Master of Social Work
Mission and Goals
The mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program is to prepare students for advanced clinical social work practice that promotes human and social well-being and advances social justice. Graduates are expected to become culturally competent and effective practitioners with professional values, evidence-based knowledge, and skills relevant to their local and global communities.
The Advanced Practice Specialization is Advanced Clinical Practice or Forensic Social Work Practice.
Derived from the program mission, the goals of the Master of Social Work Program are to prepare students:
- To develop an identity that will incorporate the values, principles, and ethics of the social work profession.
- To develop practice skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, applying evidence-based knowledge.
- To develop critical thinking skills based on scientific inquiry and research-informed practice.
- To work with diverse, vulnerable, oppressed, and disadvantaged populations locally and globally.
- To advance global human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
- To gain expertise in clinically focused practice with an emphasis on children and families and forensic social work.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Engage diversity and difference in practice.
- Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants can be admitted to the MSW Program with Advanced Standing if they have earned a BSW/BASW from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited BSW/BASW program within the previous 7 years and have substantial post-BSW/BASW social work practice experience. With Advanced Standing, students can complete the MSW degree in 34 credits. All other students must complete 63 credits in order to earn the MSW degree.
Most applicants are admitted for the Fall semester. However, because applicants with Advanced Standing admission have established foundational social work competency, they may be admitted for the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. Applicants for Advanced Standing admission should indicate which semester they intend to begin the MSW program.
All MSW applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4-point scale), have earned an undergraduate degree prior to MSW enrollment, and submit all required application materials to the Graduate School. The MSW Admissions Committee reviews and approves all applications. Official admission is granted by the Graduate School.
Standard Admissions
Students who are admitted to the program without a recent BSW/BASW degree complete the following required courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SOWK 5501 | Foundations of Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 5510 | Human Behavior Theory and Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| SOWK 5515 | Research in Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 5520 | Direct Practice with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SOWK 5550 | Direct Practice with Groups | 3 |
| SOWK 5571 | Social Justice, Advocacy, and Policy Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 5576 | Field Practicum I | 3 |
| SOWK 5577 | Field Seminar I | 1 |
| SOWK 5578 | Field Practicum II | 3 |
| SOWK 5579 | Field Seminar II | 1 |
| SOWK 5594 | Practice Interventions with Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SOWK 6615 | Applied Research for Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 6620 | Advanced Practice Interventions and Comparative Theories | 3 |
| SOWK 6625 | Evaluation of Mental Disorders and Strengths-Based Assessment | 3 |
| SOWK 6635 | Diversity in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 6671 | Advanced Policy Practice and Advocacy | 3 |
| SOWK 6676 | Field Practicum III | 4 |
| SOWK 6677 | Field Seminar III | 1 |
| SOWK 6678 | Field Practicum IV | 4 |
| SOWK 6679 | Field Seminar IV | 1 |
| Elective Courses | 9 | |
| 5500- or 6600-level Social Work electives or other University graduate courses as approved by the MSW Program Director | ||
| Total Credits: | 63 | |
Advanced Standing Admissions
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SOWK 6615 | Applied Research for Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 6620 | Advanced Practice Interventions and Comparative Theories | 3 |
| SOWK 6625 | Evaluation of Mental Disorders and Strengths-Based Assessment | 3 |
| SOWK 6635 | Diversity in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 6671 | Advanced Policy Practice and Advocacy | 3 |
| SOWK 6676 | Field Practicum III | 4 |
| SOWK 6677 | Field Seminar III | 1 |
| SOWK 6678 | Field Practicum IV | 4 |
| SOWK 6679 | Field Seminar IV | 1 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| 5500- or 6600-level Social Work electives or other University graduate courses as approved by the MSW Program Director | 9 | |
| Total Credits: | 34 | |
Electives
All MSW students complete 9 approved elective credits relevant to Advanced Clinical Practice. Elective courses tend to emphasize practice with children and families and forensic social work. These courses ensure that MSW students gain expertise in clinical practice knowledge and skills. Students may take electives in other related disciplines with approval of the MSW Program Director.