Overview
The Child and Family Well-Being Area of Concentration prepares students to recognize and understand the determinants of well-being for children and families within and outside of the family system. In addition, this concentration prepares social work students to intervene utilizing methods that promote child and family functioning in physical, behavioral, affective, social, and cognitive areas.
The theoretical and evidence bases for this concentration include knowledge about normative and nonnormative developmental trajectories, stressful life transitions, interpersonal processes, environmental conditions and circumstances that support the growth and development needs of children and the social justice needs of disadvantaged families. The curriculum offers multilevel training that builds expertise for intervening at individual, family, community, and policy levels.
Students go on to work in various settings such as public and private welfare agencies, school systems, mental health settings, and health care practice. A social worker in this concentration will be prepared to practice in: outpatient clinics; in-home, guardianship, foster care, or group residential settings; community centers; prevention agencies; juvenile courts and justice programs; family and youth service programs; grass-roots advocacy organizations; and local, state, or national policy settings.
Several sub-concentration areas in the department can be completed to complement the Child and Family Well-Being Concentration: Credential programs in School Social Work; and Child Welfare programs (CA Title IV-E and UCCF).
Curriculum
Year 1: Standard MSW Core Curriculum
In their first year, all MSW students take our generalist core curriculum.
Year 2: Child and Well-Being Specific Curriculum
12 courses (45 units)
| Course Type | Required or Choice | List of Courses* | |
| Advanced Practice | 1 Required | SW 231A – Family Systems InterventionsSW 231N – Early Childhood Mental HealthSW 231S – Child and Adolescent Trauma | |
| Advanced Policy | 1 Required | SW 290J – Child Welfare PolicySW 290N – Public Policy for Children and Youth | |
| Theories of Human Behavior and Social Systems | 1 Required | 202B – Child and Adolescent Psychopathology | |
| Additional/Outside Course | 1 Required | Course may be outside AoC or outside Department with permission – Advanced Practice Course is highly recommended | |
| Research Capstone | 3 Required | SW260A, SW260B, SW 260C | |
| MSW Electives | 2 Required | Can be any MSW course | |
| Practicum | 3 Required | SW 402A, SW 402B, SW 402C, SW 405 | |
* Not all choices will be offered each year
Third Year Plan Of Study Option
Students who opt to complete this program in three years will take classes in the mornings and work with their practicum agencies to complete their required internship hours over the course of their academic program. Please note that this is not an evening and weekend program, classes and internship will be scheduled during regular business hours. The total cost of the 8 quarter MSW is $69,244.13, while the 3-year program total cost with the PPS credential added is $77,887.15. These costs are based on CA residency and current published tuition information (subject to change).
For domestic non-resident students, the total cost of the 8 quarter MSW is $82,060.10, while the 3-year program total cost with the PPS credential added is $90,703.00. For international students, the total cost of the 8 quarter MSW is $103,444.57, while the 3-year program total cost with the PPS credential added is $116,375.00. These costs are based on non-CA and international residency and current published tuition information (subject to change).
Sample Plan of Study for the 3-Year MSW with Child and Family Well-Being Area of Concentration.
For a complete list of Social Welfare graduate courses with descriptions, look here.