Our School offers a 10-month Advanced Standing Program for graduates of baccalaureate programs in social welfare. This program begins in summer quarter, usually mid-July. It allows students to complete an MSW in one instead of two years.

Students attend classes up to five days each week during the summer and two or three days per week during the academic year. Most classes are held during daytime hours. Students are usually at their practicum site three full days per week during the academic year. Advanced Standing students have the same advanced curricular options as those available to MSW Day Program students.

To be eligible to apply for the Advanced Standing Program, applicants must be from a U.S. program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and have graduated within five (5) years of entry to the MSW program. Advanced Standing candidates must have passed ALL social work core courses with a minimum 3.0 (B) grade OR have a 3.5 GPA or higher in the major to be eligible. Applicants graduating from foreign social work programs will have their undergraduate curriculum evaluated upon admission, and may receive some course exemptions for foundation year requirements.

Applicants eligible for the Advanced Standing Program may also apply for the two-year Day Program or the three-year Extended Degree Program, though they are required to complete the full two-year or three-year curricula in those programs. The Advanced Standing Program is taught by a mix of state-funded and auxiliary faculty. A full range of campus and School resources is available to students during regular business hours. The tuition structure for the Advanced Standing Program is explained in the “Residency, Tuition, and Fees” section of this bulletin.