Master of Social Work
The M.S.W. program consists of 51 semester hours of core courses plus 9 additional hours of electives. Full-time students complete the program in two years and part-time students complete the program in three or four years. For full-time students, this is typically five courses per semester, one of which is the field placement. Daytime and evening sections are offered for each required course. Certain electives are also offered in the summer and winter sessions. The required courses are designed to be taken in a set sequence. Students are expected to follow this sequence; failure to do so jeopardizes timely completion of the program. Please view Sample Course Plan for details.
Regular Standing
Regular Standing students are required to take 20 graduate-level courses to graduate.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Generalist Course Requirements | ||
| SWG 511 | The Dialectic of Oppression and Liberation | 3 |
| SWG 554 | Human Development across the Lifespan | 3 |
| SWG 541 | Social Welfare Policies and Services | 3 |
| SWG 560 | Mental Health: A Recovery Approach | 3 |
| SWG 555 | Organizations & Communities | 3 |
| SWG 533 | Methods of Social Work Research | 3 |
| Generalist Field Requirements 1 | ||
| SWG 501 & SWG 596 | Social Work Generalist Practice I and Generalist Field Practicum I 2 | 6 |
| SWG 502 & SWG 597 | Social Work Generalist Practice II and Generalist Field Practicum II 3 | 6 |
| Specialized Course Requirements | ||
| SWG 562 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| SWG 534 | Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWG 542 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities | 3 |
| Specialized Field Requirements 4 | ||
| SWG 561 & SWG 598 | Specialized SW Practice with Individuals and Specialized Field Practicum I 2 | 6 |
| SWG 563 & SWG 599 | Specialized Practice: Integrative Seminar and Specialized Field Practicum II 5 | 6 |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Select 3 three-credit elective courses. May be taken any semester, and can be taken in another department (with permission of the MSW Graduate Coordinator). | ||
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 60 | |
- 1
448 field hours required.
- 2
The same sections must be selected for these courses.
- 3
Course sections must be the same as the sections chosen for SWG 501/SWG 596.
- 4
504 field hours required.
- 5
Course sections must be the same as the sections chosen for SWG 561/SWG 598.
Advanced Standing
Advanced Standing students are required to take 12 graduate-level courses to graduate.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Specialized Course Requirements | ||
| SWG 503 | Integrative Bridge Course 1 | 3 |
| SWG 560 | Mental Health: A Recovery Approach 1 | 3 |
| SWG 562 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| SWG 534 | Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWG 542 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities | 3 |
| Specialized Field Requirements 2 | ||
| SWG 561 & SWG 598 | Specialized SW Practice with Individuals and Specialized Field Practicum I 3 | 6 |
| SWG 563 & SWG 599 | Specialized Practice: Integrative Seminar and Specialized Field Practicum II 4 | 6 |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Select 3 three-credit elective courses. May be taken any semester and can be taken in another department (with permission of the MSW Graduate Coordinator). | ||
| Total Minimum Credits Required | 36 | |
- 1
These courses are completed in the summer.
- 2
504 field hours required.
- 3
The same sections must be selected for these courses.
- 4
Course sections must the same as the sections chosen for SWG 561/SWG 598.
To track their individual degree progress, students are advised to access their Degree Progress Report (DPR) via my WCU and consult their Graduate Coordinator. For more information, visit wcupa.edu/DegreeProgressReport.
The following is a sample suggested course sequence for this program; course offerings and availability are not guaranteed. Students should consult their academic advisor with any questions.
Regular Standing, 2-Year Plan
Other than electives, all required courses must be taken in the sequential order presented below.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SWG 511 | The Dialectic of Oppression and Liberation | 3 |
| SWG 554 | Human Development across the Lifespan 1 | 3 |
| SWG 541 | Social Welfare Policies and Services | 3 |
| SWG 501 & SWG 596 |
Social Work Generalist Practice I and Generalist Field Practicum I 2 |
6 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 560 | Mental Health: A Recovery Approach | 3 |
| SWG 555 | Organizations & Communities | 3 |
| SWG 533 | Methods of Social Work Research 1 | 3 |
| SWG 502 & SWG 597 |
Social Work Generalist Practice II and Generalist Field Practicum II 3 |
6 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWG 542 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities | 3 |
| SWG 561 & SWG 598 |
Specialized SW Practice with Individuals and Specialized Field Practicum I 2 |
6 |
| SWG 562 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 534 | Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWG 563 & SWG 599 |
Specialized Practice: Integrative Seminar and Specialized Field Practicum II 5 |
6 |
| Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Students may test out of this course.
- 2
The same sections must be selected for these courses.
- 3
Course sections must be the same as the sections chosen for SWG 501/SWG 596.
- 4
May be taken in any semester and in other departments with permission from the MSW Graduate Coordinator.
- 5
Course sections must be the same as the sections chosen for SWG 561/SWG 598.
Regular Standing, 3-Year Plan
Other than electives, all required courses must be taken in the sequential order presented below.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SWG 511 | The Dialectic of Oppression and Liberation | 3 |
| SWG 554 | Human Development across the Lifespan 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 560 | Mental Health: A Recovery Approach | 3 |
| SWG 555 | Organizations & Communities | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWG 541 | Social Welfare Policies and Services | 3 |
| SWG 501 & SWG 596 |
Social Work Generalist Practice I and Generalist Field Practicum I 3 |
6 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 533 | Methods of Social Work Research | 3 |
| SWG 502 & SWG 597 |
Social Work Generalist Practice II and Generalist Field Practicum II 4 |
6 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWG 542 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities | 3 |
| SWG 561 & SWG 598 |
Specialized SW Practice with Individuals and Specialized Field Practicum I 3 |
6 |
| SWG 562 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 534 | Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWG 563 & SWG 599 |
Specialized Practice: Integrative Seminar and Specialized Field Practicum II 5 |
6 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Students may test out of this course.
- 2
May be taken in any semester and in other departments with permission from the MSW Graduate Coordinator.
- 3
The same sections must be selected for these courses.
- 4
Course sections must be the same as the sections chosen for SWG 501/SWG 596.
- 5
Course sections must be the same as the sections chosen for SWG 561/SWG 598.
Regular Standing, 4-Year Plan
Other than electives, all required courses must be taken in the sequential order presented below.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SWG 511 | The Dialectic of Oppression and Liberation | 3 |
| SWG 554 | Human Development across the Lifespan 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 560 | Mental Health: A Recovery Approach | 3 |
| SWG 555 | Organizations & Communities | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWG 541 | Social Welfare Policies and Services | 3 |
| SWG 501 & SWG 596 |
Social Work Generalist Practice I and Generalist Field Practicum I 3 |
6 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 533 | Methods of Social Work Research 1 | 3 |
| SWG 502 & SWG 597 |
Social Work Generalist Practice II and Generalist Field Practicum II 4 |
6 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWG 562 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| SWG 561 & SWG 598 |
Specialized SW Practice with Individuals and Specialized Field Practicum I 3 |
6 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 563 & SWG 599 |
Specialized Practice: Integrative Seminar and Specialized Field Practicum II 5 |
6 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWG 542 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 534 | Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Students may test out of this course.
- 2
May be taken in any semester and in other departments with permission from the MSW Graduate Coordinator.
- 3
The same sections must be selected for these courses.
- 4
Course sections must be the same as the sections chosen for SWG 501/SWG 596.
- 5
Course sections must be the same as the sections chosen for SWG 561/SWG 598.
Advanced Standing, 1-Year Plan
Other than electives, all required courses must be taken in the sequential order presented below.
| Summer Before Year 1 (May-July) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Session I | Credits | |
| SWG 503 | Integrative Bridge Course | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Summer Session II | ||
| SWG 560 | Mental Health: A Recovery Approach | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year One | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWG 542 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities | 3 |
| SWG 561 & SWG 598 |
Specialized SW Practice with Individuals and Specialized Field Practicum I 1 |
6 |
| SWG 562 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 534 | Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWG 563 & SWG 599 |
Specialized Practice: Integrative Seminar and Specialized Field Practicum II 3 |
6 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Advanced Standing, 2-Year Plan
Other than electives, all required courses must be taken in the sequential order presented below.
| Summer Before Year 1 (May-July) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Session I | Credits | |
| SWG 503 | Integrative Bridge Course | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Summer Session II | ||
| SWG 560 | Mental Health: A Recovery Approach | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year One | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWG 562 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| SWG 561 & SWG 598 |
Specialized SW Practice with Individuals and Specialized Field Practicum I 1 |
6 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWG 534 | Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWG 563 & SWG 599 |
Specialized Practice: Integrative Seminar and Specialized Field Practicum II 2 |
6 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWG 542 | Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities | 3 |
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
