Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
General Graduate Program Requirements
Graduate School policies and standards can be found on the Graduate School Policies page.
The minimum GPA for any graduate program is 3.0. Individual programs may require more than a 3.0 to remain in good standing.
The minimum grade for a course to be accepted toward any requirement is C. Individual programs may require higher grades for specific courses.
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Generalist Required Courses | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| S W 500 | Orientation | 1 |
| S W 505 | Foundations of Social Work Practice | 2 |
| S W 510 | Human Behavior and Social Environment I | 3 |
| S W 511 | Human Behavior and Social Intervention II | 3 |
| S W 515 | Practicum with Individuals & Families | 3 |
| S W 520 | SW Research Methods | 3 |
| S W 525 | Practicum in Groups & Communities | 4 |
| S W 530 | History of Social Policy | 3 |
| S W 532 | Indian Child Welfare Act | 1 |
| S W 576 | Found Integrative Seminar I | 1 |
| S W 577 | Found Integrative Seminar II | 1 |
| S W 586 | Found Practicum I | 2 |
| S W 587 | Found Practicum II | 2 |
| Specialized Required Courses | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| S W 521 | Advanced Research | 3 |
| S W 531 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| S W 535 | Advanced Practice | 4 |
| S W 545 | Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| S W 578 | Advanced Seminar I | 1 |
| S W 579 | Advanced Seminar II | 1 |
| S W 588 | Concentration Practicum I | 3 |
| S W 589 | Concentration Practicum II | 3 |
| S W 599 | Professional Portfolio | 1 |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
Optional Micro-Practice Emphasis
Micro practice emphasizes the development of clinical skills and a repertoire of theoretical knowledge relevant to direct practice with individuals, small groups, couples, and families. Students concentrating in micro practice will complete specialization-year practicum hours in settings that provide opportunities for direct clinical practice, such as community, school-based, and residential mental health programs, child and family services, hospice care, and medical settings. Students choose elective courses that further their development of knowledge and skills for clinical practice.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Possible electives include: | ||
| S W 420 | Child Abuse/Child Welfare | 3 |
| S W 423 | Addiction Studies | 3 |
| S W 450 | Children and Youth at Risk | 3 |
| S W 455 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
| S W 475 | Death, Dying and Grief | 3 |
| S W 551 | Couples and Family Therapy | 3 |
| S W 552 | Differential Diagnosis in Clinical Social Work Practice | 3 |
| S W 553 | Social Work Addictions | 3 |
Optional Macro-Practice Emphasis
Macro practice emphasizes the development of skills and a repertoire of theoretical knowledge relevant to community, organizational, and political practice (e.g. program planning and development, neighborhood development, organizational administration and management, community organizing, and legislative advocacy). Students concentrating in macro practice will complete concentration-year practicum hours in settings that provide opportunities to develop skills in planning, development, advocacy, and social action, such as local and regional development corporations, social action and rights-based organizations, and action-research centers. Students choose electives that further development of their skills in community building, organization, and advocacy. Possible electives and certificate programs can be found on the UM Graduate School website. Of particular interest may be:
- Public Health Certificate – http://health.umt.edu/publichealth/graduate/certificates/cph/default.php
- Department of Public Administration and Policy – https://www.umt.edu/law/mpa/certificates/default.php 18
- Global Health - https://health.umt.edu/publichealth/graduate/certificates/cgh/default.php
Extra-departmental courses, as well as graduate-level courses in other relevant disciplines such as environmental studies, political science, and sociology may also be taken as electives. You will be informed of new electives courses offered by the School of Social Work as they are added.
Master of Social Work Advanced Standing Program
The Advanced Standing Program, offered synchronously online, provides students who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work or a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from an accredited Social Work program the opportunity to complete their Master of Social Work in an accelerated format. Rather than 60 credits, students in the Advanced Standing Program will complete a 9 credit summer bridge program and then move into the existing specialization year curriculum for a total of 37 credits.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| S W 500 | Orientation | 1 |
| S W 505 | Foundations of Social Work Practice | 2 |
| S W 521 | Advanced Research | 3 |
| S W 530 | History of Social Policy | 3 |
| S W 531 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| S W 532 | Indian Child Welfare Act | 1 |
| S W 535 | Advanced Practice | 4 |
| S W 545 | Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| S W 591 | Special Topics (Critical Practice Skills Refresher) | 3 |
| S W 578 | Advanced Seminar I | 1 |
| S W 579 | Advanced Seminar II | 1 |
| S W 588 | Concentration Practicum I | 3 |
| S W 589 | Concentration Practicum II | 3 |
| S W 599 | Professional Portfolio | 1 |
| Electives | 5 | |
| Total Hours | 37 | |