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

Standard MSW Path

Individuals interested in obtaining a Master of Social Work qualify for the Standard MSW Path if they’ve earned a bachelor's degree in any major from an accredited institution or earned their BSW from an accredited institution more than 5 years ago.

The Standard MSW program 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, 2023.

All applications completed after December 1 will be reviewed at the end of the application cycle (February 16) for a decision notification by early March. 

Each application cycle provides opportunities to pursue either the Standard Path (starts in July 2024) or the Advanced Standing (BSW, starts in May 2024) Degree Path.

Standard MSW Path Criteria

• Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university (including a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree more than 5 years old).
• 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)
• 3 Professional References

Standard MSW Path Curriculum

View MSW Course Catalog

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

Foundation Courses (31 cr)

Students admitted to the Standard 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.)