Social Work, MSW

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Students who have received a social work degree within the past seven academic calendar years from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program (or one recognized by the Council on Social Work Education’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors) are eligible for advanced standing.The students who are granted advanced standing during the admission process can receive up to 15 academic credits. The number of advanced standing credits granted depends on the comparability of the student’s undergraduate courses to this Program’s generalist courses and on the grades they earned in those undergraduate courses (i.e., must be a “B-” grade or higher). Such students also may be granted an exemption from a diverse populations course. Eligibility for a course exemption is contingent upon the comparability of the student’s undergraduate course(s) to this Program’s generalist course and on the grade(s) obtained (i.e., “B-” grade or higher). If an exemption is granted, the student must fulfill the three academic credits through additional coursework, typically by enrolling in another elective course.

In addition, students entering with advanced standing can receive six (6) field education credits. The six (6) credits of field education are granted based on the number of hours of field experience completed at the undergraduate level, provided that the undergraduate social work practicum totals a minimum of 400 clock hours and the student has achieved a passing grade or at least a “B-” grade or better.

The proposal will increase the maximum number of credits awarded for advanced standing from 18 to 21. This would reduce the minimum number of credits a student takes in our MSW program from 42 to 39. The key rationale informing this policy change is curricular alignment and recognition of demonstrated competency between undergraduate and graduate social work diversity courses.

Previously students have an exemption from our Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations course (SWGEN 2034) as part of their advanced standing, removing the requirement to take the course but not receiving the 3-credits applied to their 60 credit MSW. This policy change would allow for the full recognition of a students’ competency in this requirement (demonstrated through an earned B- or better in the undergraduate comparable social work diversity course).