Program Overview

Master of Social Work - Advanced Standing Online Bilingual Program (MSW)

The Advanced Standing Online Bilingual Master of Social Work (MSW) is an innovative offering by the School of Social Work to ensure that communities have professional social workers who are linguistically competent and culturally aware of the nuances faced by individuals, families, groups, and communities when faced with receiving services. This unique program seeks to enhance the knowledge, values, and skills in order to work with vulnerable, disenfranchised individuals in society.

Overview

The program is part of the Micro Specialization with a Migration Studies track and focuses on Latinx/e communities. Advanced Standing Students will complete a total of 23 credit hours to earn their MSW degree. The courses are taught in both English and Spanish by faculty who are language proficient in Spanish. It is essential that students are proficient in both languages for the coursework as well as the internship settings.

Curriculum

The academic curriculum of the Advanced Standing Bilingual MSW program is only 23 credit hours. This option allows BSW graduates to complete an MSW in just 4 consecutive semesters, including a Summer semester.

• Specialized Courses:
  • SOWK 632: Clinical Social Work with Older Adults (3 hours)
  • SOWK 680: Advanced Micro-Level Practice (3 hours)
  • SOWK 682: Advanced Mezzo and Micro Practice 1 (3 hours)
  • or SOWK 681: Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice
  • SWII 632: Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences (0.5 hours)
  • SWII 632S: Integrative Seminar (1 hour)
  • SWII 633: Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences (0.5 hours)
  • SOWK Elective Course (3 hours)
• Micro Practice Specialization:
  • Migration Studies Track:
    • SOWK 730: Immigration Dynamics and U.S. Social Policy (3 hours)
    • SOWK 731: Social Work Practice with Refugees and Immigrants (3 hours)
    • SOWK 732: Migration, Social Justice, and Human Rights (3 hours)
• Total Hours: 23

Internship

Completion of the internship requirements in the indicated time is required for graduation.

• Basic Information about Internships:
  • Specialized internship 600 hours to be completed in 2 semesters
• The specialized internship offers students the opportunity to practice advanced clinical skills, including providing individual and group therapy services. Students are required to complete a total of 600 hours over the course of two consecutive semesters, requiring approximately 20-24 hours per week.

Specialization & Track Option

This degree program is only compatible with the Micro Practice Specialization with Migration Studies Track.

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework.

• Plan of Study Grid Year One:
  • Spring:
    • SOWK 680: Advanced Micro-Level Practice (3 hours)
    • SOWK 681: Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice (3 hours)
  • Summer:
    • SOWK 730: Immigration Dynamics and U.S. Social Policy (3 hours)
    • SOWK 732: Migration, Social Justice, and Human Rights (3 hours)
• Year Two:
  • Fall:
    • SOWK 731: Social Work Practice with Refugees and Immigrants (3 hours)
    • SWII 632: Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences (0.5 hours)
    • SWII 632S: Integrative Seminar (1 hour)
  • Spring:
    • SOWK 621: Clinical Practice in Addiction (3 hours)
    • SOWK 632: Clinical Social Work with Older Adults (3 hours)
    • SWII 633: Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences (0.5 hours)

Competencies

The MSW program is designed to help students achieve the following competencies:

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior: Social workers understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards.
2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice: Social workers understand that every person has fundamental human rights.
3. Engage in Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice: Social workers understand how racism and oppression shape human experiences.
4. Engage In Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice: Social workers use ethical, culturally informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive approaches in conducting research.
5. Engage in Policy Practice: Social workers identify social policy at the local, state, federal, and global level that affects wellbeing.
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities: Social workers understand that engagement is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice.
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities: Social workers understand that assessment is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice.
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities: Social workers understand that intervention is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice.
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities: Social workers understand that evaluation is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice.

Academic Standards

Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to remain in good academic standing. A grade of "C" or higher is required to pass a course. A "F" grade in any course will result in dismissal from the program.