The Online MSW program curriculum requires 49 credit hours of coursework, equivalent to 8 consecutive semesters including summer terms, and follows a cohort model for the Foundation portion of the program. The coursework for the program offers fully online content with synchronous class sessions. The required internships are in-person in the student's home state.

The program offers advanced practice training in clinical and school settings. Graduates of this program are well positioned for roles in direct social work practice in community, hospital, child welfare, school and private practice settings.

Students in the Master’s in Social Work Program can select an area of specialization in:

• Micro Practice Specialization
• Leadership, Mezzo, & Macro Practice Specialization (LMMP) Currently paused

Students in the Micro Practice Specialization can choose a track from the following:

• Advanced Clinical Practice
• Schools/Professional Educator License (PEL) (for students in Illinois only)

The Leadership, Mezzo, & Macro Practice (LMMP) area of specialization offers a track in:

• Leadership, Community, Advocacy, and Policy (LCAP) Currently paused

Upon completing the program, students have completed the education requirements for the LSW and the LCSW licenses. The LSCW requires post-graduate clinical supervision hours by a Licensed Clinician and a passing score on the licensure exam, or extended post-graduate supervision.

Related Programs

Curriculum

The Online MSW program curriculum requires 49 credit hours of coursework, equivalent to 8 consecutive semesters, including summer terms, and follows a cohort model.

The MSW curriculum is split up by year with generalist and specialized courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Generalist Courses
Community Immersion Program (1-Week Community Immersion Program)		0
SOWK 500	Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory	3
SOWK 501	Assessment of Client Concerns in Context	3
SOWK 502	Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice	3
SOWK 503	Practice Skills with Individuals and Families	3
SOWK 505	Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro	3
SOWK 506	Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice	3
SOWK 508	Integrated Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Practice 1	3
or SOWK 504	Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice
SOWK 509	Social Work Policy and Community Intervention	3
SWII 530	Internship I & Simulated Experience	1
SWII 531	Internship II & Simulated Experience	1
Advanced Courses
Courses required of all students:
SOWK 680	Advanced Micro-Level Practice	3
SOWK 682	Advanced Mezzo and Micro Practice 1	3
or SOWK 681	Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice
SWII 632	Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences	1
SWII 633	Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences	1
Specializations & Tracks		9
All students must choose a Specialization and Track.
Micro Practice Specialization
Schools/Professional Educator’s License (PEL) Track
CIEP 401	The Exceptional Child
SOWK 609A	School Social Work Policy and Practice I
SOWK 609B	School Social Work Policy and Practice II
Advanced Clinical Practice Track
SOWK 616	Psychotherapy with Adults
SOWK 620	Clinical Social Work Practice with Children
SOWK 632 / SOWK 612	Clinical Social Work with Older Adults 2
Elective Courses		6
All students will take two electives.
Advanced Clinical Practice students take SOWK 621 and SOWK 645.
Schools students take SOWK 603 and SOWK 645.
Total Hours		49

¹

Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Students who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.

²

Students who matriculated before Fall 2024 should take SOWK 632. Students who matriculated Fall 2024 or after should take SOWK 612.

Specializations & Tracks Options

The Master of Social Work program has the following specialization and track options:

• Micro Practice Specialization
  • Advanced Clinical Practice Track
  • Schools/Professional Educator License (PEL) Track (Illinois only)

Internships

Students are required to complete two internships during their program. For the first year of the program, students focus on coursework only and do not complete an internship. However, at the start of the program, students are required to work with the Regional Coordinators to actively participate in locating internship sites in their home state for their generalist and specialized internships. Students apply to sites and interview to secure an internship. Internships are from Fall to Spring only.  The generalist internship is 400 hours, performed at the rate of 10-15 hours per week. The specialized internship is 600 hours, performed at 24 hours per week, and is aligned with the student’s area of specialization.

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework.  An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study.  Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.

Micro Practice Specialization with Advanced Clinical Practice Track

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
SOWK 500	Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory	3
SOWK 502	Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice	3
	Hours	6
Spring
SOWK 501	Assessment of Client Concerns in Context	3
SOWK 503	Practice Skills with Individuals and Families	3
	Hours	6
Summer
SOWK 504 / SOWK 508	Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice 1	3
SOWK 505	Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro	3
	Hours	6
Year 2
Fall
SOWK 506	Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice	3
SOWK 509	Social Work Policy and Community Intervention	3
SWII 530	Internship I & Simulated Experience	1
	Hours	7
Spring
SOWK 680	Advanced Micro-Level Practice	3
SOWK 681 / SOWK 682	Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice 1	3
SWII 531	Internship II & Simulated Experience	1
	Hours	7
Summer
SOWK 616	Psychotherapy with Adults	3
	Hours	3
Year 3
Fall
SOWK 620	Clinical Social Work Practice with Children	3
SOWK 612 / SOWK 632	Family Assessment and Intervention 2	3
SWII 632	Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences	1
	Hours	7
Spring
SOWK 645	Crisis Intervention	3
SOWK 621	Clinical Practice in Addiction	3
SWII 633	Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences	1
	Hours	7
	Total Hours	49

¹

Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Students who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.

²

Students who matriculated before Fall 2024 should take SOWK 632. Students who matriculated Fall 2024 or after should take SOWK 612.

Micro Practice Specialization with Schools/Professional Educator License (PEL) Track

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
SOWK 500	Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory	3
SOWK 502	Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice	3
	Hours	6
Spring
SOWK 501	Assessment of Client Concerns in Context	3
SOWK 503	Practice Skills with Individuals and Families	3
	Hours	6
Summer
SOWK 504 / SOWK 508	Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice 1	3
SOWK 505	Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro	3
	Hours	6
Year 2
Fall
SOWK 506	Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice	3
SOWK 509	Social Work Policy and Community Intervention	3
SWII 530	Internship I & Simulated Experience	1
	Hours	7
Spring
SOWK 680	Advanced Micro-Level Practice	3
SOWK 681 / SOWK 682	Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice 1	3
SWII 531	Internship II & Simulated Experience	1
	Hours	7
Summer
CIEP 401	The Exceptional Child	3
	Hours	3
Year 3
Fall
SOWK 609A	School Social Work Policy and Practice I	3
SOWK 620	Clinical Social Work Practice with Children	3
SWII 632	Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences	1
	Hours	7
Spring
SOWK 609B	School Social Work Policy and Practice II	3
SOWK 645	Crisis Intervention	3
SWII 633	Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences	1
	Hours	7
	Total Hours	49

¹

Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Students who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.

Learning Outcomes 

• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
• Engage diversity and difference in practice, including promoting social and economic justice.
• Engage, assess, and intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.