MSW Concentrations
Concentrations are additional focused learning opportunities that begin in the advanced year of coursework. Concentration opportunities are in addition to the student's chosen specialization and have no impact on degree completion. Each concentration has a plan tailored to the specific concentration. Concentration options include Organizational Leadership, Trauma-Informed Practice, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Students are responsible for reviewing the concentration plans and adhering to all deadlines and processes related to the concentration plan. Please contact the MSW Program Manager or MSW Program Director for additional questions regarding concentration planning and options.
Organizational Leadership Concentration
Concentrations are additional focused learning opportunities that begin in the advanced year of coursework. Concentration opportunities are in addition to the student's chosen specialization and have no impact on degree completion. Each concentration has a plan tailored to the specific concentration. Students are responsible for reviewing the concentration plans and notifying the MSW Program administration of the desire to complete the concentration within the first two weeks of the start of advanced year coursework.
Students who wish to pursue a concentration in organizational leadership are interested in leading and developing organizations, particularly those focused on the not-for-profit and social service sectors. They are committed to creating healthy and thriving organizations emphasizing DEIB and anti-oppressive leadership practices. Students can further focus and develop their learning and practice in leadership and management.
Concentration Requirements for the Clinical Specialization
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWO 5323 | Organizational Leadership & Management | 3 |
| SWO 5384 | Program Evaluation for Practice Improvement | 3 |
| SWO 5395 | Capstone Seminar 1 | 3 |
- 1
Denotes courses that count towards core degree requirements
- A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration.
- Program Evaluation (SWO 5384) as elective credit, in addition to the required Clinical Evaluation Course
- 3 Hours of CE credit related to supervision, leadership, DEIB, grant writing, budgeting, advocacy, board governance, fund development, HR issues, marketing, or technology. (For a list of specific trainings, contact your Advisor.)
- Students must connect the Capstone Project to Organizational Leadership.
- One term of faculty mentorship focuses on organizational leadership. The agendas and a one—to two-page summary of the mentorship experience are included.
- B or better in all courses tied to the concentration (SWO 5323, SWO 5384, SWO 5395)
Concentration Requirements for the Community Specialization
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWO 5375 | Community Social Work Practice I 1 | 3 |
| SWO 5378 | Community Social Work Practice II 1 | 3 |
| SWO 5323 | Organizational Leadership & Management | 3 |
| SWO 5384 | Program Evaluation for Practice Improvement 1 | 3 |
| SWO 5395 | Capstone Seminar 1 | 3 |
- 1
Denotes courses that count towards core degree requirements
- A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration.
- Students must connect the Capstone Project to Organizational Leadership
- One term of faculty mentorship focusing on Organizational Leadership, including a 1-2 page summary of the mentorship experience and accompanying agendas.
- B or better in all courses tied to the concentration (SWO 5375, SWO 5378, SWO 5323, SWO 5384 & SWO 5395)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Concentration
Concentrations are additional focused learning opportunities that begin in the advanced year of coursework. Concentration opportunities are in addition to the student's chosen specialization and have no impact on degree completion. Each concentration has a plan tailored to the specific concentration. Students are responsible for reviewing the concentration plans and notifying the MSW Program administration of the desire to complete the concentration within the first two weeks of the start of advanced year coursework.
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Concentration allows students to focus on content and activities that increase intersectional social awareness and promote anti-oppressive practices. Students should complete the selected assignments below with an emphasis on diversity-informed and anti-oppressive social work practices.
Requirements for the Concentration in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWO 5320 | Human Diversity & Social Justice 1 | 3 |
| or SWO 2320 | Human Diversity and Leadership | |
| SWO 5376 | Health Practice & Policy 1 | 3 |
| or SWO 5377 | Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families | |
| or SWO 5323 | Organizational Leadership & Management | |
| SWO 5395 | Capstone Seminar 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
- 1
All courses count towards core degree requirements
- A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration.
- Human Diversity & Social Justice (SWO 5320) or Diversity & Leadership (SWO 2320)
- Conduct Diversity/Inclusion Training and/or group (online, lunch & learn, staff meeting, etc.), and submit an outline, PowerPoint, and material produced in the Box folder. Training should occur in the context of your practicum placement in your advanced year; if it is outside of your practicum placement, you will need to discuss your plan with the MSW Program Director.
- Complete one term of faculty mentorship with a focus on DEI, including a 1-2 page summary of the mentorship experience and accompanying agendas.
- One assignment in Health Policy and Practice (SWO 5376), Social Work Practice and Advocacy with Children and Families (SWO 5377), or Organizational Leadership and Management (SWO 5323) that evaluates or promotes best practice with a historically marginalized or oppressed identity. Students will upload the assignment to the Box folder and submit it to Capstone Faculty.
- Must complete 2 of the following:
- All 4 Courses in Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals by the Department of Health & Human Services are found here: https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/behavioral-health/. These free training courses will provide free documentation upon completion.
- The Dyer Ethics Workshop (all 3 hours) is hosted by the GSSW each fall semester/term.
- 3 hours of CE training related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. (For a list of specific trainings, contact your Advisor.)
- Students must connect the Capstone Project to DEI, anti-racism, and/or working with historically minoritized and oppressed populations.
- B or better in all courses tied to the concentration (SWO 5320 or SWO 2320, SWO 5323 or SWO 5377 or SWO 5376 and SWO 5395).
Trauma-Informed Practice Concentration
Concentrations are additional focused learning opportunities that begin in the advanced year of coursework. Concentration opportunities are in addition to the student's chosen specialization and have no impact on degree completion. Each concentration has a plan tailored to the specific concentration. Students are responsible for reviewing the concentration plans and notifying the MSW Program administration of the desire to complete the concentration within the first two weeks of the start of advanced year coursework.
The Trauma Informed Practice Concentration develops a student's knowledge base more comprehensively in trauma-informed social work practice. The concentration will focus on crisis response, trauma, and recovery in social work practice with implementation considerations at micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Concentration Requirements for the Clinical Specialization:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWO 5370 | Clinical Social Work Practice I 1 | 3 |
| SWO 5380 | Clinical Social Work Practice II 1 | 3 |
| SWO 5376 | Health Practice & Policy 2 | 3 |
| SWO 5377 | Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families 2 | 3 |
| SWO 5395 | Capstone Seminar 1 | 3 |
- 1
Denotes courses that count towards core degree requirements
- 2
May substitute another elective as approved by the MSW Program Director
- A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration.
- One term of faculty mentorship focuses on trauma-informed practice, including a 1-2 page summary of the mentorship experience and accompanying agendas.
- Students must connect the Capstone Project to trauma-informed practice
- B or better in all courses tied to the concentration (SWO 5370, SWO 5380, SWO 5376, SWO 5377 & SWO 5395)
Concentration Requirements for the Community Specialization:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWO 5375 | Community Social Work Practice I 1 | 3 |
| SWO 5378 | Community Social Work Practice II 1 | 3 |
| SWO 5376 | Health Practice & Policy 2 | 3 |
| SWO 5377 | Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families 2 | 3 |
| SWO 5395 | Capstone Seminar 1 | 3 |
- 1
Denotes courses that count towards general degree requirements
- 2
May substitute another elective as approved by the MSW Program Director
- A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration.
- Asset Map Project in SWO 5375 & SWO 5378 must connect to trauma-informed practice. If this is not possible, students may work with faculty and MSW program administrators to develop another assignment that considers the macro implications of trauma and social work practice considerations.
- Complete the following training: https://tfcbt2.musc.edu/. Please note there is a $35 fee associated with the training.
- One term of faculty mentorship focusing on trauma-informed practice, including a 1-2 page summary of the mentorship experience and accompanying agendas.
- Students must connect the Capstone Project to trauma-informed practice
- B or better in all courses connected to the concentration (SWO 5375, SWO 5378, SWO 5376, SWO 5377 & SWO 5395)