Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) – Healthcare Social Work Specialization
Program Objectives
The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) in Medical Social Work is designed to deepen the professional and academic expertise of social workers within the healthcare system. The program features an integrative approach, bridging theory, research, and practice. Students will develop advanced clinical, managerial, and research skills while gaining a systemic perspective on the intersection of physical health, mental health, and social well-being.
Curriculum
The program offers two distinct tracks, allowing students to tailor their education to their professional aspirations and areas of interest.
Degree Tracks:
- Research Track (With Thesis – 30 + 8 Credits): This track focuses on developing advanced research capabilities and independent inquiry. Students engage in high-level theoretical and methodological coursework, acquiring the tools to collect and analyze data and apply scientific knowledge to the field of medical social work. The program culminates in a Master’s thesis supervised by a faculty member.
- Applied Track (Non-Thesis – 40 Credits): This track emphasizes the expansion of clinical expertise, management skills, and innovation within health and social services. Students take advanced courses in mental health, physical health, and trauma, focusing on intervention skills and evidence-based practice. The program culminates in a final capstone project.
Both tracks include core requirements, elective courses, specialized seminars, methodology training, and a clinical practicum.
Following the first year of study, students in both tracks choose one of three clusters as their primary area of focus:
- Physical Health Cluster: Focuses on social work within general healthcare systems, medical rehabilitation, and chronic illness. Students explore the processes of coping with illness, recovery, and end-of-life care.
- Mental Health Cluster: Focuses on supporting individuals with psychiatric challenges, their families, and their communities. Emphasis is placed on rehabilitation, recovery, and psychological resilience.
- Trauma Cluster: Focuses on understanding personal and collective traumatic processes. This includes clinical and community-based work with trauma casualties and the development of culturally sensitive, context-aware interventions.
Selecting a cluster allows students to build a personalized academic path based on their individual interests, while maintaining a shared foundation of theoretical and integrative core studies. The program combines theory, research and application while encouraging systemic thinking, reflective practice, and immersive professional experience in the field.
Program Structure
The curriculum spans two academic years and consists of core requirements, electives, seminars, and a clinical practicum.
- Year One: Focuses on foundational coursework shared by all students. This year covers the core knowledge pillars of medical social work, research principles, and fundamental issues in healthcare.
- Year Two: The students advance to their chosen Cluster (Physical Health, Mental Health, or Trauma). This year features advanced clinical and applied courses, culminating in either a Master’s thesis or a final capstone project.
Our Faculty
The program is taught by a distinguished team of academics and senior field experts, including researchers, social workers, and psychologists with extensive experience in healthcare, clinical treatment, and rehabilitation systems.
Our faculty bridges the gap between advanced research and frontline professional practice, providing students with personalized mentorship throughout their studies. The teaching philosophy is rooted in interactive and dialogic learning, blending theoretical knowledge with professional application through case studies, clinical experience, and the cultivation of critical thinking and reflective practice.
Why Choose This Program?
The Medical Social Work program at Ashkelon Academic College is a pioneering trailblazer — the first of its kind in Israel. It was established in response to the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape and the growing recognition that in recent decades, and in particular today, medical, mental health, and national security challenges increasingly require specialized healthcare social workers.
Program Highlights:
- The Biopsychosocial Approach: We view human health as an integrated result of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors.
- Interdisciplinary Leadership: We prepare social workers to serve as vital links between body, mind, and society, operating effectively within multi-disciplinary teams in both community and hospital settings.
- Systemic Vision: The curriculum emphasizes multi-system collaboration with medical and psychosocial teams, fostering the research skills and clinical leadership necessary to drive excellence in the healthcare and welfare systems.
