MSW Program Plan of Study

Generalist Plans of Study Heading link

The Generalist portion of the MSW curriculum provides a generalist perspective on social work practice. Curriculum areas include social work practice, human behavior and the social environment, social work research, social welfare policy and services, and field instruction.

Full-Time Generalist Plan of Study

You must take classes in the order of the College’s published required plans of study (included in orientation packet & on this website).
There is one full year of Generalist Curriculum for Full-Time Students.

Fall Semester, Full-time
SocW430 Practice I: Generalist Practice with Individuals and Organizations (3 credit hours)
SocW410 Human Behavior and the Social Environment (3 credit hours)
SocW420 Policy I: Social Welfare Policy & Services (3 credit hours)
SocW570 Field Instruction I (5 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 14

Spring Semester, Full-time
SocW431 Practice II: Generalist Practice with Families, Groups and Communities (3 credit hours)
SocW411 Social Work in a Multicultural Society (3 credit hours)
SocW460 Research I: Social Work Research (3 credit hours)
SocW571 Field Instruction II (5 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 14

PM-Extended Generalist Plan of Study

You must take classes in the order of the College’s published required plans of study (included in orientation packet & on this website).
There are two full years of Generalist Curriculum for PM-Extended Study Students.

First Year, Fall Semester, PM-Extended
SocW410 Human Behavior and the Social Environment (3 credit hours)
SocW420 Policy I: Social Welfare Policy & Services (3 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 6

First Year, Spring Semester, PM-Extended
SocW411 Social Work in a Multicultural Society (3 credit hours)
SocW460 Research I: Social Work Research (3 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 6

Second Year, Fall Semester, PM-Extended
SocW430 Practice I: Generalist Practice with Individuals and Organizations (3 credit hours)
Elective (Open)
SocW 570 Field Instruction I (for Option 1)* (5 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 11

Second Year, Spring Semester, PM-Extended
SocW431 Practice II: Generalist Practice with Families, Groups and Communities (3 credit hours)
Elective (Open)
SocW 571 Field Instruction II (for Option 1) (5 credit hours)
SocW 570 Field Instruction I (for Option 2)* (5 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 11

Second Year, Summer Semester, PM-Extended
SocW 570 Field Instruction I (for Option 3)* (5 credit hours)
SocW 571 Field Instruction II (for Options 2 and 3) (5 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 10

* PM-Extended Study Students have the options of:

  1. beginning SocW 570 in the fall of the second year (in addition to their other courses) and SocW 571 in the spring (in addition to their other courses), or
  2. beginning SocW 570 in the spring (in addition to their other courses) and completing it and SocW 571 in the summer term. Such students must register for 570 in the spring and 571 in the summer (see Note below), or
  3. registering for both 570 and 571 in the summer. Students must receive approval of their option from the director of field instruction.

Note: PM-Extended Study Option students needing additional credits to qualify for federal financial aid may take electives for which they have prerequisites. See your advisor.

Specialization Plans of Study Heading link

The advanced Specialization portion of the MSW curriculum is completed in the second year for Full-Time students, and in the third, full-time year for PM-Extended students. Five advanced specializations are offered: Child and Family, Organization and Community Practice, Mental Health, School Social Work, and Social Work within Justice Systems. Advanced curriculum content, tailored to each specialization, is provided in the areas of social work practice, human behavior in the social environment, social work research, social welfare policy and services, and field instruction. In future years, the College may revise its specialization offerings.

The Specialization plan of study is the same for Full-Time, PM-Extended and Advanced Standing students.

You must take classes in the order of the College’s published required plans of study (included in orientation packet & on this website).

Child & Family Specialization Year Plan of Study

Fall Semester
SocW 582 Practice III: Child & Family Services (3 credit hours)
SocW 552 Policy II: Child & Family Services (3 credit hours)
Elective (if not taken prior) (3 credit hours)
SocW572 Field Instruction III (8 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 17

Spring Semester
SocW 583 Practice IV: Child & Family Services (3 credit hours)
Elective (if not taken prior) (3 credit hours)
Research II (Select from SocW 563, SocW 565, and SocW 567) (3 credit hours)
SocW573 Field Instruction IV (8 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 17

Mental Health Specialization Year Plan of Study

Fall Semester
SocW 586 Practice III: Mental Health (3 credit hours)
SocW 554 Policy II: Mental Health (3 credit hours)
Elective (if not taken prior) (3 credit hours)
SocW572 Field Instruction III (8 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 17

Spring Semester
Socw587 Practice IV: Mental Health (3 credit hours)
Research II (Select from SocW 563, SocW 565, and SocW 567) (3 credit hours)
Elective (if not taken prior) (3 credit hours)
SocW573 Field Instruction IV (8 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 17

Organization & Community Practice Specialization Year Plan of Study

Fall Semester
SocW 519 Practice III: Organization and Community Practice (3 credit hours)
SocW 531 Policy II: Organization and Community Practice (3 credit hours)
Elective (if not taken prior) (3 credit hours)
SocW572 Field Instruction III (8 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 17

Spring Semester
SocW 520 Practice IV: Organization and Community Practice (3 credit hours)
Research II (Select from SocW 563, SocW 565, and SocW 567) (3 credit hours)
Elective (if not taken prior) (3 credit hours)
SocW573 Field Instruction IV (8 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 17

School Social Work Specialization Year Plan of Study

Fall Semester
SocW 588 Practice III: School Social Work (3 credit hours)
SocW 551 Policy II: School Social Work (3 credit hours)
SPED 410 Exceptional Children (3 credit hours)
SocW572 Field Instruction III (8 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 17

Spring Semester
Socw589 Practice IV: School Social Work (3 credit hours)
Research II (SocW 565: School Social Work Research) (3 credit hours)
Elective (if not taken prior) (3 credit hours)
SocW573 Field Instruction IV (8 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 17

Note: All school social work specialization students are required to take SocW565, School Social Work Research, unless the SocW567 alternative. 565-School Social Work Research is not open to students from other specializations. As an alternative to the above research course, the requirement for Research II can be met with SocW567, Research Project, a substantial, year-long project which requires a planning and approval process starting in the spring prior to the specialization. See SocW567 under MSW Course Descriptions.

Social Work within Justice Systems Specialization Year Plan of Study

Fall Semester
SocW 506 Practice III: Social Work Micro Practice in the Justice Systems (3 credit hours)
SocW 536 Policy II: Juvenile and Criminal Justice Policy (3 credit hours)
Elective (3 credits)
SocW 572 Field Instruction III: Social Work within Justice Systems (8 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 17

Spring Semester
SocW 507 Practice IV: Social Work Macro Practice in the Justice Systems (3 credit hours)
SocW 505 Research II: Juvenile and Criminal Justice Research Methods (3 credit hours)
Elective (3 credit hours)
SocW573 Field Instruction IV: Social Work within Justice Systems (8 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 17

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