The MSW program provides a rich combination of field practicum and classroom learning and is designed to provide both breadth and depth in professional education. The curriculum encompasses two distinct but interconnected areas: the beginning content (foundation curriculum) and opportunities for advanced content and practice specialization.

MSW Foundation- Day and Extended Degree Programs

The MSW foundation provides an opportunity for students to gain the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level practice across different levels of social work practice (e.g., practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, social networks, institutions, and policy arenas). The foundation curriculum also socializes students to the profession’s values, ethics, and history. All foundation courses must be passed to begin the advanced curriculum. The foundation curriculum encompasses the following linked, required areas of study:

• Foundation course introducing the intellectual and historical foundations of social work practice
• Foundation core practice sequence, which includes course content on human behavior in the social environment, generalist social work practice, diversity, and micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills
• Foundation practicum
• Social policy
• Social work research.

While taking foundation courses, students work with their faculty advisers, Student Services advisers, and practicum coordinators to map out their program for advanced study (learning plan). The advanced content provides students with the opportunity to implement their program of study leading to specialized knowledge and skills in a specific area of social work practice.  

Course Descriptions

Please follow this link to "Academic Programs" and "Courses" to see full course descriptions.

Required Courses in the MSW Foundation Curriculum

Intellectual and Historical Foundations of Professional Practice (Soc W 500):

This course introduces students to the intellectual, historical, sociopolitical, and ethical foundations of the US social work profession. Through examination of the profession’s framing values, history, contextual influences, and current directions in a global society,

student’s will begin to develop an orientation to practice, research, and policy-making informed by professional ethics and obligations and anchored in a commitment to plurality and social justice.

Poverty and Inequality (Soc W 501):

Analysis of poverty and inequality in the U.S. Analytic and descriptive focus on measurement processes of production and perpetuation, and public policy responses. Examines competing perspectives on the causes of poverty, the role of policy, and socioeconomic dimensions of stratification, including race, ethnicity, class, gender, immigration status, disability, age, sexual orientation, and family structure.

Social Work for Social Justice (Soc W 504):

Focuses on personal and professional development in the service of social work practice for social justice. Employs critically self-reflective, experiential, and dialogic learning processes to engage students in exploring personal meaning systems and narratives in the context of the professional values of social justice, multiculturalism, empowerment, and globalization.

Micro/Mezzo Practice I (Soc W 510) and II (Soc W 511): Individuals, Families, Groups:

Two-quarter sequence that integrates generalist practice knowledge and skills with knowledge pertaining to human behavior and the social environment, cultural diversity, and social justice. Prepares students for entry-level generalist practice with individuals, families, and small groups to promote maximal functioning and quality of life. Content taught through lectures, assignments, and exercises focusing on empirically-based practice skills, theories of human development and behavior, knowledge of multiculturalism, competence in working with diverse populations – all with a focus on the profession’s social justice mission. Soc W 510 is primarily devoted to work with individuals and Soc W 511 to work with families and groups.

Macro Practice I (Soc W 512) and II (Soc W 513): Organizations, Community, Policy Practice:

Two-quarter sequence that prepares students for entry-level macro practice. Using an anti-oppression lens, students develop foundational skills in assessment, intervention, and evaluation of groups, organizations, communities, and policy construction and implementation. These arenas are viewed as both tools and targets for change efforts. This process is driven by the principles of economic and social justice, multiculturalism, anti-oppression practice, and human behavior knowledge about group, organizational, and community behavior. These principles and theoretical perspectives support social workers’ development as critical thinkers and reflective practitioners engaged in and capable of facilitating an action-oriented model that reflects social workers’ core values.

Practice III: HBSE and Applications in Multicultural Empowerment Practice (Soc W 514):

HBSE (human behavior and the social environment) courses center around theories of human behavior and the social environment and build on the generalist practice foundation developed in the preceding two quarters. The courses emphasize the learning of theories and knowledge on the interactions between and among individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and policy systems towards informing practice skills within a multicultural empowerment framework, across levels of social work practice.

Foundations of Social Work Research (Soc W 505) and Social Welfare Research and Evaluation (Soc W 506):

Two-quarter research sequence that introduces students to a range of methods for informing evidence-based social work practice. Emphasis on critical appraisal of the literature, development of research questions, and strategies and techniques for conducting practice-relevant research. Students are expected to engage in a critical analysis of the underlying beliefs, approaches, and assumptions of various research methods, particularly as they relate to promoting social justice. Students are also expected to consider issues of social justice and diversity in the application of research methods. Students are responsible for developing a proposal in Soc W 505 that can be refined, implemented, and made ready for presentation in Soc W 506. Please note that students must complete the statistics prerequisite before beginning Soc W 505 (see above regarding statistics requirement). For students in the Day Program, two levels of Soc W 505/ Soc W 506 are available. Students self-select into either the ‘regular’ or ‘accelerated’ level sections.

Foundation Practicum

Introduction to Practicum: Advanced Standing (Soc W 522):

First course (two credits) in the practicum sequence for students in the Advanced Standing Program. Orients students to advanced practicum and prepares them for the development and implementation of their practicum educational contract and other required practicum activities.

Introduction to Practicum (Soc W 523):

First course (one credit) in the practicum sequence for master’s- level students in the Day and Extended Degree Programs to orient students to the foundation practicum and prepare them for the development and implementation of their practicum educational contract and other required practicum activities. Includes individual meetings with students, two class sessions, and 24 hours at the practicum site.

The Professional Foundation Practicum (Soc W 524):

Incorporates content acquired in all areas of the curriculum. In a selected community agency, the student is given the opportunity to apply social work knowledge under the supervision of an experienced social worker. Emphasis on developing the perspectives and skills needed for practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. In addition, the development of culturally competent practice and planned social change skills are an integral part of this practicum and are seen as critical for the effective delivery of social services.

The student’s foundation practicum placement is determined by the Practicum Coordinating Committee. A practicum coordinator interviews each student and reviews a questionnaire completed by the student, which pertains to student areas of interest as well as previous experience in social work. The committee then selects a placement for each student that meets curriculum and accreditation requirements.