Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work

Purpose

The Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work aims to equip qualified social workers with advanced in-depth knowledge and skills to promote the mental health and optimal functioning of individuals, couple and family systems as well as identify and treat psycho-social problems at individual, couple and family systems level.

This purpose resonates with the University's mission and goals, as well as the revised vision of the Health Sciences Faculty to promote multi-disciplinary engagements and collaboration between mental health practitioners.

The qualification has a theoretical, research and practical component which will equip the graduates with culturally sensitive knowledge and contemporary therapeutic skills, to promote processes that enhance mental health and optimal functioning.

Rationale

The generic qualification in Social Work enables social work practitioners to promote social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being, as articulated in the International Definition of Social Work.

In order to address the rapidly evolving changes at socio-political, technological and economic level in South African society and the world at large, it is important to equip Social Workers with specialist knowledge and skills to both prevent and treat the impact such changes have on individual, couple and family functioning.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This will be undertaken in terms of the RPL policy of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission is

• A Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.

Or

• An Honours Degree in Social Work.

This qualification comprises of compulsory module at Level 8 totaling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 180 Credits

• Clinical Social Work Intervention: Family, 20 Credits.
• Management of Human Services and Private practice, 20 Credits.
• Social Work Practice, 20 Credits.
• Research Treatise, 80 Credits.
• Clinical Social Work Intervention: Individual, 20 Credits.
• Clinical Social Work Intervention: Couple, 20 Credits.

1. Identify, assess, analyse, and intervene in complex problem and concerns presented by client systems utilising appropriate theories, methods, techniques and strategies for intervention.
2. Adapt to new challenges and seek innovative solutions to contemporary problems presented by clients in a rapidly changing society.
3. Analyse, critically evaluate and demonstrate mastery of sophisticate theoretical material in the mental health field that aims to facilitate optimal mental health functioning in the lives of micro sized systems.
4. Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research through the application of advanced research methodology and to disseminate research findings to relevant stakeholders.
5. Demonstrate advanced understanding of social work values, Code of Ethics, principles of human rights, social justice and competency in their application in the field of clinical social work.
6. Demonstrate specialist forefront knowledge and expertise in the field of clinical social work and the competency to apply these creatively both in a general human service agency and in an interdisciplinary context.
7. Demonstrate understanding of roles, functions, principles and characteristics of management within social service delivery, including the establishment and management of a private practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Assess criteria and tasks that reflect the ability to work in depth with human concerns, both at a preventive and counselling level.
• Demonstrate comprehensive and theoretically sound intervention strategies for a specific system (i.e., individuals, couples and families) based on sophisticated theories and strategies for intervention.
• Demonstrate advanced levels of counsellor self-awareness and self-reflection.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Select wide intervention models and the ability to integrate them where possible and appropriate.
• Show application of legislative and assessment instruments (i.e., South African Mental Health Care Act, Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, White Paper on Families).
• Make appropriate referrals to mental health practitioners of conditions/needs that reside outside the scope of practice of the clinical social worker.
• Demonstrate indigenous knowledge systems and macro systemic factors impacting on individual mental health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Overview substantive of contemporary theories on mental health functioning.
• Inform Specific theoretical orientations (structuralist, developmental, narrative, brief and integrative therapy) intervention with different client systems.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of and skill in addressing specific psychosocial conditions affecting mental health, i.e., trauma, divorce, multicultural relationships and social media.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate appropriate research approach (qualitative or quantitative or mixed methods) and design (phenomenology, case study, narrative, ethnography).
• Select coherent methodologies, i.e., appropriate sampling methods, data collection and analysis methods.
• Draw and deriving at appropriate conclusions.
• Demonstration of research report writing skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Distinguish between the scope of practice of Clinical Social workers and other mental health professionals.
• Conduct professional mirrors social work values, internalization of code of ethics and principles of human rights and social justice.
• Demonstrate effective engagement as a member of an inter-disciplinary team.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Compare between clinical social work in a human service agency vs private practice.
• Demonstrate contextually relevant and culturally sensitive interventions in the mental health field.
• Demonstrate an application of expert mental health knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Distinction between leadership and management in the management of human service organisations.
• Demonstrate contemporary management and leadership skills that are culturally sensitive.
• Demonstrate ethical and legal requirements to establish a private practice.
• Demonstrate Professional bodies and affiliates to register with for private practice.

Integrated Assessment

• Integrated Assessment is ensuring through the research project and the case studies.