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
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses 1 | ||
| HRPR 5001 | Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions 2 | 0 |
| SSWG 5003 | Foundations in Social Work Research | 3 |
| SSWG 5005 | Social Welfare Policies and Services I | 3 |
| SSWG 5006 | Social Welfare Policies and Services II | 3 |
| SSWG 5007 | Deconstructing White Supremacy in Social Work | 3 |
| SSWG 5101 | Theory-Informed Direct Practice I: Individuals, Families, and Groups | 3 |
| SSWG 5102 | Theory-Informed Direct Practice II: Individuals, Families, and Groups | 3 |
| SSWG 5103 | Theory-Informed Macro Practice I: Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 3 |
| SSWG 5104 | Theory-Informed Macro Practice II: Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 3 |
| SSWG 5187 | Foundation Field Practicum I | 3 |
| SSWG 5188 | Foundation Field Practicum II | 3 |
| Advanced Courses 3 | ||
| SSWG 8505 | Advanced Social Justice: Anti-Oppressive Social Work | 3 |
| Select one advanced policy course from the following: 4 | 3 | |
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 5 | 9 | |
| Field Practica | ||
| SSWG 8187 | Advanced Field Practicum I | 3 |
| SSWG 8188 | Advanced Field Practicum II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 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).