Mission

MSW Program Mission: to prepare MSW students to become advanced generalist practitioners who serve diverse communities in South Carolina and beyond.  The MSW Program provides students opportunities to develop essential and culturally relevant knowledge, skills, and values to practice effectively, ethically, and collaboratively with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. MSW students are trained to respond to dynamic and diverse needs to alleviate oppression and inequities to advance cultural and human rights and social, economic, racial, and environmental justice.   

Learning Outcomes

1. The program prepares graduates for competent and ethical practice that focuses on the dignity and worth of the person and respect for diversity, differences, equity, and inclusion.
2. Learning Outcome 1: Graduates will engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 
3. Learning Outcome 2:  Graduates will assess with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 
4. Learning Outcome 3:  Graduates will intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 
5. Learning Outcome 4: Graduates will evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
6. The program prepares graduates to develop a strong professional ethical identity and mastery of competencies to advance cultural and human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
7. Learning Outcome 5:  Graduates will demonstrate ethical and professional behavior. 
8. Learning Outcome 6:  Graduates will engage diversity and difference in practice. 
9. Learning Outcome 7: Graduates will advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice 
10. The program prepares graduates to demonstrate professional judgment and understanding that the person-in-environment perspective requires a critical analysis of practice contexts and research findings.
11. Learning Outcome 8:  Graduates will engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research 
12. Learning Outcome 9:  Graduates will engage in policy practice.

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 Four 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. Part-time program in Columbia - 60 hours over three years.
4. Part-time program in Charleston or Greenville with one specialization - 60 hours over three years.

MSW Students Must Select One of the Following Specialization Options in the Advanced Year

1. Community, Social, and Economic Development
2. Health and Mental Health 
3. Children, Youth, and Families

Foundation Year (30 Hours)

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

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
SOWK 712	Human Behavior and the Social Environment I	3
SOWK 714	Diversity and Social Justice Issues for Social Work Practice	3
SOWK 716	Human Behavior and the Social Environment II	3
SOWK 722	Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups	3
SOWK 732	Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities	3
SOWK 742	Social Welfare Policy Analysis	3
SOWK 777	Advanced Theory for Social Work Practice 1	3
SOWK 781	Field Instruction I: Generalist Social Work Practice	3
SOWK 782	Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice	3
SOWK 791	Social Work Research Methodologies	3
Total Credit Hours		30

¹

While SOWK 777 is considered to be an Advanced Year course, it is offered during the Foundation Year.

Advanced Standing Bridge Term (12 Hours)

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

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
SOWK 701	Professional Development Bridge	3
SOWK 702	Writing for Professional Social Work Pratice 1	3
SOWK 777	Advanced Theory for Social Work Practice	3
Select an elective course		3
Total Credit Hours		12

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 Year (30 Hours)

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

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
SOWK 718	Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice	3
SOWK 778	Advanced Analysis of Social Policy, Programs, and Services	3
SOWK 779	Advanced Social Work Interventions	3
SOWK 783	Field Instruction III: Advanced Social Work Practice	3
SOWK 784	Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice	3
SOWK 792	Evaluation of Social Work Practice	3
or SOWK 793	Evaluation of Social Work Programs
Select 12 hours of Electives (of which at least 3 credits must be face-to-face Practice Elective hours)		12
Total Credit Hours		30