Graduate Programs
Degree Programs
Master of Social Work
Curriculum
Social work is a dynamic profession concerned with changing needs of persons and the 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 to meet the minimum requirements for the Master of Social Work degree. All students complete a common 15 credit Foundation Curriculum and 15 credits Intermediate Curriculum that emphasizes 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 child welfare, school social work, health, leadership, mental health, and addictions. The Concentration Practicum of a minimum of 640 clock hours is usually completed over two semesters. All Foundation 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:
- Basic, generalist competence applicable to a broad range of social work practice;
- Basic competence at all levels: individual, family, groups, communities, and organization; and
- 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 below.
Foundation Curriculum (15 cr.)
- S501 Professional Social Work at the Master’s Level: An Immersion
- S502 Research I
- S503 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
- S504 Professional Practice Skills I
- S505 Social Policy Analysis and Practice
Intermediate Curriculum (15 cr.)
- S513 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
- S514 Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups I
- S516 Social Work Practice II: Organizations, Communities, Societies
- S517 Assessmetn in Mental Health and Addictions
- S555 Social Work Practicum I
Concentration Curriculum (30 cr.)
Child Welfare
- S618 Social Policy and Services: Child Welfare
- S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I
- S632 Child Welfare Practice I: Working with Children Impacted by Violence in the Family*
- S633 Child Welfare Practice II: Working with Diverse and Transitioning Families*
- S634 Community-Based Practice with Children and families*
- S636 Social Work Practice with Involuntary Populations*
- S651 Practicum II and S652 Practicum III
- S661 Executive Leadership Practice
Students must take 3 of the 4 starred courses, or all 4.
School Social Work
- S600 Social Work Practice in Schools
- S618 Social Policy and Services: Schools
- S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I
- S632 Child Welfare Practice I
- S651 Practicum II and S652 Practicum III
- S661 Executive Leadership Practice
3 additional credit hours at the 600-level
Leadership
- S618 Social Policy and Services
- S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I
- S661 Executive Leadership Practice
- S662 Fiscal Management, Marketing, and Resource Development
- S663 Leveraging Organizations, Communities, and Political Systems
- S651 Practicum II and S652 Practicum III
- S664 Designing Transformational Programs
3 credit hours of other 600-level courses
Mental Health and Addictions
- S618 Social Policy and Services: Mental Health and Addictions
- S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I
- S651 Practicum II and S652 Practicum III
- S661 Executive Leadership Practice
- S683 Community-Based Practice in Mental Health/Addiction*
- S685 Mental Health and Addictions Practice with Individuals and Families*
- S686 Social Work Practice: Addictions*
- S687 Mental Health and Addiction Practice with Groups*
3 credit hours of other 600-level courses (or a fourth mental health course above)
Health
- S618 Social Policy and Services: Health
- S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I
- S651 Practicum II and S652 Practicum III
- S661 Executive Leadership Practice
- S692 Health Care Practice I
- S693 Health Care Practice II
- S694 Social Work Practice with Older Adults*
- S600 Loss, Greif, Death, and Bereavement*
*Students must take one of the two starred courses, or both.