Accredited online masters degree programs in social work

Changing Lives, Changing Society: Introduction to Social Work Show

This is a foundation course designed to introduce students to the social work profession. Students explore the history of the profession, the characteristics of generalist practice, social work practice settings, and professional values and ethics. Students also develop knowledge of current issues and directions for the profession, and the requirements and challenges of being a professional social worker.

Essential Skills for Social Work Practice Show

This course is designed for students to gain foundation-level social work skills on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. Students in the course explore how to set professional boundaries and exhibit professional demeanor conducive to social work practice. They further examine appropriate ethical conduct, client engagement, active listening, empathetic responses, and interviewing skills. Students also apply the Generalist Intervention Model in a culturally competent manner through engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, termination, and follow-up with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Social Work Practice Research I Show

This foundation course is designed to develop students' understanding of the importance of research to social work practice. Students are introduced to basic principles of scientific method including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. While exploring the research process, they analyze associated ethical and cultural considerations, evaluate existing literature, and build a research proposal on a topic of interest. This is the first of two courses designed to prepare students as scholar-practitioners who use research to inform their ethical, culturally competent social work practice.

Prerequisites

Master of Social Work (MSW) Traditional and Traditional Fast Track Options

• None

Master of Social Work (MSW) for Students Entering Prior to May 31, 2021: Standard and Standard Accelerated Options

• SOCW 6002
• SOCW 6101
• SOCW 6200
• SOCW 6051
• SOCW 6351

Human Behavior and the Social Environment I Show

Students in this foundation course are provided with an understanding of the intersection between the social environment and the healthy lifespan development of individuals, families, groups, and communities. Throughout the course, students examine the dynamics of human behavior including biological, psychological, and social systems from birth to young adulthood. They also analyze case studies for the ways in which gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, and disability impact human development. Overall, students explore human behavior through the lens of human development, the environment, and social context.

Prerequisites

• SOCW 6002
• SOCW 6101

Skills Lab I Show

The Social Work Skills Lab I is a 1-credit, 6-week hybrid class that includes three weeks of online content, followed by a 3-day intensive experience (available face-to-face or virtually), and then closes with two weeks of online content. The Social Work Skills Lab I course reinforces the content covered in the MSW Foundation Year courses with an emphasis on generalist skills development, diversity and inclusion, evidence-based practice, ethics, and development of the professional self. Material covered includes practice labs focused on individual engagement and assessment, group development and leadership, and an understanding of how to advocate within organizations and communities. A key component of the skills lab is to prepare and assess students for their readiness to enter the field.  

Prerequisites

• SOCW 6002

Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice Show

This is a foundation course in which students broadly address race and ethnicity, nationality, gender and sexuality, socioeconomic status and class, spirituality and religion, ability, and age in an effort to better understand social identity. Throughout this course, students complete discussions and applied assignments to explore the role of power, privilege, oppression, and marginalization on the social development of clients. In addition, students engage in reflective journals and activities to foster self-awareness of their own role in the hierarchy of power and privilege. At the completion of this course, students will have a personalized, digital Diversity Portfolio showcasing their developing competence in providing evidence-based contextually and culturally relevant assessments and interventions for individuals, families, groups, and communities.

Prerequisites

• SOCW 6002
• SOCW 6101

Human Behavior and the Social Environment II Show

This advanced course is designed to prepare students for clinical social work practice that reflects an advanced understanding of life-span development and socio-psychological identity development with individuals from young adulthood through later adulthood, their families, within groups, and communities. Throughout this course, students will use their learning around life-span development and socio-psychological identity development to understand human behavior and, particularly, individual and family functioning within the environmental context. With an emphasis on ethical practice in social work, this course gives students the opportunity to use this information to inform their assessments, evaluations, interventions, and advocacy for their clients.

Prerequisites

• SOCW 6200

Social Work Field Education I Show

This is the first foundation course in the four-part field practicum sequence. Students are required to complete 200 hours in an approved social services agency under the supervision of a professional social worker. Through the practicum experience, students are introduced to the role of a professional social worker. Students demonstrate skills in maintaining boundaries and ethics while interacting in a professional manner with clients. Through their participation in a weekly hour-long seminar with their instructor and peers, students demonstrate their integration of classroom knowledge with professional practice skills.

Prerequisites

Master of Social Work (MSW) for Students Entering Prior to May 31, 2021: Standard and Standard Accelerated Options Prerequisites:

• SOCW 6002
• SOCW 6101
• SOCW 6200
• SWLB 0651
• SOCW 6210
• SOCW 6051
• SOCW 6351

Master of Social Work (MSW) Traditional and Traditional Fast Track Options Prerequisites:

• SOCW 6002
• SOCW 6101
• SOCW 6200
• SWLB 0651
• SOCW 6210
• SOCW 6051
• SOCW 6301

Social Policy, Welfare, and Change Show

Students in this foundation course are provided with an overview of the professional social worker's role in the development, delivery, and implementation of social welfare policies, programs, and services in the U.S. The students explore the history of social welfare and current policies and programs, including those addressing poverty, healthcare (including mental health), child welfare, and disabilities. Students develop policy knowledge and skills to assist them in influencing policy development.

Prerequisites

• SOCW 6002
• SOCW 6101

Social Work Field Education II Show

This is the second foundation course in the four-part field practicum sequence. As in SOCW 6500, students are again required to complete 200 hours in an approved social services agency under the supervision of a professional social worker. Students have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills in engaging clients, developing mutually agreed-upon goals, identifying clients' strengths and needs, completing assessments, and providing professional documentation during the field practicum experience. Students also identify policies at the organizational, local, state, or national level, which impact the client system. Through their participation in a weekly hour-long seminar with their instructor and peers, students demonstrate their integration of classroom knowledge with professional practice skills.

Prerequisites

• SOCW 6301
• SOCW 6500

Social Work Theory and Clinical Practice Show

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of theories, models, and intervention methods for clinically informed advanced generalist social work practice. Students explore the theories and models for application to working with clients. The emphasis of the course is to understand the assumptions of theories and models and how they guide social work assessment, intervention, and practice evaluation. In addition, students evaluate the strengths and limitations of the various theories, with specific consideration to compatibility of a theory with a client's diverse background and to social work values. Students integrate multiple sources of knowledge to critically evaluate a theory or model's applicability to social work practice.

Prerequisites

Master of Social Work (MSW) Traditional and Traditional Fast Track Options (Also for Students Entering Standard and Accelerated Options Prior to May 31, 2021)

• SOCW 6500

Master of Social Work (MSW) Advanced Standing

• None

Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice I Show

This is an advanced course designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to apply clinical social work services. Students in this course focus on the application of evidence-based theories and other intervention methods with individuals and families. There is a particular focus on individuals and families from diverse cultural backgrounds and marginalized or oppressed populations in this course. Students demonstrate therapeutic skills to engage clients, to define and prioritize issues, to set mutually developed goals, and to commit to the change process. Students select, implement, monitor, and evaluate interventions.

Prerequisites

Master of Social Work (MSW) Traditional and Traditional Fast Track Options

• 6510

Master of Social Work (MSW) for Students Entering Prior to May 31, 2021: Standard and Standard Accelerated Options

• SOCW 6500
• SOCW 6510
• SOCW 6060

Master of Social Work (MSW) Advanced Standing

• SOCW 6060

Social Policy: Analysis and Advocacy Show

Students are provided with the knowledge to analyze, formulate, and advocate for social policies that advance individual and social well-being in this course. Students explore various methods of policy analysis and develop advocacy plans that involve collaboration with colleagues and communities to address policy issues. There is a special emphasis on policies that impact human rights and advance social and economic justice. Students develop skills in the policy analysis process, including the values that influence policy, the legislative process, and the roles of advocacy and lobbying organizations.

Prerequisites

Master of Social Work (MSW) Traditional and Traditional Fast Track Options (Also for Students Entering Standard and Accelerated Options Prior to May 31, 2021)

• SOCW 6351
• SOCW 6510

Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice II Show

In this advanced course, students gain knowledge and skills to apply research-based models, theories, and intervention methods to groups and organizations. The focus of the course is on therapeutic factors in group process and the tasks and skills of the clinical social worker in forming, planning, facilitating, documenting, and evaluating groups. A special emphasis is placed on cultural and gender-sensitive application of social work group practice. There is an added emphasis on empowerment of groups, organizations, and communities. Students explore the structure, role, goals, and impact of organizations, including culturally sensitive management, and the impact of organizations on social welfare and the delivery of human services. Students effectively engage, assess, develop, implement, and evaluate research-based interventions with groups and organizations.

Prerequisites

• SOCW 6111

Social Work Practice Research II Show

This advanced course is designed to support students' development as scholar-practitioners in clinical social work. Students identify and apply research that can be used to advance their practice, including social welfare, advocacy, and policy. Throughout the course, students are provided resources and activities designed to help them become critical consumers of research for the sake of ethical, evidence-based clinical social work practice. Students in this course have the opportunity to evaluate research design, research methods, and the applicability of results to diverse populations.

Prerequisites

Master of Social Work (MSW) Traditional and Traditional Fast Track Options (Also for Students Entering Standard and Accelerated Options Prior to May 31, 2021)

• SOCW 6510
• SOCW 6111
• SOCW 6301

Master of Social Work (MSW) Advanced Standing

• SOCW 6111
• SOCW 6361

Skills Lab II Show

The Social Work Skills Lab II/IIA is a 1-credit, 6-week hybrid class that includes 3 weeks of online content, followed by a 3-day intensive/ experience (available face-to-face or virtually), and then closes with 2 weeks of online content. The Social Work Skills Lab II/IIA course reinforces the content covered in the Second Year MSW courses with an emphasis on advanced skills development, diversity and inclusion, evidence-based practice, ethics, and development of the professional self. Material covered includes experiential class sessions focused on individual engagement and assessment, group development and leadership, and an understanding of how to advocate within organizations and communities. A key component of the skills lab is to prepare and assess students for their readiness to enter the field.

Prerequisites

Master of Social Work (MSW) Traditional and Traditional Fast Track Options (Also for Students Entering Standard and Accelerated Options Prior to May 31, 2021)

• SOCW 6510
• SOCW 6111

Master of Social Work (MSW) Advanced Standing

• SOCW 6111

Psychopathology and Diagnosis for Social Work Practice Show

Students in this course are prepared to identify mental disorders and to understand the necessary professional evaluations needed to formulate a DSM-5 diagnosis in a culturally sensitive and ethical manner. Students are sensitized to the risks and benefits of using diagnosis, with an emphasis on minimizing stigma.Throughout this course, students learn about the most common DSM-5 diagnoses and integrate that knowledge with the use of established diagnostic procedures. In developing a "working diagnosis," students learn to consider differential diagnosis, individualize and capture missing dimensions of an illness (mental status, severity, cultural idioms, and other details) as well as adapting interventions to various ages, races, genders, and cultures. Students learn how to incorporate DSM-5 requirements into a holistic biopsychosocial approach that includes the use of evidence-based assessments to systematically resolve ambiguities in diagnosis and strengthen diagnostic accuracy. Students also practice communicating and coding DSM-5 diagnoses and their supporting evidence to peers. The course uses case materials for direct skill-building.

Prerequisites

• SOCW 6111

Elective*

Supervision, Leadership, and Administration in Social Work Organizations Show

Students in this advanced course prepare for roles as supervisors, leaders, and administrators in clinical social work. Students examine leadership theory and strategies for leadership development, ethical practice as clinical supervisors, and the roles of administrators in social work organizations. Students participate in activities that develop their skills in critical decision making to address some of the complex problems that face leaders and administrators in social work. As a result of this course, students will understand the competencies of social work supervisors, leaders, and administrators and will identify a plan for their own continued development in these areas.

Prerequisites

• SOCW 6111
• SOCW 6361
• SOCW 6121
• SOCW 6090

Social Work Field Education III Show

This is the third course in the field practicum sequence. It is an advanced course. Students are required to complete 250 (20–24 hours per week) hours in an approved social services agency under the supervision of a professional social worker. There is a focus on agencies that serve clients from diverse populations and/or marginalized or oppressed groups. In this course, students focus on recognizing the importance of clinical social work practice and demonstrating the ability to negotiate and advocate with and on behalf of client systems to enhance client well-being and ensure social and economic justice. Students demonstrate the ability to critically examine research available on interventions, make an appropriate selection, and follow through with the implementation. A seminar is included in which students demonstrate the integration of classroom knowledge with the professional practice skills.

Prerequisites

Master of Social Work (MSW) Traditional and Traditional Fast Track Options

• SOCW 6510
• SOCW 6060
• SOCW 6111
• SOCW 6090
• SOCW 6361
• SOCW 6121
• SWLB 0652
• First specialization/elective course
• SOCW 6070 must be completed with or prior to SOCW 6520

Students Entering Standard and Accelerated Options Prior to May 31, 2021

• SOCW 6510
• SOCW 6060
• SOCW 6111
• SOCW 6090
• SOCW 6361
• SOCW 6121
• SWLB 0652
• First specialization/elective course
• Second specialization/elective course
• SOCW 6070 must be completed with or prior to SOCW 6520

Master of Social Work (MSW) Advanced Standing

• SOCW 6002 (students starting prior to August 30, 2021)
• SOCW 6060
• SOCW 6111
• SOCW 6090
• SOCW 6361
• SOCW 6121
• Skills Lab II / SWLB 0652
• First specialization/elective course
• SOCW 6070 must be completed with or prior to SOCW 6520

Students Entering Advanced Standing Prior to May 31, 2021

• SOCW 6002
• SOCW 6060
• SOCW 6111
• SOCW 6090
• SOCW 6361
• SOCW 6121
• Skills Lab II / SWLB 0652
• First specialization/elective course
• Second specialization/elective course
• SOCW 6070 must be completed with or prior to SOCW 6520

Elective*

Social Work Field Education IV Show

This is the final course in the four-part field practicum sequence. As in SOCW 6500, SOCW 6510, and SOCW 6520, students in this course are also required to complete 250 hours in an approved social services agency under the supervision of a professional social worker. Through the practicum experience, students are provided with the opportunity to monitor and evaluate therapeutic outcomes and engage in research-based practice. Students demonstrate the ability to provide services to a client or client system, from intake to termination or transfer. Students demonstrate skills in termination; evaluating interventions and outcomes; and disseminating these results and analysis to colleagues, peers, and other practitioners. A seminar is included in which students demonstrate the integration of classroom knowledge with the professional practice skills.

Prerequisites

Students Entering Prior to May 31, 2021 - all tracks

• All coursework must be completed with the exception of SOCW 6311 and third specialization/elective prior to enrollment in SOCW 6530.
• SOCW 6311 must be completed with or prior to SOCW 6530

Students Entering on or after May 31, 2021 - all tracks

• All coursework must be completed with the exception of SOCW 6311, second specialization/elective, and third specialization/elective prior to enrollment in SOCW 6530.

Optional Certificate Course*

92 quarter credit hours

97 quarter credit hours
with certificate

$44,988

$47,433

Per quarter – Standard

Per quarter – with optional Certificate

$1,815

$1,980

 Standard

with Certificate

$46,803*

$49,413*