2018-2019 Graduate Catalog

Master of Social Work

Degree Requirements

The MSW degree is a total of 60 credits for the full program.

A capstone project is required for graduation and incorporates both the generalist and specialized course work. 

The program requires 1,100 hours of field practicum to be conducted over the course of the program. Sacred Heart University currently has an extensive network of agencies eager to accept graduate-level students. Agencies include those in urban and suburban settings, and public and private not-for- profit organizations such as: schools, hospitals, adult mental health clinics, juvenile justice, adult probation, substance abuse programs, disabilities, adoptions, child protective services, public housing, domestic violence, refugee and re-settlement, adult psychiatric services and children’s mental health.

Advanced Standing students will already have completed approximately half of the field practicum hours in the BSW program and will enter the master’s program at the Specialized Year. The Advanced Standing student will be required to complete a 550 hour field practicum.

Required Courses (54 credits)

SW 524Human Diversity & Social Justice

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 565Social Welfare Policy and Services

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 567Human Behavior & Social Environment I

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 568Human Behavior & Social Environment II

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 575Social Work Generalist Practicum I

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 576Social Work Generalist Practicum II

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 578Generalist Field Practicum I

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 579Generalist Field Practicum Seminar I

0.00 Credit(s)

SW 580Generalist Field Practicum II

3.00 Credit(s)

SW 581Generalist Field Practicum Seminar II

0.00 Credit(s)

SW 591Research Practicum

3.00 Credit(s)

Year 2 of the program effective Fall 2018 will include the following courses:


SW 566  Social Welfare as a Social Institution (3 credits)

SW 570  Interprofessional Education (3 credits)

SW 585  Assessment of Client Systems (3 credits)

SW 586  Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis OR SW 587 Community Assessment (3 credits)

SW 675  Social Work Specialized Practice I (3 credits)

SW 676  Social Work Specialized Practice II (3 credits)

SW 678-79 Specialized Field Practicum and Seminar I (3 credits)

SW 680-81 Specialized Field Practicum and Seminar II (3 credits)

2 electives from the list


Elective Courses (6 credits)

Beginning Fall 2018:


SW 540 Aging and Gerontology

SW 545 Addiction

SW 550 Loss and Life Transition

SW 555 Children and Families

SW 560 Spirituality





Electives (3 credits each):


SW545  Addiction

SW550  Loss and Life Transition

SW555  Children and Families

SW560  Spirituality

SW565  Aging and Gerontology




Electives (3 credits each):


SW545  Addiction

SW550  Loss and Life Transition

SW555  Children and Families

SW560  Spirituality

SW565  Aging and Gerontology