This full-time two-year MSW program is a traditional graduate program that combines classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork. The first year of the program, the generalist (formerly known as "foundation") year, is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need for generalist social work practice. In the specialized (formerly known as "advanced") year, or the second year, students have the chance to dive into advanced social work practice in their chosen area of specialization (formerly known as "concentration"). 

Format

Generalist Curriculum

A generalist curriculum is completed during the first academic year. The generalist curriculum provides the knowledge and skills students need for entry-level social work practice, preparing them to serve in a variety of settings—with individuals, families or groups as well as with organizations, communities and institutions. The curriculum also acquaints students with the social work profession’s values, ethics and history.

Specialized Curriculum

During the second year, students follow an specialized curriculum.The MSW Day Program specialized curriculum provides in-depth preparation in advanced social work practice, building specialized knowledge of relevant policies, systems, theories and practice methods across a variety of settings and populations. Students are prepared for advanced professional practice, in a chosen area of specialization, in a way that fosters social work leadership, effective social interventions, a commitment to a just and diverse society, and a commitment to public service.

In their specialized year, students attend classes one to two days a week and spend three full days a week in the field. Required courses and most field placements are offered during weekday daytime hours. Electives are scheduled in daytime slots as well as on weekday evenings and Saturdays. Required core courses are not offered in summer, though some students may choose to enroll in electives or earn practicum credits during summer quarter.

Schedule

In their first year, MSW Day students attend classes two to four days a week.  Classes will be offered during three different time slots (8:30-11:20am, 11:30am-2:20pm, and 2:30-5:20pm) on Mondays through Fridays. Students should only have to take classes in 2 of these 3 timeslots on a given day, in any given quarter, unless they elect to take 3, but students should plan to be able to attend classes in all 3 timeslots. Classes will change each quarter based on rooms and instructors’ availability. Since some classes meet over the lunch hour, students will be permitted to bring non-disruptive food into their classrooms.

Starting in fall in their first year, students also spend a few days per week in field education placement for their generalist practicum*. During their second year, students will spend more time in the field as part of their specialized practicum. 

Electives for DAY students will usually be in one of the time blocks above, but some are also available on Thursday evenings, 6-9pm or on the Saturday schedule (9:30am-4:20pm over 4 out of the 10 Saturdays in each quarter). 

1st year Sample Schedule*

Autumn Quarter

Soc W 500 –  Fridays 8:30am-11:20am or 11:20am-2:30pm

Soc W 501 – Mondays 8:30am-11:20am or 2:30-5:20pm

Soc W 504 – Monday 11:30am-2:20pm

Soc W 510 – Wednesday 11:30am-2:20am

Soc W 524 (2 credits) – Tuesdays; as arranged with the Field Office 

Winter Quarter

Soc W 505 – Friday 8:30am-11:20am

Soc W 511 – Wednesday 2:30am-5:20pm

Soc W 512 – Wednesday 8:30am-11:20am

Soc W 524 (4 credits) – Mondays and Tuesdays as arranged with the Field Office 

Spring Quarter

Soc W 506 – Wednesday 11:30am-2:20pm

Soc W 513 – Friday 11:30am-2:20pm

Soc W 524 (4 credits) –Mondays and Tuesdays as arranged with the Field Office 

Soc W 5xx (elective) – Any 3 hour course slot on Th or F or Thurs eve or Saturdays

Practicum Placement Timeline*

As soon as you’ve confirmed you’re attending by paying your deposit, you will be contacted by a field faculty member from the Office of Field Education in early June.  They will ask you to submit a resume and complete the "Generalist Field Education Placment" questionaire. The Office of Field Education, based upon that, will assign you to work with a Field Faculty member around your generalist placement and that faculty member will contact you to speak with you either in person or by phone.  These contacts will take place in July and early August, with the plan that all new students will be given a placement referral by late August.  When you get your referral, you’ll be given the information on who and how to contact the agency to set up either an in-person or phone/skype interview.  Interviews should be completed by the end of the first week of school, although many are done sooner than that.  Practicums should be finalized by early October.

*Tentative information for the 2021-2022 academic year and beyond.


Disclaimer: The School of Social Work reserves the right to (1) add or delete courses; (2) change instructor, time, day or location of courses; (3) cancel any course for insufficient registration or academic/administrative decision without notice; (4) unregister students from courses for which they have mis-enrolled or have not received permission to enroll; or (5) move students into a different section of a multi-section course. Students will be notified of any changes