Masters Child Welfare Education Program
The Masters Child Welfare Education Program (MCWEP) is a partnership among the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and a consortium
of four New Jersey MSW programs— Monmouth University, Ramapo College, Rutgers University,
and ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ. Expanding on the Baccalaureate Child Welfare Education Program
with ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ as the consortium’s Lead Institution, its purpose is to offer
current Department of Children and Families supervisors the opportunity to strengthen
their skills in clinical social work practice and supervision, obtain an advanced
credential in social work (MSW), and ultimately to enhance the capacity of the Department
to deliver the highest quality services to the vulnerable children and families that
it serves.
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, DCF will be reviewing the use of our title IVE training dollars 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 has began to sunset and there will be no new students enrolled in the program. Current students continue to be supported throughout the duration of their MSW journey across these next three fiscal years.
Lead Institution: ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ Social Work Program
Participating Institutions: Monmouth University School of Social Work, Ramapo College Social Work Program, Rutgers University School of Social Work
Partnering Organizations: State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families, New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers
MCWEP Program Structure:
The program consists of three components:
- Enrollment in one of four New Jersey part-time MSW programs
- Traditional MSW Program, for individuals with a bachelor’s degree with a major other than social work
- Requires 60 credits of coursework, including 900-1125 hours of supervised field experience in an approved agency or institution
- Advanced Standing MSW Program, for selected individuals who have completed a degree with a major in social work
- Requires 30-39 credits of coursework, including 500-885 hours of supervised field experience in an approved agency or institution
- Traditional MSW Program, for individuals with a bachelor’s degree with a major other than social work
- Participation in the MCWEP Learning Community
- Consisting of quarterly face-to-face seminars involving all enrolled MCWEP students
- Enrollment in MCWEP Electives
- Leadership and Supervision in Child Welfare (to develop leadership skills and skills in providing clinical supervision to child welfare workers, including helping workers to develop the skills essential to planning and running successful family team meetings and working effectively with community resources)
- Trauma-Informed Child Welfare Practice (to develop knowledge and skills needed for working effectively with children and families that have experienced trauma as well as with child welfare workers exposed to secondary trauma)
