Social Work

Program of Study/Degree Requirements

The Master of Social of Social Work (MSW) degree requirements and curriculum

*Please note that students must successfully complete all 7000 level social work courses prior to enrolling in the 2nd year 8000 courses. *Any deviations from the above schedule must be approved by advisor.

Apply to the program

The Master of Social Work degree program requires 60 semester credit hours for full time and part time students and 39 semester credit hours for advanced standing students.  The Master of Social Work program offers three tracks for completing the degree:

1. Full-time Track
   Applicants who apply as full-time students can expect to complete their program of academic study in two years. Students will complete 15 hours a semester of course work, which includes 16 clock hours per week of field placement in the first year and 18 clock hours per week of field placement in the second year.
   
2. Part-time Track
   Applicants who apply as part-time students can expect to complete their program of academic study in four years.  Students will take two classes a semester.  In order to meet the field placement requirement students must be free 16 clock hours a week for their first placement and 18 clock hours a week for their second placement. Field placement is completed in the second and fourth years of matriculation. Careful attention should be given to the planned curriculum schedule. Please note that the majority of field placements are during the day.
   
3. Advanced Standing Track
   Only applicants who have graduated from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education are eligible to apply for advanced standing status.  Students who have earned a BSW degree in the last five years may only apply for the Advanced Standing Program and cannot apply for regular Full-Time or Part-Time Study. Advanced Standing students will be admitted for the Summer session preceding the second year of the regular full-time program.  Each advanced standing student will be required to complete three courses during the Summer.  The courses will support preparation for entering the concentration year in Community Partnerships. Students will enter field beginning Fall semester and will be expected to complete 18 clock hours a week of field practicum.
   
4. Transfer
   Transfer students will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Credits earned in another Master of Social Work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may be accepted toward Georgia State University’s School of Social Work requirements provided the applicant meets admission requirements and that courses taken elsewhere are equivalent to the school’s required or elective courses. Students wishing to transfer should contact the Director of Student and Community Services in order to obtain pre-admission advisement.
   

Full-time Study:
Students enrolled full time in the M.S.W. program shall complete the following courses in the semester indicated.  Students who meet all requirements can expect to complete the degree in two years.   

Fall - 1st Year
SW 7100 Foundations of Community Partnerships   3
SW 7200 Human Development Through the Life Course  3
SW 7400 Social Work Practice I     3
SW 7500 Foundation Field Education I     5
SW 7501 Diversity and Social Justice     1

Spring - 1st Year
SW 7300 Methods of Community Research    3
SW 7600 Social Welfare Policy      3
SW 7800 Social Work Practice II     3
SW 7900 Foundation Field Education II    6

Fall - 2nd Year: Community Partnerships Concentration"
SW 8100 Skills & Techniques of Community Partnerships  3
SW 8200 Evaluation and Technology     3
SW or Approved Elective*       3
SW 8500 Community Field Education I     5
SW 8501 Diversity and Social Justice     1

Spring - 2nd Year
SW 8800 Community Project      3
SW 8300 Leadership & Management      3
SW or Approved Elective*       3
SW 8900 Community Field Education II    6

*Students make take electives during the Summer.
*Any deviations from the above schedule must be approved by advisor.

Advanced Standing/Transfer:
Students enrolled in the advanced standing program or students who have transferred after successfully completing one year from an accredited M.S.W. program shall complete the following courses in the semester indicated.  Students who meet all requirements can expect to complete the program in 3 semesters.

Summer - 1st Semester: Bridge Courses
SW 7100 Foundations of Community Partnerships   3
SW 7960 Seminar in Community Partnerships    3
SW   Elective       3

Fall - 2nd Semester: Community Partnerships Concentration
SW 8100 Skills & Techniques of Community Partnerships  3
SW 8200 Evaluation and Technology     3
SW or Approved Elective       3
SW 8500 Community Field Education I     5
SW 8501 Diversity and Social Justice     1

Spring - 3rd Semester
SW 8800 Community Project      3
SW 8300 Leadership & Management     3
SW or Approved Elective       3
SW 8900 Community Field Education II    6

*Any deviations from the above schedule must be approved by advisor!

Part-time Study:
The part-time program is designed for those students who cannot attend the University on a full-time basis for the entire program.  Students who meet all requirements can expect to complete the degree in three years. In order to complete the program in three years, courses must be taken in the semester indicated.