Also offered through the College of Extended and Global Education (3-Year Option only)

The School of Social Work offers courses leading to the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and is designed to educate advanced generalist social work leaders with a program that equally emphasizes micro and macro practice. The micro practice sequence of courses prepares students to promote change and well-being with individuals, families and groups. The macro practice sequence of courses prepares students to promote change and well-being with organizations and communities with an integrated focus on policy practice. The program is based upon the requirements of the Council on Social Work Education, the national accrediting body for social work programs.

The MSW program is offered in three models: Model (1) offers four semesters of course work leading to the MSW degree within two academic years. This option is intended for students who can devote their time and attention to full-time, intensive study. Model (2) offers the same course work over three academic years. The MSW program includes 1080 hours (two or two and a half days) of supervised placement in an agency during the regular work week in the daytime over two academic years. Model (2) is too intensive for students who work 40 hours per week. It is necessary for these students to reduce their hours of employment. Model (3), an Advanced Standing option, is offered to students with a Bachelors degree in Social Work from a CSWE Accredited program within five years of starting this program. This program can be completed in three terms, starting with courses during the summer, then two additional semesters of course work. The Advanced Standing option includes 600 hours (two and a half days per week) of supervised placement in an agency during the regular work week in the daytime over one academic year.

Accreditation

The program has held full accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education since February 1992.  Questions regarding accreditation should be directed to the director of the School of Social Work.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the MSW Program

2-Year or 3-Year Options

Admission to the MSW program is based on an examination of an admission application. In addition to the general requirements of the university, specific minimum requirements for admission consideration are:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university before the start of the MSW program; 
2. A grade point average of 3.0 ("B") or better in all course work; or
3. A grade point average of 3.0 ("B") or better in the last 90 quarter units or last 60 semester units; *A GPA of 2.8 or higher (cumulative or last 60 semester units/last 90 quarter units) may be considered with significant social service experience and overall application. 
4. An academic background in the liberal arts; with social and behavioral sciences preferred;
5. Paid social work related employment, internship, or volunteer service (the equivalent of at least one year of full-time experience, i.e., 2,080 hours), is preferred, but applicants with less experience will be considered;
6. Evidence of personal qualifications, motivation, and experience that indicate likelihood of becoming a successful social worker; an autobiographical statement and three references from individuals who are familiar with the student's work, academic background, potential for social work practice, and level of maturity;
7. A course in each of the following:
   1. Social Science Research Methods
   2. Human Behavior
   3. Human Physiology

Students with bachelor’s degrees from Council on Social Work Education accredited programs not admitted into the Advanced Standing program are required to meet with their faculty advisor prior to beginning course work to determine whether any generalist year MSW courses are redundant with their undergraduate preparation.  Such determination may be based on course syllabi, texts, informal evaluation, or formal examination.  Each course waived for the qualified applicant must be substituted with an approved elective so that a total of 60 semester units is completed for the master's degree.

Advanced Standing (1-Year) Option

Admission to the Advanced Standing MSW program is based on an examination of an admission application.  Student applying to this program must meet general requirements of the university, the requirements for admission into the general MSW program, and specific minimum requirements for admission consideration which includes:

1. A baccalaureate degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program in an accredited college or university (completed within the last 5 years) ;
2. A grade point average of 3.0 out of a 4.0 grading scale or better in all course work; or
3. A grade point average of 3.0 out of a 4.0 grading scale for in the last 60 semester units or last 90 quarter units.

Waiver of Generalist Coursework for Advanced Standing Students

Advancement to Candidacy

To be advanced to candidacy, a student must have:

1. Achieved classified status;
2. Satisfied the general university requirements for advancement to candidacy;
3. Completed the Graduate Entrance Writing requirement through passing the writing intensive SW 6042 course with at least a "B" grade, or successfully complete the Advanced Standing Bridge Coursework; 
4. Completed with a grade point average of at least 3.0 ("B"), at least 30 semester units of course work, or successfully complete the Advanced Standing Bridge Coursework;
5. Selected a thesis committee and gained approval of the thesis topic by the thesis committee if a thesis is chosen;
6. Filed an Advancement to Candidacy form which must have the approval of the student's advisor, the field director and department director indicating demonstrated academic and professional competence in field and classroom.

Requirements for Graduation

2-Year or 3-Year Options

1. A minimum of 60-semester units of designated graduate courses as approved on the petition for advancement to candidacy,
2. A grade point average of at least 3.0 ("B");
3. Completion of a culminating research project or a thesis;
4. Up to one-half of the course work (30-semester units) may be transferred from an accredited MSW program. Only grades of "B" (3.0) or better will be accepted and students must first be accepted for admission. Courses not in keeping with program requirements may not be acceptable;
5. Completion of all MSW coursework within a four year period;
6. Completion of SW 6013 and SW 6014, which will fulfill the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement;
7. Any additional requirements not cited above and listed in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements.

Advanced Standing (1-Year) Option

1. Completion of the Advanced Standing Summer Bridge Coursework (6 units) and an additional 30-semester units of designated graduate courses;
2. A grade point average of at least 3.0 ("B");
3. Completion of a culminating research project or a thesis;
4. Up to 10-semester units may be transferred from an accredited MSW program. Only grades of "B" (3.0) or better will be accepted and students must first be accepted for admission. Courses not in keeping with program requirements may not be acceptable;
5. Completion of all MSW coursework within a two year period;
6. Completion of SW 6013 and SW 6014, which will fulfill the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement;
7. Any additional requirements not cited above and listed in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements.

Degree Requirements (36 or 60 units)

Required courses leading to the MSW degree cover five curricular areas: Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Micro Practice, Macro Practice, Research, and Field Work.  Courses within each curricular area must be completed in sequence, as they are listed below, and all generalist courses in a category must be completed before taking advanced generalist courses in the same category.

2-Year and 3-Year State-Support Programs: In Person
College of Extended and Global Education (3-Year option): Online

(Program Code: SWM_)

Generalist Curriculum (33)
SW 6011	Social Work Research I	3
SW 6012	Social Work Research II	3
SW 6021	Generalist Micro Practice I	3
SW 6022	Generalist Micro Practice II	3
SW 6041	Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Lifespan Development	3
SW 6042	Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Critical Topics	3
SW 6061	Generalist Macro Practice I	3
SW 6062	Generalist Macro Practice II	3
SW 6081	Generalist Field Work I	3
SW 6082	Generalist Field Work II	3
Three units of electives from the list below, or approved by advisor if taken outside the school.		3
SW 6031	Social Work in the Global Perspective
SW 6032	Social Work with Alcohol and Drug Abuse
SW 6033	Social Work Intervention with Older Adults and Their Families
SW 6038	Public Child Welfare: Policy and Practice
SW 6901	Advanced Topics in Social Work I
Advanced Generalist Curriculum (27)
SW 6013	Research Project I	1
SW 6014	Research Project II	2
SW 6023	Advanced Generalist Micro Practice I	3
SW 6024	Advanced Generalist Micro Practice II	3
SW 6063	Advanced Generalist Macro Practice I	3
SW 6064	Advanced Generalist Macro Practice II	3
SW 6083	Advanced Generalist Field Work I	3
SW 6084	Advanced Generalist Field Work II	3
SW 6777	Social Work Advanced Generalist Leadership and Capstone	3
SW 6902	Advanced Topics in Social Work II	3
Total Units		60

Course Waivers

Students are permitted to satisfy course requirements in the generalist year curriculum by passing a challenge assessment in each required course.  Courses that are successfully challenged must be substituted with an approved elective so that a total of 60-semester units are completed for the master's degree.  Fieldwork courses are not subject to waiver.

Electives

In lieu of taking electives in the social work curriculum, students may take up to six-semester units of relevant 5000- or 6000-level coursework from other disciplines with the approval of their advisor.

Advanced Standing (1-Year)

(Program Code: SWAS)

Summer Bridge Courses (6)
SW 6015	Social Work Research Bridge	2
SW 6035	Generalist Practice Bridge	3
SW 6085	Generalist Field Work Bridge	1
Generalist Curriculum (3)
SW 6012	Social Work Research II	3
Advanced Generalist Curriculum (27)
SW 6013	Research Project I	1
SW 6014	Research Project II	2
SW 6023	Advanced Generalist Micro Practice I	3
SW 6024	Advanced Generalist Micro Practice II	3
SW 6063	Advanced Generalist Macro Practice I	3
SW 6064	Advanced Generalist Macro Practice II	3
SW 6083	Advanced Generalist Field Work I	3
SW 6084	Advanced Generalist Field Work II	3
SW 6777	Social Work Advanced Generalist Leadership and Capstone	3
SW 6902	Advanced Topics in Social Work II	3
Total Units		36

Culminating Experience (6 units)

The research project represents the culminating graduate experience. The research project is developed in SW 6012 and is carried out in the field setting and completed under individual supervision in SW 6013 and SW 6014. It must be on a social work practice topic, must use objective analysis and will be presented to faculty and field personnel orally and in writing. A thesis (SW 6971) may be done as an alternative of the research project with additional expectations, but is optional.