The Master in Social Work core curriculum prepares students for basic competence in generalist social work practice and provides a base of knowledge and skills for the Advanced Year concentrations of Interpersonal Practice (IP) or Innovation in Community Policy and Leadership (ICPL). The core curriculum is rooted in human rights and social justice in an urban context and stresses the fundamentals of social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities. Field education allows students to apply knowledge and theory to social work practice. During the first semester of the core year, students declare their interest in an Advanced Year concentration. Students who choose IP take SW 7160 DSM in Clinical Practice and students who choose ICPL take SW 7840 Community and Organization Measures while taking generalist courses. Students must complete the core curriculum (29 credits in generalist coursework and 3 credits in SW 7160 or SW 7840) before enrolling in the 8000-level Advanced Year courses.

First-year (full-time)

First-year (part-time)

Second-year (part-time)

Advanced Year Curriculum - The curriculum of the Advanced Year of the Master of Social Work Program is organized into two concentrations: Interpersonal Practice (IP) and Innovation in Community, Policy and Leadership (ICPL).

Interpersonal Practice

This concentration offers students broad exposure to contemporary practice theories; assessment of psychosocial disorders, risk and resilience; developmental issues; and in-depth clinical assessment skills. Building on these foundational interpersonal practice theories and skills, students have opportunities to deepen their clinical intervention skills with individuals and families by choosing one of the following intervention courses: Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Interpersonal Practice, Family Systems Interventions, Contemporary Psychodynamic Interventions, or Client-Centered Interventions. Students may then choose from a range of electives across the curriculum, either within the Interpersonal Practice track, or from other areas of the Social Work curriculum such as Policy, Research, or ICPL. These electives are offered to supplement the required courses and to deepen and enrich students' knowledge of additional areas of Social Work Practice. The HBSE/Practice courses associated with the selected track are required.

Second-year (full-time)

Third-year (part-time)

Fourth-year (part-time)

Innovation in Community, Policy and Leadership

This concentration contextualizes student learning into three career paths including developing and sustaining effective communities, developing and sustaining effective policies, and developing and sustaining effective organizations through leadership. I-CPL students will deepen their understanding of settings where this practice can take place through field placements that relate to urban social planning, community development, policy analysis and advocacy, program development, and system coordination. A range of electives is offered to supplement the required sequence of courses, thus permitting students an opportunity to deepen and enrich their knowledge of particular areas of Innovation in Community, Policy and Leadership. Students select one of the three courses that signal their anticipated career path - 1) SW8065 Advanced Systems Theory & Practice (Leadership); 2) SW8075 Advanced Community Building & Development (Community); or 3) SW8085 Theories & Practice of Social Policy & Social Action (Policy).

Second-year (full-time)

Third-year (part-time)

Fourth-year (part-time)