MSW Cohort

What is a cohort?

A cohort is a group of students that start together at the same time, complete a sequence of prescribed courses each semester, and graduate the program together. The purpose, broadly speaking, of cohort groups is to encourage a more dynamic, collaborative, and supportive learning environment to carry students through their program. Students in cohorts receive priority placement with course offerings. If there are not enough students registered for a particular cohort, students may be asked to move to another cohort or matriculate without being in a cohort. Although there are numerous benefits to being in a cohort, students are not required to choose a cohort. You can also choose to complete the MSW program as a non-cohort/regular matriculation.

Degree Requirements

The program leading to the degree of Master of Social Work covers a minimum of four semesters for full-time students and requires the completion of 61 semester hours of graduate work including class and field instruction, as well as thesis or integrative seminar.

In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, each graduate student in the social work program must

  1. Maintain at least a B (3.0) overall GPA in all coursework;
  2. Demonstrate suitability for professional social work practice;
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers and, if licensed in Texas, the Code of Ethics as currently published by the Texas Council for Social Work Examiners.

Advanced Standing

An applicant who has earned an undergraduate degree in social work from a Council of Social Work Education accredited BSW program within six years of their planned start date of graduate study and whose GPA is 3.0 or greater in the approximately last 60 hours of undergraduate work, will be considered for Advanced Standing into the graduate program. Students who are granted Advanced Standing status complete 38 semester credit hours of coursework to earn the MSW degree.