Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree — MSW Admissions Requirements & Curriculum

MSW — Traditional Path For Those With A Bachelor's Degree In Any Major

Individuals interested in obtaining a Master of Social Work may qualify for this track if they’ve earned a bachelor's degree in any major from an accredited institution.

This MSW track is cohort-based and begins in the Summer (July) each year and has two options for completion:

• Full-time (2 academic years)
• Part-time (3 academic years)

Looking for a decision before the end of the year? Submit your MSW application and all required materials (including transcripts and recommendations) by December 1.

All applications completed after December 1 will be reviewed at the end of the application cycle (February) for a decision notification by early March. 

Each application cycle provides opportunities to pursue either the MSW path (starts in July) or the Advanced Standing MSW (BSW, starts in May) degree path.

MSW Criteria

View All MSW Criteria

• Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university.
• Preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher, in the most recent 60 credits. Students with GPAs lower than 3.0 may submit a statement of petition to be considered for admission.
• Application Materials: Professional Reflection and Written Statement for MSW Applicants (60KB)
• Three references from educators or employers.

MSW Curriculum

View MSW Course Catalog

The MSW program consists of 59 graduate-level social work credits for MSW students.

Foundation Courses (31 cr)

Students admitted to the MSW program must complete the Foundation courses.

• SW 500 - Foundations of Advanced Generalist SW 2 cr
• SW 520 - Social Work Policy 3 cr
• SW 531 - Supervision, Leadership & Diagnosis 3 cr
• SW 540 - Social Work Research I 3 cr
• SW 541 - Social Work Research II 3 cr
• SW 551 - Application & Integration of HBSE & Policy 3 cr
• SW 560 - Social Work Practice I 3 cr
• SW 561 - Social Work Practice II 3 cr
• SW 580 - Social Work Field Education I 4 cr
• SW 581 - Social Work Field Education II 4 cr

Advanced Generalist Core (22 cr)

All students must complete the Advanced Generalist Core courses.

• SW 630 - Human Services Management 3 cr
• SW 640 - Applied Research 2 cr
• SW 641 - Integrative Project 3 cr
• SW 660 - Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice I 3 cr
• SW 661 - Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice II 3 cr
• SW 680 - Social Work Field Education IV 4 cr
• SW 681 - Social Work Field Education V 4 cr

Electives

All MSW students must select a minimum of six credits of graduate SW electives. Electives will be scheduled based on faculty availability.

• SW 690 - Special Topics in Advanced Social Work 1-6 cr (This course may be repeated for up to 9 credits.)