MSW Program Notes

  • All incoming students must complete the prerequisite A Brief History of Oppression and Resistance. This self-paced online course takes approximately 15-30 hours, is accessed through Blackboard, and should be completed before the first day of classes.
  • The 60-credit MSW degree must be earned within four years of initial registration. Advanced Standing students must earn the MSW within two years of initial registration, provided the degree is awarded within five years from the baccalaureate graduation.
  • To comply with the University’s academic residency requirement, students must complete at least two consecutive semesters (i.e., fall-spring or spring-fall) and be registered for at least 9 credits during each of those semesters.
  • Students may register for a maximum of 16 credits (each fall or spring semester).
  • Students must register for a minimum of 6 credits (each fall or spring semester).
  • Foundation courses must be completed before students may enter advanced field practicum.
  • Most students take a methods course concurrently with field practicum. Foundation methods courses are SOWK 630 and 631 to accompany SOWK 635, and 632 to accompany SOWK 636. Advanced methods courses begin with SWCL or SWOA. The advanced methods courses must be appropriate for the primary concentration (Clinical or Leadership, Policy, & Social Change).
  • No course may be taken without having received credit for any courses identified as a pre-requisite for that particular course.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation and a “P” (Pass) for all field courses.
  • All students must allocate time to complete field practicum requirements.
FOUNDATION CURRICULUM [27 CREDITS]

The 27-credit Foundation Curriculum provides educational and skills development in the values, concepts, and processes that are the core of social work practice. Coursework in human behavior and the social environment, social work practice, social policy, structural oppression, and research helps students develop a problem-solving framework with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Students also complete a two-semester field practicum, taken two days a week, in a social service placement where, with the help of a field instructor, they engage in carefully supervised and progressively more responsible social work practice. In the second semester, students may take one advanced courses for which the prerequisites are met.

The goal of the Foundation Curriculum is to provide students with a sound, broad base for future practice in any concentration and specialization. 

For a downloadable version, click here: Foundation Requirements

FOUNDATION CURRICULUM & CREDITS

SOWK 600 - Social Welfare and Social Policy - 3

SOWK 610 - Structural Oppression and its Implications for Social Work - 3

SOWK 630 - Social Work Practice with Individuals (taken with SOWK 635) - 3

SOWK 631 - Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations (taken with SOWK 635) - 3

SOWK 632 - Social Work Practice with Groups and Families (taken with SOWK 636) - 3

SOWK 635 - Foundation Field Practicum & Seminar I- 3

SOWK 636 - Foundation Field Practicum & Seminar II - 3

SOWK 645 - Human Behavior & the Social Environment - 3

SOWK 670 - Social Work Research - 3

 

Advanced Curriculum [ 33-36 Credits]

PROGRESSION TO ADVANCED CURRICULUM

A student must complete the Foundation Curriculum with a 3.0 grade point average (grade of “B”) to enroll in advanced field practicum. All students are encouraged to communicate with an academic advisor and develop an educational plan in order to meet the academic requirements and complete the program in the prescribed timeframe.

Students must select a one of the following concentrations: 1) clinical, 2) leadership, policy, and social change, or 3) dual concentration for their advanced year of study. Students must take an advanced policy course and four methods courses in the same concentration. 

**Faculty continue to revise the clinical and leadership, policy, & social change courses. Advanced courses for 2024-2025 will be finalized by May 1.

Advanced Clinical And Clinical/Leadership, Policy, & Social Change Requirements - 60 Credit Foundation Program

For a downloadable version click here:  Advanced Curriculum Requirements - 60 Credit Foundation Program

Advanced Clinical Concentration Requirements - 60 Credit Foundation Program

  • Any Advanced Policy Course - 3 Credits
  • SWCL 700: Advanced Clinical Interventions - 3 Credits
  • SWCL 744: Psychopathology - 3 Credits
  • Two SWCL Methods Courses (Any Course with SWCL prefix) - 3 Credits Each
  • Two Electives (Any 700 Level Course or SOWK 699 Course) - 3 Credits Each
  • SWCL 794: Advanced Clinical Practicum I - 6 Credits
  • SWCL 795: Advanced Clinical Practicum II - 6 Credits

Advanced Clinical/Leadership, Policy, & Social Change Concentration Requirements - 60 Credit Foundation Program

  • Any Advanced Policy Course - 3 Credits
  • SWCL 700: Advanced Clinical Interventions - 3 Credits
  • SWCL 744: Psychopathology - 3 Credits
  • Two SWCL Methods Courses (Any Course with SWCL prefix) - 3 Credits Each
  • Pick One: SWOA 703, SWOA 704, or SWOA 707 - 3 Credits
  • One SWOA Methods Course (Any Course with SWOA prefix) - 3 Credits
  • SWCL 794: Advanced Clinical Practicum I - 6 Credits
  • SWCL 795: Advanced Clinical Practicum II - 6 Credits
Advanced Leadership, Policy, & Social Change and Leadership, Policy, & Social Change/Clinical Requirements - 60 Credit Foundation Program

For a downloadable version, click here: Advanced Curriculum Requirements - 60 Credit Foundation Program

Advanced Leadership, Policy, & Social Change Concentration Requirements - 60 Credit Foundation Program (33 Required Advanced Credits)

  • Any Advanced Policy Course - 3 Credits
  • Choose One: SWOA 703, SWOA 704, or SWOA 707 - 3 Credits
  • Three SWOA Methods Courses (Any Course with a SWOA Prefix) - 3 Credits Each
  • Two 3 Credit Electives (Any 700 level course or SOWK 699) - 3 Credits Each
  • SWOA 794: Advanced Macro Practicum I - 6 Credits
  • SWOA 795: Advanced Macro Practicum II - 6 Credits

Advanced Leadership, Policy, & Social Change/Clinical Concentration Requirements - 60 Credit Foundation Program (33 Required Advanced Credits)

  • Any Advanced Policy Course - 3 Credits
  • Choose One: SWOA 703, SWOA 704, or SWOA 707 - 3 Credits
  • Three Macro Methods Courses (Any Course with a SWOA Prefix) - 3 Credits Each
  • Choose One: SWCL 700 or SWCL 744 - 3 Credits
  • One Clinical Methods Course (Any Course with an SWCL Prefix) - 3 Credits
  • SWOA 794: Advanced Macro Practicum I - 6 Credits
  • SWOA 795: Advanced Macro Practicum II - 6 Credits

Advanced Standing Requirements (36 Credits)

Advanced Standing Clinical and Clinical/Leadership, Policy, & Social Change Requirements (36 Credits)

Advanced Standing Clinical Concentration Requirements (36 Credits)

For a downloadable version, click here: Advanced Standing Curriculum Requirements

  • SWCL 700: Advanced Clinical Interventions - 3 Credits
  • SWCL 744: Psychopathology - 3 Credits 
  • Any Advanced Policy Course - 3 Credits
  • Two Clinical Method Courses (Any course with an SWCL prefix) - 3 Credits Each
  • Three Electives (Any 700 level course or SOWK 699) - 3 Credits Each
  • SWCL 794: Advanced Field Practicum I - 6 Credits
  • SWCL 795: Advanced Field Practicum II - 6 Credits

Advanced Standing Clinical/Leadership, Policy, & Social Change Concentration Requirements (36 Credits)

For a downloadable version, click here: Advanced Standing Curriculum Requirements

  • SWCL 700: Advanced Clinical Interventions - 3 Credits
  • SWCL 744: Psychopathology - 3 Credits 
  • Any Advanced Policy Course - 3 Credits
  • Two Clinical Method Courses (Any course with an SWCL prefix) - 3 Credits Each
  • One Elective (Any 700 level course or SOWK 699) - 3 Credits 
  • Choose One: SWOA 703, SWOA 704, or SWOA 707 - 3 Credits
  • One Macro Methods Course (Any course with an SWOA prefix) - 3 Credits
  • SWCL 794: Advanced Field Practicum I - 6 Credits
  • SWCL 795: Advanced Field Practicum II - 6 Credits
Advanced Standing Leadership, Policy, & Social Change and Leadership, Policy, & Social Change/Clinical Requirements (36 Credits)

Advanced Standing Clinical/Leadership, Policy, & Social Change Concentration Requirements (36 Credits)

For a downloadable version, click here: Advanced Standing Curriculum Requirements

  • Pick One: SWOA 703, 704 or 707 - 3 Credits
  • Three Macro Methods Courses (Any Course with an SWOA Prefix) - 3 Credits Each
  • Any Advanced Policy Course - 3 Credits
  • Three Electives (Any 700 level course or SOWK 699) - 3 Credits Each
  • SWCL 794: Advanced Field Practicum I - 6 Credits
  • SWCL 795: Advanced Field Practicum II - 6 Credits

Advanced Standing Leadership, Policy, & Social Change/Clinical Concentration Requirements (36 Credits)

For a downloadable version, click here: Advanced Standing Curriculum Requirements

  • Pick One: SWOA 703, 704 or 707 - 3 Credits
  • Three Macro Methods Courses (Any Course with an SWOA Prefix) - 3 Credits Each
  • Any Advanced Policy Course - 3 Credits
  • Choose One: SWCL 700 or SWCL 744 - 3 credits
  • One Clinical Methods Course (Any Course with an SWCL prefix) - 3 Credits
  • One Elective (Any 700 level course or SOWK 699) - 3 Credits
  • SWOA 794: Advanced Field Practicum I - 6 Credits
  • SWOA 795: Advanced Field Practicum II - 6 Credits

Ready to be a Changemaker?