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The objectives of the program are to increase the numbers of graduate level supervisors in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and to expand the professional skill levels of its work force. The program also aims to stabilize the workforce by retaining quality staff. DCF hopes to enable staff with a strong commitment to New Jersey’s vulnerable children and families to obtain their MSW and to contribute to the continual improvement of the state’s public child welfare system. This program provides opportunities for supervisors, in particular casework supervisors, to broaden their perspectives on social work and child welfare, develop advanced clinical skills and enhance their supervisory skills. Please note that students admitted to the program must attend all scheduled classes, even if they occur on a state holiday. Students do not receive comp time for attending classes. 

For 12 years, DCF has worked in collaboration with ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ and other university consortia partners to offer the Masters Child Welfare Education Program (MCWEP). 

Recently, like many states and industries, DCF is experiencing a workforce challenge that requires them to align resources with priorities that address recruitment and retention not just in DCP&P, but across DCF’s divisions, offices and units of 6,600 staff.  To do so, they will be reviewing the use of their funding and looking for opportunities to retool or revamp the funding in ways that broaden its scope and make it more inclusive.  We will take some time to research various models across state government and to solicit feedback from our Employee Council. The MCWEP program will begin to sunset and no longer accept new students into the program.

Upon graduation, MCWEP graduates are required to work for a period of one year for each year of financial support put forth toward the degree.

If you are not able to fulfill the commitment, you are liable to repay DCF for all educational costs incurred on your behalf during the time you were a student.

If you drop out of the program before you complete the degree, you will need to repay DCF for all educational costs incurred toward the degree.

You will be required to take a leave from the program, as DCF is unable to support your education during your leave. You must discuss your situation with the MCWEP Director and your faculty advisor at the university, who can help you plan. Enrollment in the program is a serious commitment, and students should consider their ability to make a commitment to study for the duration of the program before accepting admission and during the application process. The program concentrations are designed in such a way to enable you to continue your employee while pursuing a degree, but are tight and missing part of the program can delay your completion of the program.

The best preparation is to spend some time thinking about your goals and expectations and to consider how graduate education can fit into your present life. Ask yourself the following questions:  Am I ready for graduate school? How will I balance my work, personal life and graduate study? Do family members and other important people in my life support my plans? Do I have the support of my workplace? What do I want to get out of an MSW degree?