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School Social Work Career Path Course Checklist

It is your responsibility to ensure that your degree and licensing requirements are met and in order to move into the second year of the program. Your academic advisor is available to help you. Please meet with the MSW advisor at least once per academic year to ensure you are on track.

Specialist Year

Fall Required Courses:

Course Number Title Credit Hours
SW6220 Diversity & Social Justice: Reflexive and Ethical Social Work Practice II 3 credit hours
SW6xxx Advanced Practice I in area of focus 3 credit hours
SW6650 School Social Work Macro Skills 3 credit hours
SW6823 School Social Work Field Practicum - Specialist 4 credit hours
SW6xxx Elective or Advanced Practice outside of area of focus or other area of focus requirements 2-3 credit hours
    Total: 15-16 credit hours

Spring Required Courses:

Course Number Title Credit Hours
SW6xxx Advanced Practice II in area of focus 3 credit hours
SW6651 School Social Work Micro Skills 3 credit hours
SW6824 School Social Work Field Practicum - Specialist 4 credit hours
SW6xxx Elective or Advanced Practice outside of area of focus or other area of focus requirements 4-5 credit hours
    Total: 14-15 credit hours

Courses:

  • School Social Work courses will be offered with times and delivery methods to be accessible to all cohorts.
  • Students must complete two semesters of school-based Field Practicum during their generalist or specialist year.
  • Practicum (fieldwork) is completed on weekdays during business hours.

Grades:

  • MSW students must earn a C+ or better in each of the required courses, including Practicum, to take the second course in any sequenced courses (e.g., Practice I and Practice II) and to move forward in the program.
  • SW6650 is a prerequisite for SW6651. Thus, MSW students must earn a C+ or better in 6650 before taking 6651.
  • MSW students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA to be in good academic standing.

Additional Coursework:

  • School Social Work is not an area of focus and does not fulfill the requirement for an Advanced Practice course outside the area of focus. School SW courses count as electives.

Reminders:

  • Students may take up to 16 credit hours in any one semester without requiring pre-approval from the MSW Program Director and the Dean of the Graduate School (see request form in the Canvas modules).
  • Advanced Standing MSW students must complete a minimum of 45 credit hours in order to graduate.
  • Two-Year MSW students must successfully complete a minimum of 60 credit hours in order to graduate.

 

Course Number Semester Title Credit Hours Description
SW 6650 Fall School Social Work Macro Skills 3 This course offers an orientation to social work practice in schools. Students will become familiar with traditional and changing social work roles and practices in schools as well as with larger systemic trend, which impact school settings and school-based social work. This course is designed to help students acquire knowledge, values, and skills appropriate for social work practice within primary and secondary school settings. Special attention will be given to working with students, teachers, parents, administrators, and the community. This is a required course.
SW 6651 Spring School Social Work Micro Skills 3 credit hours This course focuses on the knowledge, micro skills, and values appropriate for social work practice within the school setting. Emphasisis placed on the tasks of social assessment for educational and behavioral planning, the formulation of goals and objectives, and accessing school resources and external referrals. Theoretical approaches include evidence-based practices for behavioral interventions, problem solving, brief and group therapy, and utilizing school data to link with age-appropriate interventions. This is a required course.
SW 6823  Fall School Social Work
Field Practicum -
Specialist
4 MSW students will be placed in a practicum setting where they will have direct contact with an experienced school social worker. They will be able to apply their classroom knowledge and skill in workingwith students in primary and/or secondary school settings.
SW 6824 Spring School Social Work
Field Practicum -
Specialist
4 MSW students will be placed in a practicum setting where they will have direct contact with an experienced school social worker. They will be able to apply their classroom knowledge and skill in workingwith students in primary and/or secondary school settings.
Last Updated: 12/30/25