School of Social Work

Master of Social Work (MSW) Curriculum

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Master of Social Work Curriculum

The Master of Social Work degree is a 61-hour program comprised of a Generalist Practice foundation and an Advanced Practice curriculum. The curriculum is described in detail here and specific course descriptions are available in the course catalog.

Did You Know?

  • The Master of Social Work is one of the broadest, most versatile degree programs available. 
  • Our graduates are leading clinical practitioners, program administrators and managers, consultants, educators, and researchers.
  • The degree program is designed to enable students to pace their own progression through the curriculum on a part-time or full-time basis.

Traditional Standing MSW Degree Plan – Direct Practice

(Total Course Credit Hours: 61)

Semester Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
1 SOCW 5301 Human Behavior and the Social Environment* 3
1 SOCW 5304 Generalist Micro Practice* 3
1 SOCW 5100 Foundations of Professional Success in Social Work* 1
1 SOCW 5306 Generalist Macro Practice* 3
Semester 1 Total Semester 1 Credit Hours 10
2 SOCW 5303 Foundations of Social Policy and Services 3
2 SOCW 5305 Generalist Mezzo Practice 3
2 SOCW 5307 Social Work Practice across Populations and Context 3
2 SOCW 5380 Foundation Practicum Split I 3
Semester 2 Total Semester 2 Credit Hours 12
3 SOCW 5308 Research and Evaluation Methods in Social Work I 3
3 SOCW 5302 Introduction to Mental Health and the DSM 3
3 SOCW 5381 Foundation Practicum Split II 3
Semester 3 Total Semester 3 Credit Hours 9

View Course Catalog

* Prerequisites to practicum

Students must finish their foundation courses or have Advanced Standing (with a BSW) before taking Advanced Year courses, with some exceptions.

Semester Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
1 SOCW 5311 Advanced Micro Practice* 3
1 SOCW 5352 Clinical Social Work and the DSM* 3
1 SOCW 5313 OR SOCW 5323 Research and Evaluation Methods in Social Work II OR Program Evaluation 3
Semester 1 Total Semester 1 Credit Hours 9
2 SOCW 5313-5319 Integrated Theory and Practice Course 3
2 SOCW 5353 Advanced Policy Analysis 3
2 SOCW XXXX OR SOCW 5396 Advanced Direct Practice Elective OR Thesis I 3
2 SOCW 5382 Advanced Practicum Split I 3
Semester 2 Total Semester 2 Credit Hours 12
3 SOCW 5314-5319 Research and Evaluation Methods in Social Work I 3
3 SOCW 5395 OR SOCW 5398 Integrative Seminar OR Thesis II 3
3 SOCW 5383 Advanced Practicum Split II 3
Semester 3 Total Semester 3 Credit Hours 9

View Course Catalog

* Prerequisites to practicum

* Prerequisites to practicum

Traditional Standing MSW Degree Plan – CAP

(Total Course Credit Hours: 61)

Semester Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
1 SOCW 5301 Human Behavior and the Social Environment* 3
1 SOCW 5304 Generalist Micro Practice* 3
1 SOCW 5100 Foundations of Professional Success in Social Work* 1
1 SOCW 5306 Generalist Macro Practice* 3
Semester 1 Total Semester 1 Credit Hours 10
2 SOCW 5303 Foundations of Social Policy and Services 3
2 SOCW 5305 Generalist Mezzo Practice 3
2 SOCW 5307 Social Work Practice across Populations and Context 3
2 SOCW 5380 Foundation Practicum Split I 3
Semester 2 Total Semester 2 Credit Hours 12
3 SOCW 5308 Research and Evaluation Methods in Social Work I 3
3 SOCW 5302 Introduction to Mental Health and the DSM 3
3 SOCW 5381 Foundation Practicum Split II 3
Semester 3 Total Semester 3 Credit Hours 9

View Course Catalog

* Prerequisites to practicum

Students must finish their foundation courses or have Advanced Standing (with a BSW) before taking Advanced Year courses, with some exceptions.

Semester Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
1 SOCW 5312 Community and Administrative Practice* 3
1 SOCW 5327 Human Behavior and the Macro Environment 3
1 SOCW 5328 Advocacy and Social Policy 3
Semester 1 Total Semester 1 Credit Hours 9
2 SOCW 5321 Advanced Community Practice 3
2 SOCW 5323 Program Evaluation 3
2 SOCW XXXX OR SOCW 5396 Advanced Direct Practice Elective OR Thesis I 3
2 SOCW 5382 Advanced Practicum Split I 3
Semester 2 Total Semester 2 Credit Hours 12
3 SOCW 5320 Advanced Administrative Practice 3
3 SOCW 5395 OR SOCW 5398 Integrative Seminar OR Thesis II 3
3 SOCW 5383 Advanced Practicum Split II 3
Semester 3 Total Semester 3 Credit Hours 9

View Course Catalog

* Prerequisite to Advanced Practicum

Advanced Standing MSW Degree Plan – Direct Practice

(Total Course Credit Hours: 38)

Semester Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
1 SOCW 5200 Advanced Social Work Professionalism and Success* 2
1 SOCW 5311 Advanced Micro Practice* 3
1 SOCW 5352 Clinical Social Work and the DSM* 3
1 SOCW 5313 OR SOCW 5323 Research and Evaluation Methods in Social Work II OR Program Evaluation 3
Semester 1 Total Semester 1 Credit Hours 11
2 SOCW 5314-5319 Integrated Theory and Practice Course 3
2 SOCW 5353 Advanced Policy Analysis 3
2 SOCW XXXX OR SOCW 5396 Advanced Direct Practice Elective OR Thesis I 3
2 SOCW XXXX Advanced Social Work Direct Practice Elective 3
2 SOCW 5382 Advanced Practicum Split I 3
Semester 2 Total Semester 2 Credit Hours 15
3 SOCW 5314-5319 Integrated Theory and Practice Course 3
3 SOCW XXXX Advanced Social Work Direct Practice Elective 3
3 SOCW 5395 OR SOCW 5398 Integrative Seminar OR Thesis II 3
3 SOCW 5383 Advanced Practicum Split II 3
Semester 3 Total Semester 3 Credit Hours 12

View Course Catalog

* Prerequisite to Advanced Practicum

Advanced Standing MSW Degree Plan – CAP

(Total Course Credit Hours: 38)

Semester Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
1 SOCW 5200 Advanced Social Work Professionalism* 2
1 SOCW 5312 Community and Administrative Practice* 3
1 SOCW 5327 Human Behavior and the Macro Environment 3
1 SOCW 5328 Advocacy and Social Policy 3
Semester 1 Total Semester 1 Credit Hours 11
2 SOCW 5321 Advanced Community Practice 3
2 SOCW 5320 Advanced Administrative Practice 3
2 SOCW 5323 Program Evaluation 3
2 SOCW XXXX or SOCW 5396 Advanced CAP Elective OR Thesis I 3
2 SOCW 5382 Advanced Practicum Split I 3
Semester 2 Total Semester 2 Credit Hours 15
3 SOCW XXXX Advanced Social Work CAP Elective 3
3 SOCW XXXX Advanced Social Work CAP Elective 3
3 SOCW 5395 OR SOCW 5398 Integrative Seminar OR Thesis II 3
3 SOCW 5383 Advanced Practicum Split II 3
Semester 3 Total Semester 3 Credit Hours 12

View Course Catalog

* Prerequisite to Advanced Practicum

Master of Social Work Advanced Year FAQs

  • Students in social work may participate in one of ten dual degree programs whereby they can earn a Master of Social Work and a second master’s degree in another.
  • Find more information here