It is an objective of the Program to have a diversified student body that reflects both its educational mission and the wide range of personnel opportunities and needs in the social services. The Master of Social Work program requires completion of 60 semester hours of course work and field work practice, and maintenance of the Standards of Scholarship determined by the Graduate School of the University. The requirements of the M.S.W. degree must be met fully within a period of five years from the date of the student's enrollment as a degree candidate. Repeating of up to 30 semester hours may be required of the readmitted candidate. Students are required to be enrolled continuously from the semester of admission through the semester of graduation.
Provision is available for leaves of absence where unforeseen circumstances so warrant.
Except for those admitted with advanced standing, all entering M.S.W. students follow a common first-year curriculum constituted as a foundation year in the direct practice of social work. The foundation year includes courses in theory and practice, social welfare policy and services, human behavior and the social environment, social research methods, and field work. In the second year, students follow the advanced curriculum in their area of concentration. Arrangements for fieldwork are the responsibility of the Office of Field Education. Full-time students may not use their place of employment as field placement.