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Plan of Study: MSW Direct Practice

Tips for MSW Course Planning

The sequencing below is an example of the quickest route to program completion based on the semester students begin the program. MSW students are not required to take courses in this exact sequence, may complete the program part-time or full-time and are encouraged to devise a plan that best fits their unique situations and needs. Please meet with your MSW faculty advisor each semester to select the course plan that is best for your needs. Each MSW course is NOT offered every semester. Your advisor can assist you in planning appropriately for sequences other than the examples below. (Please note a fulltime course load in graduate school is defined as six credits per semester or more for financial-aid purposes).

*Pennsylvania requires any social worker seeking the Pennsylvania School Social Work Certification to be a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of Pennsylvania before this certificate is issued.

Plans of Study

Advanced Standing Traditional Students Two-Year Completion (Traditional)

Advanced Standing Students

Total Credits: 39

First Year (Fall)

  • MSW711 Ethics Across Social Work – 3 credits
  • MSW720 Multidimensional Assessment – 3 credits
  • MSW722 Mental Health and Diagnosis – 3 credits

First Year (Spring)

  • MSW723 Applied Research: Assessment and Evaluation – 3 credits
  • MSW724 Strength Based Leadership – 3 credits
  • MSW725 Treatment Approaches in Direct Practice – 3 credits
  • MSWXXX MSW Elective of Choice – 3 credits

Second Year (Fall)

  • MSW732 Field Placement II (Must be taken with MSW733) – 3 credits
  • MSW733 Field Placement Seminar II (Must be taken with MSW732) – 3 credits
  • MSW727 Complex Trauma – 3 credits

Second Year (Spring)

  • MSW734 Field Placement III (Must be taken with MSW735) – 3 credits
  • MSW735 Field Placement Seminar III (Must be taken with MSW734) – 3 credits
  • MSW736 Advanced Practice Colloquium (take in final semester) – 3 credits

Disclaimer: This plan is subject to the availability of courses in a particular term. Updated May 2024.

Traditional Students

Total Credits: 60

First Year (Fall)

  • MSW715 Diversity, Inclusion & Cultural Humility – 3 credits
  • MSW716 Human Behavior in the Macro Social Environment – 3 credits
  • MSW724 Strength Based Leadership – 3 credits

First Year (Spring)

  • MSW730 Field Placement I (Must be taken with MSW731) – 3 credits
  • MSW731 Field Placement Seminar I (Must be taken with MSW730) – 3 credits
  • MSW711 Ethics Across Social Work – 3 credits
  • MSW720 Multidimensional Assessment – 3 credits

Second Year (Fall)

  • MSW730 Field Placement I (Must be taken with MSW731) – 3 credits
  • MSW731 Field Placement Seminar I (Must be taken with MSW730) – 3 credits
  • MSW711 Ethics Across Social Work – 3 credits
  • MSW720 Multidimensional Assessment – 3 credits

Second Year (Spring)

  • MSW722 Mental Health and Diagnosis – 3 credits
  • MSW723 Applied Research: Assessment and Evaluation – 3 credits
  • MSWXXX MSW Elective of Choice – 3 credits

Third Year (Fall)

  • MSW732 MSW Field Placement II (Must be taken with MSW733) – 3 credits
  • MSW733 MSW Field Placement II (Must be taken with MSW732) – 3 credits
  • MSW727 Complex Trauma – 3 credits
  • MSW725 Treatment Approaches in Direct Practice – 3 credits

Third Year (Summer)

  • MSW734 MSW Field Placement III (Must be taken with MSW735) – 3 credits
  • MSW735 MSW Field Seminar III (Must be taken with MSW734) – 3 credits
  • MSW736 Advanced Practice Colloquium (Take in final semester) – 3 credits

Disclaimer: This plan is subject to the availability of courses in a particular term. Updated May 2024.

Two-Year Degree Completion Option for Traditional Students

Total Credits: 60

First Year (Fall)

  • MSW700 The Foundations of Generalist Practice – 3 credits
  • MSW702 Social Welfare and Policy – 3 credits
  • MSW714 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE) – 3 credits
  • MSW715 Diversity, Inclusion & Cultural Humility – 3 credits

First Year (Spring)

  • MSW716 Human Behavior in the Macro Social Environment – 3 credits
  • MSW720 Multidimensional Assessment – 3 credits
  • MSW730 Field Placement I (Must be taken with MSW731) – 3 credits
  • MSW731 Field Placement Seminar I (Must be taken with MSW730) – 3 credits

First Year (Summer)

  • MSW724 Strength Based Leadership – 3 credits
  • MSW727 Complex Trauma – 3 credits

Second Year (Fall)

  • MSW722 Mental Health and Diagnosis – 3 credits
  • MSW723 Applied Research: Assessment and Evaluation – 3 credits
  • MSW711 Ethics Across Social Work – 3 credits

Second Year (Spring)

  • MSW725 Treatment Approaches in Direct Practice – 3 credits
  • MSW732 MSW Field Placement II (Must be taken with MSW733) – 3 credits
  • MSW733 MSW Field Placement II (Must be taken with MSW732) – 3 credits
  • MSWXXX MSW Elective of Choice – 3 credits

Second Year (Summer)

  • MSW734 MSW Field Placement III (Must be taken with MSW735) – 3 credits
  • MSW735 MSW Field Seminar III (Must be taken with MSW734) – 3 credits
  • MSW736 Advanced Practice Colloquium (Take in final semester) – 3 credits

Disclaimer: This plan is subject to the availability of courses in a particular term. Updated Fall 2023.