Social work is a dynamic profession concerned with the changing needs of people and society. To respond to such needs, the curriculum of the School of Social Work undergoes continuing review by the faculty with the participation of students, members of the practice community, and others. Students must complete 60 credit hours of graduate-level course work in order to meet the minimum requirements for the Master of Social Work degree. All students complete a common 15 credit Foundation Curriculum and 15 credit Intermediate Curriculum that emphasize a generalist perspective for social work practice. The Intermediate Curriculum includes a one-semester practicum of a minimum of 320 clock hours. Following that, students complete a Concentration Curriculum that prepares them for advanced practice in health, mental health and addictions, or school social work. The Concentration Practicum of a minimum of 640 clock hours is usually completed over two semesters. All Foundation Intermediate Curriculum course work must be completed before students are eligible to enroll in any required courses in the Concentration Curriculum.

The overall objectives of the Foundation and Intermediate Curricula of the M.S.W program include development of:

1. Basic, generalist competence applicable to a broad range of social work practice
2. Basic competence at all levels: individual, family, groups, communities, and organizations;
3. Basic competence for practice in social service delivery systems

The overall objectives of the Concentration Year include development of special competence in a concentration area.

Typical course arrangements for students admitted to the M.S.W. program are shown as below.

Foundation Curriculum

• SWK S501 Professional Social Work at the Master's Level: An Immersion (3 cr.)
• SWK S502 Research I (3 cr.)
• SWK S503 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 cr.)
• SWK S504 Professional Practice Skills I (3 cr.)
• SWK S505 Social Policy Analysis and Practice (3 cr.)

Intermediate Curriculum

• SWK S513 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3 cr.)
• SWK S514 Practice with Individuals and Families I (3 cr.)
• SWK S516 Social Work Macro Practice (3 cr.)
• SWK S517 Assessment in Mental Health and Addictions (3 cr.)
• SWK S555 Social Work Practicum I (3 cr.)

Concentration Curriculum

Health

Students, who elect to practice in the health arena, apply the knowledge and skills of advanced social work practice to build and work effectively with multi-disciplinary teams that include physicians, nurses, dentists, psychiatrists and other health care professionals.  They learn the medical terminology to conduct bio-psycho-social assessments based on myriad disease entities and patient dynamics. As social workers, they understand how healthcare is financed in the United States, analyze how financial resources for healthcare affect individual patient care, and advocate for change that improves access for all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation or other factors. 

• SWK S618  Social Policy and Services II: Health (3 cr.)
• SWK S623  Practice Research Integrative Seminar I (3 cr.)
• SWK S651  Social Work Practicum II AND S652 Social Work Practicum III (9 cr.)
• SWK S661  Executive Leadership Practice (3 cr.)
• SWK S692  Health Care Practice I (3 cr.)
• SWK S693  Health Care Practice II (3 cr.)
• SWK S694  Social Work Practice with Older Adults OR S600 Loss Grief, Death & Bereavement (3 cr.)
• 3 credit hours of other 600-level courses

Total (30 cr.)

Mental Health and Addictions

Students in the MH&A concentration assess mental health and addictions issues from person-in-environment, consumer focused, strengths-based, recovery-oriented, and other relevant perspectives. They formulate intervention, prevention, or support and maintenance plans collaboratively with clients. They prepare to serve as case managers, counselors, clinicians, and advocates for and with mental health and addictions consumers.  Also, they are able to seek, discover, and evaluate relevant research studies and apply findings in evidence-based social work practice.  Within the context of their practice, they conduct empirical evaluations of the effectiveness of interventions and services.

• SWK S618 Social Policy & Services: Mental Health and Addictions (3 cr.)
• SWK S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I (3 cr.)
• SWK S651 Social Work Practicum II and S652 Social Work Practicum III (9 cr.)
• SWK S661 Executive Leadership Practice (3 cr.)
• SWK S683 Community-Based Practice in Mental Health / Addictions* (3 cr.)
• SWK S685 Mental Health and Addictions Practice with Individuals and Families* (3 cr.)
• SWK S686 Social Work Practice: Addictions* (3 cr.)
• SWK S687 Mental Health and Addictions Practice with Groups* (3 cr.)

3 credit hours of other 600-level courses (or a fourth starred mental health course above)

Total (30 cr.)

School Social Work

Social workers in school systems function in an environment where the primary purpose is education and socialization. When primary and secondary school students exhibit behaviors and problems that impede their academic and social progress, they may benefit from interventions that social workers are prepared to deliver. The commitment to utilizing social workers in school settings ebbs and flows, often dictated by fiscal resources for education in general. Nonetheless, preparation of students to enter this field of practice remains a priority for the School of Social Work. Students who enter this field are prepared with clinical skills for working with children and adolescents and their families; with team-building skills for working with school administrators and teachers; and, community skills to garner the resources necessary for to promote a safe, secure environment for those served in the school system.

• SWK S618  Social Policy & Services: Schools (3 cr.)
• SWK S623  Practice Research Integrative Seminar I (3 cr.)
• SWK S651  Social Work Practicum II and S652 Social Work Practicum III (9 cr.)
• SWK S661  Executive Leadership Practice (3 cr.)
• SWK S616  Social Work Practice in Schools (3 cr.)
• SWK S619  Social Work Practice with Children & Adolescents (3 cr.)
• SWK S632  Child Welfare Practice I (3 cr.)
• 3 credit hours of other 600-level courses

Total (30 cr.)