Master of Arts in Social Science Clinical

Purpose

The purpose of the Master's in Clinical Social Work is to provide specialised clinical and research competencies in the application of scientific and theoretical principles of clinical social work to qualified social workers so that they can contribute to the well-being and social development of the full range of social work beneficiaries.

Rationale

Clinical Social Work is a specialised field of social work practice that is in the process of being registered as a statutory specialisation by the SACSSP. The University of Johannesburg's Department of Social Work has played a leading role in this process in 2014/5, thus ensuring the alignment of the qualification with the SACSSP requirements.

Clinical social work involves a combination of advanced counselling competencies and expertise in the field of mental health (psychiatry). Social work plays an important role nationally in supplementing the comparatively smaller number of psychologists available for providing psychotherapeutic services. Clinical social work is key to upskilling social workers with the basic Bachelor of Social Work to provide these more advanced services. Such services are provided both by social workers in private practice (at far cheaper rates than Psychologists and Psychiatrists) and in Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO's), government, etc. In addition, social work is a member of the multidisciplinary team in psychiatric settings, such as psychiatric hospitals and clinics, and according to the Mental Health Act are regarded as a mental health practitioner, along with Psychologists and Psychiatrists. However, the basic Social Work qualification provides inadequate training in psychiatry. A Postgraduate specialist qualification is required to develop this competence.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification includes a social work internship. Only individuals who are registered as a social work with the statutory registering body in South Africa, the SACSSP, are permitted to do a 'social work' internship. Thus only registered social workers are admitted into the programme. There is thus no RPL process for this qualification.

In the case of international applicants, they are considered and accepted if

• They are registered as a social worker in their home country, or where there is no registering council, if they are regarded as a social worker.
• They conduct the internship in their home country, under the statutory regulation of their social work body.

Entry Requirements

A potential student should be in possession of

• A four-year Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.

Or

• A three-year Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.

And

• An Honours Degree in Social Work.

And

• In the case of South African, be registered as a social worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions.

Compulsory Modules

• Minor dissertation, at Level 9, 90 Credits.
• Contemporary Social Work Issues, at Level 9, 9 Credits.
• Social Work Theory, at Level 9, 9 Credits.
• Behavioural and Environmental Change, at Level 9, 90 Credits.
• Assessment, Intervention and Evaluation, at Level 9, 90 Credits.
• Clinical Practice in Diverse Environments, at Level 9, 90 Credits.
• Professional Development and Management, at Level 9, 90 Credits.
• Advanced Social Work Research and Technology, at Level 9, 18 Credits.
• Clinical Social Work Internship, at Level 9, 18 Credits.

1. Engage critically with current debates and ideas on a range of contemporary social issues.
2. Critically explain the nature and application of social work theory to research, social policy, and clinical social work practice in a changing national and global environment.
3. Critically describe and apply a range of evidence- based assessment strategies, upon which to build and evaluate suitable intervention strategies in a clinical context.
4. Critically describe and apply a range of clinical intervention models, centred on a person-in-environment framework, to address complex multi-dimensional client problems.
5. Assess and plan social work interventions for people with mental health complaints.
6. Examine and apply a range of dimensions of professionalism and self-development through ethical practice and management principles.
7. Conceptualise and design an advanced research proposal.
8. Conduct Postgraduate research independently.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate understanding of concepts and theoretical perspectives relating to contemporary social work issues.
• Identify, and evaluate dimensions of critical theoretical reflection.
• Use concepts and perspectives to analyse contemporary social issue in particular practice situations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Understand what theory is and how theory is constructed.
• Know what the political, ideological, social and cultural factors are that impact on theory and how theory is critiqued.
• Know the meaning of definitions, statements, conceptual frameworks, models, paradigms and epistemology in the social and human sciences.
• Understand the approaches to social and human science theory.
• Discuss selected theories that inform social work knowledge, practice, social policy and research.
• Apply a theory to describe and explain a contemporary issue.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Understand the principles of accountable practice.
• Describe and apply different evidence-based assessment techniques.
• Develop an evidence-based assessment protocol.
• Select and implement a suitable intervention strategy in the context of their practice setting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Analyse a person-in-environment context of social problems.
• Identify different intervention options from a behavioural or environmental change perspective.
• Present case studies of complex multi-dimensional problem contexts and suitable interventions.
• Critical examination of approaches to changing either the person's behaviour or the dynamics of the social environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Articulate the unique contribution of social work to mental health at micro, meso and macro levels.
• Conduct a clinical assessment of a person with mental health complaints.
• Utilise the DSM-5 as a framework for defining the psychosocial functioning of a person with mental health complaints.
• Develop a psychosocial formulation of a person with mental health complaints.
• Develop an intervention plan for a person with mental health complaints.
• Engage sensitively with cultural presentations of mental health complaints.
• Critique various perspectives on mental health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Apply principles of practice management in their context.
• Critically appraise own practice ethics and behaviour.
• Develop and implement self-development strategies.
• Explore strategies for managing clinical practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Identify relevant areas for professional development.
• Develop a self-directed programme for skills development.
• Acquire new knowledge and skills.
• Assess skills acquisition.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Clearly outline the different approaches to Social Work research.
• Identify and conceptualise a research problem Write a research proposal.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Conduct research independently (under guidance).
• Make use of various sources critically and integrate these into a research report.
• Write a research proposal and minor dissertation.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification comprises six theory modules, one research module, one internship module and the minor dissertation

• Each theory module has at least two (but not usually more than two) assessments, at least one of which (but most often both of which) is in the form of a critical essay at Level 9. In some cases, assessments build on each other, facilitating cumulative learning.
• The research module culminates in a research proposal which constitutes half the final mark. A series of continuous summative assessment opportunities occur throughout the year that lead the student towards the final proposal, such as the formulation of a research problem, the articulation of research aim and objectives, a literature review, etc.
• The internship extends over 12 months and involves a series of preparatory assessments (laying the knowledge foundation for practice), supervised practice over a period of several months, with formative assessments to ensure students are on track, and culminating in the submission of a portfolio of evidence.
• The minor dissertation is assessed, according to University of Johannesburg protocol, by two external assessors on completion of the dissertation.

The final assessments (i.e. exams, research proposal, portfolio of evidence and dissertation) are externally moderated by academic experts in the field.