Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 60, including 30 in foundation coursework and 30 in advanced-level study

Required Courses:
Students are exposed to multiple methods of intervention through foundation coursework. The courses are generalist in nature, allowing students to become familiar with the breadth of social work. Courses cover content in social justice, social welfare policy, research methods, human behavior in the social environment, and social work practice.

Students then select from a range of advanced-level coursework that allows them to examine in greater depth a practice modality, i.e., a concentration. Each concentration requires 9 credits of practice/program evaluation courses and an advanced field placement. Two concentrations are offered:

  • Clinical Practice
  • Macro Practice
Foundation Courses 1
HRPR 5001Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions 20
SSWG 5003Foundations in Social Work Research3
SSWG 5005Social Welfare Policies and Services I3
SSWG 5006Social Welfare Policies and Services II3
SSWG 5007Deconstructing White Supremacy in Social Work3
SSWG 5101Theory-Informed Direct Practice I: Individuals, Families, and Groups3
SSWG 5102Theory-Informed Direct Practice II: Individuals, Families, and Groups3
SSWG 5103Theory-Informed Macro Practice I: Groups, Organizations, and Communities3
SSWG 5104Theory-Informed Macro Practice II: Groups, Organizations, and Communities3
SSWG 5187Foundation Field Practicum I3
SSWG 5188Foundation Field Practicum II3
Advanced Courses 3
SSWG 8505Advanced Social Justice: Anti-Oppressive Social Work3
Select one advanced policy course from the following: 43
SSWG 8307
Health/Mental Health Policy
SSWG 8407
Policy on Families and Children
SSWG 8607
Advanced Policy - Gender and Sexuality
Select courses for one concentration from the following:9
Clinical Practice Concentration, which requires these three 3-credit courses:
SSWG 8101
Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups I
SSWG 8102
Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups II
SSWG 8205
Evaluation of Clinical Practice
Macro Concentration, which requires these two 3-credit courses and a choice of three 1-credit practice courses:
SSWG 8107
Macro Practice in Organizational, Community and Policy Arenas
SSWG 8207
Social Work Research for Macro Practice
Choose three of the following 1-credit Macro practice courses:
SSWG 8108
SSWG 8109
Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
SSWG 8111
Advocacy in Social Work
SSWG 8112
Coalitions and Partnerships
SSWG 8113
Resource and Grant Development for Human Services
SSWG 8114
Supervision, Staff Management, and Staff Development in Human Service Organizations
SSWG 8115
Leadership in Human Service and Social Change Organizations
SSWG 8116
Community Organizing: In the US and Internationally
Electives 59
Field Practica
SSWG 8187Advanced Field Practicum I3
SSWG 8188Advanced Field Practicum II3
Total Credit Hours60
1

During the first week of the term of their initial entry into the MSW program, all incoming regular entry students have the opportunity to complete a test-out exam for the following courses: SSWG 5003, SSWG 5005, and SSWG 5006. Students who earn a score of 80% or higher on a test-out exam are not required to complete the associated required course, but are required to successfully complete 3 credits of electives in place of each required course. That is to say, all regular entry MSW students are required to successfully complete 60 credits of coursework, even if they test out of any required course(s), to earn the degree.

2

This common College Core course is required of all incoming graduate students in the College of Public Health. It is available completely online and designed such that students can complete the modules at their own pace over the course of their degree program.

3

Unless transfer credits fulfill them, 30 credits of advanced-level courses are required. A portion of these 30 credits are earned in the advanced field practicum experiences described under "Internship" below.

4

With advanced review and approval from the MSW Program Director, students may take an advanced policy course outside of the School of Social Work.

5

With advanced review and approval from the MSW Program Director, students may take electives outside of the School of Social Work and/or independent study courses to fulfill the electives requirement.

Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses: B-

Culminating Event: 

Internship: 
Two internships are required in the form of a practicum, which is an essential part of Social Work studies and is deliberately linked in an integral way with classroom learning. The practicum occurs concurrently with Social Work practice courses or can be taken as a block placement in the Summer sessions. (At this time, block placements are available only to campus-based students, not online students.  Additionally, employment-based placements are not eligible for the Summer Block schedule.) In order to ensure a quality learning experience for students, the Practicum Office is responsible for working with students to arrange and oversee practica. Students employed in social service settings may undertake their practicum at their place of employment, but field placement activities must be substantially different than job duties. Because of accreditation and MSW curriculum requirements, students must have appropriate learning experiences and supervision; therefore, they should plan on allocating at least one full day during the regular work week to the practica. 

The first practicum, taken as part of the foundation curriculum, focuses on developing proficiency in generalist practice/basic Social Work skills. This includes learning to engage and assess a range of clients, including individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Students learn to identify issues, needs, resources and strengths. They also acquire skills in planning, communication, supervision and consultation as well as intervention, cultural competence, evidence-based practice and evaluation. This two-term practicum requires a minimum of 450 hours (usually 2.5 days per week). 

With the second practicum, taken as part of the advanced curriculum, students develop expertise in their chosen concentration. This practicum allows for in-depth development of skills and application of theory and concepts, exploration of ethical challenges, and continued cultural competency. This two-term practicum requires a minimum of 600 hours (usually three days per week).