The Master of Social Work - Traditional program offers students who have not previously completed a BSW the flexibility to complete the program with different options. The full-time option requires two years to complete the 62 credit hours of coursework and field work. The part-time option requires four years to complete. A combination of full and part-time is also available requiring three years.
For those who have already completed their BSW, the MSW Advanced Standing program provides an accelerated track to degree completion.
The New Trauma-Competent Practice Curriculum
The Master of Social Work curriculum has been redesigned to prepare you for a rewarding and challenging career where you can be the Difference with a Degree of Difference. The new Trauma-Competent curriculum launched in the fall of 2018. It is based on clinical and trauma competencies to fully prepare you to deliver responsive, 21st century practice.
Course Delivery
Traditional Master of Social Work students must complete 62 credit hours to earn the Master of Social Work degree.
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Visit the University Catalog page for the most up-to-date curriculum requirements.
Full-Time Traditional Curriculum (Complete in 2 years)
(The Traditional Curriculum program starts in the fall semester)
Generalist Practice Courses:
First Semester – Fall (14 credit hours)
- SWK 6003 Social Welfare & Social Justice (3)
- SWK 6103 HBSE (3)
- SWK 6503 Generalist Practice 1 (3)
- SWK 7125 Field Practicum 1 (4)*
- SWK 7126 Integrative Seminar 1 (1)
Second Semester – Spring (14 credit hours)
- SWK 6803 Impact of Social Policy (3)
- SWK 7003 Research Methods (3)
- SWK 7103 Generalist Practice 2 (3)
- SWK 7135 Field Practicum 2 (4)*
- SWK 7136 Integrative Seminar 2 (1)
*For Full-time students in the Traditional Program, the Field Practicum consists of 16 hours per week over 27 weeks during the fall and spring semesters of the first year of study, for a total of 432 clock hours spent in the field agency.
Specialist Practice Courses:
Third Semester – Summer (6 credit hours)
- SWK 6883 Selected Topics in SW (Elective) (3)
- SWK 7443 Crisis Intervention (3)
Fourth Semester – Fall (14 credit hours)
- SWK 7403 Assessment and Diagnosis (3)
- SWK 7453 Introduction to Trauma Competencies (3)
- SWK 7703 Clinical Practice 1 (3)
- SWK 7225 Field Practicum 3 (4)*
- SWK 7226 Integrative Seminar 3 (1)
Fifth Semester – Spring (14 credit hours)
- SWK 7463 Advanced Trauma Competencies (3)
- SWK 7713 Clinical Practice 2 (3)
- SWK 7235 Field Practicum 4 (4)*
- SWK 7236 Integrative Seminar 4 (1)
- SWK 7590 Comprehensive Seminar (3)
*For Full-time students in the Specialist Program, the Field Practicum consists of 20 hours per week over 31 weeks during the fall and spring semesters of the second year of study, for a total of 620 clock hours spent in the field agency.
Part-time Traditional Curriculum (Complete in 4 years)
(The Traditional Curriculum program starts in the fall semester)
PART-TIME OPTION
Generalist Practice Courses:
First Semester – Fall (6 credit hours)
- SWK 6003 Social Welfare & Social Justice (3)
- SWK 6103 HBSE (3)
Second Semester – Spring (6 credit hours)
- SWK 6803 Impact of Social Policy (3)
- SWK 7003 Research Methods (3)
Third Semester – Summer
- No class
Fourth Semester – Fall (8 credit hours)
- SWK 6503 Generalist Practice 1 (3)
- SWK 7125 Field Practicum 1 (4)*
- SWK 7126 Integrative Seminar 1 (1)
Fifth Semester – Spring (8 credit hours)
- SWK 7103 Generalist Practice 2 (3)
- SWK 7135 Field Practicum 2 (4)*
- SWK 7136 Integrative Seminar 2 (1)
For Part-time students in the Traditional Program, the Field Practicum consists of 16 hours per week over 27 weeks during the fourth and fifth semesters of study, for a total of 432 clock hours spent in the field agency.
Specialist Practice Courses:
Sixth Semester – Summer (6 credit hours)
- SWK 7443 Crisis Intervention (3)
- SWK 6883 Selected Topics in SW (Elective) (3) [taken now or during 9th semester]
Seventh Semester – Fall (6 credit hours)
- SWK 7403 Assessment and Diagnosis (3)
- SWK 7703 Clinical Practice 1(3)
Eighth Semester – Spring (6 credit hours)
- SWK 7453 Intro to Trauma Competencies (3)
- SWK 7713 Clinical Practice 2 (3)
Ninth Semester – Summer (3 credit hours)
- SWK 7463 Advanced Trauma Competencies (3)
- SWK 6883 Selected Topics in SW (Elective) (3) [taken now or during 6th semester]
Tenth Semester – Fall (5 credit hours)
- SWK 7225 Field Practicum 3 (4)*
- SWK 7226 Integrative Seminar 3 (1)
Eleventh Semester – Spring (8 credit hours)
- SWK 7235 Field Practicum 4 (4)*
- SWK 7236 Integrative Seminar 4 (1)
- SWK 7590 Comprehensive Seminar (3)
*For Part-time Specialist Program students, the Field Practicum consists of 20 hours per week over 31 weeks during the tenth and eleventh semesters of study, for a total of 620 clock hours spent in the field agency.
The Field Practicum experience is an integral part of the MSW program. The practicum provides a laboratory for students to demonstrate mastery of social work skills. Multiple placement opportunities are available, including medical facilities, schools, community mental health centers, family service agencies, correctional facilities, programs for the elderly, children’s services, substance abuse programs and women’s programs. Students are supervised by agency-based social workers with consultation by a field liaison. Practicum seminars further integrate the practicum experience.