MSW Plans
Traditional Status - (Non social work degree holders)
The MSW program with Traditional Status can be completed in two, three or four years. A requirement of 60 credits is needed to finish the MSW program. Optional summer offerings allow students to spread coursework across the calendar year. Individuals with bachelor degrees from various fields of study may quality for entrance into the MSW program with Traditional Status.
The curriculum is offered in a two-year traditional sequence or a three and four-year curricula that offer a more flexible schedule to meet the needs of professional or non-traditional students, or those who may be unable to complete the program in two years.
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Two Year Traditional Sequence
generalist Level (1st Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK400
Foundations in Human Behavior in the Social Environment
3
SWK455
Foundations of Social Welfare Policies
3
SWK450
Foundations in Social Work Practice with Individuals
3
SWK465
Foundations of Social Work Practice with Groups and Families
3
SWK460
Foundations in Social Work Research Methods
3
SWK480
Foundations of Social Work Practice, Organizations & Communities
3
SWK481
Foundation Internship I
3
SWK483
Foundation Internship II
3
SWK482
Integrated Generalist Social Work Practice Seminar I
3
SWK484
Integrated Generalist Social Work Practice Seminar II
3
Total
15
Total
15
specialization Level (2nd Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK500
Families in the Social Environment
3
SWK5XX
Electives
6
SWK555
Applied Family Policy and Family Service Programs
3
SWK583
Advanced Internship II
3
SWK560
Applied Methods of Social Work Research
3
SWK584
Advanced Theories of Social Work Practice II
3
SWK581
Advanced Internship I
3
SWK595
Capstone Experience
3
SWK582
Advanced Theories of Social Work Practice I
3
Total
15
Total
15
**During the specialization level, students complete six, one-credit courses to facilitate the development of specialized knowledge. These courses are selected collaboratively among the student, the academic advisor and the field instructor based upon student learning goals, aptitude and agency need. However, some electives can be taken concurrently with SWK 500.
-
Three Year Traditional Sequence with Optional Summer
generalist Level (1st Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK400
Foundations in Human Behavior in the Social Environment
3
SWK455
Foundations of Social Welfare Policies
3
SWK450
Foundations in Social Work Practice with Individuals
3
SWK465
Foundations of Social Work Practice with Groups and Families
3
Total
6
Total
6
generalist Level (2nd Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK460
Foundations in Social Work Research Methods
3
SWK483
Foundations Internship II
3
SWK481
Foundations Internship I
3
SWK484
Integrated Generalist Social Work Practice Seminar II
3
SWK482
Integrated Generalist Social Work Practice Seminar I
3
SWK 480
Foundations of Social Work Practice, Organizations & Communities
3
Total
9
Total
9
specialization Level (2nd Year)
Summer (optional)
Credits
SWK500
Families in the Social Environment
3
SWK5xx
Electives*
3
Total
0/3/6
specialization Level (3rd Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK500
Families in the Social Environment
0/3
SWK5XX
Electives*
3/6
SWK555
Applied Family Policy and Family Service Programs
3
SWK583
Advanced Internship II
3
SWK560
Applied Methods of Social Work Research
3
SWK584
Advanced Theories of Social Work Practice II
3
SWK581
Advanced Internship I
3
SWK595
Capstone Experience
3
SWK582
Advanced Theories of Social Work Practice I
3
Total
12/15
Total
12/15
**During the specialization level, students complete six, one-credit courses to facilitate the development of specialized knowledge. These courses are selected collaboratively among the student, the academic advisor and the field instructor based upon student learning goals, aptitude and agency need. However, some electives can be taken concurrently with SWK 500.
-
Four Year Traditional Sequence
generalist Level (1st Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK400
Foundations in Human Behavior in the Social Environment
3
SWK455
Foundations of Social Welfare Policies
3
SWK450
Foundations in Social Work Practice with Individuals
3
SWK465
Foundations of Social Work Practice with Groups and Families
3
Total
6
Total
6
generalist Level (2nd Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK460
Foundations in Social Work Research Methods
3
SWK480
Foundations of Social Work Practice, Organizations & Communities
3
SWK481
Foundations Internship I
3
SWK483
Foundations Internship II
3
SWK482
Integrated Generalist Social Work Practice Seminar I
3
SWK484
Integrated Generalist Social Work Practice Seminar II
3
Total
9
Total
9
specialization Level (3rd Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK500
Families in the Social Environment
3
SWK5XX
Electives*
6
SWK555
Applied Family Policy and Family Service Programs
3
Total
6
Total
6
specialization Level (4th Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK560
Applied Methods of Social Work Research
3
SWK595
Capstone Experience
3
SWK581
Advanced Internship I
3
SWK583
Advanced Internship II
3
SWK582
Advanced Theories of Social Work Practice I
3
SWK584
Advanced Theories of Social Work Practice II
3
Total
9
Total
9
**During the specialization level, students complete six, one-credit courses to facilitate the development of specialized knowledge. These courses are selected collaboratively among the student, the academic advisor and the field instructor based upon student learning goals, aptitude and agency need. However, some electives can be taken concurrently with SWK 500.
Advanced Standing - (BSW degree holders)
Advanced standing status students complete the MSW in 39 credits. The curriculum may be completed in one calender year on a full time basis or extended to two or more years. The summer bridge curriculum always begins in the summer before the advanced level with practicum and seminar experience.
Advanced Standing Status may be granted only to students who possess the Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE accredited program. Advanced Standing status students complete the summer bridge curriculum and then enter the MSW advanced level. The purpose of the bridge curriculum is to arm the students with the necessary abilities that distinguish the graduate from the undergraduate student. This entails developing enhanced analytical and critical thinking skills. In addition, KU advanced standing students work to develop the ability to articulate the integration of theory and practice to various constituents. The KU MSW Family-In-Environment perspective necessitates such preparation due to its focus on developing autonomous practitioners who can express the principles of Family-In-Environment in their chosen fields of practice.
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One Year with Summer Course Sequence
Bridge Curriculum – Summer Before Advanced Year
1st Summer Session
Credits
2nd Summer Session
Credits
SWK491
Internship for Advanced Standing I
3
SWK492
Advanced Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice I
3
SWK494
Advanced Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice II
3
Total
6
Total
3
specialization level
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK500
Families in the Social Environment
3
SWK5XX
SWK Electives*
6
SWK555
Applied Family Policy and Family Service Programs
3
SWK583
Advanced Internship II
3
SWK560
Applied Methods of Social Work Research
3
SWK584
Advanced Theories of Social Work Practice II
3
SWK581
Advanced Internship I
3
SWK595
Capstone Experience
3
SWK582
Advanced Theories of Social Work Practice I
3
Total
15
Total
15
*During the specialization level, students complete six, one-credit courses to facilitate the development of specialized knowledge. These courses are selected collaboratively among the student, the academic advisor and the field instructor based upon student learning goals, aptitude and agency need; however, some electives can be taken concurrently with SWK 500.
-
Two Years with Summer Course Sequence
Ten Week Summer (1st Year) – 10w*
Summer
Credits
SWK491
Internship for Advanced Standing I
3
SWK492
Advanced Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice I
3
SWK494
Advanced Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice II
3
Total
9
specialization Level (1st Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK500
Families in the Social Environment
3
SWK5XX
SWK Electives**
6
SWK555
Applied Family Policy and Family Service Programs
3
Total
6
Total
6
specialization Level (2nd Year)
Fall
Credits
Spring
Credits
SWK560
Applied Methods of Social Work Research
3
SWK583
Advanced Internship II
3
SWK581
Advanced Internship I
3
SWK584
Advanced Theories of Social Work Practice II
3
SWK582
Advanced Theories of Social Work Practice I
3
SWK595
Capstone Experience
3
Total
9
Total
9
*A 10w plan is a 10 week session of classes.
+The internship hours are spread out through the summer.
**During the specialization level, students complete six, one-credit courses to facilitate the development of specialized knowledge. These courses are selected collaboratively among the student, the academic advisor and the field instructor based upon student learning goals, aptitude and agency need; however, some electives can be taken concurrently with SWK 500.
In addition to the standard weekday schedule an executive schedule option is also available (Tuesday evenings and Saturdays).