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Online Master of Social Work: Curriculum

Curriculum Details

30–57 total credits required

Build the competencies you need for social service leadership and advanced direct practice with the Master of Social Work.

This 57-credit curriculum supports your preparation for social work licensure and includes real-world field experience, supervised by a social worker. It’s also distinguished by a unique focus on urgent needs within the nation’s Hispanic population.

If you have an undergraduate degree in social work, you may take our Advanced Standing program, featuring fewer credits and less fieldwork.

Advanced Standing Program Courses

Study and practice of academic-level and Social Work-specific writing methods and document design, with research applications and development of general and specialized writing skills included.

Critical analysis of theories and perspectives on Hispanic child and family development, functioning, and interaction in the social context.

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Study of basic concepts related to the development and assessment of abnormal behavior. Content focuses on major mental disorders, the diagnostic/assessment process and its application in a variety of settings, the use of assessment tools such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

This course prepares students for social work practice with Hispanic families and youth, including theory, engagement, assessment, interventions and evaluation. This course will focus on theoretical frameworks and perspectives, research, practice and intervention strategies specific to social work practice when working with Hispanic Families and Youth.

This course prepares students for social work practice with Hispanic elders, including culture, theory, engagement, assessment, interventions and evaluation.

Formative and summative evaluation methods employed to determine the effectiveness of programs and interventions in working with Hispanic children and families.

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Critical analysis of US social policies and social welfare programs utilizing theories of power and oppression to understand issues of human rights, and social and economic justice impacting Hispanic children and families.

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Seminar designed to ensure students integrate their required graduate social work coursework with the experiential learning in their field education internship. Provides opportunity for students to demonstrate attainment of core competencies. Concentration is social work practice Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 8356. Open only to online students.

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First of three sequenced courses. Required field placement in approved human service organization under the instruction and supervision of licensed master’s level social worker. Concentration is social work practice with Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 7157. A minimum of 500 clock hours in an agency must be completed and equally distributed over three terms. Open only to online students. Pass/Fail.

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Seminar designed to ensure students integrate their required graduate social work coursework with the experiential learning in their field education internship. Provides opportunity for students to demonstrate attainment of core competencies. Concentration is social work practice Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 8256. Open only to online students.

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Second of three field sequence courses. Required field placements in approved human service organizations under the instruction and supervision of licensed master’s level social workers. Concentration is social work practice with Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 7158. A minimum of 500 clock hours in an agency must be completed and equally distributed over three terms. Open only to online students. Pass/Fail.

View Course Abstract

Seminar designed to ensure students integrate their required graduate social work coursework with the experiential learning in their field education internship. Provides opportunity for students to demonstrate attainment of core competencies. Concentration is social work practice Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 8257. Open only to online students.

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Third of three field sequence courses. Required field placements in approved human service organizations under the instruction and supervision of licensed master’s level social workers. Concentration is social work practice with Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 7159. A minimum of 500 clock hours in an agency must be completed and equally distributed over three terms. Open only to online students. Pass/Fail.

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Foundation Program Courses

Study and practice of academic-level and Social Work-specific writing methods and document design, with research applications and development of general and specialized writing skills included.

Professional social work practice based on a social systems paradigm and social work values and ethics. Content emphasizes practice with individuals, families and groups.

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Theoretical foundations of human behavior from a social systems-ecological perspective. Emphasis on reciprocal and interactive influences of individual, group, organizational, and community behavior and dynamics.

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Professional social work practice based on social work ethics and values. Content emphasizes practice with organizations and communities.

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Individual and family development from a social systems, ecological perspective. Content includes life span development, from conception to old age.

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Examination of quantitative and qualitative research methods used in social work, including phases and design or a research project. Ethical standards and cultural factors are highlighted.

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Overview of contemporary social welfare system in the United States as a response to social work problems: with special attention to the history of social work. Emphasis on descriptive analysis of programs and policies aimed at addressing poverty and social justice.

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Students integrate generalist knowledge, skills and values learned in foundation courses with the field education experience. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 8251. Prerequisite: Admission to MSW. Offered: Online only. Summer, Fall, Spring.

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Field placement in human service organizations under the supervision of licensed master’s level social work. Emphasis on development of foundation social work practice values, skills and knowledge. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 6157. Foundation Integrative Seminar I. A minimum of 150 clock hours in the agency must be completed. Offered on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite: Good academic standing. Completion of foundation curriculum and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Fee: 30. Open to Online students only. Offered: Summer, Fall, Spring.

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This course is a continuation of Foundation Integrative Seminar I. Students integrate generalist knowledge, skills and values learned in the foundation courses with the field education experience. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 8252. Prerequisite: Admission to MSW. Offered: Online only. Summer, Fall, Spring.

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Field placement in human service organizations under the instruction and supervision of licensed master social work practitioners. Emphasis on development of foundation social work practice values, skills and knowledge. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 6158, Foundation Integrative Seminar II. A minimum of 150 clock hours in the agency must be completed. Offered on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite: Minimum 3.0 GPA. Fee: 30. Open to Online students only. Offered: Summer, Fall, Spring.

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This course is a continuation of Foundation Integrative Seminar I. Students integrate generalist knowledge, skills and values learned in the foundation courses with the field education experience. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 8253. Prerequisite: Admission to MSW. Offered: Online only. Summer, Fall, Spring.

View Course Abstract

Field placement in human service organizations under the instruction and supervision of licensed master social work practitioners. Emphasis on development of foundation social work practice values, skills and knowledge. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 6159, Foundation Integrative Seminar II. A minimum of 150 clock hours in the agency must be completed. Offered on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite: Minimum 3.0 GPA. Fee: 30. Open to Online students only. Offered: Summer, Fall, Spring.

View Course Abstract

Critical analysis of theories and perspectives on Hispanic child and family development, functioning, and interaction in the social context.

View Course Abstract

Study of basic concepts related to the development and assessment of abnormal behavior. Content focuses on major mental disorders, the diagnostic/assessment process and its application in a variety of settings, the use of assessment tools such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

This course prepares students for social work practice with Hispanic families and youth, including theory, engagement, assessment, interventions and evaluation. This course will focus on theoretical frameworks and perspectives, research, practice and intervention strategies specific to social work practice when working with Hispanic Families and Youth.

This course prepares students for social work practice with Hispanic elders, including culture, theory, engagement, assessment, interventions and evaluation.

Formative and summative evaluation methods employed to determine the effectiveness of programs and interventions in working with Hispanic children and families.

View Course Abstract

Critical analysis of US social policies and social welfare programs utilizing theories of power and oppression to understand issues of human rights, and social and economic justice impacting Hispanic children and families.

View Course Abstract

Seminar designed to ensure students integrate their required graduate social work coursework with the experiential learning in their field education internship. Provides opportunity for students to demonstrate attainment of core competencies. Concentration is social work practice Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 8356. Open only to online students.

View Course Abstract

First of three sequenced courses. Required field placement in approved human service organization under the instruction and supervision of licensed master’s level social worker. Concentration is social work practice with Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 7157. A minimum of 500 clock hours in an agency must be completed and equally distributed over three terms. Open only to online students. Pass/Fail.

View Course Abstract

Seminar designed to ensure students integrate their required graduate social work coursework with the experiential learning in their field education internship. Provides opportunity for students to demonstrate attainment of core competencies. Concentration is social work practice Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 8256. Open only to online students.

View Course Abstract

Second of three field sequence courses. Required field placements in approved human service organizations under the instruction and supervision of licensed master’s level social workers. Concentration is social work practice with Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 7158. A minimum of 500 clock hours in an agency must be completed and equally distributed over three terms. Open only to online students. Pass/Fail.

View Course Abstract

Seminar designed to ensure students integrate their required graduate social work coursework with the experiential learning in their field education internship. Provides opportunity for students to demonstrate attainment of core competencies. Concentration is social work practice Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 8257. Open only to online students.

View Course Abstract

Third of three field sequence courses. Required field placements in approved human service organizations under the instruction and supervision of licensed master’s level social workers. Concentration is social work practice with Hispanic children and families. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 7159. A minimum of 500 clock hours in an agency must be completed and equally distributed over three terms. Open only to online students. Pass/Fail.

View Course Abstract

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