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.  

  • 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.

  • 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). 

Explore More