(Updated info for the 2025-26 program will be available in early 2025 and will also include guidelines for HCWEC Award Recipients completing their Generalist year.)

HCWEC Award Recipients are (1) full-time or part-time students completing their Child and Family (C&F) Specialization year, who (2) commit to post-graduate employment with the State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Human Services, Social Services Division, Child Welfare Services.

During their specialization year, HCWEC students must:
– Complete the curriculum outlined below.
– Maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA.
– Commit to 675 hours of field placement at Child Welfare Services.
– Have a driver’s license.

Please refer to the DSW website for detailed course descriptions.

Advanced Research Options – TBD with your advisor

SW 741 Review of Research in Social Work
SW 743 Individual or Group Research Project – Plan B 1st course of a two-semester research project
SW 744 Individual or Group Research Project – Plan B 2nd course of a two-semester research project
SW 746 Individual or Group Research Project – Plan B research project completed within one semester

Note: SW 650 is required as a prerequisite for advanced research options 

Approved electives for HCWEC Specialization Year

SW 663 Treatment of Chemical Dependency
SW 682 Marriage and Family Therapy
SW 737 Social Work and the Law
SW 744 Individual or Group Research (must be approved by HCWEC advisor)
SW 774 Cultural Factors in Work with Hawaiians
SW 680 Topics in Social Welfare [Rotating topics]
– Inside the DSM
– Introduction to Forensic Social Work
– Experiential Approaches to Work with Individuals and Groups
– Military and Veteran Culture for Social Work and Allied Professions
– Public Policies Affecting Practice with Older Adults
– Native Hawaiian Perspectives: A Cultural Context for Well-Being
– Ke A`o Mau: Growing the Social Work and Health Workforce
– Residential Treatment for Children and Adolescents

Elective course offerings may vary each semester. You will need to review courses offered per semester by going to University of Hawaii at Manoa – Class Availability.