Social Work: Advanced Standing (MSW)

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Overview

Trauma Informed Practice Specialization

The University of Northern Iowa trauma-informed Master of Social Work program prepares students for advanced clinical practice with individuals, families and groups who have experienced a wide array of traumatic experiences. Going beyond the standard cognitive behavioral therapy models of practice, the program utilizes an integrative approach to clinical treatment that draws from various cognitive and somatic-based therapies, such as body-centered psychotherapy, sensorimotor psychotherapy, somatic experiencing, trauma-sensitive yoga and EMDR. In addition, students are trained on how to identify, assess, and implement trauma-informed approaches and policies within service organizations.

The distance education program is designed for individuals whose circumstances do not provide them the opportunity to attend on-site, campus MSW programs. The Advanced Standing program is designed for individuals who have a social work undergraduate degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. If you don't have an undergraduate degree from a CSWE accredited program, please review our Foundation program.

Applications are currently being accepted for the cohort beginning Spring 2022.
Applications received by September 1, 2021 will receive full consideration.

Program features

The Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Concentration is cutting-edge and the UNI MSW program is the only program in Iowa that offers this specialty
Cohort delivery model - study with the same group of adult learners for the duration of the program, networking with working professionals facing similar challenges
Dedicated faculty who have strong relations with human service professionals and agencies
Ranked #11 of affordable online Master of Social Work degrees in the U.S. by AfforableColleges.com.

Take your career to the next level

MSW graduates with a concentration in Trauma Informed Practice are prepared for positions in substance abuse agencies, mental health facilities, domestic violence shelters, schools, hospitals, prisons and many other social agencies providing direct services to clients.
Students who receive their MSW from UNI pass the Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) exam at a rate that is higher than the national average.
The UNI Department of Social Work has 153 partnerships in 40 Iowa communities that provide quality internships for students.
A 2014 National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter study shows an average $13,000 increase in salary for social workers who have earned their MSW versus those with an undergraduate degree.

Convenient course delivery

This program incorporates the same high standards and course workload expectations as the on-campus MSW program, but features the convenience of course delivery without the necessity of commuting to campus.

Courses are offered online using the Blackboard elearning management system. Most courses will also meet Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. (CST) via interactive video conferencing.

Licensing and Accreditation Information

The UNI Master of Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Accreditation verifies that the MSW degree meets the high standards considered essential to providing a high quality social work education, and ensures that every student graduating from a social work program in the U.S. possesses the same requisite skills and knowledge.

The UNI MSW programs satisfy the licensure requirements in Iowa. Requirements may vary by state. For licensing requirements specific to your state, visit http://aswbsocialworkregulations.org/jurisdictionLevelsReportBuilder.jsp.

Licensing exam information can be found at https://www.aswb.org/.

Program Schedule

Social Work: Advanced Standing (MSW) - Spring 2022 Cohort

Tentative course schedule
Click on a course title to view the course description (if available).

Spring 2022

4159/5159

Self-Care and Stress Management in Helping Professions

Stress and stress management for helping professionals and their clientele. Physiological, psychological, social, and economic factors that produce stress and strategies for coping with those stressors.

3 unit(s)

Summer 2022

6234

Primary and Secondary Trauma

This course serves as an introduction to understanding the key concepts of trauma informed systems of care in generalist social work practice. Students will learn to identify and understand the various types of trauma along with the behaviors and responses seen in survivors of trauma, diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other trauma reactions, basic neurological and biological effects of trauma, and the relationships between trauma and other mental health disorders. An overview of the central principles and key concepts of trauma informed care along with examples will also be provided, including a review of the concept of secondary (or vicarious) trauma affecting caregivers and professionals. This will involve knowledge and skills related to self-exploration and awareness and self-care. Prerequisite(s): Completion of first year of M.S.W. program, or graduation from a Council on Social Work Education accredited undergraduate curriculum.

3 unit(s)

6235

Systems Redesign and Community Collaboration

The purpose of this course is to increase knowledge and skills that students will need as employees, change agents, or consultants of organizations. Students are provided opportunities to increase their knowledge of organizational change to reduce secondary trauma to clients and collaboration between agencies to become more user-friendly to clients with multiple issues. In addition, students learn about their behavior and the behavior of others in the organizational setting and how that may influence clients, staff, and administration, especially those with traumatic histories. Interventions that promote safety and reduce vulnerability of clients and staff are explored and skills to effectively communicate with interdisciplinary teams are reviewed. Agency policies and procedures and advocacy strategies are examined with the goal of reducing secondary trauma. Prerequisite(s): Completion of first year of M.S.W. program, or graduation from a Council on Social Work Education accredited undergraduate curriculum.

3 unit(s)

Fall 2022

6246

Trauma Informed Practice I

Trauma Informed Practice I is the preliminary course in the practice sequence at the specialty level of the Trauma Informed Care Concentration. The practice sequence has three interrelated foci: Violence and Trauma; Mental Health and Recovery; and Health and Wellbeing. This provides a multi-level social work perspective based on best practices and theory that promote healthy individual development as well as environments that support human development. Practice I introduces the sequential model of trauma treatment and recovery, specifically focusing on the first phase regaining a sense of safety, non-toxic self-regulation and self-smoothing and transitioning into the second phase, starting active work upon the trauma. The language of trauma is interpreted as an adaptational coping response to violence. The student becomes an interpreter of the language of what maladaptive behavior is trying to tell us, and how a more humanistic use of biological-psychological-social-cultural/spiritual interventions is synchronous with social work ethics and values. Specific methodologies practiced may include Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, Mindfulness, Creating Sanctuary and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy using both individual and group modalities. Prerequisite(s): Completion of first year of M.S.W. program, or graduation from a Council on Social Work Education accredited undergraduate curriculum.

3 unit(s)

6218

Introduction to Social Work Research

Students will: 1) review the literature on a topic of their choice, 2) identify and compare the different social work research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, 3) design an evaluation proposal, including formative, process, outcome and impact components, and 4) select a research design for the evaluation, which includes a methodology appropriate to meet the goals of the evaluation, and including data collection and analysis. Students will demonstrate the ability to use critical thinking skills in both their review of the literature and evaluation proposal. Prerequisite(s): Admission to graduate program in Social Work or written consent of instructor and completion of a college level course in statistical methods.

3 unit(s)

Spring 2023

6265

Advanced Social Work Research

This course is designed to build on Introduction to Social Work Research (SW 6218 (450:218)). Students apply concepts they learn in this class using real-world examples from their field experiences. Prerequisite(s): Completion of first year of M.S.W. program, or graduation from a Council on Social Work Education accredited undergraduate curriculum.

3 unit(s)

6247

Trauma Informed Practice II

Trauma Informed Practice II builds on Trauma Informed Practice I and continues coverage of the three interrelated foci: Violence & Trauma; Mental Health and Recovery; & Health and Wellbeing. Practice II expands the sequential model of trauma treatment and recovery, specifically focusing on the second phase, active work upon the trauma through the development of the trauma narrative and addressing the resulting grief and loss by employing any of a range of psychological techniques, as well as the final stage of fostering integration, an advance to a new post-traumatic life, possibly broadened by the experience of surviving the trauma and all it involved. Strong emphasis is placed on healthy professional development through self-awareness, self-reflection and self-care, including being attuned to the signs and symptoms of secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue and developing self-care strategies, techniques and supports. Practice entails further refine of methodologies introduced in Practice I as well as dialectal behavior therapy and collaborative practice strategies with schools, foster families, courts, health, behavioral health and social service agencies as a framework for multi-level practice incorporating individual and group modalities. Prerequisite(s): Completion of first year of M.S.W. program, or graduation from a Council on Social Work Education accredited undergraduate curriculum.

3 unit(s)

Summer 2023

6263

Grant Writing, Fund Raising, Contracting, and Marketing

Securing funding for human service agencies and programs. Grant writing to private foundations and public agencies, fund-raising from individuals and corporations, planning and implementing comprehensive fund-raising programs, and developing service contracts. Prerequisite(s): completion of first year of M.S.W. program, or graduation from a Council on Social Work Education accredited undergraduate curriculum.

3 unit(s)

6240

DSM V: Balancing Strengths and Differential Diagnosis

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to prevalent psychiatric disorders using the DSM-5. Understanding the DSM categories, along with the combination of bio-psycho-social causes for the diagnostic labels, is a vital part of treatment planning and, ultimately, providing effective services.

3 unit(s)

Fall 2023

6268

Trauma Informed Practice Practicum I

Fall semester practicum for second year M.S.W. Trauma Focused Clinical Practice concentration students. 250 clock hours required; concurrent with classes. Practicum established by arrangement with Department of Social Work Field Director. Offered on credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite(s): completion of first year of M.S.W. program, or graduation from a Council on Social Work Education accredited undergraduate curriculum.

3 unit(s)

6269

Trauma Informed Practice Practicum I Seminar

This seminar complements SW 6268 Trauma Informed Practice Practicum I. This is a graded portion of field practicum.

2 unit(s)

Spring 2024

6270

Trauma Informed Practice Practicum II

Practicum placement for second year M.S.W. Trauma Informed Practice concentration students, spring semester or summer. 250 clock hours required; concurrent with classes or summer following second year classes. Practicum established by arrangement with Department of Social Work Field Director. Offered on credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite(s): SW 6268; SW 6269.

3 unit(s)

6271

Trauma Informed Practice Practicum II Seminar

This seminar complements SW 6270 Trauma Informed Practice Practicum II. This is a graded portion of field practicum.

2 unit(s)

FAQs

General information

What are the costs?

All students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of location, making it an affordable option for all students.

Tuition for the 2020-21 academic year is $509 per unit of graduate credit or $320 per unit of undergraduate credit. An additional technology fee per course may apply. Tuition and fees are expected to rise each May, typically announced by the Iowa Board of Regents in March.

Do I qualify for financial aid?

Distance education students may qualify for financial aid with the following eligibility requirements:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Be admitted to UNI and enrolled in a degree-seeking or Advanced Studies Certificate program
Be enrolled for a minimum number of credits per semester or summer session
Be in compliance with satisfactory academic progress standards

Specific questions about financial aid should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at 319-273-2700 or fin-aid@uni.edu

Why choose the University of Northern Iowa?

Since its establishment in 1876 as the Iowa State Normal School, the University of Northern Iowa has maintained its affirmed commitment to the support of excellence in teacher education. That commitment remains strong as the university continues to prepare students to become teachers, as well as provide opportunities for career advancement in the field of education. In addition to a commitment to teaching, our faculty members are engaged in research, writing and professional development. View UNI's national rankings and honors.

I'm not sure about distance learning. How can I make sure it’s right for me?

Research findings demonstrate that students of all types of learning styles can succeed in a distance environment. View our tips for being a successful distance learner.

What kind of support services can I expect to receive?

The University of Northern Iowa is committed to providing comprehensive support services for distance education students. The Office of Continuing and Distance Education serves as your primary point of contact in accessing distance education support services, including enrollment services, technical support for online course tools and more. You are also given access to the UNI Rod Library’s print and electronic collections for your convenience. View a complete list of services and support resources.

Please contact the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at 319-273-7206, 800-648-3864 or distance@uni.edu with any questions. If we don’t have the answer, we will do our best to find it.

Program specific information

How do I get started?

See the "Next Steps" tab above for information. If you have any questions, please contact the program coordinator(s) and/or enrollment contact below or contact the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at ContinuingEd@uni.edu.

How will I enroll in the courses?

When you have completed the steps to admission and have been accepted into the program, we will send you details and information about how to enroll in the first course. After you participate in the first term of courses in the cohort sequence, the Office of Continuing and Distance Education will notify you with enrollment details for the next term of courses as they become available. You are required to enroll in your courses each semester.

Can I take the courses out of sequence or start at a later date?

The program is planned so that students move through the sequence of courses as a cohort group. The first course forms a foundation for the program and includes an introduction unit describing the program goals, sequence of courses, standards, rubrics and academic expectations. For that reason, it is important that you enroll and complete the courses in the same sequence. Program faculty expect that students have a growing knowledge of concepts built upon a prescribed sequence of courses. In addition, program faculty work to build an online community as students move through the course sequence together.

Additional FAQs

Is the GRE or any other entrance examination required?

The Department of Social Work determines admission using four criteria: Undergraduate GPA, Experience, Professional Statement, and References. The GRE or any other examination is not required; however, applicants with low GPA scores may submit results of the GRE if it is more indicative of their true potential.

What are the GPA guidelines?

Successful applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. For those students who do not meet this requirement, the following criteria may be considered as an alternative:

The Admissions Committee may consider the student's GPA for the final 60 semester hours from the degree school.
Nine semester hours or more of letter-graded graduate work may be used to replace the undergraduate GPA.
Graduate level courses may be completed in the following areas: social work, psychology, sociology, family studies, political science, economics, and other areas that are related to the profession of social work. For graduate level courses to be considered, a minimum grade of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required for each course and an overall grade point average of at least 3.25 must be achieved. While successful academic performance is required, it does not guarantee acceptance into the Master of Social Work program.

Students who do not meet the GPA requirement and who demonstrate in their application other strengths or exceptional circumstances may be admitted on a provisional basis (provisionally admitted students will be required to achieve a grade point average of 3.0 in their first semester of course work).

Will the distance education program be compatible with my busy life?

Expectations for the distance program are the same as the expectations for the on-campus program. Distance education provides greater flexibility. Students should expect to spend six hours a week on course work for every course credit. For the MSW distance education program, that means a minimum of 36 hours of study per week.

Will the practicum (internship) fit with my already busy schedule?

For your field experiences, our agency partners request that you are available to complete your internship hours between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For the MSW Foundation field experience, you will need to complete approximately 12-13 hours per week over two semesters. For the MSW Specialization field experience, you will need to complete approximately 15-16 hours per week over two semesters.

For those students already employed in the human service field, it is possible to complete your internship at your current place of employment. Your internship duties and supervisor must be different than your employment duties and supervisor.

What are the admission requirements?

The Department of Social Work determines admission using four criteria:

undergraduate GPA
experience
professional statement
references

Additional information can be found at csbs.uni.edu/socialwork/msw-admissions.

Next Steps

Step one: Express your interest

Please complete the online interest form to the right to express your interest in joining a future Master of Social Work (MSW) cohort. We will use the information you provide to send you program updates, including important information about application deadlines. Applications are currently being accepted for students wishing to join the new Advanced Standing cohort beginning Spring 2022.

Step two: Apply for admission

We are currently accepting applications for the Spring 2022 Advanced Standing cohort. We encourage you to apply for admission to graduate students through the University of Northern Iowa as soon as possible. Applications received by September 1, 2021, will receive full consideration.

Former UNI students: The online application requires logging in with your CatID credentials. If you have forgotten your username or passphrase,contact the IT Help Desk at servicedesk@uni.edu or 319-273-5555 and have them reset your password.

Need help with your UNI application?

Contact us at 800-648-3864 or Distance@uni.edu for assistance. Additional resources are also available from the UNI Graduate College.

Complete theonline Application for Graduate Studyand the required application materials requested by the department (see below) can be attached at time of application submission or sent separately.(Note: required application materials can be attached at the time of application submission or after submission.)
Please note that you are applying for admission as a Graduate for Spring 2022.
The program for which you are applying is Social Work: Advanced Standing Program: Trauma Informed Practice Concentration.
Entrance exams are not required.
Note that if you have received a degree from UNI, you do not have to pay the non-refundable $60 application fee or request your UNI transcripts.
International students: Please contact the Office of International Admissions at international.admissions@uni.edu or 319-273-2195 for specific instructions.

Required departmental materials:

An applicant statement responding to questions within the application for admission
Three completed recommendation forms
Resume

Required application materials can be attached (in .pdf format) to the application at the time of or after submission or sent directly to the Office of Admissions.

Submission of additional materials after the application has been completed should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions via email or postal mail:

University of Northern Iowa
002 Gilchrist Hall
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0018
admissionsprocessing@uni.edu

What to expect

When your application for graduate study is complete, you will receive confirmation from UNI Admissions staff that they have received and forwarded your application and transcripts to the the Department of Social Work for review.

The department will review your application materials and contact you about your admission status. Following admission to the program, you will be provided enrollment information.

Delivery of the program is contingent on a sufficient number of students being accepted into the program.

Program Coordinator(s):

Matthew Vasquez

Social Work

(319) 273-6249

Matthew.Vasquez@uni.edu

Enrollment Contact:

Rita Gutman

Continuing and Distance Education

(319) 273-2504

Rita.Gutman@uni.edu

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Continuing Education and Special Programs

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Trauma Informed Practice Specialization

Program features

Take your career to the next level

Convenient course delivery

Licensing and Accreditation Information

Social Work: Advanced Standing (MSW) - Spring 2022 Cohort

General information

Program specific information

Additional FAQs

Step one: Express your interest

Step two: Apply for admission

Need help with your UNI application?

What to expect

UNI Continuing Ed Production Build

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