Curriculum and Courses
The MSW Curriculum has been carefully developed based upon our mission, goals, and objectives, with particular attention given to the requirements of our accrediting body - Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). We have taken into account the perceived needs of graduate students, as well as requirements for graduate education of our institution. Students will be required to proceed through the curriculum as it is sequenced below. Courses are offered once per year. The program is based upon a full-time graduate credit load and does not have a part-time option.
Students in the Traditional (TR) MSW program will be required to completed 60 credits spread over two calendar years, with 11 credits each in fall and spring semesters and 8 credits in the summer semesters. The TR program includes 40 credit-hours of classes and two 10-credit field education placement in a supervised practicum. The practicums will run each year from January to July.
Students in the Advanced Standing (AS) MSW program will take 32 credits spread over one calendar year, beginning with a 2-credit seminar in the summer, followed by 11 credits each in fall and spring semesters, and 8 credits in the final summer semester. The AS program includes 22 credit hours of classes and one 10-credit field education placement in a supervised practicum. The practicum will run from January to July.
All students will complete an MSW Capstone Project, rather than a thesis, as a comprehensive and integrative demonstration of their learning. This is to be completed in the final summer session of the program. (See description at the bottom of this page.)
Below you can read course descriptions by clicking on the course numbers left of the titles.
Foundation Year (Traditional, 2-year)
Foundation year courses constitute 30 credits of study, which includes 10 credits of Field Education in a supervised practicum. Courses are taken fall, spring and summer terms.
- SOWK 601 – Foundations of Generalist Practice I (3)
- SOWK 603 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3)
- SOWK 605 – Social Welfare Policy and Services (3)
- SOWK 607 – Professional Competence Seminar I (2)
- SOWK 611 – Foundations of Generalist Practice II (3)
- SOWK 613 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3)
- SOWK 569 – Applied Social Work Research (3)
- SOWK 615 – Foundation Practicum & Seminar I (5)
- SOWK 625 – Foundation Practicum & Seminar II (5) (Continuation of SOWK 615)
Summer Semester (Advanced Standing Students Only)
- SOWK 650 – Advanced Standing Preparation Seminar (2)
Concentration Year (All students)
Students in both the Traditional and Advanced Standing Programs take 30 credits in their second year, which includes 10 credits of Field Education in a supervised practicum. Courses are taken in fall, spring and summer terms. A 3-credit elective is also included in the 30 credits and may be taken when it best fits the student's schedule.
- Elective - Click to see list of approved electives.
- SOWK 669 – Advanced Social Work Evaluation (3)
- SOWK 651 - Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)
- SOWK 655 - Social Welfare Policy Practice (3)
- SOWK 657 - Professional Competence Seminar II (2)
- SOWK 660 - Advanced Social Work Practice with Couples, Families & Groups, (3)
- SOWK 661 - Advanced Social Work Practice Administration (3)
- SOWK 665 – Advanced Practicum and Seminar I (5)
- SOWK 675 – Advanced Practicum and Seminar II (5) (Continuation of SOWK 665)
