Master of Social Work

College of Education and 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.

Generalist Course Requirements
SWG 511The Dialectic of Oppression and Liberation3
SWG 554Human Development across the Lifespan3
SWG 541Social Welfare Policies and Services3
SWG 560Mental Health: A Recovery Approach3
SWG 555Organizations & Communities3
SWG 533Methods of Social Work Research3
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 562Specialized Social Work Practice with Families3
SWG 534Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation3
SWG 542Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities3
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
Electives9
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 Required60
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. 

Specialized Course Requirements
SWG 503Integrative Bridge Course 13
SWG 560Mental Health: A Recovery Approach 13
SWG 562Specialized Social Work Practice with Families3
SWG 534Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation3
SWG 542Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities3
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
Electives9
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 Required36
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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
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
 Credits15
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
 Credits15
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
 Credits15
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
 Credits15
 Total Credits60
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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
SWG 511 The Dialectic of Oppression and Liberation 3
SWG 554 Human Development across the Lifespan 1 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWG 560 Mental Health: A Recovery Approach 3
SWG 555 Organizations & Communities 3
 Credits6
Summer
Elective 2 3
 Credits3
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
 Credits9
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
 Credits9
Summer
Elective 2 3
 Credits3
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
 Credits12
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
 Credits12
 Total Credits60
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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
SWG 511 The Dialectic of Oppression and Liberation 3
SWG 554 Human Development across the Lifespan 1 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWG 560 Mental Health: A Recovery Approach 3
SWG 555 Organizations & Communities 3
 Credits6
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
 Credits9
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
 Credits9
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
 Credits9
Spring
SWG 563
SWG 599
Specialized Practice: Integrative Seminar
and Specialized Field Practicum II 5
6
Elective 2 3
 Credits9
Year Four
Fall
SWG 542 Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities 3
Elective 2 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWG 534 Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation 3
Elective 2 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits60
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.

Plan of Study Grid
Summer Before Year 1 (May-July)
Summer Session ICredits
SWG 503 Integrative Bridge Course 3
 Credits3
Summer Session II
SWG 560 Mental Health: A Recovery Approach 3
 Credits3
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
 Credits15
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
 Credits15
 Total Credits36
1

The same sections must be selected for these courses.

2

May be taken in any semester and in other departments with permission from the MSW Graduate Coordinator.

3

Course sections must be the same as the sections chosen for SWG 561/SWG 598.

Advanced Standing, 2-Year Plan

Other than electives, all required courses must be taken in the sequential order presented below.

Plan of Study Grid
Summer Before Year 1 (May-July)
Summer Session ICredits
SWG 503 Integrative Bridge Course 3
 Credits3
Summer Session II
SWG 560 Mental Health: A Recovery Approach 3
 Credits3
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
 Credits9
Spring
SWG 534 Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation 3
SWG 563
SWG 599
Specialized Practice: Integrative Seminar
and Specialized Field Practicum II 2
6
 Credits9
Year Two
Fall
SWG 542 Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities 3
Elective 3 3
 Credits6
Spring
Elective 3 3
Elective 3 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits36
1

The same sections must be selected for these courses.

2

Course sections must be the same as the sections chosen for SWG 561/SWG 598.

3

May be taken in any semester and in other departments with permission of the MSW Graduate Coordinator.