MSW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Program Overview Admission Requirements Degree Requirements Courses How To Apply

The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree has two programs, the regular program and the advanced standing program. Both are available in a full-time or part-time track.

Full-time students take 3-5 classes each semester, which includes coursework within the classroom and a field practicum. Part-time students typically take 2-3 classes per semester, including coursework within the classroom and field practicum in certain semesters.

Students designate the program for which they are applying. Requests for changes after being admitted must be made in writing and approved by the MSW program coordinator.

Additional Requirements & Information

Attendance on First Day of Class

All students enrolled in the MSW program are required to attend the first class in all MSW courses.

Time Limitation

Candidates for the MSW degree must complete all degree requirements within five (5) consecutive years after initial registration.

Academic and Professional Standards

Continuation in the M.S.W. program requires satisfactory progress toward degree completion. This includes registering for courses from the approved curriculum, following the proper program structure, earning grades of at least “B-” or above in all courses, maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and adhering at all times to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.

Students who receive one grade of “C-“or below may be recommended for dismissal regardless of their cumulative GPA. Students who receive a grade of “C+” or below are not automatically permitted to retake the course. Under exceptional circumstances, and only with prior permission from the M.S.W. faculty committee, are students permitted to retake the course.

Students who fail to meet the academic standards of the program or violate the NASW Code of Ethics may be recommended for dismissal.

Additional Academic Standards for Regular Program

Students admitted to the regular 60-credit program are allowed a maximum of two “C+” or “C” grades, and with faculty permission, may retake the course and continue in the program. Students who receive more than two “C+” or “C” grades may be recommended for dismissal regardless of their cumulative GPA.

Additional Academic Standards for Advanced Standing Program

Students admitted with advanced standing are allowed a maximum of one “C+” or “C” grade, and with faculty permission, may retake the course and continue in the program. Students who receive more than one “C+” or “C” grade may be recommended for dismissal regardless of their cumulative GPA.

Plan of Study

The College for Design and Social Inquiry requires all graduate students in the college to have an approved Plan of Study (POS) on file by the end of the second semester in the graduate program. This deadline is different than the Graduate College’s recommendation of submission by mid-program, but no later than the semester before graduation. Individual academic colleges reserve the right to enforce stricter deadlines for this university-wide graduate student requirement.

Grades below “C”

Grades below “C” (e.g. “C-” to “F”) reflect unsatisfactory progress toward the degree. Students earning such grades are therefore recommended for dismissal from the MSW degree program. Students dismissed from the MSW program subject to University Regulation 4.001 for academic and/or behavioral reasons shall not be permitted to enroll in the Bachelor of Social Work program. Students may also be dismissed at any time if they are not making satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree.

Course Scheduling

The School of Social Works endeavors to schedule classes to accommodate full-time and part-time students. Note that the School of Social Work makes no guarantees regarding class meeting times or days.

Enrollment in MSW Courses

MSW courses are limited to those students who have been fully admitted to the MSW program. The School of Social Work closely manages its accredited, licensed graduate program to ensure that its students are functioning within cohorts based upon admission year and program type. Non-matriculated students who register for an MSW course will be instructed to withdraw from the course. It is the student’s responsibility to seek any associated fee refunds through other University channels.