Skip to Main Content

Social Work, MSW Program Handbook

Subpages

Introduction

Welcome to Stockton University’s MSW Program! Stockton’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares social workers for specialized practice with marginalized populations using a social justice lens. Graduates from this program receive a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree and are prepared to assume professional positions in social service agencies, institutions, health facilities, and other organizations. With the value base, knowledge, and skills they obtain through their studies, they are prepared to work with marginalized populations using a social justice lens in areas of social work practice such as advocacy, aging, child welfare, families and children, healthcare, substance use, or behavioral healthcare. For those who choose to pursue an elective track in Clinical Social Work, Stockton’s MSW program prepares graduates for direct clinical practice.

We wish you success as you work towards your educational and career goals, and we look forward to getting to know you. In addition to developing a familiarity with the contents of this handbook, you need to consult regularly with your Advisor/Preceptor to assure that you are making satisfactory progress towards your degree.

Stockton University

Stockton University is a coeducational, undergraduate and graduate university of arts, sciences, and professional studies. Stockton is the southernmost and the youngest member in New Jersey's state-wide, state-supported system of higher education. Administratively, there are seven major academic units (Schools): Arts and Humanities (ARHU), Business (BUSN), Education (EDUC), Health Sciences (HLTH), Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NAMS), Social and Behavioral Sciences (SOBL), and General Studies (GENS).

Administration - Contact Information

The MSW Program is one component of Stockton’s Social Work Program, which is composed of baccalaureate and master’s level programs. The MSW is administratively part of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SOBL) and is headed by an MSW Program Chair.

Emergency Closings

In the event of severe weather or other types of emergencies, check the university’s web site for information on class cancellations. Area radio stations may also announce the status of the university. The school identification number is 913, or 2913 for evening classes.

Students can also subscribe to Stockton’s Emergency Text-Messaging Notification System. All students can now “opt in” to the University’s new emergency text-messaging system, which enables a limited number of campus administrators to send urgent text messages to subscribers’ cell phones in the event of an emergency. For more information and to subscribe for the text alerts, please refer to the Inclement Weather Procedures listed on Stockton’s Emergency Management website.

Accreditation

Stockton University's Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Program was initially accredited in 2012, retroactive to 2009. It has remained accredited since 2012, and in 2024 was reaffirmed through 2032.

Faculty

  • Robert J. Barney, Associate Professor of Social Work

    Ph.D. (University of Louisville), MSW (University of Kentucky), B.A. (Asbury University)

    International social work, family and community development, cultural competence, HIV/AIDS, research practice, human rights, disasters.

  • Guia Calicdan-Apostle, Associate Professor of Social Work

    DSW (University of Pennsylvania), MSSW (Asian Social Institute, Philippines), BSSW (Philippine Women's University)

    Clinical social work practice, cultural competence, spirituality in mental health, public health intervention and advocacy (tobacco control), race, ethnicity, and diversity issues.

  • Zan Haggerty, Assistant Professor of Social Work

    DSW (Rutgers University) LCSW

    Anti-oppressive clinical practice, identity affirming mental and medical health, group-based program development, emerging adult mental health, and chronic suicidality.

  • Robin Hernandez-Mekonnen, Professor of Social Work

    Ph.D., MSW (University of Pennsylvania), B.A. (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

    Social work with children and families, impacting social and child welfare system reform via research and policy, immigration, trauma, abolition, childhood adversity, child well-being, and mixed- methods research.

  • Loretta Mooney, Associate Professor of Social Work

    Ph.D. (Widener University), MSW (University of Maryland at Baltimore), BSW (LaSalle University)

    Suicidology, mental health management and recovery, civil commitment and coercive practices, support for psychological pain.

  • Ian Zapcic, Assistant Professor of Social Work

    Ph.D. (The Ohio State University), MSW (Rutgers University), BA (Ramapo College)

    Internet technologies and social work, macro-level social work and policy practice, relationship and dating violence, online identity development.

Professor Emerita

  • Diane S. Falk, Professor Emeritus of Social Work

    Ph.D. (Rutgers University), MSW (University of Pennsylvania), M.A., B.A. (University of Chicago), LCSW

    Social work practice, program development and administration, child welfare, mental health practice and policy, human rights, international social work.

Professional Staff

  • Jeffrey A. Feldman, Coordinator of Social Work (MSW) Practicum Education

    MSW (Rutgers University), B.S., (University of New Hampshire)

    Diverse populations, methods of practicum education, policy and legislation, advocacy, social work ethics.

  • Dawn Konrady Fanslau, Director, Child Welfare Education Institute

    EdD (Drexel University), MSW (Stockton University), MBA (The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey), MA (La Salle University), BS (Susquehanna University)

    Social work with children and families, impacting social and child welfare system reform via training, continuing education, and professional development.

  • Lori Tomaro, Assistant Coordinator of Social Work (MSW) Practicum Education

    MSW (Monmouth University), BSW (The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey)

    Child abuse and neglect; impact of infant/childhood relationship traumas and their influence on parenting behaviors; diverse populations; therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families.

Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination

Stockton University is an equal opportunity university. It does not discriminate in admissions or access to its programs and activities or in treatment or employment on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, marital status, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or nationality. Stockton University is committed to providing every student with an environment free from discrimination or harassment. Under this policy, discrimination/harassment based upon the following protected categories are prohibited and will not be tolerated: race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy), marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or disability. The Social Work Program is fully and enthusiastically committed to all the above.