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Master of Social Work

MSW Concentrations

Advanced Direct Practice (ADP): Clinical Concentration

The central focus of clinical social work is on the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of individuals, families, and groups. The clinical social worker is able to assess and intervene at multiple levels, addressing both the internal and external factors that impact client functioning. The clinical social worker is able to draw on both evidence-informed and traditional models of practice and is specifically trained in drawing on theory to guide practice.

Clinical social workers practice in a variety of practice settings, including community mental health centers, hospitals, substance use treatment and recovery facilities, primary health care, child welfare agencies, centers for aging services, employee assistance programs, and private practice settings.

The ADP clinical concentration prepares students for advanced practice with individuals, families and groups in a variety of practice settings. The concentration includes knowledge of a range of both contemporary and traditional evidence-informed theories and models that guide practice. One of the central goals of the clinical concentration is to help students link theory with practice, and develop the skills of a beginning level clinical social worker.

Students in the clinical concentration learn:

  • Knowledge and application of cognitive behavioral approaches to practice
  • Knowledge and application of ego supportive psychotherapeutic approaches to practice
  • Knowledge and application of family systems theory and a variety of contemporary family therapy models
  • Knowledge and application of interpersonal group theory
  • Critical thinking skills as they apply to the processes of engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation with individuals, families and groups
  • How to demonstrate ethical integrity through application of social work values in a variety of clinical situations
  • Differential use of the professional relationship
  • The importance of utilizing evidence-informed, or best practice approaches, with individuals, families and groups
  • Increasing levels of self-awareness, including the professional use of self to engage and work with diverse client populations
  • Advocacy skills for practice delivery and policies that promote social and economic justice and equity when working with individuals, families and groups
Updated 7.16.2010