MSW Program Options & Degree Requirements
Standard Program
The MSW curriculum for the Standard degree option consists of 58 credit hours, which includes credit for generalist practice and specialized internships. The foundation content of the program provides the student with knowledge, skills, and values for generalist social work practice as well as the foundation for advanced or specialized social work practice. Students enroll in two different internship courses during the foundation and advanced phase of the program. Enrollment in an internship will depend on the student's plan of study, but students should expect both internships will occur over two consecutive terms, for four terms total in the program. In the second year, students choose one of two areas of specialized practice: community practice, or clinical practice. The clinical specialization is the best fit for those interested in direct practice with individuals, families, and groups. The community specialization best fits those interested in practice with groups, organizations, and communities.
Advanced Standing Degree Option
The Advanced Standing degree option may be selected if a student has earned a baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and meets other admission criteria. If admitted, the full-time student can complete the MSW degree in 30 credit hours of graduate work. The advanced standing program option allows students to enter into advanced coursework immediately; students will choose a specialization in clinical or community practice.
Curriculum Areas
MSW students come to the program with an undergraduate degree based on a strong liberal arts education, providing preparation for graduate education that produces social workers who can think critically, analyze alternatives skillfully, communicate well verbally and in writing, appreciate their own culture and of others, and dedicate themselves to lifelong learning that empowers and equips them to make a difference. Social workers share a common set of professional values and ethics and a common set of basic or generalist skills that enable them to work with diverse populations and fill diverse roles in diverse settings. The transmission of these values and ethics to students is a critical aspect of professional socialization. Upon entering the program, MSW students are informed of their responsibility to perform as social work professionals according to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics guidelines, including advocacy for human rights and justice. Professional values and ethics are infused throughout the entire MSW curriculum. Before any academic work in the community that involves using social work knowledge, values, and skills, students are required to study the entire NASW Code of Ethics and the applicable state code and commit to practice congruent with those codes. Due to the unique mission of the GSSW program, attention is also given to areas of congruence and conflict with students’ own personal values and ethics, as well as those of various faith groups.
Plan of Study
Students will work closely with their assigned student success manager to develop a plan of study for their program. Standard plans of study for the standard program are 4-term, 6-term, and 8-term. Standard plans of study for the advanced standing program are 3-term and 5-term. In the event that a student needs to deviate from or rework their plan of study, they should work closely with their student support manager, as it requires approval from the Online MSW Program Director.
Foundation (Generalist) Year/Phase
First Year/First Phase in the Standard Degree Option
The foundation year or phase provides a generalist education in social work at an advanced level and is required of every student in the standard degree option.
The generalist curriculum is organized around these five curriculum content areas:
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment (SWO 5351 Human Behavior Theory: Person & Environment and SWO 5320 Human Diversity & Social Justice)
- Social Welfare Policy and Services ( SWO 5322 Social Policy For Social Work Practice),
- Social Work Practice (SWO 5361 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families; SWO 5362 Social Work Practice with Groups; SWO 5363 Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations)
- Research (SWO 5381 Research for Social Work Practice)
- Practicum Education (SWO 5491 Foundation Internship I and SWO 5492 Foundation Internship II)
Students will take classes according to their plan of study, choosing between a 4-term, 6-term, or 8-term option. Students must earn at least a “B” in Foundation Internship I, Social Work Practice with Individuals & Families, in order to enroll for Foundation Internship II. Required Practicum Education orientation must be completed before enrolling in the internship. Foundation Internship I & II consist of professional preparation for practice in an approved setting, generally 16 hours weekly for 15 weeks, for a minimum of 240 clock hours, and a weekly integrative seminar. Foundation Internship II consists of an additional minimum of 240 clock hours of training practice in the agency. Students will apply the foundations of knowledge, values, and skills they have learned in the standard courses in Foundation Internship I & II. Students must earn at least a B in Foundation Internship II, Social Work Practice with Groups, and Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations to enroll in practice and internship courses for the specialized year. Students should pay careful attention to requirements for prerequisites and enrollment in courses concurrently, following the appropriate course sequence options on the following pages.
Specialized Year
Second Year/Phase of Standard Degree Option
Curriculum Content
The program offers two areas of specialized practice. Students acquire advanced practice skills and knowledge in each specialization that builds on the standard curriculum. Two areas of practice define the program’s specializations: Clinical Practice and Community Practice. Students complete the Advanced Internship in a setting that allows them the opportunity to prepare for practice in these areas. Students are expected to expand their learning further through the use of electives.
Each area of specialized practice consists of a combination of courses taken exclusively with others in the specialization. In addition, students in all specializations will choose to take Organizational Leadership & Management, Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families, or Health Practice & Policy. All students will enroll in a Capstone course. These combined courses allow students an opportunity to learn from each other and gain exposure to different areas of specialized practice.
Students must have completed all standard requirements before enrolling in the advanced social work practice courses. These courses are designed to provide an intensive experience for applying learning in the standard curriculum and advanced practice methods and principles in the specialization to actual practice situations. Students will learn the skills for advanced practice in their specialization, assess their practice, and establish ongoing professional development.
Students follow a concurrent format for internship and will enroll in both terms or advanced internship in a two-hour seminar course while also completing 16-20 hours weekly for a minimum of 225-275 hours during the first term of internship and 20-24 hours weekly for a minimum of 275-325 hours during the second term of internship, for a minimum total of 550 hours across the two terms. Students must have completed all other pre- or co-requisite coursework before enrolling in the Advanced Internship. Advanced Internship consists of social work preparatory practice in a setting appropriate to the student’s specialization.
During the last week of their final trimester, students engage in a capstone experience, during which they present a practice-oriented workshop to colleagues and professional social workers, including a faculty evaluator.
Brief Description of Master of Social Work Areas of Specialized Practice
Clinical Practice
The clinical practice specialization prepares students for advanced, direct practice with individuals, families, and groups in various clinical settings. Students learn to apply evidence-based practice theories and methods of intervention that reflect a person-environment orientation and a strengths perspective. Specific philosophical frameworks include humanism, positivism, and evidence-based methods. The program is based on developing an eclectic method that offers the opportunity to investigate more specific practice models. Some examples include cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, narrative approaches, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), structural family therapy, therapeutic use of play, and dialectical behavior therapy. Assessment tools and techniques, especially focusing on the DSM, are critical to the program.
Community Practice
The community practice specialization prepares students for advanced practice with public and/or nonprofit organizations, neighborhoods, communities, congregations, and religiously affiliated agencies. Students learn a variety of professional community practice models that serve to strengthen and enrich communities in local and global settings. Communities are geographic (e.g., neighborhoods) and relational (e.g., ethnic communities). The central models are rooted in professional literature and research, and they include advanced skills in community development, community organizing, and community planning.
The advanced development model is asset-based community development, which recognizes community struggles but responds most centrally to community assets. Asset mapping is a key skill learned when studying this model.
The advanced model of organizing is consensus-based. Consensual organizing is rooted in consensus-building rather than building on potential conflict. Negotiation and facilitation are key skills learned with regard to this model.
The advanced model of planning is emergent-based. While most planning requires a rational approach to planning (e.g. the logic model), the emergent model allows for greater flexibility and adaptability when working in diverse contexts. The engagement of stakeholders is a key skill here.
Curriculum Content
The program offers two areas of specialized practice. Students acquire advanced practice skills and knowledge in each specialization that builds on the standard curriculum. Two areas of practice define the program’s specializations: Clinical Practice and Community Practice. Students complete the Advanced Internship in a setting that allows them the opportunity to prepare for practice in these areas. Students are expected to expand their learning further through the use of electives.
Each area of specialized practice consists of a combination of courses taken exclusively with others in the specialization. In addition, students in all specializations take Organizational Leadership & Management, Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families, or Health Practice & Policy. All students enroll in a Capstone course. These combined courses allow students an opportunity to learn from each other and gain exposure to other areas of specialized practice.
Students follow a concurrent format for internship and will enroll both semesters in a two-hour seminar course while also completing 16-20 hours weekly for a minimum of 225-275 hours in the fall, and 20-24 hours weekly for a minimum of 275-325 hours in the Spring, for a minimum total of 550 hours across the two semesters. Students must have completed all other pre- or co-requisite coursework before enrolling in the Advanced Internship. Advanced Internship consists of social work preparatory practice in a setting appropriate to the student’s specialization.
During the final week of this semester, students engage in a capstone experience, during which they present a practice-oriented workshop to colleagues and professional social workers, including a faculty evaluator.
Brief Description of Master of Social Work Areas of Specialized Practice
Clinical Practice
The clinical practice specialization prepares students for advanced, direct practice with individuals, families, and groups in various clinical settings. Students learn to apply evidence-based practice theories and methods of intervention that reflect a person-environment orientation and a strengths perspective. Specific philosophical frameworks include humanism, positivism, and evidence-based methods. The program is based on the development of an eclectic method that offers the opportunity to investigate more specific practice models. Some examples include cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, narrative approaches, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), structural family therapy, therapeutic use of play, unified protocol, and dialectical behavior therapy. Assessment tools and techniques, especially focusing on DSM-5, are critical to the program.
Community Practice
The community practice specialization prepares students for advanced practice with public and/or nonprofit organizations, neighborhoods, communities, congregations, and religiously affiliated agencies. Students learn a variety of professional community practice models that serve to strengthen and enrich communities in local and global settings. Communities can be defined as geographic (e.g., neighborhoods) and relational (e.g., ethnic communities). The central models are rooted in professional literature and research, and they include advanced skills in community development, community organizing, and community planning.
The advanced development model is asset-based community development, which recognizes community struggles but responds most centrally to community assets. Asset mapping is a key skill learned when studying this model.
The advanced model of organizing is consensus-based. Consensual organizing is rooted in consensus-building rather than building on potential conflict. Negotiation and facilitation are key skills learned with regard to this model.
The advanced model of planning is emergent-based. While most planning requires a rational approach to planning (e.g., the logic model), the emergent model allows for greater flexibility and adaptability when working in diverse contexts. Engagement of stakeholders is a key skill here.
Degree Requirements - Standard 2
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWO 5320 | Human Diversity & Social Justice | 3 |
| SWO 5351 | Human Behavior Theory: Person & Environment | 3 |
| SWO 5361 | Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SWO 5362 | Social Work Practice with Groups | 3 |
| SWO 5363 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
| SWO 5322 | Social Policy For Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWO 5381 | Research for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWO 5491 | Foundation Internship I | 4 |
| SWO 5492 | Foundation Internship II | 4 |
| SWO 5494 | Part I Advanced Internship | 4 |
| SWO 5490 | Part II Advanced Internship | 4 |
| SWO 5395 | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Choose one (3 credits) of the following core classes: | 3 | |
| Organizational Leadership & Management 3 | ||
| Health Practice & Policy 3 | ||
| Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families 3 | ||
| Choose one (3 credits) of the following elective classes (not previously taken): | 3 | |
| Organizational Leadership & Management 3 | ||
| Health Practice & Policy 3 | ||
| Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families 3 | ||
| Advanced Special Topics 1, 3 | ||
| Choose one of the following Specializations: | 12 | |
| Clinical Practice Specialization: | ||
| Clinical Diagnosis in Social Work | ||
| Clinical Social Work Practice I | ||
| Clinical Social Work Practice II | ||
| Clinical Evaluation for Practice Improvement | ||
| Community Practice Specialization: | ||
| Theoretical Frameworks for Community Social Work Practice | ||
| Community Social Work Practice I | ||
| Community Social Work Practice II | ||
| Program Evaluation for Practice Improvement 3 | ||
| Total Hours | 58 | |
- 1
5V80 is Social Justice & Technology; you must choose 3 hours when registering.
- 2
The following optional Concentrations are also available. To pursue a Concentration, talk to your Student Success Manager.
Organizational Leadership - Clinical Practice
Organizational Leadership - Community Practice
Trauma Informed Practice - Clinical Practice
Trauma Informed Practice - Community Practice
Diversity Equity and Inclusion - Clinical or Community Practice
- 3
A combination of SWO 5320, SWO 5323, SWO 5376, SWO 5377, and SWO 5384 can be used towards fulfilling requirements for an MSW Concentration.
Degree Requirements - Advanced Standing 2
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWO 5123 | Introduction to Graduate Studies | 1 |
| SWO 5494 | Part I Advanced Internship | 4 |
| SWO 5490 | Part II Advanced Internship | 4 |
| SWO 5395 | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Choose one (3 credits) of the following core classes: | 3 | |
| Organizational Leadership & Management 3 | ||
| Health Practice & Policy 3 | ||
| Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families 3 | ||
| Choose one (3 credits) of the following elective classes (not previously taken): | 3 | |
| Organizational Leadership & Management 3 | ||
| Health Practice & Policy 3 | ||
| Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families 3 | ||
| Advanced Special Topics 1,3 | ||
| Choose one of the following Specializations: | 12 | |
| Clinical Practice Specialization: | ||
| Clinical Diagnosis in Social Work | ||
| Clinical Social Work Practice I | ||
| Clinical Social Work Practice II | ||
| Clinical Evaluation for Practice Improvement | ||
| Community Practice Specialization: | ||
| Theoretical Frameworks for Community Social Work Practice | ||
| Community Social Work Practice I | ||
| Community Social Work Practice II | ||
| Program Evaluation for Practice Improvement 3 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
5V80 is Social Justice & Technology; you must choose 3 hours when registering.
- 2
The following optional Concentrations are also available. To pursue a Concentration, talk to your Student Success Manager.
Organizational Leadership - Clinical Practice
Organizational Leadership - Community Practice
Trauma Informed Practice - Clinical Practice
Trauma Informed Practice - Community Practice
Diversity Equity and Inclusion - Clinical or Community Practice
- 3
A combination of SWO 5320, SWO 5323, SWO 5376, SWO 5377, and SWO 5384 can be used towards fulfilling requirements for an MSW Concentration.