Program Overview
A Clinical Practice specialization will prepare you for social work in a clinical mental health setting. If you're interested in working in direct practice with individuals, families, or groups in a counseling or mental health setting, you might consider the clinical specialization.
Program Details
Duration & Schedule
Courses are offered in 15-week semesters and two 7.5-week summer terms.
- A regular standing full-time plan of study typically takes 1¾ years (21 months), and a part-time plan of study typically takes 2¾ years (33 months) with 15-week semesters and two 7.5-week summer terms.
- An advanced standing full-time plan of study typically takes one year beginning in the summer, and a part-time plan of study typically takes two years with 15-week semesters and two 7.5-week summer terms.
Because your MSW plan of study will be custom tailored based on your interests and objectives, your time to complete the program may vary.
Courses
Students without a BSW will be considered regular standing and will be required to complete 18 credits of foundational courses along with 6 credits (450 hours) of foundational practicum. These students will take an additional 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced field and seminar, and 15 credits of practice specializations of their choice for a total of 60 credit hours. Students may have some foundation coursework waived if the requirement was met in their undergraduate coursework.
Required foundation Courses:
Students without a BSW will be considered regular standing and will be required to complete 18 credits of foundational courses along with 6 credits (450 hours) of foundational practicum.
- Foundations of Social Work (History, Philosophy, & Theory) (3)
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment (3)
- Social Work Research Methods (3)
- Policy Planning & Analysis (3)
- Practice I Individuals (3)
- Practice II Families & Groups (3)
- Foundation Field & Seminar: total of 6 credits; 450 hours
Required Advanced Courses:
Students will take 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced field and seminar
- Social Work Ethics and Professional Development (3)
- Trauma: Theory and Practice in Social Work (3)
- Psychopathology (3)
- Inequality, Diversity, and Social Justice (3)
- Applied Research Project (3)
- Advanced Field & Seminar: total of 6 credits; 450 hours
Required Specialization Courses:
Students will choose five practice specialization courses (15 credits). Students seeking a Clinical Practice specialization will choose five practice specialization courses. Four courses must be from the Clinical specialization courses and up to one can be from the Community Practice & Administration specialization (although all five may be chosen from the Clinical options).
Practice Specialization Course Options: Clinical Specialization
- Motivational Interviewing & Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (3)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (3)
- Neurobiology and Social Work Practice (3)
- Marital & Family Therapy (3)
- Play Therapy (3)
- Clinical Practice with Adolescents (3)
- Grief (3)
- Advanced Behavioral and Social Interventions for Exceptional Children (3)
- Crisis Intervention (3)
Practice Specialization Course Options: Community Practice and Administration Specialization
- Organizational and Community Change Planning (3)
- Non-Profit Administration & Organizational Theory (3)
- Community Organizing and Advocacy (3)
- Program Evaluation (3)
- Budgeting & Public Finance (3)
- Grant Writing & Fundraising (3)
- Leadership (3)
- HR Management (3)
Students seeking advanced standing but have a BSW older than seven years old will be required to complete 9 credits of foundations courses (Social Work Research Methods, Practice I Individuals, Practice II Families and Groups). These students will take an additional 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced practicum, and 15 credits of practice specializations of their choice for a total of 45 credit hours.
Required foundation Courses:
Students seeking advanced standing but have a BSW older than seven years old will be required to complete 9 credits of foundations courses.
- Social Work Research Methods (3)
- Practice I Individuals (3)
- Practice II Families & Groups (3)
Required Advanced Courses:
Students will take 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced field and seminar
- Social Work Ethics and Professional Development (3)
- Trauma: Theory and Practice in Social Work (3)
- Psychopathology (3)
- Inequality, Diversity, and Social Justice (3)
- Applied Research Project (3)
- Advanced Field & Seminar: total of 6 credits; 450 hours
Required Specialization Courses:
Students will choose five practice specialization courses (15 credits). Students seeking a Clinical Practice specialization will choose five practice specialization courses. Four courses must be from the Clinical specialization courses and up to one can be from the Community Practice & Administration specialization (although all five may be chosen from the Clinical options).
Practice Specialization Course Options: Clinical Specialization
- Motivational Interviewing & Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (3)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (3)
- Neurobiology and Social Work Practice (3)
- Marital & Family Therapy (3)
- Play Therapy (3)
- Clinical Practice with Adolescents (3)
- Grief (3)
- Advanced Behavioral and Social Interventions for Exceptional Children (3)
- Crisis Intervention (3)
Practice Specialization Course Options: Community Practice and Administration Specialization
- Organizational and Community Change Planning (3)
- Non-Profit Administration & Organizational Theory (3)
- Community Organizing and Advocacy (3)
- Program Evaluation (3)
- Budgeting & Public Finance (3)
- Grant Writing & Fundraising (3)
- Leadership (3)
- HR Management (3)
Advanced standing students who have completed a BSW within the last seven years will be required to complete 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced practicum, and 15 credits of practice specializations of their choice for a total of 36 credit hours.
Required Advanced Courses:
Students will take 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced field and seminar
- Social Work Ethics and Professional Development (3)
- Trauma: Theory and Practice in Social Work (3)
- Psychopathology (3)
- Inequality, Diversity, and Social Justice (3)
- Applied Research Project (3)
- Advanced Field & Seminar: total of 6 credits; 450 hours
Required Specialization Courses:
Students will choose five practice specialization courses (15 credits). Students seeking a Clinical Practice specialization will choose five practice specialization courses. Four courses must be from the Clinical specialization courses and up to one can be from the Community Practice & Administration specialization (although all five may be chosen from the Clinical options).
Practice Specialization Course Options: Clinical Specialization
- Motivational Interviewing & Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (3)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (3)
- Neurobiology and Social Work Practice (3)
- Marital & Family Therapy (3)
- Play Therapy (3)
- Clinical Practice with Adolescents (3)
- Grief (3)
- Advanced Behavioral and Social Interventions for Exceptional Children (3)
- Crisis Intervention (3)
Practice Specialization Course Options: Community Practice and Administration Specialization
- Organizational and Community Change Planning (3)
- Non-Profit Administration & Organizational Theory (3)
- Community Organizing and Advocacy (3)
- Program Evaluation (3)
- Budgeting & Public Finance (3)
- Grant Writing & Fundraising (3)
- Leadership (3)
- HR Management (3)
Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Faculty Info
Staff
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