Program Overview

Social Work Advanced Standing: Full Time, MSW

The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Full-Time MSW Program students attending on a full-time basis generally complete the program in one academic year.

Admissions

• The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below.
• Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School.
• Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s).
• Requirements:
  • Fall Deadline: January 10
  • Spring Deadline: The program does not admit in the spring.
  • Summer Deadline: The program does not admit in the summer.
  • GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
  • English Proficiency Test:
    • TOEFL (iBT): 100
    • Duolingo (DET): 130
  • Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): n/a
  • Letters of Recommendation Required: 3
• Admission into the master's degree program includes the Graduate School requirement that applicants hold a minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work) or a masters degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required.
• Students must have or be completing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution, within 5 years from the academic year of completion to the academic year of enrollment in the Advanced Standing MSW program.

Funding

Graduate School Resources

• The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student.
• Resources to help afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.

MSW Program Resources

• The Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work also has a number of Awards and Scholarships available to MSW applicants and current MSW students.
• Students also have access to federal loans and work study.

Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Mode of Instruction: Face to Face
• Definitions:
  • Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion.
  • Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UWMadison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.
  • Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
  • Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.
  • Online: These programs are offered 100% online.

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 16 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Other Grade Requirements: Grades of C are accepted only if they are offset by an equal number of credits of A.
• Assessments and Examinations: None.
• Language Requirements: None.

Required Courses

Advanced Generalist Specialization

• Students complete an Advanced Practice class in a focus area, a Policies & Services class in a focus area, a sequence of Field Practice in a focus area, Advanced Macro Practice, and three "free electives" chosen in consultation with an advisor.
• Course List:
  • Generalist Psychopathology: SOC WORK 612 - Psychopathology in Generalist Social Work Practice 2 (2 credits)
  • Advanced Practice: Students must choose one of the following courses.
    • SOC WORK 741 - Interventions with Children, Youth, and Families (2 credits)
    • SOC WORK 821 - Social Work Practice in Aging and Mental Health (2 credits)
    • SOC WORK 835 - Advanced Social Work Practice in Mental Health (2 credits)
    • SOC WORK 873 - Social Work Practice in Health Care (2 credits)
  • Policies & Services: Students must choose one of the following courses.
    • SOC WORK 836 - Mental Health Policies and Services (2 credits)
    • SOC WORK 875 - Health, Aging, and Disability Policy and Services (2 credits)
    • SOC WORK 920 - Child, Youth, and Family Policies and Services (2 credits)
    • SOC WORK 921 - Child Welfare Policies and Services (2 credits)
  • Advanced Macro Practice: SOC WORK 840 - Advanced Macro Practice (2 credits)
  • Advanced Practice Field 1:
    • SOC WORK 800 - Field Practice and Integrative Seminar III (5 credits)
    • SOC WORK 801 - Field Practice and Integrative Seminar IV (6 credits)
  • Free Electives: Students must complete three free electives from the list below chosen in consultation with advisor.
    • Generalist coursework (any) 2 (5 credits)
    • Total Credits: 30

Policies

Graduate School Policies

• The Graduate Schools Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures.

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate credits in equivalent generalist courses completed with a grade of B or better taken at CSWE-accredited MSW programs may be used to fulfill the minimum degree credit requirement.
• Graduate credits from other MSW programs/institutions may not be used to fulfill the minimum residence credit requirement.

Probation

• Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
• MSW Satisfactory Progress Criteria: Graduate students are required to maintain and graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.00.

Advisor / Committee

• All master's candidates are assigned to the social work academic advisors.

Credits Per Term Allowed

• 15 credit maximum.

Time Limits

• Full-Time Program students matriculating through the Full-Time MSW program on a part-time basis must enroll in a minimum of two courses each semester and complete one full-time semester of at least 8 credits.

Grievances and Appeals

• These resources may be helpful in addressing concerns.

Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

• Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.

Program Resources

• MSW students can also take advantage of the College of Letters & Sciences SuccessWorks services, including their Canvas modules on jobs and internships.