, Berkley.

DEGREE

Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Program Description

The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Accreditation (CSWE). It is the only graduate social work program in the state of South Dakota. A graduate with an M.S.W. degree is highly employable in a competitive job market. The program prepares professionals to provide social work services at all levels of practice in rural and urban communities. The M.S.W. program is offered both full-time and part-time in two different formats–a 60 credit hour program for those who do not hold a baccalaureate degree in social work (regular standing)–and a 36 credit hour concentration curriculum for those eligible for advanced standing. Classes are on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30 am until 9:30 pm. Internships are required and completed concurrently with coursework. Additional information is available on the department’s website, www.usd.edu/socialwork.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet all the requirements of the USD Graduate School.
Applicants must have a completed bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university.
Individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in social work received from an accredited CSWE program may request consideration for advanced standing. Applicants who completed their bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program more than seven years prior to the date of application will be encouraged to take SOCW 620 (Research Methods I).
Applicants must complete the Graduate School Application Form. A $35.00 non-refundable application fee must accompany the application form.
Three letters of recommendation are required, with one letter from an academic advisor or university faculty member and one letter from a supervisor.
One official transcript from each degree granting institution attended is required.
An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on conferred degree or demonstration that the applicant is able to maintain a 3.0 in graduate study. This can be demonstrated if a student has successfully completed two or more graduate courses. Advanced standing applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in social work courses.
An applicant for advanced standing should include in the application packet a copy of the practicum evaluation completed at the end of the applicant’s undergraduate field placement.
Applicants must complete the following prerequisites:

a. Biology course
b. Three (3) additional courses in the social/behavioral sciences. Acceptable courses would be from the following disciplines:

i. Anthropology
ii. Sociology
iii. Economics
iv. Political Science
v. Psychology
vi. History
vii. Human Relations

Deficits in any of these areas will not prohibit admission; however, the course(s) need to be completed with documentation of completion provided before beginning the program.

Applicants must complete a course in Statistics before starting the program or as a co-requisite during the first and/or second semester after entering the program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete this course before starting the program at USD.
Resume-a current, detailed resume with dates including the following:

a. Education, including degree(s) and date(s) of graduation
b. Paid Work Experience
c. Volunteer Experience
d. Community Involvement
e. Military Experience, if applicable
d. Any licenses or certifications

Purpose Statement-concisely answer all of the following:

-Tell us about yourself

a. How have your life experiences shaped you for a career in social work?
b. Discuss your attributes and liabilities and how they will impact your social work career?
c. What do you do particularly well?
d. What areas do you need strengthening?
e. Why do you want a MSW degree?
f. Time and energy for the MSW program: Do you have the time and energy to devote to graduate school? How do you plan to readjust your life to accommodate graduate school?
g. The M.S.W. degree requires a research project, what type of research project would you pursue and what would your research questions be for this project?

-Career Goals

a. What are your career goals?
b. How will a MSW degree from USD help meet your career goals?
c. What do you want to be doing in six years?

Please write a short paper (double spaced, three to five pages) answering the following questions:

a. Describe a social justice issue that is of interest to you (Examples: homelessness, needs of the elderly, human trafficking, child welfare, welfare to work programs).
b. How do you plan to use your social work education to contribute to the resolution of the problem?

Cover letter should accompany application. Applicants who are applying for advanced standing should include this request in the cover letter.
Complete and submit the Application Checklist for Admission to the M.S.W. Program.
A criminal background check is required of all accepted applicants into the M.S.W. program.

a. Admission to the program will be conditional until the check is completed and reviewed.
b. Detailed information will be provided upon conditional acceptance.
c. Felony convictions may result in denial of acceptance and/or eligibility for licensure.

Social Work faculty may request an interview prior to admission.
Upholding the policies established by CSWE, the M.S.W. program does not grant academic credit for life experience or previous work experience.

Interested persons are welcome to contact the Department of Social Work directly. Please contact Jay Memmott, Department Chair and Graduate Program Director.