This section is meant to give you a starting point in assessing how a graduate school of social
work may or may not meet your career needs and goals. We hope that these questions will help you
make an informed decision about your education.
Does the program have the focus I seek?
At MSASS, we believe that social work practitioners are strategists of change, working in
partnership with others to enhance the caring capacity of communities. We are committed to
preparing advanced practitioners able to understand the dynamics of problematic social situations
and to identify the strengths and resources in individuals, families, and communities that offer
the best hope of solutions. Our School is dedicated to developing leadership in empowerment and in
the ongoing struggle against discrimination and oppression. MSASS supports innovation and
excellence in the service of building healthy communities.
Does the school have the enrollment option that meets my needs?
At the Mandel School, we make master's study convenient for everyone. You can choose
from:
-
Full-Time: a two-year program that takes four
semesters to complete. Students enroll for fall and spring semester for two years. Students are
scheduled for classes and field on a full time basis. There is no summer program to accelerate this
process.
-
Part-Time:up to a four-year program that
allows students a flexible weekday schedule.
-
Intensive: a nine-semester (three-year)
weekend program for people working full-time in a social work capacity.
-
Advanced Standing : a 12
or 18 month program for students already holding a bachelor degree in social work. Additional
options are available to you through our
dual degree programs .
Does the program provide me with ongoing professional development and
opportunities?
MSASS students and alumni enjoy many career-building benefits. Through
Career Services
, current students and alumni can take advantage of free career counseling, workshops, field
and career fair, speaker series, mock interview night, and on-line job links. The Alumni office
provides MSASS graduates with networking opportunities and workshops on issues pertinent to the
social work field.
What type of financial assistance is available from the school?
The Mandel School wants everyone who qualifies for admission to find it possible to attend
our school. We offer scholarships based on academic merit, grants based on merit and need, low
interest loans, and college work study (need-based) earned through field placement. In 2008-2009,
nearly 96 percent of MSASS students received tuition assistance, including:
- Merit- based scholarships
- Need-based scholarships and grants
- Stipends for students enrolled in the full-time program.
- External assistance (e.g., employer tuition reimbursement, outside scholarships)
- Federal and Private student loans
MSASS tuition support is either merit-based or need/merit-based. Merit-based scholarships are
awarded on a first-come first-served basis. There is no separate scholarship application. Students
automatically apply for these when they submit a complete application for admissions. Decisions
regarding scholarships are made starting in November and continue until all scholarships are
awarded and accepted by admitted students. Consequently, it is in a student's best interest to
apply for admissions as soon as possible in order to benefit from the larger pool of available
funds.
Does the school offer a balanced program of micro (clinical) and macro fields of
concentration?
At the Mandel School, you can choose the Community and Social Development Concentration or
the Direct Practice concentration with specializations in
Aging,
Health,
Adult Mental Health,
Children and Adolescent Mental
Health,
Children, Youth and Families, and
Alcohol and Other
Drug Abuse. Macro practice concentrations include
Community Development Along with these
concentrations you can select a focus or emphasis area such as
School Social Work.
Does the school provide me with a wide breadth of field work opportunities?
MSASS places a high priority on the integration of theory with practice. Consequently, the
school is affiliated with more than 300 agencies in the Greater Cleveland area, creating a vast
network of field education as well as employment opportunities.
How does the school compare nationally with other schools of social work?
Ranked among the top graduate schools of social work in the country, MSASS prides itself on
the positive impact its faculty, staff, students, and alumni have in communities locally,
nationally, and internationally. Through education, research, and service, the Mandel School
improves professional practice and shapes public policy on issues ranging from services to people
with mental illness, to national welfare reform, to international adoption issues.
Is the school I'm exploring accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
(CSWE)?
MSASS is accredited by CSWE. The school has gone through a rigorous assessment to ensure that
it meets or exceeds all CSWE standards and its graduates are prepared to practice social work at a
professional level.
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