The MSW curriculum encourages innovative responses to human and social needs.
The MSW in Clinical Practice program will prepare you for clinical social work with a focus in:
- Children and Families
- Elders and Families
- Mental Health and Substance Use: Co-Occurring Disorders or
- Social Work in School Settings
Complete the 60-credit program in two years or three years of full-time study. Employed students are encouraged to select the three-year plan. Your program will include 1,100 hours of supervised field practice in two different internships over two years. With more than 200 field practice settings throughout Connecticut, the MSW Program will arrange internships to meet your professional interests and goals.
MSW graduates are qualified for professional social work positions in public and private agencies at the local, state, and national levels and for applying for the State of Connecticut LMSW Licensure Examination shortly after graduation. The MSW Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Applications
Applications are accepted from September 1 through December 31 for admission in the fall semester of the following year.
Program Highlights
- 60-credit program
- Two-year and three-year program plans
- Small classes with flexible scheduling
- Highly regarded faculty who are experts in their fields
- Field settings throughout Connecticut
- Advanced Standing available
Program Plans
The 60-credit MSW Program may be completed in two or three years of full-time study, including 1,100 hours of field practice. Employed students are encouraged to choose the three-year program plan.
During the first part of the MSW Program, students develop generalist knowledge and skills. Their first internship involves 500 hours of field practice (about 20 hours per week) in the fall and spring semesters of an academic year (three-year students begin field practice in their second year). During the final part of the program, students develop specialized knowledge and skills, and they complete 600 hours of field practice (about 22 hours per week) in their clinical specialization of Children and Families; Families and Elders; Mental Health and Substance Use: Co-Occurring Disorders; or Social Work in School Settings.
Qualified BSW graduates may apply for admission with Advanced Standing to the MSW Program. Students who are admitted with Advanced Standing have demonstrated competencies in generalist social work (equivalent to 21 credits) through exemplary performance in their BSW program.
Advanced Standing students complete 39 credits, including a field placement of 700 hours (about 24 hours per week). The Advanced Standing program may be completed in one calendar year of full-time study (summer, fall, and spring semesters) or in two academic years of full-time study (two fall semesters and two spring semesters). Employed students are encouraged to select the two-year plan.
Applicants to the Advanced Standing Program complete the regular MSW application process, and in addition, they submit a third educational or professional reference letter and their final field evaluation (for BSW graduates) or first-semester field evaluation (for current BSW students). Applications are accepted from September 1 through December 15 for admission in the summer or fall semester of the following year.
The Cohort Program in Mental Health and Substance Use: Co-Occurring Disorders (COD) is designed to support students who are maintaining their employment while they pursue their MSW in Clinical Practice. COD cohort students take classes for three days per month (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) over three calendar years. Most classes are delivered in a hybrid format (on campus and online). The COD cohort program emphasizes an adult learning paradigm in which courses are taken sequentially, a supportive learning community is created, and self-discipline and self-directed learning are key skills for success.
Program Requirements
Visit the graduate catalog for application and program requirements:
http://catalog.southernct.edu/graduate/programs-and-degrees/social-work-msw-clinical-practice.html
For further information: SocialWork@southernct.edu