Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Social Work Program

The Master of Social Work program at California State University, Northridge, is designed to support its focus on urban community practice. Located in the heart of Los Angeles County's San Fernando Valley, the program provides students with the opportunity to work with vulnerable and at-risk populations, cultivating an appreciation of the planned-change process.

Program Overview

Unlike many Social Work programs, CSUN's Master of Social Work expands students' career possibilities by offering a generalist approach. The curriculum enables students to gain the skills and perspective to work at any level: individual/family (micro); group/community (mezzo); and societal/policy (macro).

Graduate Project

The Graduate Project is a critical component of the Master of Social Work program. Students are required to design and complete a research project, which involves collecting and analyzing data, and presenting their findings.

Capstone Q & A's for MSW Interns

• Is my practicum placement agency appropriate for the collection of data? Not typically. Your field placement agency should not be used for the recruitment of research participants, unless a special arrangement has been made with your internship supervisor.
• May I speak with HR at my field placement in order to secure approval to recruit research subjects? NO. You MUST speak directly with your internship supervisor to make arrangements to recruit research subjects from your placement site.
• What if I no longer have a field placement when conducting my Capstone project? Ask early! If you anticipate that you will no longer be completing field placement hours, ask your field internship supervisor if you may return at a later date to collect information for your Capstone project.

Capstone Q & A's for Practicum Supervisors

• My field placement student wants to collect data at my agency; what should I say? You are in no way obligated to allow a CSUN MSW intern to collect data from agency service users or professionals.
• My agency has a research project that we would like our CSUN MSW intern to work on. Is that okay? Typically, yes. Each MSW student will have a Capstone instructor, who will evaluate the merit of each project to determine if it meets the learning objectives of the Capstone course.
• If I allow my CSUN intern to collect data at my agency, what procedures should s/he follow? The CSUN intern will require that each study participant sign a CSUN approved informed consent document. MSW students are required to ensure that the confidentiality of each subject is maintained.
• Can my agency get a copy of the final report? CSUN MSW interns are not obligated to provide the field agency with a copy of the final report. Field supervisors are encouraged to broach this subject directly with the CSUN intern prior to providing approval for the collection of data.