Master of Social Work (MSW)

Now more than ever, a Master of Social Work (MSW) is critical to professional success in the social work field. Those earning an MSW degree have increased professional competency and job satisfaction, along with opportunities for career advancement . The field that has shown an increased demand for individuals with the MSW degree, making it a must!

USF’s MSW program is designed for working professionals because it offers convenient Friday/Saturday, classes . Full-time students attending classes on Fridays and Saturdays can expect to complete the degree in two years or four semesters. Advance standing students (those with a BSW from an accredited program) should anticipate one academic year for completion. Part-time students are welcome.

The MSW program combines both theoretical and practical knowledge so that students earn a degree that is highly respected in the workplace . The program’s foundation courses contain content and learning experiences that all MSW graduates need for competent, generalist social work practice. Supervised fieldwork is required in the first and second years.

Graduate Certificate

• Gerontology

Graduate Certificate – Post Masters

• Forensic Social Work Certificate

Degree Requirements

The Master of Social Work degree requires students to complete 62 semester credit hours of coursework. This includes specified credit hours per week of supervised fieldwork in the first year, followed by specified credit hours per week of supervised fieldwork in the second year, plus related integrated seminars. These practicum experiences will provide the required total hours of supervised practice experience in selected social service agencies. Two-year, full-time students can expect to complete the requirements for the degree over four continuous semesters. Advance standing students should anticipate one (1) academic year for completion. Change in status (from part-time to full-time or vice versa) is permitted. The maximum number of credit hours transferable is six.

Advanced Standing

Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program may be eligible for advanced standing. The advanced standing program currently consists of 32 credit hours of coursework. Only select students are required to take 6 hours of bridging courses. The bridge courses are only required of advanced standing students with a G.P.A. of less than 2.75. There are also 4 semester hours of fieldwork per semester with related integrated seminars required. This program requires one academic year of study for advanced standing students and two years for students from non-accredited programs. Transfer students will not be admitted to an advanced standing program.

Major Program (62 semester hours)

The first 30 credit hours of the 62 hour Master of Social Work (MSW) program constitute the Foundation of the MSW degree. The Foundation courses obtain content and learning experiences that all MSW graduates need for competent, generalist social work practice. The Foundation will be organized as follows:

First Semester Courses (15 semester hours) [offered every fall]

• SWRK 500 Social Work Generalist Practice I (3)
• SWRK 501 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3)
• SWRK 502 Social Policy I: Analysis and Practice (3)
• SWRK 503 Social Work Research Methods I (3)
• SWRK 504 Field Practicum/Seminar I (3)

Second Semester Courses (15 semester hours) [offered every spring]

• SWRK 511 Social Work Generalist Practice II (3)
• SWRK 512 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3)
• SWRK 515 Field Practicum/Seminar II (3)
• SWRK 516 Social Policy II: Ethics in Social Welfare (3)
• SWRK 517 Women’s Issues and Feminist Practice (3)

The MSW Concentration Curriculum

• Advanced Standing Bridging Courses [offered every summer]
• SWRK 611 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I & II (3)
• SWRK 612 Social Policy I & II: Analysis and Practice (3)

Third Semester (16 semester hours) [offered every fall]

• SWRK 601 Social Work Advanced Generalist Practice I (3)
• SWRK 603 Field Practicum/Integrative Seminar III (4)
• SWRK 604 Ethical Issues in Contemporary Social Work (3)
• SWRK 615 Cross-Cultural Practice Systems (3)
• *Elective (3)

Fourth Semester (16 semester hours) [offered every spring]

• SWRK 605 Comparative Theories/Object Relations in Social Work Practice (3)
• SWRK 613 Advanced Research Methods (3)
• SWRK 614 Field Practicum/Seminar IV (4)
• SWRK 615 Cross-Cultural Practice Systems (3)
• *Elective (3)

*Electives

• SWRK 650 Domestic Violence (3)
• SWRK 651 Substance Abuse & Treatment (3)
• SWRK 652 Practice & Policy Issues in Child Abuse and Neglect (3)
• SWRK 653 Crisis Intervention (3)
• SWRK 654 Spirituality & Franciscan Ideals (3)
• SWRK 657 Social Work Practice with Older Adults (3)
• SWRK 661 Psychopathology (3)
• SWRK 694 Topics (3)
• SWRK 695 Independent Study (1-3)

Five Year BSW/MSW Social Work Degree* Fifth Year – MSW Program Fall Semester

• SWRK 601 Advanced Generalist Practice I
• SWRK 603 Field Practicum & Integrated Seminar III
• SWRK 604 Ethical Issues in a Contemporary Society
• SWRK 615 Cross-Cultural Practice

Spring Semester

• SWRK 602 Comparative Theories/Object Relations
• SWRK 613 Advanced Research Methods
• SWRK 614 Field Practicum & Integrated Sem IV
• SWRK 616 Social Work Generalist Practice II

*Note: if Fast-track electives were not completed at the BSW level, student must add MSW elective to fall and spring semester For more information regarding the Five Year BSW/MSW Program, refer to undergraduate Social Work section

As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion, and peacemaking. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.