Curriculum - Semesters
MSW Semester Curriculum Preview
In 2012, the College of Social Work will initiate a new, exciting curriculum of study for the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree as part of the university’s transition to a semester-based academic year. The new curriculum ensures that graduates have the competencies and skills needed to successfully practice in a variety of settings and is designed to be student-friendly and flexible. Students can tailor their educational experience through an extensive list of course options for working with various populations and problems, and in many types of social work settings. This dynamic curriculum offers diverse specialization options that offer students greater choice in their courses of study reflect the contemporary contexts in which social workers practice.
After completing the foundation courses, MSW students will select one of four practice area specializations for advanced study. The specialization areas are 1) Aging & Health, 2) Mental Health & Substance Abuse, 3) Child & Youth Services, and 4) Community and Social Justice. The specialization courses provide content on theories, policies, and best practices that inform each practice area. Students will also choose from a menu of courses focusing on practice skills at both the micro and macro levels. These courses will emphasize the “how to” skills required for effective social work practice. MSW students are also required to complete a capstone experience consisting of a program or practice evaluation project that is completed in conjunction with their field education experience. Students will complete the capstone project over two semesters. Finally, the field education experience consists of 1008 hours of supervised practice in a setting consistent with the student’s practice area specialization. Elective courses supplement the required curriculum.
The following table provides a summary of the courses offered in the semester curriculum. To prepare your individualized semester curriculum plan, contact the MSW Academic Adivsor, Brenda Davidson at davidson.8@osu.edu or 292-7684.
1. Foundation Courses |
These courses are offered during the first semester of the program and are designed to address the core competencies and practice behaviors that are essential for all social workers. These courses are required of all MSW students (with the exception of 7400 and 7500, which are required only of ASAP students). |
SWK 6201 - Social & Economic Justice SWK 6202 - Diversity & Cultural Competence SWK 6301 - Developmental Changes Across the Lifespan SWK 6302 – Organizational & Community Systems SWK 6401 - Engaging with Evidence SWK 6501 - Engaging & Entering the Profession SWK 7400 – Evidence in Social Work Practice (ASAP students) SWK 7500 – Professional Development (ASAP students) |
2. Practice Area Specialization Courses |
The integrated seminars focus on specialized systems of practice to provide depth of knowledge about services targeted at a specific practice arena. The integrated seminars are intended to develop competence and advanced practice behaviors that are needed for successful social work practice in an identified social service system. This includes specialized knowledge of the policies, theories, issues, services, best practices, and desired outcomes within each social service system. Students will choose one of the four practice areas and will be required to complete both specialization courses in that practice area. |
Aging & Health SWK 7610 - Integrative Seminar I on Aging & Health SWK 7611 - Integrative Seminar II on Aging & Health Mental Health and Substance Abuse SWK 7620 - Integrative Seminar I on Mental Health & Substance Abuse SWK 7621 - Integrative Seminar II on Mental Health & Substance Abuse Child and Youth Services SWK 7630 - Integrative Seminar I on Child & Youth Services SWK 7631 - Integrative Seminar II on Child & Youth Services Community and Social Justice SWK 7640 - Integrative Seminar I in Community & Social Justice Practice SWK 7641 - Integrative Seminar II in Community & Social Justice Practice |
3. Advanced Practice Methods Courses |
The advanced practice methods courses help students acquire the practice behaviors needed for successful social work practice at the micro- and macro-levels. These courses are intended to teach students “how to do it” regardless of the service system in which they are working. Students are required to take four advanced practice methods courses with at least one from the micro-level menu and at least one from the macro-level menu. |
Micro-Level Macro-Level |
4. Engaging with Evidence: Practice or Program Evaluation |
Building upon a foundation course that introduces engaging with evidence, students will be required to complete two courses in either practice or program evaluation. The first course in the sequence will introduce the knowledge and skill required to complete practice or program evaluations and the second course will give students the opportunity to conduct practice or program evaluation projects. The applied courses (SWK 7402 or SWK 7404) will serve as the capstone requirement for the MSW program. Students who choose the practice evaluation courses will complete 7401 & 7402. Students who choose the program evaluation courses will complete 7403 & 7404. |
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5. Field Education & Field Seminars |
Students are required to complete 1008 hours (720 hours for ASAP students) in an approved field placement to graduate with an MSW. The foundation field practicum provides a generalist introduction to social work practice and the advanced field practicum allows students to develop specific skills and knowledge in a particular practice area. The advanced placement will coincide with the student’s primary practice area specialization. The field practicum is supported by the field seminars that are designed to address specific field related issues and to better prepare students to benefit from the field practicum. |
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6. Electives |
Electives are designed to supplement the core and advanced MSW curriculum. Typically students will take three elective courses. a. Special Elective Tracks b. General electives |
BSSW & MSW Electives SWK 5001: Writing for Agency Practice SWK 5002: AIDS: Facts and Issues SWK 5003: AIDS: Psychosocial Aspects of HIV/AIDS SWK 5004: International Social Work SWK 5005: Human Trafficking SWK 5006: Sexualities, Diversity & Social Work SWK 5007: Child Welfare I (required for UPP) SWK 5008: Child Welfare II(required for UPP) SWK 5009: Family Caregiving: Contemporary Issues, Programs & Policies SWK 5010: Women & Aging: International Perspective SWK 5011: Loss & Grief: A SW Practice Perspective SWK 5012: Social Work Approaches to Conflict Resolution SWK 5013: Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit SWK 5014: Juvenile Delinquency and Correctional Practice in Social Work SWK 5015: Law and Social Work SWK 5016: Clinical Social Work Practice with LGBTQ Individuals, Couples, and Families SWK 5017: Social Work Practice in the Field of Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) SW 5798: Study Abroad MSW Electives |
