The curriculum of the Master of Social Work program has been developed in accordance with the policies and guidelines provided by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).  Due to the sequential nature of graduate professional education in social work, students follow a prescribed course of study according to a set timeline.  In so doing, the curriculum focuses on service delivery in a range of settings.  The School offers two curriculum options:  Regular Track and Advanced Standing Curriculum.

Regular Track Curriculum
The School of Social Work offers a 60-hour Master of Social Work degree.  Students are required to successfully complete a sequenced set of foundation courses comprised of (1) foundations of social work and social welfare, (2) human behavior in the social environment, (3) social work skills, (4) human difference, (5) psychopathology, (6) services to individuals, families, and groups, (7) services to organizations and communities, (8) social work research, and (9) field instruction.   Advanced year courses include (1) advanced direct and indirect practice courses, (2) specialization practice, (3) advanced policy, (4) research, (5) electives, and (6) advanced field instruction.    

Advanced Standing Curriculum 
Persons with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE accredited program are eligible to apply for Advanced Standing. In order to qualify for Advanced Standing, an applicant must have received his or her Bachelor of Social Work degree no more than 7 academic years prior to enrollment in the MSW program.   Advanced Standing Students earn their Master of Social Work Degree after the completion of 42- hours, they are granted credit for 18-semester hours of the regular 60-hour program.  Such students are assumed to have mastered the fundamentals and have demonstrated the ability to engage in an accelerated learning program.

Master of Social Work Courses (Click here for Requirments)  
The MSW program begins with a foundation curriculum (30 credits) required of all students and taken during the first two semesters of the full time regular track curriculum.  The foundation offers a perspective that includes studies of the profession
of Social Work, the application of social and behavioral science to human problems,
social welfare policy analysis, the role of ethics in professional conduct, an understanding of Social Work practice, and an understanding of how research enables practice improvement.  The field practicum and accompanying field seminar offer students the opportunity to hone basic professional skills and experience
a variety of social work roles in a selected social work agency.