ADMISSIONS

PROGRAM DESIGN AND DELIVERY

Distance Delivered Masters in Social Work (MSW)

Advanced Placement (part-time) Program

The distance delivered MSW program is an extension of the existing on-site part-time MSW program offered at University of Alaska Anchorage. Students admitted in the distance delivered MSW program are expected to meet the same admission requirements and adhere to the same policies, rules and regulations as students in the campus based MSW program.

The distance delivered MSW program is open to all residents of the State of Alaska, regardless of geographical location. In addition, students who are residents of British Columbia or the Yukon, Northwest, and Nunavut Territories will be admitted on the same basis as students who are residents of Alaska. Students from the Anchorage bowl and the Matanuska-Susitna valley will be admitted to the distance delivered MSW program on a space available basis.

The School of Social Work is moving forward to admit a new four-year Distance cohort, ‘pending funding.’ We have 18 applications at this point. Anyone interested may submit late applications can be accepted but that they’ll need to talk to Gene Mangiardi at 907-786-6898, on or before February 16, 2007).

This new four-year cohort would begin enrollment with the June 1-4 intensive, 2007, and graduate in May 2011.

Below is information for students with advanced placement.

The School will accept applications for advanced placement distance students (applicants with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the last 7 years) for the 2007-2008 academic year. These students will join the existing cohort of distance MSW students. We anticipate a limited number of advanced placement students will be accepted for the 2007-2008 academic year.

Students admitted with advanced placement will complete the MSW Concentration curriculum, a two-year sequence of coursework, as outlined below.

Once admitted, students may request to change to the on-site MSW program in Anchorage. Campus based students may request to change to the distance delivered MSW program. Approval for transferring between programs (distance delivered and on-site) is subject to approval of the student’s advisor and the MSW program coordinator.

The deadline for application to the distance delivered program with advanced placement is January 15, 2007. The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications immediately after January 15^th. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. Applications are not reviewed until all application materials are received by the Admissions Office. All required materials, including transcripts, must be received no later than February 15 to ensure review for admission. Applications which are not complete by February 15 may not be reviewed. Please contact Gene Mangiardi at 907-786-6898 on or before February 16, 2007

Distance delivered MSW required courses are offered in an alternative scheduling format consisting of intensive classroom sessions presented in short-time blocks followed by periodic class meetings available by teleconference and computer throughout the semester. The intensive session will be the first meeting of each course and will typically be two days of 8 hours each day, for each course (as two courses are required during Fall and Spring semesters, the intensives generally last four days). We schedule the intensive sessions over a weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday) in Anchorage. Students are required to provide their own transportation and lodging for the intensive course meetings. Students who miss any part of an intensive course session will not be allowed to continue in that course and will therefore jeopardize their progress in the MSW program.

All distance delivered MSW required courses will also be using an Internet based course delivery system named Blackboard and weekly audioconferences. Students are encouraged to visit the UAA Online web site to learn more about Blackboard and internet based instruction:

http://UAAOnline.Alaska.edu/

Students who live in the same community will be required to be in one location for any course audioconferences.

Access to a telephone, VCR, and personal computer with Internet access as well as basic skills in computerized word processing are required for each student. We recommend the following minimum hardware and software:

Computer. 233 MHz Pentium (PC) or PowerPC (Macintosh) with 32 megabytes of RAM, CD-ROM. A monitor with a minimum resolution of 800 x 600. An Internet connection with a 56K modem or better (DSL or Cable model are preferred). Reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Software: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, Real Player, QuickTime Player.

Distance delivered advanced placement MSW students will have field practicum placements during the second year of their program. The policies of the UAA School of Social Work prohibit graduate students from practicum placements in agencies or organizations where the student is employed. All field practicums are required to be supervised by a person with a Master’s degree in social work. An approved educationally sound field practicum placement may require that students travel from their home to another community.

A professional program fee is required of all students in the MSW program in addition to course tuition fees, lab and course materials fees, and student activity fees. The professional program fee is a sum equal to 50% of tuition and is charged upon enrollment in MSW courses. Additional fees will be charged for distance delivered MSW courses, these fees may range from $75 for most courses and up to $400* for the field practicum courses.

*Fees: $75.00 for distance ed + $25.00 practicum fee + $300 distance practicum fee = $400.00

DATES AND TIMELINES

Courses will be offered through the UAA campus; therefore all course dates and related events, such as registration for courses, will follow the UAA Enrollment Services calendar. Please note that the deadlines for such operations as registering for class may differ from those on other campuses. Dates of such course events as Spring Break may also differ from those on other campuses. Please carefully consult the enclosed information on UAA deadlines and timelines; if this information is missing please contact the UAA School of Social Work.

This program is contingent upon continued funding from the University of Alaska and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

For further information, please contact:

Elizabeth Sirles, Ph.D., Director

UAA School of Social Work

University of Alaska Anchorage

3211 Providence Drive

Anchorage, Alaska 99508

(907) 786-6900

fax (907) 786-6912

School web site http://socialwork.uaa.alaska.edu/

Class Number

Credits

Semester Taken

First Year Concentration Requirements
Summer 2007			Fall 2007			Spring 2008
Class Number	Title	Semester Taken	Class Number	Title	Semester Taken	Class Number	Title	Semester Taken
SWK 592 (1 credit)	Social Work Summer Intensive		SWK 608 (3 credits)	Social Policy for Adv. Gen. Practice		SWK 698 (3 credits)	Individual Research Project
			SWK 628 (3 credits)	Program Evaluation		Advisor Approved Elective (3 credits)	Write Elective(s) Below
			SWK 625 (1 credit)	Social Work Research Lab

Second Year Concentration Requirements
Summer 2008			Fall 2008			Spring 2009
Class Number	Title	Semester Taken	Class Number	Title	Semester Taken	Class Number	Title	Semester Taken
SWK 634A (3 credits)	SW Practice IV: Indirect Practice		SWK 633A (3 credits)	SW Practice III: Direct Practice		SWK 634B (4 credits)	Adv. Gen. Practicum IV
Advisor Approved Elective (3 credits)	Write Elective(s) Below		SWK 633B (3 credits)	Adv. Gen. Practicum III		SWK 635 (3 credits)	Adv. Gen. Integrative Seminar

Electives:

* NOTE: Advance placement students are required to take SWK 592 “Social Work Summer Intensive” a non-credit, four day course prior to beginning Fall Semester.