DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Curriculum
The MSW program curriculum is designed to prepare students for both generalist and specialized social work practice, and equip them with the knowledge, skills, values, and practice experiences necessary for work across varying contexts, socialproblems, and client/constituent systems. The curriculum is congruent with the accreditation standards set forth by the Council on Social Work Education, which encourages attainment of academic excellence through scientific inquiry, social responsibility, service, and the quest for justice.
The MSW Program is comprised of two program tracks offered full-time or part-time. These program tracks include classroom and field education(see below). The following describes the 60 Credit Track and 30 Credit Track(Advanced Standing):
- 60 Credit Program Track. Students enrolled in this Track will complete both their Generalist and Specialized Years in the MSW Program. Since Generalist courses serve as prerequisites for most Specialized courses, students are expected to complete the Generalist courses. Students in this track must complete a minimum total of 1,000 hours of field practicum in approved sites across two field placements (field courses included in required courses).
- 30 Credit Program Track (Advanced Standing).Students enrolled in this Track have been accepted to the MSW Program as Advanced Standing students. Advanced Standing is granted to students who have completed their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE accredited program and in accordance with admission criteria. Students in this track must complete a minimum of 500 hours of field practicum in an approved site (field courses included in required courses).
Specializations
Students will select one of two specializations: Direct Clinical Practice or Direct Community Practice. Both specializations emphasize practice across social work settings and roles and are taught through the lens of integrated and anti-racist practice.
Capstone
A capstone project is required for graduation and requires demonstration of social work competencies in alignment with the mission of the School and ethical principles of the profession.
Field Education
The program requires 500-1,000 hours of field practicum to be conducted over the course of the program (see description of program tracks). Sacred Heart University currently has an extensive network of agencies eager to accept graduate-level students for their field practica. 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.
REQUIRED GENERALIST COURSES
| SW 524 | Human Diversity & Social Justice | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 565 | Social Welfare Policy I | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 566 | Social Welfare Policy II | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 567 | Human Behavior & Social Environment I | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 568 | Human Behavior & Social Environment II | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 575 | Social Work Generalist Practice I | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 576 | Social Work Generalist Practicum II | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 578 | Generalist Field Practicum & Seminar I | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 580 | Generalist Field Practicum & Seminar II | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 585 | Assessment of Client Systems | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 590 | Methods of Social Work Research | 3.00 Credit(s) |
REQUIRED SPECIALIZED COURSES
| SW 591 | Research Practicum | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 586 | Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 587 | Community Assessment | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 624 | Anti-Racist Social Work Practice: Disrupting, Challenging & Healing | 3.0 Credit(s) |
| SW 675 | Specialized Integrated Practice I | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 676 | Specialized Integrated Practice II: MSW Capstone | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 678 | Specialized Field Practicum & Seminar I | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 680 | Specialized Field Practicum & Seminar II | 3.00 Credit(s) |
*Choose one of the following required courses based on your academic focus during your Specialized Year:
• SW 586: Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis (required for Direct Clinical Specialization)
• SW 587: Community Assessment (required for Direct Community Specialization)
REQUIRED ELECTIVES
Students enrolled in the 60-credit track program are required to take 6 elective credits. Students enrolled in the 30-credit track (Advanced Standing) are required to take 9 elective credits. The School of Social Work offers a variety of elective courses on a rotating basis from semester to semester. Contact department or Advisor for details.
| SW 530 | Group Work | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 535 | Forensic Social Work | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 540 | Mental Health & Addiction | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 545 | SW Practice with LGBTQ+ Community | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 550 | Loss & Life Transition | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 555 | Children and Families | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 560 | Trauma-Informed Practice | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| SW 570 | Inter-Professional Education | 3.00 Credit(s) |