Traditional students are those who earned a bachelor’s degree in a different field or a BSW graduate who does not qualify for Advanced Standing for any reason. These students must complete both the Foundation Year and Specialty Year coursework, totaling 61 credit hours, which includes two practicum internship placements. Over 65% of our MSW students are traditional non-BSW graduates. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in another field, such as psychology, nursing, business, sociology, etc., from a regionally accredited university or a BSW degree from a non-CSWE-accredited program will be admitted as Traditional Standing students if they meet the admissions criteria.

Advanced Standing is a designation for students who earned a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited institution in or after 2013, prior to starting their MSW coursework. The student must also meet the 3.0 GPA quick admission standard and have received a grade of B or higher in all required undergraduate social work courses. Only qualified BSW graduates can be designated as having Advanced Standing, which waives their foundation year coursework, enabling them to complete the MSW in one year. However, students who have a degree in a field other than social work but possess a minor or associate’s degree in social work or social welfare may have some courses waived if they meet the programs admissions criteria and earned a grade of B or higher in the courses to be waived. The specific courses to be waived will be determined by the MSW Program Director after the student is admitted.

The Master of Social Work degree includes Generalist Practice Foundation coursework, which is required only for Traditional students, and the completion of Advanced Practice Specialty coursework for both Traditional and Advanced Standing students. The curriculum and degree plans are detailed in the course catalog, which offers descriptions of the various courses.

Students with Advanced Standing who attend full time (taking 3-4 courses each term) can complete the MSW Program in as little as 3 semesters, or 12 months.

Traditional students who attend full-time (taking 3-4 courses each term) can complete the MSW program in as little as 6 semesters, or 24 months.

Most of our MSW students attend full-time, but you also have the option to enroll part-time. 

Students must complete the MSW program within six years of starting their MSW coursework. Courses that are older than six years must be retaken for credit.

Melissa Cruz, MAEd. Psych, MSW
Academic Recruiter
Email: [email protected]
Phone:817-272-9123
Office:  SWSH 203G