Master of Social Work (MSW)

• MSW 6100 Human Behavior and the Social Environment
  An overview of social work theories and knowledge associated with the bio-psycho-social approach to human development that includes the impact of social systems and environmental influences on individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. Prerequisite: Admission to MSW Program
• MSW 6200 Practice 1
  An introductory social work approaches course that enables students to learn, understand, and apply generalist social work practice methods to work with individuals and families. Prerequisite: Admission to MSW Program
• MSW 6220 Practice II
  An introductory social work approaches course that enables students to learn, understand, and apply generalist social work practice methods to work with groups, communities, and organizations. Prerequisites: MSW Practice I & HBSE
• MSW 6300 Research I
  An introduction to research and methodological approaches generalist social workers utilize regarding general inquiry and programmatic/practice evaluation. Prerequisite: Admission to MSW Program
• MSW 6320 Research II
  An overview of specific research approaches utilized by social workers to equip students with the knowledge and skills to conduct research projects and evaluate data. Prerequisite: MSW Research I
• MSW 6400 Social Policy I
  An overview of the foundation, development, and current state of social welfare policy and services in the United States and abroad. Prerequisite: Admission to MSW Program
• MSW 6500 Diversity and Social Justice
  An overview of the values, principles and ethics associated with social work practice with oppressed populations. Prerequisite: HBSE
• MSW 6600 Field Internship I
  An applied skills course requiring 200 hours of internship experience in a social work related agency/organization. Prerequisites: MSW Practice I, HBSE, MSW Research I, & Social Policy I
• MSW 6620 Field Internship II
  An applied skills course requiring 200 hours of internship experience in a social work related agency/organization that builds on what was learned in the Field Internship I course. Prerequisites: MSW Practice I, HBSE, MSW Research I, Social Policy I, and Field internship
• MSW 7000 Advanced Micro Practice
  An advanced practice course that includes engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with individual clients. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• MSW 7100 Advanced Mezzo Practice
  An advanced practice course that includes engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with families and groups. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• MSW 7200 Advanced Macro Practice
  An advanced practice course that includes engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with communities and organizations. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• MSW 7400 Social Policy II
  An advanced study of the development, implementation, and evaluation of social policies and the associated influences on the social work profession. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• MSW 7500 Empirical Practice (4 credits)
  An integrative course that teaches the application of theory, research, and evidence-based interventions to advanced generalist social work populations and systems. Prerequisites: Advanced Micro Practice, Advanced Mezzo Practice, Advanced Macro Practice, & Social Policy II
• MSW 7600 Field Internship III (4 credits)
  An applied skills course requiring 250 hours of advanced internship experience in a social work related agency/organization. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• MSW 7620 Field Internship IV (4 credits)
  An applied skills course requiring 250 hours of advanced internship experience in a social work related agency/organization that builds on what was learned in the Field Internship III course. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

900 hours of field experience

• MSW 7000 Advanced Micro Practice
  An advanced practice course that includes engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with individual clients. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• MSW 7100 Advanced Mezzo Practice
  An advanced practice course that includes engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with families and groups. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• MSW 7200 Advanced Macro Practice
  An advanced practice course that includes engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with communities and organizations. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• MSW 7400 Social Policy II
  An advanced study of the development, implementation, and evaluation of social policies and the associated influences on the social work profession. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• MSW 7500 Empirical Practice (4 credits)
  An integrative course that teaches the application of theory, research, and evidence-based interventions to advanced generalist social work populations and systems. Prerequisites: Advanced Micro Practice, Advanced Mezzo Practice, Advanced Macro Practice, & Social Policy II
• MSW 7600 Field Internship III (4 credits)
  An applied skills course requiring 250 hours of advanced internship experience in a social work related agency/organization. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• MSW 7620 Field Internship IV (4 credits)
  An applied skills course requiring 250 hours of advanced internship experience in a social work related agency/organization that builds on what was learned in the Field Internship III course. Prerequisites: Field Internship I & II, OR admission into advanced standing
• Elective
• Elective

500 hours of field experience

Megan Warshauer: I wasn’t sure what going back to school would look like for me, after being out of academia for almost 10 years. I was always a dedicated student and made studying and schoolwork my top priority, but I was a mom now. Could I manage to excel in a master’s program and find a way to make time for homework, housework, and a bedtime story?

I found Fairleigh Dickinson University while searching for a program that would allow for me to take asynchronous classes in an online format. This way, I didn’t have to worry about finding child care or missing class on a sick day, but I could still place a major importance on my education. After the first week of classes, I knew I made the perfect decision.

This program has really reignited my excitement for learning. The curriculum is balanced so purposefully with coursework that is focused on promoting social justice and bringing about social change, with and on behalf of clients. And the faculty– I’m continuously impressed by their passion for teaching, their devotion to the field of social work, and the dedication they show to their students

I’m Megan Warshauer and I welcome you to come take a look around Fairleigh Dickinson University. I love it here, and I think you might, too.

Dr. Zakia Clay earned her Masters and Doctorate degree in Social Work from Rutgers University. In addition, she completed her undergraduate studies at Kean University and obtained a Dual Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Dr. Clay also holds a certificate in Clinical Supervision, Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI), and Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Dr. Clay’s practice experience includes community mental health, crisis services, and private practice. She has also provided training and consultation services to community providers and mental health authorities. Dr. Clay began working in academia full time in 2012. She aims to cultivate collaborative learning communities where respectful dialogue, active learning, critical thinking, and reflection can take place.

Dr. Clay can be reached at zakiaclay@fdu.edu.

Dr. Bucchio was the founding program director and is currently an associate professor for FDU’s MSW program. He obtained his PhD in 2012 and a Master’s in Social Work in 2009 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Dr. Bucchio’s research interests include: Child Welfare & LGBT Foster Youth, International Social Work, Online Education, and Interdisciplinary Education and Practice. Dr. Bucchio has taught across MSW and BSW curricula, and is experienced with programmatic accreditation processes.

Dr. Bucchio can be reached at jbucchio@fdu.edu

Dr. Cole’s research agenda is focused on youth and young adult mental health including trauma and experiences with community violence, mental health services research, implementation science, and suicide prevention. She was a co-investigator for the National Institute of Mental Health grant examining the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a virtual training program to improve clinicians’ skills in suicide prevention. Beyond her teaching and research, she has over 12 years of clinical practice experience providing crisis services in a hospital setting, home-based foster care services, and therapy to youth, adults, as well as families.

Dr. Cole can be reached at a.cole@fdu.edu

Ayana DaSilva is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 20 years of invaluable experience in the field of Social Work. For over a decade, Ayana has served in private practice.

In addition to her work in private practice, Ayana has contributed her expertise to academia, serving as an adjunct professor at Monmouth University in the Political Science and Sociology Department. Her passion for teaching extended to her role in counseling and crisis intervention at William Paterson University.

Ayana’s clinical expertise spans across the micro and mezzo levels of Social Work, focusing on trauma and interpersonal relationships with a culturally sensitive approach.

With a profound appreciation for the transformative power of education, Ayana is grateful and excited to embark on a new chapter by joining the FDU/MSW program to contribute to the rich legacy of Social Work and to empower future generations of change-makers.

Dr. DaSilva can be reached at a.dasilva@fdu.edu

Dr. Kaiser has a passion for connecting social work instruction with engaged community research. In her career thus far, she has used her scholarly research and professional skills to enrich her approaches to teaching and developing pedagogical strategies. After earning her MSW, she worked as a researcher and development worker for a few years, conducting macro-level research on both structural barriers to providing services to disadvantaged children and adults in society. She has lived and worked in different countries among diverse populations, and feels these experiences have added a rich perspective to her own learning and academic practice. Additionally, the opportunity to work with and live within diverse global communities has instilled in her a deep appreciation for understanding the value of cultural competence and a dedication to teaching this important aspect of social work to students.

Dr. Kaiser can be reached at elma_kaiser@fdu.edu

Dr. Kwon earned her BSW from Loyola University Chicago, her MSW from Columbia University, and her PhD from Seoul National University. Her research is focused on poverty, socioeconomic disparities in health, health policy, health insurance, health and well-being, and life-course perspective.

Dr. Kwon can be reached at ekwon@fdu.edu

Tiffany Timberman (she/her), a Licensed Social Worker and Certified School Social Worker, earned her Doctor of Social Work at Simmons University, where her studies focused on anti-racist/oppressive practice and social justice in leadership, teaching, and advanced clinical practice. Her research and practice examine oppression and racism within K–12 education, critically analyzing the intricacies of educational trauma and its influence on identity development and life course outcomes. Her teaching, steeped in a philosophy of authentic and inclusive learning, encourages students to explore and solidify their social work identity amidst broader societal issues.

Dr. Timberman earned her MSW and BSW degrees from Stockton University. She has worked in short-term residential, transitional living, therapeutic group homes, and as an adolescent specialist with CPS before earning her MSW. Following the completion of her Master’s degree, Tiffany worked as a school social worker before transitioning to providing training to school districts on trauma-informed care and its application in K–12 learning spaces.

Dr. Timberman can be reached at t.timberman@fdu.edu.

Nicole Zmuda, PhD, LCSW, is an assistant professor of social work at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has a master’s in social work from Marywood University and a PhD in Human Sexuality from Widener University. She is also a licensed clinical social worker, with over 15 years of experience in the treatment of substance use disorders. Her research interests focus on the psychological and social influences on sexual behavior and intimate relationships, particularly within marginalized communities.

Dr. Zmuda can be reached at n.zmuda@fdu.edu.