The Master of Clinical Social Work (MSW) degree program has a clinical focus that will prepare graduates to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). 

The MSW is comprised of 62 semester credit hours (SCH) that includes 20 required practicum SCH and (1,020 field hours) to graduate. Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree in social work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution may qualify for Advanced Standing status. Students admitted with Advanced Standing status must complete 30 SCH that includes 12 required practicum SCH (540 field hours) to graduate. 

The program is typically completed over two (2) years of full-time study. In the first year of study, students are exposed to a generalist perspective of social work practice, with coursework covering fundamental concepts such as core social work practice skills, human behavior and the social environment, social work research, social welfare policy and services, and field instruction.   

The second year of study is dedicated to specialization, with advanced micro/mezzo curriculum that prepares students to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups, providing case management, counseling, mental health care, and leadership. The second year of coursework is focused on applying evidence-based practice theories and models in advanced clinical practice settings, with topical electives to enhance skills needed for clinical and medical practice. There is no requirement for thesis or dissertation. However, field practicum is required along with a capstone assignment housed as part of the Advanced Seminar and Field Practicum II.

Field coursework, the signature pedagogy of social work, is proved in community and health settings in student areas of interest. All students are required to complete two (2) field practicums, one in each year of the program, to gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting (advanced standing students complete one practicum). Through a rigorous academic curriculum and practical training, the MSW program will prepare students to become effective and impactful social work practitioners and leaders in their communities.

• GPA cumulative 3.0 or higher on 4.0 scale 
• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, preferably in liberal arts, with substantial preparation in the social & behavioral sciences and humanities  
• No GRE requirement 
• Three (3) letters of recommendations (one letter from an academic professor) 
• Personal statement 
• Official transcripts from all previous institutions  
• International students must have a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), with a minimum score of 80 on the internet (TOEFL iBT version) or a minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Testing System (IELTS) is required. 
• Students with international college transcripts must submit a course-by-course evaluation report by either World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). Final transcript credential evaluation results must be submitted with the application to SocialWorkCAS.  

Advanced Standing Program Entry Requirements: 

• BSW from a social work program that is accredited by CSWE 
• Meet all requirements listed above
• NOTE Advanced Standing applications will open Fall 2026 for enrollment beginning Fall 2027

Academic Requirements

The program comprises 62 semester credit hours (SCH) in total, encompassing core, elective, and field practicum courses.

Semester 1 - Fall

MSW 5101 Generalist Practice I: Generalist Practice with Individuals (3 SCH)
MSW 6101 Seminar and Field Practicum I (4 SCH)
MSW 5102 Policy I: Social Welfare Policy and Services (3 SCH)
MSW 5103 Human Behavior and the Social Environment (3 SCH)
Elective (3 SCH - students choose three electives from the list of elective courses) 

Semester 2 - Spring

MSW 5201 Generalist Practice II: Generalist Practice with Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities (3 SCH)
MSW 5250 Social Work Research (3 SCH)
MSW 5202 Diversity and Multicultural Practice (3 SCH)
MSW 6202 Seminar and Field Practicum II (4 SCH)
Elective (3 SCH - students choose three electives from the list of elective courses) 

Semester 3 - Fall

MSW 5301 Advanced Practice I: Mental Health and Health Care Practice (3 SCH)
MSW 5302 Policy Analysis and Practice II: Health Policy for Social Work (3 SCH)
MSW 5303 Foundations of Psychopathology Assessment and Interdisciplinary Mental Health Practice (3 SCH)
MSW 6301 Advanced Seminar and Field Practicum I (6 SCH)

Semester 4 - Spring

MSW 5401 Advanced Practice II: Mental Health Interventions (3 SCH)
MSW 5402 Program Evaluation (3 SCH)
MSW 6402 Advanced Seminar and Field Practicum II (6 SCH)
Elective (3 SCH - students choose three electives from the list of elective courses)

Elective Courses (students must take three elective courses)

MSW 5901 End-of-Life Care and Bereavement Support (3 SCH)
MSW 5902 Leadership and Strategic Management in Health Services (3 SCH)
MSW 5903 Substance Misuse Treatment (3 SCH)
MSW 5904 Geriatric Mental Health: Theories, Research, and Practice (3 SCH)
MSW 5905 Advanced Assessment and Intervention in Mental Illnesses (3 SCH)
MSW 5906 Advanced Human Service Counseling: Theory, Models, and Techniques for Diverse Populations (3 SCH)
CABS 6301 Biological Basis of Behavior (3 SCH)
CPSY 5907 Clinical Neuropsychology (3 SCH)
CPSY 5908 Trauma Focused Approaches to Intervention (3 SCH)
CPSY 5701 Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (3 SCH)
CPSY 5802 Advanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (3 SCH)

The MSW Program is designed to prepare students with a comprehensive understanding of the nine CSWE core competencies, ethics and values essential for social work practice and advanced clinical social work practice. An additional competency is added due to the unique nature of clinical/medical social work in this program. Students will be proficient in mastering the following competencies upon graduation:

1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
2. Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
3. Engage diversity and difference in practice
4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
5. Engage in policy practice
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
7. Assessment with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
8. Intervention with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
9. Evaluation with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
10. Practice social work approaches to advance health of individuals, families, and communities.