MSW Core students are required to complete a total of 60 graduate credits and Advanced Standing students are required to complete a total of 36 graduate credits. All students are also required to complete at least 450 field education clock hours. 

Advanced standing program

An applicant for admission to the Master of Social Work program who holds a baccalaureate degree from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education may be admitted with advanced standing. Students admitted with advanced standing are required to complete eight graduate credits toward the M.S.W. degree during the summer term following admission, and subsequently, an additional 30 credits in the advanced curriculum of the graduate program, as prescribed within the student's concentration.

The Master of Social Work requires a minimum of 60 credits of graduate course work or 36 credits of graduate course work for those who hold advanced standing, completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the School of Social Work. The program includes a foundation (core) curriculum at the first level. At the second level, it includes one of two concentrations: Interpersonal Practice or Innovation in Community, Policy and Leadership. The core curriculum provides the foundation for the advanced curriculum.

• Advanced Standing Course List
• Elective Course List 

Foundation (core) curriculum

The foundation (core) curriculum provides a knowledge base for later study of advanced practice in the concentration. The core curriculum has content in the five major curricular areas: social work practice, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, research, and field education. The core curriculum stresses fundamentals and knowledge of social work practice as they relate to individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities. In field education, theory is translated into practice and includes experiences for students in Interpersonal Practice and Innovation in Community, Policy and Leadership. 

• SW 7040 - Methods of Social Work Practice: Cr. 3
• SW 7055 - Foundation Group Theory and Practice: Cr. 3
• SW 7065 - Foundation Macro Theory and Practice: Cr. 3
• SW 7560 - Lifespan Development in Social Context: Cr. 3
• SW 7680 - Human rights, social justice and diversity in an urban context: Cr. 3
• SW 7720 - Social Policy and Advocacy Cr. 3
• SW 7820 - Evidence for Social Work Practice: Cr. 3
• SW 7160 - DSM in Clinical Practice OR
• SW 7840 - Community and Organization Measures: Cr. 3
• SW 7998 - Field Work for Social Workers I: Cr. 8

Total credits: 32

During the first semester of the foundation (core) year, students declare their interest in an advanced curriculum concentration. Students must complete the core curriculum before enrolling in advanced curriculum courses.

• MSW Core Program Course List
• Elective Course List 

Suitability and fitness for the profession

Students must show suitability and fitness for the profession of social work. Any breach of the values and ethics of the profession embodied in the Code of Ethics established by the National Association of Social Workers may result in termination from the MSW program.