Social Work, M.S.W.

Admission

The admission policy for the M.S.W. degree program applies to every applicant.  All applicants must fulfill the general admission requirements of both The Graduate School and the College of Social Work. Applicants must be recommended to The Graduate School for acceptance by the MSW Program. Acceptance by The Graduate School and the M.S.W. Program is based on the evaluation of an applicant’s total academic profile. The M.S.W. Program is committed to diversity in its student body. Admission is limited and competitive. Admission to the College of Social Work is contingent upon admission to The Graduate School.

Deadlines

  • The deadline for Advanced Standing Program admissions is March 1. Classes begin in the summer.
  • The deadline for Full-time and Part-time Program admissions is April 1. Classes begin in the fall.

Minimal requirements for admission include:

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
    • Applicants to the Advanced Standing program option must have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited institution within the last 5 years.
  • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale).
    • Applicants to the Advanced Standing program option must have also earned a B or better GPA in the last 60 credit hours of an accredited bachelor's degree and a B or better in all required undergraduate social work classes.
  • Official transcripts of all college and university credits earned
  • A statement stating the applicant’s desire to enter the degree program and outlining long-term professional goals, motivation and capacity to work with people.
  • At least two letters of recommendation should come from individuals who can address characteristics such as maturity, self-discipline, commitment, cooperativeness and professionalism. The M.S.W. program requires letters be written by individuals who can attest to an applicant’s potential for graduate study and social work practice (e.g., professor, supervisor or community leader). Letters from those an applicant has a personal relationship with (e.g., relative, friend or neighbor) will not be adequate.
    • Applicants to the Advanced Standing program option are required to submit three letters of recommendation. Of the three letters of recommendation, one must be from the B.S.W. program director or faculty advisor recommending readiness for Advanced Standing and one be must from the undergraduate field supervisor or current social work supervisor if employed.
  • A current CV or resume that demonstrates evidence of service and/or work experiences congruent with social work values, skills, and knowledge.

Note: An interview may also be required. 

Applicants to the Advanced Standing program option should be aware that meeting the minimal requirements does not guarantee admission to this program option. 

Degree Requirements (42-60 Hours)

The College of Social Work Offers Five Master of Social Work Degree Pathways

  1. Full-time in Columbia - 60 hours over two years.
  2. Advanced Standing in Columbia - 42 hours over 11 months.
  3. Extended-time program in Columbia - 60 hours over three years.
  4. Extended-time program in Charleston or Greenville with one specialization - 60 hours over three years.
  5. Full-time Online - 60 hours over two years.

Generalist Year (30 Hours)

Full-time, Full-time Online, and Part-time Students must successfully complete the following courses in order to move to the Advanced Year:

Course Title Credits
SOWK 712Human Behavior and the Social Environment I3
SOWK 714Diversity and Social Justice Issues for Social Work Practice3
SOWK 716Human Behavior and the Social Environment II3
SOWK 722Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups3
SOWK 732Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities3
SOWK 742Social Welfare Policy Analysis3
SOWK 781Field Instruction I: Generalist Social Work Practice3
SOWK 782Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice3
SOWK 791Social Work Research Methodologies3
Select an elective course3
Total Credit Hours30

Advanced Standing Bridge Term (12 Hours)

Advanced Standing Students must successfully complete the following courses in order to move to the Advanced Year:

Course Title Credits
SOWK 701Professional Development Bridge3
SOWK 702Writing for Professional Social Work Pratice 13
Select an elective course3
Select an elective course3
Total Credit Hours12
1

If a student successfully completes the online Professional Writing Skills Assessment as part of the application to the MSW Program, they are not required to take SOWK 702.  Rather, they are required to take an elective course.

Advanced Generalist Year (30 Hours)

Full-time, Part-time, Full-time Online, and Advanced Standing students must successfully complete the following courses:

Course Title Credits
SOWK 792Evaluation of Social Work Practice3
or SOWK 793 Evaluation of Social Work Programs
SOWK 735Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals3
SOWK 755Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations3
SOWK 775Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups3
SOWK 783Field Instruction III: Advanced Social Work Practice3
SOWK 766Advanced Social Work Practice with Families3
SOWK 776Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities3
SOWK 718Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice3
SOWK 784Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice3
Select elective course3
Total Credit Hours30