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Master of Social Work (MSW) Program

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Admission Requirements | Application Deadlines | Proficiency Exams
Graduate Curriculum | Field Practicum | Foundation Courses
Concentration Courses | Sample Study Plans

Apply to the MSW Program

The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program prepares graduates for leadership in professional social work practice within the areas of Clinical Practice or Policy, Planning and Administration (PP&A). Our MSW signifies achievement of professional competence in Social Work. The graduate curriculum provides an educational experience that is rigorous, comprehensive and progressive, preparing graduates for a range of advanced career opportunities.

MSW Program Options

There are several options for tailoring the MSW program to meet the needs of individual students.

The Regular Standing (60 credit hours) program is appropriate for students who either have a bachelor's degree in an area other than social work or do not meet the requirements for the Advanced Standing plan of study. The Regular program takes two years (four semesters) of full-time study to complete. The Regular Standing program begins in the fall semester (August) of each year (full or part-time study) and spring semester (January) for part-time study only.

The Advanced Standing (39 credit hours) program is available to students who have received a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited school within the last seven years and otherwise qualify to receive a waiver of up to 21 credit hours towards the MU MSW degree. Applicants must meet the admission requirements above and have no less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA for professional social work courses. Students interested in the Clinical Practice concentration may begin the program in either the spring (January) or summer (June) semester. Students interested in the Policy, Planning and Administration concentration must begin the program in the spring (January) semester.

Newly developed in response to the needs of working adults who live in the Mid-Missouri area and desire advanced social work education opportunities, the Part-Time MSW Program Campus provides a CSWE-accredited MSW program during evening (Monday-Thursday) and some weekend hours. Regular Standing Part-Time students attend 2 classes per semester over a period of three years (8-9 semesters). Advanced Standing Part-Time Students attend 2 classes per semester over a period of 2 years (5-6 semesters) More information about the Part-time MSW campus program.

The Off-Campus program was developed in response to the needs of rural communities for advanced social work education opportunities. Through the Off-Campus Program, the School offers its CSWE-accredited MSW program at various locations throughout the state. Currently, programs in northeast, northwest and southeast Missouri are available. Both take advantage of on-site instruction and the latest advances in instructional technology. Each is conducted on a part-time basis over a period of three to four years so students can continue working while obtaining the MSW degree.

The School offers its Southeast Missouri MSW program in collaboration with Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and, its Northwest Missouri MSW program in collaboration with Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph and North Central Community College in Trenton. The Northcentral MSW program is offered in collaboration with Truman State University.

In its current configuration, two courses are offered each semester, in person, online or via ITV. Facilities for classrooms, library research, and computer resources are provided by the local institutions. Students must have access to independent computer resources in order to complete a significant amount of required online coursework.

The same application and admission requirements are applicable to off-campus programs as the on-campus program. However, program dates and admission deadlines may vary. For the most up-to-date information, call (573) 882-6206. More information about the Off-Campus MSW program.

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Admission Requirements

Admission to the MSW program requires acceptance by the School of Social Work and admission to the Graduate School. Applications may be obtained by emailing mswinfo@missouri.edu. Students are encouraged to obtain and submit applications early. Admission is determined on a competitive basis with the following requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university reflecting a sound liberal arts foundation, including courses in the humanities, as well as in the social and behavioral sciences.
   
2. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better either cumulatively or in the last 60 hours of course work. Calculation of last 60 hours is made by the Academic Evaluator. If you would like your GPA calculated before applying, please contact the Academic Evaluator .
3. Three letters of reference from persons who can address the applicant’s intellectual ability and interpersonal skills, potential for graduate education and potential for professional social work practice through observation in an educational, or work (paid or volunteer) setting. Letters of reference should not be submitted from friends or family.
4. A completed MU Application for Graduate Admission, with a $45 domestic or $60 international graduate application fee payable to the University of Missouri.
5. TOEFL scores for international applicants.
6. A completed School of Social Work Application addressing the applicant’s:
• academic and employment histories
• personal and interpersonal qualities consistent with the values of the Social Work Profession
• motivation to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for professional practice in social work
• ability to write well
• evidence of leadership qualities as reflected through employment history, extracurricular or community leadership activities, non-credit courses and other life experiences.

Probationary Admission

In some cases, students may be admitted on a probationary basis. Persons seeking probationary admission must have at least a 2.75 GPA, meet all other admissions requirements, and submit an additional written statement asking to be considered for probationary status based on one of the following criteria:

1. Completion of six hours of relevant graduate level course work, acceptable to the faculty, with a grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.0), with documentation on an official transcript.
2. Evidence of sustained commitment and significant contribution in the field of human services.

Submissions from applicants with a GPA between 2.75 - 2.99, who have not met the criteria for probationary admission (as stipulated above) will not be reviewed for admission.

Students admitted on probationary status are allowed one probationary semester, if a student on probation fails to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0 by the end of the probationary semester they are subject to dismissal, or at any time a semester/term or cumulative GPA falls below 2.0

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Lincoln University Articulation Program

Lincoln University students are eligible, if otherwise qualified for admission, for the special articulation MSW degree program under the following conditions:

1. Lincoln's Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences provides three courses with content, methods, and expected outcomes equivalent to the School’s current standards.
2. Lincoln courses numbered 301, 404, and 405 are equivalent to our courses: 7710 Social Welfare Policy and Programs, 7720 Human Behavior in the Social Environment, and 7952 Research Foundations.
3. Lincoln students must earn a Bachelors degree in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences with a minor in Social Work.
4. Lincoln students must achieve a grade of B or 3.00 (A=4.0) in each equivalent course recognized for waiver.
5. Lincoln students are subject to the same admission requirements as all other MSW applicants.
6. Lincoln students who are admitted to the MSW program will receive a waiver of each of the three courses in which they meet the grade standards and will be eligible for the MU MSW degree of between fifty-one (51) and fifty-seven (57) credit hours.

Application Deadlines

If the deadline falls on a weekend or University holiday, applications are due the first business day thereafter. Applications received after Early Priority dates, but by Rolling dates are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis for any unclaimed admissions seats in the upcoming class. School of Social Work scholarships are not available to Rolling applicants. These dates supersede deadlines which may appear in earlier publications. We welcome early applications.

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Proficiency Examinations

At the beginning and again at the end of the MSW program, students will take several Proficiency Exams to demonstrate their knowledge of the MSW foundation content. Current exams cover Research, Social Policy and Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Students are expected to complete each exam without referring to any materials or other persons. Students may study for each exam prior to taking them. Exams are administered online. More information about taking the exams will be sent to students once they are accepted into the MSW program.

Students who receive scores for this test of 85 or higher on a particular exam will "test out" of that MSW course and are required to replace the course with a 3 hour elective. Regular Standing MSW students must take all three tests and may test out of a maximum of 9 credit hours of core course content. The credit hours must be replace with other social work electives. Advanced Standing MSW students must take all three tests, but only have the test out option for the foundation research course. The credit hours must be replaced with other advanced courses.

Required Graduate Curriculum

The Curriculum is divided into two levels, Foundation and Concentration content.

The Foundation content comprises 24 credit hours and focuses on the development of generalist knowledge and skills in social work. A field practicum course is required in this cluster of courses. Foundation knowledge is assumed for BSW graduates who enter in the Advanced Standing program. However, Advanced Standing students must take the foundation research course.

The Concentration content comprises 36 credit hours. Students begin concentration coursework during the second semester of the regular program. Students select either the Clinical Practice or the Policy, Planning and Administration concentration, based on individual interests. Concentration requirements include electives and a selective that allow students to shape their own graduate education. The final phase of the Concentration curriculum consists of Graduate Field Practicum II (680 clock hours) and the Integrative Professional Practice Seminar.

Clinical Practice Concentration
Those who choose Clinical Practice are interested in strategies of direct intervention with individuals, families, small groups and communities. This concentration prepares social workers for clinical practice in a wide variety of social services organizations. Clinical Practice graduates serve in a variety of professional roles such as counselor, team leader, employee assistance specialist, diagnostician, therapist, educator, social broker, community advocate, consultant, and case manager.

Policy, Planning and Administration Concentration
Those who choose Policy, Planning and Administration are interested in strategies of intervention for social change at the macro-system level. This concentration prepares social workers for management, policy making and advocacy practice in a wide variety of social services organizations, foundations and political and government settings. Policy, Planning and Administration graduates serve in a variety of professional roles such as program administrator, program director, evaluator, researcher, and policy analyst throughout all areas of professional social work practice.

Graduate Field Practicum I, Social Work 7971 is a six (6) credit hour (16 clock hours a week) course taken in the spring semester of the first graduate year.

Graduate Field Practicum II, Social Work 8971 is a 12 credit hour (40 clock hours a week) course taken in the final spring semester of the second graduate year. This course is part of the Concentration segment of the curriculum. This placement begins the first working day in January and lasts until the end of the semester on a five-day-per-week basis, with no spring break. This placement enables students to receive intensive instruction and gain experience in the area of concentration. A Professional Practice Seminar accompanies this practicum and serves to integrate previous classroom course work with the field experience.

Field instruction assignments are collaborative decisions of the Director of Field, faculty adviser, student and, in some cases, the MSW Program Director. The School employs organizational resources throughout Missouri and the instructional services of a selected group of highly qualified, experienced field faculty. Field placements are developed to meet the learning needs of students. Most placements are in the state; however, arrangements for out of state placements can be made.

Foundation Courses *
7710 Social Policy and Service Delivery in Social Work (3)
7720 Foundations of Human Behavior (3)
7730 Direct Practice (3)
7740 Community and Organization Dynamics (3)
7760 Foundations of Social Justice: Values, Diversity, Power & Oppression (3)
7952 Research Design in Social Work (3)
7971 Graduate Field Practicum I (6)

* All Foundation courses are waived for Advanced Standing students, except 7952 Research Methods in Social Work. A test-out option is available for some Foundation Courses but the credit hours must be made up with other courses.

Clinical Practice Concentration Courses
7770 Strategies of Clinical Social Work Intervention (3)
7820 DSM IV Psychopathology: A Social Work Experience (3)
- - - - Advanced Policy Elective (3)
- - - - Advanced Clinical Practice Selective (3)
- - - - Advanced Diversity Elective (3)
8952 Evaluative Research in Clinical Social Work Practice (3)
8970 Professional Practice Seminar (3)
8971 Graduate Field Practicum II (12)
- - - - Elective (3)

Policy, Planning & Administration Concentration Courses
7780 Fundamentals of Social Work Administration (3)
7920 Advanced Foundations of Human Behavior for Administrators (3)
8350 Management of a Social Agency (3)
8952 Evaluative Research in Social Work Planning & Administration (3)
8970 Professional Practice Seminar (3)
8971 Graduate Field Practicum II (12)
- - - - Advanced Diversity Elective (3)
- - - - Advanced Policy Elective (3)
- - - - Elective (3)

Computer Competency and Use

The graduate program demands computer skills in all courses and often for paper submission and class communication. University e-mail accounts are established upon registration. Only emails sent through University email accounts are considered official University correspondence. All faculty have e-mail accounts. Students are expected to check their University email account on a regular basis. The School maintains an e-mail listserve to communicate important information. Students should have access to a personal computer.
Mizzou Information Technology (Mizzou IT) homepage.

Graduation Requirements

A graduate student must complete 60 graduate credit hours for the Regular Standing program (Lincoln University students complete 51 to 57 credit hours) or 39 graduate credit hours for the Advanced Standing program. To remain in good standing, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. A total of at least two semesters of 9 credit hours each must be completed in residence at MU. The Block field instruction semester counts toward the residency requirement. Students in the Regular program may test out of a maximum of 9 credit hours of foundation course content by successful completion of proficiency examinations prior to beginning the MSW Program. Advanced Standing students have the test out option for the foundation research course only. The credit hours must be replaced with other advanced courses. In addition, the following requirements must be fulfilled:

1. All work toward the MSW degree must be completed within four years from admission. All students must demonstrate acceptable progress toward the degree.
2. The hours required for the MSW degree must include a minimum of 20 hours of credit in advanced courses 7000 or above plus the curricular requirements as determined by the faculty.
3. A regular standing student must earn a B or higher in foundation level course work to enroll in concentration course work.
4. A regular standing student must receive a grade of satisfactory on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis in the first-year field instruction course in order to be eligible to enter the second year field instruction course. To be eligible for graduation, a student must receive a grade of satisfactory in the block field practicum.
5. All courses must be taken in proper sequence.
   

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Sample MSW Study Plans

The sample programs of study that follow are:
Regular Standing
Advanced Standing
Off-Campus Regular Standing
Off-Campus Advanced Standing

Individual schedules will vary. Consult the MU Schedule of Courses and your Academic Advisor for guidance. Part-time study requires careful and advance planning. Part-time students are required to prepare, in consultation with their advisor, a reasonable study plan by the 12th week of the student's first part-time semester.

REGULAR STANDING PROGRAM, FULL TIME Sample Study Plan - 60 credit hours
Fall (First Year)
7710	Social Policy & Service Delivery in Social Work	(3)
7720	Foundations of Human Behavior	(3)
7730	Direct Practice	(3)
7740	Community & Org. Dynamics	(3)
7760	Foundations of Social Justice	(3)
	Total Hours For Fall	15
Spring (Pick Concentration, Clinical or PP&A)
7952	Research Design in Social Work	(3)
7971	Graduate Field Practicum	(6)
	Clinical Practice Courses:
7770	Strategies of Clinical Social Work Intervention	(3)
7820	DSM IV Psychopathology	(3)
	Policy Planning & Administration Courses:
7920	Adv. Foundation of Human Behavior for Admin	(3)
7780	Fundamentals of Social Work Administration	(3)
	Total Hours for Spring	15
Fall (Second Year)
- - - -	Advanced Policy Elective	(3)
- - - -	Advanced Diversity Elective	(3)
- - - -	Elective	(3)
	Clinical Practice Courses:
- - - -	Advanced Clinical Practice Selective	(3)
8952	Evaluative Research in Social Work	(3)
	Policy Planning & Administration Courses:
8350	Management of a Social Agency	(3)
8953	Evaluative Research in PP&A	(3)
	Total Hours for Fall	15
Spring
8971	Graduate Field Practicum II	(12)
8970	Integrative Professional Practice Seminar	(3)
	Total Hours for Spring	15
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ADVANCED STANDING PROGRAM, FULL TIME Sample Study Plan - 39 credit hours
Spring start (First Year)
7952	Research Design in Social Work	(3)
	Clinical Practice Courses:
7770	Strategies of Clinical Social Work Intervention	(3)
7820	DSM IV Psychopathology	(3)
	Policy Planning & Administration Courses:	or
7920	Adv. Foundation of Human Behavior for Admin	(3)
7780	Fundamentals of Social Work Administration	(3)
	Total Hours	9
Summer start (First Year) – Clinical only
7952	Research Design in Social Work	(3)
7770	Strategies of Clinical Social Work Intervention	(3)
7820	DSM IV Psychopathology	(3)
	Total Hours	9
Fall (Second Year)
- - - -	Advanced Policy Elective	(3)
- - - -	Advanced Diversity Elective	(3)
- - - -	Elective	(3)
	Clinical Practice Courses:
- - - -	Advanced Clinical Practice Slective	(3)
8952	Evaluative Research in Social Work	(3)
	Policy Planning & Administration Courses:	or
8350	Management of a Social Agency	(3)
8953	Evaluative Research in PP&A	(3)
	Total Hours	15
Spring
8971	Graduate Field Practicum II	(12)
8970	Integrative Professional Practice Seminar	(3)
	Total Hours	15
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OFF CAMPUS PROGRAM Regular Standing Sample Study Plan - 60 hours
FIRST YEAR Spring
7760	Foundations of Social Justice (ITV)	(3)
7730	Direct Practice (in person)	(3)
	Total Hours	6
Summer
7720	Foundations of Human Behavior (online)	(3)
7750	Adv. Interact. Skills Wrkshp (in person)	(3)
	Total Hours	6
Fall
7710	Social Policy & Service Delivery in Social Work (online)	(3)
7740	Community & Org. Dynamics (ITV)	(3)
	Total Hours	6
SECOND YEAR Spring
7952	Research Design in Social Work (ITV)	(3)
7820	DSM IV Psychopathology (online)	(3)
	Total Hours	6*
Summer
7770	Strategies of Clinical Social Work Interventions (ITV)	(3)
7971	Graduate Field Practicum	(3)
	Elective, Policy or Diversity (TBA)*	(3)
	Total Hours	6 or 9*
Fall
8952	Evaluative Research in SW (ITV)	(3)
	Elective, Policy or Diversity (TBA)	(3)
	Total Hours	6
THIRD YEAR Spring
	Advanced Clinical Practice Selective (TBA)	(3)
	Elective, Policy or Diversity (TBA)	(3)
	Total Hours	6
Summer
	Elective, Policy or Diversity (TBA)	(3)
8970	Integrative Professional Practice Seminar **	(3)
8971	Graduate Field Practicum II ** ^	(12)
	Total Hours	3 or 15
Fall
8971	Graduate Field Practicum II ^^	(12)
8970	Integrative Professional Practice Seminar	(3)
	Total Hours	0 or 15
* Title IVE students may only register for six (6) credit hours per semester. Extra hours are only available to students that are not funded by Title IVE. ** Students must have completed all of their other coursework in order to being field. ^ May extend to Fall if needed. ^^ May extend to Spring (fourth year) if needed; option available only for students who did not take 8971 and 8970 in the spring semester.
OFF CAMPUS PROGRAM Advance Standing Sample Study Plan - 39 hours FIRST YEAR Spring
7952	Research Design in Social Work (ITV)	(3)
7820	DSM IV Psychopathology (online)	(3)
	Total Hours	6
Summer
7770	Strategies of Clinical Social Work Interventions (ITV)	(3)
	Elective, Policy or Diversity (TBA)	(3)
	Total Hours	6
Fall
8952	Evaluative Research in SW (ITV)	(3)
	Elective, Policy or Diversity (TBA)	(3)
	Total Hours	6
SECOND YEAR Spring
	Advanced Clinical Practice Selective (TBA)	(3)
	Elective, Policy or Diversity (TBA)	(3)
	Total Hours	6
Summer
8970	Integrative Professional Practice Seminar *	(3)
8971	Graduate Field Practicum II * ^	(12)
	Total Hours	15**
* Students must have completed all of their other coursework in order to being field. ^ May extend to Fall if needed. * * Title IVE students may only register for six (6) credit hours per semester. Extra hours are only available to students that are not funded by Title IVE.

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