Public Child Welfare Intensive Weekend Program
Rutgers School of Social Work's Public Child Welfare Intensive Weekend MSW Program was developed in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families, Child Welfare Training Academy, and began during academic year 2006-7. The program is designed to enable public child welfare professionals to pursue their MSW while continuing to work. With minimal disruption of work schedules, students/employees remain on the job as they build professional skills and knowledge. In return for the educational support they receive from DCF, they commit to 2 years post-graduation employment in a Title IV-E eligible position.
Program Goals:
1. To enhance the professional knowledge and skill levels of public child welfare employees with potential to assume supervisory or leadership positions in public child welfare;
2. To contribute to improved service provision; and
3. To contribute to the retention of skilled MSWs in NJ public child welfare.
Focus:
The course of study follows a prescribed curricular sequence intended to meet the specific needs of graduate level professional social work in the field of child welfare, while following the CSWE accredited School of Social Work curriculum, including foundation and advanced courses and required field hours. The sequence combines a focus on supervisory/managerial and direct practice theory and skills-building and incorporates enhanced content in child welfare and related child/family issues across the curriculum.
Program Structure:
The program takes place off-campus in various locations throughout the state, with class meetings one weekend each month; students receive release time one Friday each month to attend class:
* Courses are offered consecutively as opposed to concurrently;
* Students receive study materials and have 4 weeks to prepare for class;
* Weekend classes meet full days Friday, Saturday & Sunday
* Students have 4 weeks of preparation, assignments and on-line discussion threads
* Weekend classes meet full days Friday and Saturday
* Students have four weeks to complete assignments and receive materials to prepare for next class
* Each course is supported by on-line activities through "E-Companion", which provides access to threaded on-line discussions, access to articles, readings, and other resources, and access to fellow students and the instructor
* Classes are conducted in a dynamic, adult learning format, which include lectures and discussion, interactive activities, speakers, films, etc. Students are encouraged to integrate learning in the field and to engage in critical thinking in the classroom, applying concepts and theories to case material.
Field Education:
Students receive release time one day each to week to fulfill field internship requirements. Students complete two field internships, one in DYFS, and one in a contract agency. Each internship is about 16-18 months.
Eligibility:
Students must be employees in good standing of NJ Department for Children and Families, with a minimum of two years permanent employment, and meet entrance requirements to the School of Social Work. Finalist candidates are interviewed by a faculty-DYFS selection committee. Application periods are announced via internal DCF email and are posted on the DCF Internal Website.