Social Work, M.S.W.

Requirements for the Standard MSW Program

• A baccalaureate degree from a nationally accredited college or university that reflects a broad liberal arts preparation. This consists of having completed at least 21 credit hours in social and behavioral sciences and 6 credit hours each in natural sciences, humanities, visual and performing arts, and quantitative reasoning;
• A human biology course (beyone introductory biology), receiving a grade of C or better;
• A statistics course, receiving a grade of C or better;
• An undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.000 or above on a 4-point scale.

Requirements for the Advanced Standing MSW Program

• A bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education accredited social work program;
• An undergraduate social work GPA of 3.250 or above;
• An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.000 or above;
• Received a B or better and/or a Satisfactory grade in BSW Field Education Practicum.

*International students have special requirements for admission to UW. All are encouraged to contact the International Students and Scholars Office for details before applying.

All Applicants

All applicants will be evaluated on:

1. Intellectual and personal qualities essential to the successful practice of social work, such as sensitivity and responsiveness in relationships, concern for the needs of others, adaptability, good judgment, creativity and integrity;
2. Commitment to social justice and equality;
3. Written and verbal communication skills;
4. Professional references; and
5. Compatibility of career goals with the MSW program’s advanced generalist perspective.

All applicants meeting minimum criteria will be considered for admission. Admitted applicants will be required to complete a criminal background check through the College of Health Sciences.

Program Specific Degree Requirements

All incoming students enter the MSW program in the summer semester of their first year, completing introductory and/or bridge courses as needed for their specific program phase. The MSW program is divided into two levels: generalist and advanced generalist. The generalist year of the MSW program prepares students without a BSW degree for the advanced generalist curriculum in the second year. Students who have already obtained their BSW degree may apply for Advanced Generalist in the MSW program. These students complete only the second-year courses.

Master of Social Work Field Practicum

All students, regardless of status, participate in a field practicum experience, starting in their first fall semester. New students submit an initial application for placement during their first summer of classes.

Foundation students will complete 900 hours in practicum over the course of their two years of study, 400 and 500 hours respectively. Advanced Standing students will complete 500 hours in their one year of study. All students in practicum will take a corresponding field seminar class each semester.

Grading is done as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Receiving a grade of U is considered a failing grade and can result in termination from the practicum. If the practicum is terminated, the student may be offered a remediation plan to retake the required hours. This opportunity is only offered one time. The student may also be referred to the DOSW faculty for review according to the Student Academic and Professional Performance policy.

Specific information and procedures relating to all aspects of the field practicum experience can be found in the Field Practicum Manual located on the Division of Social Work’s website.