MASTER IN
Social Work
The Master in Social Work (MSW) is a 46-unit practice-based, research and policy-oriented graduate program intended for social workers and social development practitioners.
Capitalizing on Miriam College’s strong base of international programs and active advocacies on peace, gender, and the environment, the MSW program adopts interdisciplinary, international, and critical perspectives that examine how global issues impact local communities, people, and individuals and how diverse and multiple stakeholders at various levels can work together to achieve social justice and national development goals.
Program Outcomes
At the end of the study program, the students are expected to be critically and ethically reflective professionals who will contribute to building local-specific knowledge about social work and development practice in the Philippines that will inform the formulation, adoption, and implementation of culturally sensitive, gender responsive, inclusive, and sustainable social welfare policies and programs.
By the end of the program, graduates will be able to
- Apply a critical social work lens in the analysis and development of strategic, culturally sensitive, gender responsive, inclusive, and sustainable social welfare policies and programs;
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice towards developing and mainstreaming models of social work practice, policy and program development, policy and program evaluation, and advocacy to promote and protect the rights and well-being of individuals, families, communities, and populations that are poor, marginalized, and at risk;
- Demonstrate the ability to engage in social welfare policy and program advocacy at the local, national, and international levels;
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in social administration with a focus on leadership, supervision, and human resource development;
- Contribute to the social work body of knowledge and promote the profession through presentations of scholarly papers in conferences, publication in peer reviewed journal, or participation in policy discussions involving diverse disciplines; and
- Adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards in advanced Social Work practice.
Key Competencies Developed
The MSW program aims to form critically and ethically reflective professionals who will drive policy changes, program innovations, and evolve local-specific knowledge in social work and social development. These competencies combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare graduates for ethical and effective practice at the micro (individual), mezzo (group), and macro (systems) level.
By the end of the program, graduates will be able to enhance the following essential skills and key competencies:
Essential Skills
The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is central to building trusting relationships with clients
A foundational communication skill that allows social workers to fully comprehend a client’s needs and concerns
Develop strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills essential for interacting with clients, colleagues, and other professionals
Foundational Competencies
Develop a strong ethical compass by learning to use critical thinking to navigate ethical dilemmas and use supervision and consultation to guide their professional judgment, including maintaining professional boundaries and using technology ethically.
Graduates are equipped to have an understanding of how factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status shape individual experiences, which may lead to oppression.
Graduates learn how to identify and challenge structural barriers and advocate for policies that advance human rights for vulnerable and oppressed populations.
Graduates can integrate research findings into their practice to ensure interventions are based on the best available evidence, evaluate their own practice, and contribute to the profession’s knowledge base.
Graduates gain an understanding of how social problems are formulated and implemented at the local, regional, and national levels. They can analyze and advocate for policy changes to improve access to services and promote social justice.
Direct Practice Competencies
Graduates learn to effectively engage with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities and develop strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and active listening, to build rapport and establish mutually agreed upon goals.
Graduates learn to conduct comprehensive, strength-based assessments by collecting information and applying theories of human behavior. Through critical thinking, they can interpret information and develop intervention strategies tailored to a client’s needs and goals.
Graduates are trained to implement and evaluate evidence-informed interventions and are able to coordinate, mediate, and advocate on behalf of clients, while coordinating services with other professionals.
Graduates use both qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and programs to enhance service delivery for clients and improve their practice.
Total Program Units: 43 units
Relevant knowledge and skills acquired in the workplace may be granted their equivalent weight in academic units upon evaluation of the Program Chairperson.
Standard Completion Time: 2 years
The following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are addressed by this program:
Potential Careers:
Graduates of this program may venture on the following:
Clinical Social Work (Micro Practice) – for those interested in providing direct mental and behavioral health services
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker – provides therapy and counseling to individuals, families, and groups to diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders
- Medical Social Worker – assists patients and their families in navigating the medical system, offering emotional support, implementing crisis intervention, and connecting them with resources
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Therapist – focuses on individuals with mental health or addiction issues by creating treatment plans, providing therapy, and conducting group counseling sessions
- Child and Family Therapist – counsels for families and children to address a range of issues, such as behavioral problems, domestic violence, or trauma
- School Social Worker – supports students’ academic and emotional well-being by addressing issues like family problems, bullying, or mental health concerns
Community and Organizational Work (Mezzo Practice) – focusing on interventions at the group or community level and often bridges micro and macro practices
- Community Organizer – collaborates with community members and stakeholders to advocate for new programs and services, working for non-profit or community organizations to build community capacity
- Human Resources Manager – communicates and solves problems to help maintain a healthy and productive work environment
- Corporate Social Responsibility – manages corporations’ community and environmental programs, leveraging their expertise to make a positive social impact
Administrative and Policy Work (Macro Practice) – for those who want to create systemic change by working on program development, administration, and public policy:
- Community Program Administrator – the role involves overseeing social programs within government agencies or non-profit organizations. Responsibilities include managing budgets, securing funding, and supervising staff to ensure services effectively meet community needs.
- Policy Analyst – research social issues and use data to help craft new policies at the local, regional, or national level. This involves working with government agencies, research institutions, and advocacy groups.
- Social Work Supervisor – supervisory roles where they train, mentor, and oversee a team of social workers. They handle administrative responsibilities and manage the team’s service delivery.
- Researcher – research social workers work at universities or government agencies to conduct studies on social issues, program effectiveness, and challenge individuals face
- Director of a Non-Profit Organization – this is a leadership position overseeing the operations of a non-profit organization
Specialized and Alternative Careers (specialized roles often involving populations with specific needs)
- Gerontological Social Worker – with the aging population, they help older adults navigate challenges with healthcare, housing, and social support
- Military Social Worker – providing mental health and social services to active military personnel, veterans, and their families while understanding the unique challenges of military culture
- Forensic Social Worker – working within the legal and criminal justice systems by providing services in correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, and court systems
- International Social Worker – working with non-government organizations or humanitarian aid organizations to address global issues such as poverty, human rights, and disaster relief
CURRICULUM SUMMARY
Courses | Units |
Core Courses | 12 |
| |
Professional Courses | 24 |
| |
Elective Courses (choose only two) | 6 |
| |
MC Required Course | 1 |
| |
Capstone Course | 3 |
· SW 218 Special Project |
|
Total Number of Units | 46 |
