Eligibility and Requirements

Please carefully read the requirements before
agreeing to participate in the Title IV-E Program.

Eligibility
(Required of ALL Applicants)

• Applicant MUST be admitted into the Sacramento State, Division of Social Work, Master of Social Work program in either the:

• Full Time program (two year)
• Three Year program and MUST already be an employee of a California County Child Welfare Agency
• Advanced Placement program (one year)
• Currently an MSW I student within Sacramento State, Division of Social Work

• Applicant MUST have a valid California driver’s license and maintain it throughout the program.

• Applicant MUST secure the use of a car for fieldwork and provide proof of automobile liability insurance and current registration during the course of the program.

• Applicant MUST take and pass a criminal background check for felonies and misdemeanors through the Department of Justice.

• Applicant MUST provide documentation of US citizenship or eligibility for employment in the State of California.

• Full-time program applicants who are employees of any County Department of Social Services MUST take an educational leave of absence AND have a letter of approval from their agency director (see enclosed Agency Letter of Support). County Employees - An AgencyLetter of Support is needed for each year in the program.

• Applicant MUST have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college (B.A., B.S., or B.S.W.) or will have one by August 2006.

• Students participating in the stipend program are NOT permitted to pursue The Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC).

• Applicant MUST have completed all academic prerequisites for the graduate program including: statistics, biology, and the passage of the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) by August 2006.

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General Requirements
(Upon Acceptance)  

• All MSW study must be completed in the Sacramento State, Division of Social Work program.

• Students must enroll in and successfully complete the Public Child Welfare Practice course (SW 213), and the Advanced Child and Family Policy course (SW 258).

• Students must attain a minimum level of mastery in each of the identified competencies of child welfare practice.

• Once awarded the stipend, students must maintain academic eligibility by maintaining a 3.0 GPA, completing all courses, and advancing to candidacy in a timely manner.*

• Students must complete the first year of fieldwork in a Public Child Welfare Agency or non-profit agency, which serves Title IV-E population.

• Students must complete the second year of fieldwork in a County Department of Social Services (DSS) Child Welfare unit. (e.g. Emergency Response, Court Investigations, Family Maintenance, Family Reunification, Family Preservation, Long Term Placement, or Adoptions)

• All Title IV-E students are required to attend and participate in four to eight Field Integration specially designed for the program seminars in both the 1 st and 2 nd year of the program. If in the Three Year program, field seminar is required in the 2 nd and 3 rd year of the program.

• Students must complete the Full-time program within two years and the Three Year program within three years. Advanced Placement and MSW II within one year.

• Students must meet the legal residency requirement.

• Students must complete the field and seminar requirements.

*Note: If a student becomes academically ineligible or decides to separate from the program, he/she will lose the stipend. If he/she is in the Three Year program they will lose reimbursement support. As a result, the student will be required to repay the cost of all financial support received with an interest at 10% per annum.

Contact Person: Dr. Sylvester Bowie

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