Social Work, M.S.W.

General Requirements

• The MSW program requires completion of 60 credit hours of study, which includes a minimum of 12 credit hours of supervised field practicum. The full- time program may be completed in two calendar years. The part-time program may be completed in three or four calendar years. All requirements for the degree must be completed within 6 years from the date of initial enrollment. The first 30 hours of the MSW program are required foundation courses. Upon successful completion of the foundation, students may then choose from a concentration in the advanced curriculum. These options are Direct Practice in Family and Children Service, Administration and Planning in Family and Children Services, and School Social Work.
• Students must maintain a 3.0 (B) average and receive a passing grade in field practicum in order to complete the program. It is also expected that students demonstrate a commitment to ethical social work practice as explicated in the N.A.S.W. Code of Ethics.
• The fieldwork component of the MSW program is an integral part of the student’s educational experience. It provides opportunities for the development, integration, and application of professional knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes. Placements are made in a wide variety of human service settings in the public and private sectors.
• Students must complete 400 clock hours during the first year and 550 during their second year in the program. Students in the School Social Work concentration must complete 600 hours during their second year. Most placement requirements are met by 2 days per week for 4 semesters. Professional liability insurance is required for field registration and is provided by a group policy.

Admission

A graduate application, the MSW supplement, official transcripts, and the nonrefundable application fee must be received by the Graduate School by July 15th (fall admission only). Early submission of application is recommended. Applications received past May 15th may be considered for part-time enrollment only. All applicants for admission to the MSW program must:

• Have a BA or BS degree from an accredited college or university.
• Have a broad liberal arts background (represented by course work in arts and humanities, history, science, mathematics, political science, economics, etc.) with a minimum of 12 hours of behavioral science.
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (calculated using the last two years of undergraduate study). A limited number of applicants may be conditionally admitted with a GPA of 2.75. This exception may be granted to students who have been out of school for five or more years and have outstanding work experience in human services.
• Submit three letters of recommendation from educators and/or professionals who can describe potential for success in the field of social work.
• Submit a personal essay and participate in a departmental interview as requested.
• In addition to the above, the following may apply:
• A course to enhance writing skills may be required as a condition of admission.
• Due to limited class size, we are unable to accept all qualified applicants.

Admission to Post MSW / Professional Educator License (PEL) for School Social Work

All applicants applying to the Post MSW / Professional Educator License (PEL) for School Social Work must have the following:

• You must hold an MSW from a CSWE accredited School of Social Work. Only those students who obtained a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 will be considered for admission
• Students must successfully meet the minimum requirements of the State of Illinois.
• You must complete the supplemental Post MSW / Professional Educator License for School Social Work application and submit it with your graduate application materials.

Course Requirements for Professional Educator License for School Social Work

Students in the curriculum must take or have taken S ED 5301 - Characteristics of Exceptional Children 

Child (or an equivalent course at another university). In addition to S ED 5301  (3 credits), required courses in the Post MSW PEL program include:

• S WK 5474 - Policy and Practice for School Social Work Credit Hours: 3
• S WK 5464 - Post-MSW School Social Work Field Practicum I Credit Hours: 3
• S WK 5465 - Post-MSW School Social Work Field II Credit Hours: 3

Transfer Credit

The MSW program may accept a maximum of 30 semester hours of transfer credit for graduate courses completed with a grade of B or better from a CSWE-accredited MSW program. Credits must have been earned within four years prior to enrollment, and the student must submit a letter of recommendation from the program and field director (if applicable) of the program.

Students who have graduate credits in a related field may request transfer of up to six credit hours to meet their elective requirements; however, courses from an earned degree may not be used toward the MSW degree. A maximum of six credit hours of courses taken in the CSU MSW program as an at-large student may be transferred upon admission.

A written request must be made to the Program Director for transfer credit and must be accompanied by the appropriate course syllabi. No academic credit is given for work or life experience.

Specific Requirements