The Master of Social Work program at Mount Mary University is committed to preparing students for advanced professional social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities with specialties in clinical social work and social work with children and families in a person-in-environment context. 

It is aligned with the purpose, values and ethics of the social work profession: service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry. A hallmark of the program is an appreciation and respect for persons of all genders, diverse populations and those who live in poverty.

Further, the program aims to prepare students to advance human rights which is also intrinsic to the mission of the university. The overarching and ultimate goal of the graduate program is to promote human and community well-being and the elimination of poverty and racism, through the pursuit of social, economic and environmental justice locally and globally.

Intrinsic to the mission of the MSW program is the ultimate goal of social and economic justice. The goals of the MSW social work program are to:

• Prepare students for advanced social work practice including engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation through clinical social work or child & family social work.
• Prepare students to practice social work with respect for diversity and difference.
• Enable students to understand and advance human rights and racial, social, economic, and environmental justice.
• Prepare students to understand frameworks of ethical decision making and how to apply principles of critical thinking in practice, research, and policy arenas.
• Prepare students to engage in practice informed research, research informed practice, and policy practice.

Resident faculty and licensed or certified social work professionals teach 100% of courses online in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. The clinical training experiences are designed to allow students to acquire in-depth knowledge and skills that provides graduates flexibility across differing employment settings.

Practicum and intern placements provide students with opportunities to strengthen their clinical social work skills under the supervision of skilled professionals.

Graduates of the MSW program child & family specialty track will meet the education requirements for initial certification as a Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (CAPSW) in the State of Wisconsin by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (http://dsps.wi.gov).

Features of Mount Mary's MSW include:

• Small class sizes that make interaction with fellow classmates and faculty easier
• Fully online curriculum, offering synchronous and asynchronous courses
• Individuals with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)** can complete the program in one year with advanced standing. Those without a BSW can complete the program in 2-3 years (full-time enrollment).
• Preparation to apply for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (CAPSW) in Wisconsin.
• Select from specialty tracks in:
  • Clinical
  • Child & family
  • Certificate in forensic social work
  • Certificate in veterinary social work

Classes must be taken in the order of the college’s published required plans of study (included in orientation packet & on this website). Curriculum plans are based on full-time enrollment.

Traditional 

Year One

First Semester
SWK 531 Introduction to the Social Work Profession (2 cr)
SWK 540 Generalist Practice I: Social Work with Individuals, Families and Groups (3 cr)
SWK 530 Human Behavior and the Social Environment (3 cr)
SWK 542 Field Practicum I and Seminar (5 cr)
SWK 510 Anti-Racism, Diversity (2 cr)
Total: 15 credits

Second Semester
SWK 562 Research in Social Work (2 cr)
SWK 525 Generalist Psychopathology (3 cr)
SWK 553 Field Practicum II and Seminar (5 cr)
SWK 543 Generalist Practice II: Social Work with Communities, Organizations & Social Policy (4 cr)
Electives (2-4 cr)
Total: 14-17 credits

Advanced Standing (requires CSWE-accredited BSW degree)

Advanced Generalist: Clinical/Family and Children’s Services Year Plan of Study

First Semester
SWK 625 Advanced Psychopathology or SWK 635 Practice with Families and Children (3 cr)
SWK 626 Substance Use Disorders or SWK 636 Child Abuse and Neglect (2 cr)
SWK 640a or SWK 640b SWK Practicum I and Seminar—Clinical (a) or Child and Family(b) (5 cr)
Electives (4-5 cr)

 
Second Semester
SWK 662 Qualitative Research (3 cr)
SWK 627 Mental Health or SWK 637 Child and Family System Organizations and Policies (2 cr)
SWK 628 Clinical Social Work with Children and Adolescents or SWK 638 Social Work with Foster and Kinship Care 2 credits (3 cr)
SWK 641a or SWK 641b Practicum II and Seminar—Clinical (a) or Child and Family (b) (5 cr)
Electives (3-4 cr)

Total: 15-16 credits

Electives

First Semester
SWK 650 Mediation in Social Work (2 cr)
SWK 660 Social Work With Intellectual and Other Disabilities (2 cr)
SWK 655 Veterinary Social Work

Total: 5 credits

Second Semester
SWK 651 Forensic Social Work (3 cr)
SWK 661 Family Violence (2 cr)
SWK 663 Crisis Intervention (2 cr) This is offered in Summer
SWK 655 Veterinary Social Work  

Total: 6 credits

61 credits in total with students taking the maximum elective courses
57 credits in total with students taking the minimal elective courses

The National Organization of Forensic Social Work defines forensic social work as  the application of social work to questions and issues relating to law and legal systems. It is social work practice which is in any way related to legal issues and litigation, both criminal and civil. Child custody issues, involving separation, divorce, neglect, termination of parental rights, the implications of child and spouse abuse, juvenile and adult justice services, corrections, and mandated treatment all fall under this definition. It is based on specialized knowledge, familiarity with the law and working with language that the court can use. Forensic social work involves interactions and relationships with the following:

• Criminal justice, juvenile justice, and correctional systems
• Law makers
• Law enforcement personnel
• Attorneys, law students, and paralegals
• Members of the public

The MSW Forensic Social Work Certificate involves the completion of two elective courses:

SWK650: Mediation in Social Work (2 credits )

This course expands students' knowledge of conflict and conflict resolution. It provides students with the knowledge, values and skills necessary to practice mediation in various settings including forensic social work. This course combined with the Forensic Social Work course can lead to a Forensic Social Work certificate. 

SWK651: Forensic Social Work (3 credits)

This course will introduce theory and practice of forensic social work practice with individuals, families and groups affected by criminal justice involvement. The role of the social worker in assessing and intervening in various settings such as courts, jails, and other community settings will be a central focus.

To be eligible for the Mount Mary University Master of Social Work program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have a bachelor’s degree in social work from a regionally accredited college or university and the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Earned a B or better in core social work courses.
• Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in most recent 60 credits of coursework. Probationary admission can be considered.
• Demonstration of 24 credit hours of liberal studies including: human biology or social sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, women’s studies, political science).

Preferred, but not required:

• A statistics course: 200 level or higher, with a grade of C or better.
• A psychopathology course with grade of B or better.

To be eligible for the Mount Mary University Master of Social Work program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in most recent 60 credits of coursework. Probationary admission can be considered.
• Demonstration of 24 credit hours of liberal studies including: human biology or social sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, women’s studies, political science).

Preferred, but not required:

• A statistics course: 200 level or higher, with a grade of C or better.

1. Complete and submit the online Graduate Student Application.
2. Submit the nonrefundable application fee. You can submit the payment online by credit card or e-check through the application portal. Note: The application fee is waived for Mount Mary alumni. Contact your graduate admission counselor to obtain the waiver code for alumni.
3. Submit your official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. You will need to contact each institution (typically the registrar’s office) to have your transcript sent directly to Mount Mary University. If you are in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree, send your current transcript at the time of application and then send your final transcript once your degree is conferred. If you previously attended Mount Mary, you do not need to request Mount Mary transcripts, but you should provide transcripts from other schools, if applicable. Official transcripts can be submitted via mail or electronically to:
   • Graduate Admission Office, Mount Mary University, 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway, Milwaukee, WI 53222-4597
   • mmu-admissop@mtmary.edu 

4. Submit three letters of recommendation. At least one academic instructor and one professional reference (field, volunteering, and/or work). Recommendation forms and instructions are provided in the Graduate Student Application.
5. Personal statement. Please address the following topics:
   • What are your professional social work goals and how might the Mount Mary MSW Program best provide you with the preparation to achieve those goals? 
   • Anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion are major aspects of social work practice. Discuss your conceptualization of these aspects of social work and give an example of how you have participated in working towards these goals. Be as descriptive as possible.
   • Social workers may encounter experiences that conflict with their own personal values. Discuss how you might resolve such conflicts. Give an example of when you were confronted with a situation that conflicted with your values and how you resolved the conflict.
   • Discuss how you deal with stressful situations. Describe an example and how you responded to the stressful incident.  

Melinda Kiltz, MSW, MPA 
Social Work Department Chair and Associate Professor 
Phone:(414) 930-3261 
Email: kiltzm@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Disability policy, mobile crisis response, administration 

Sarah Hessenauer-Bladorn, MSW 
Master of Social Work Program Director Mount Mary University 
Phone:(414) 930-3280 
Email: hessenas@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Mental health, substance use disorders, social work education 

Rebecca Valentyn, LCSW 
Assistant Professor & Director of Field Education 
Phone: (414) 930-3430 
Email: valentyr@mtmary.edu  
Expertise: Child and adolescent mental health, trauma-informed care, homelessness prevention

Michael Wallace 
Assistant professor/ Fieldwork Program Director 
Phone:(414) 930-3325  
Email: wallacem@mtmary.edu 
Expertise: Mental health, community (macro), social work

Mark Long
Assistant Professor
Phone:(414) 930-3183 
Email: longm@mtmary.edu  
Expertise: Substance use, human behavior, policy, cultural humility and social services leadership