Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree Program
- Choose from two options:
- Traditional Option
- Advanced Standing Option
- Choose from three tracks:
- Crisis and Response Interventions
- Medical Social Work
- Trauma
- Online Coursework1 with experiential learning activities
- Total credit hours:
- Traditional Option: 60
- Advanced Standing Option: 36
- 1
Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program requires immersion experience and on-site fieldwork.
Note: Program/program option availability varies by state/location.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Program Overview
The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program at Chamberlain University is designed to prepare students for specialized practice as an advanced generalist. Specialized practice builds on generalist practice as described in the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE’s) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, adapting and extending the social work competencies for practice with specific populations, problem areas, methods of intervention and perspectives or approaches to practice. Specialized practitioners advocate with and on behalf of clients and constituencies in their area of practice. The MSW degree program at Chamberlain University's College of Health Professions focuses on developing exceptional social work professionals who maintain a passion for advancing human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. As such, the MSW degree program is designed to prepare social work students to be agents of social change in their communities and throughout the world. The MSW degree program’s culturally responsive curriculum prepares graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in the context of healthcare, mental health and support services.
Students wishing to pursue a Master of Social Work degree have two options:
Traditional Option: This option is available for students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in a field other than social work and wish to obtain an MSW degree.
Advanced Standing Option: This option is available only for students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program.
Students enrolled in either option may also choose to complete a track as part of their program.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Advanced Generalist Specialization
Social work generalist practice is defined by the Council on Social Work Education as follows: “Generalist practice introduces students to basic concepts in social work, which include promoting human well-being and applying preventative and intervention methods to social problems at individual, group, and community levels while following ethical principles and critical thinking.” The social work generalist curriculum incorporates basic and advanced social work principles designed to prepare students with the skills, knowledge, values, and cognitive and affective behaviors to enter nearly any profession within the social and human services field.
Using the strength-based perspective as its core foundation, students educated for generalist practice are prepared to assist clients from an ecological and systems perspective. Moreover, students engaged in the generalist track learn the fundamental principles of person in the environment and how to incorporate the basic tenants into micro, mezzo, and macro practice. This holistic view of the client allows for comprehensive assessments and intervention plans that address all systems that are implicated. Overall, this framework prepares graduates to look broadly at the nature and context of all systems and possibilities, so that they may identify the full range of factors involved and all the levels at which intervention may be necessary.
The MSW degree program at Chamberlain has an Advanced Generalist Specialization. The Advanced Generalist Specialization curriculum is designed to extend and enhance the knowledge, values, skills and cognitive and affective processes from the generalist core by infusing courses with global perspectives and non-Western traditions in social work theory, policy and practice skills. Students in the Traditional and Advanced Standing Options will complete this curriculum.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Tracks
In addition to the Advanced Generalist Specialization, students have the option to declare a Track for focused learning in one of the following areas:
- Crisis and Response Interventions
- Medical Social Work
- Trauma
These tracks are optional – students may choose to use their nine hours of elective credit by selecting one of the sequences and completing the courses as outlined below. Students may also opt to take elective courses across a variety of areas, choosing to take courses of interest that relate to their professional goals.
The Crisis and Response Interventions Track focuses on intervention strategies that help address immediate and long-term needs of trauma victims and their caregivers. Students pursuing this track will study crisis intervention theories and models for working with a wide range of populations through the paradigm of social work practice. In this track, students will examine best practices for counseling victims in the aftermath of natural or man-made crises. Upon completion of this track students will be prepared to design proactive crisis plans, prepare for future emergencies, and mobilize appropriate responses to international and domestic crises.
The Medical Social Work Track embraces the philosophy that treating an illness biomedically does not necessarily solve a patient’s problems. This area of practice addresses the fact that physical illness often causes emotional and social problems. This track is designed to prepare students in developing the appropriate skills to provide counseling, connect patients with community resources, serve as advocates, work as part of a triage team of healthcare professionals, and work with self-help groups of patients experiencing similar problems. Medical social workers also work as clinicians, case managers, program directors, and administrators.
Medical social workers in social administrations and community organizations work in healthcare organizations to study patterns of illness, develop and implement programs to prevent disease, administer services to improve health, and advocate for a better healthcare system. Medical social workers provide social work services in a range of healthcare settings, including neighborhood health centers, community and rehabilitation hospitals, large urban medical centers, AIDS service organizations, home and community-based programs, long-term care institutions, and hospice programs.
The Trauma Track prepares students to provide evidence-based clinical services to those with a history of trauma across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, survivors and perpetrators, and to those who have experienced a wide range of traumas, such as child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, community violence, combat, witnessing violence, human trafficking, natural disasters and/or traumatic accidents. Students pursuing area of practice will be prepared to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. This track is designed to prepare students for advanced social work practice with diverse populations including sexual minorities and racial and ethnic groups. This track is designed to prepare the graduate to work in a variety of settings including mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, judicial systems, jails, prisons and faith-based institutions.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Program Goals
These goals and learning objectives are representative of the goals and objectives of the entire social work curriculum, including fieldwork. They reflect the accreditation requirements of the Council on Social Work Education. The MSW degree program goals are as follows:
- Prepare students to be ethical social work practitioners who make sound professional judgments, across various levels of specialized practice, and advance the lives of children, families, communities and groups domestically and abroad.
- Prepare students to be caring, self-reflective advocates for those who are oppressed, marginalized, disenfranchised and without a voice to advocate for themselves.
- Engage faculty and students in research that informs practice and policy and expands the knowledge base of the profession.
- Create and deliver models for outstanding interprofessional education and collaborative practice to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Prepare competent, informed students to engage in specialized social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.
Traditional Option
Program Details - Master of Social Work
Degree: Master of Social Work | Semesters: 5 Full Time
Minimum credit hours required to graduate: 60
MSW Traditional Option Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSW-500 | Student Success and Self-Care | 1 |
| MSW-501 | Professional Writing | 1 |
| MSW-504 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
| MSW-505 | Direct Practice I (Individuals and Families) | 3 |
| MSW-506 | Policy I: Social Welfare and Social Policy 1 | 3 |
| MSW-507 | Research Methods and Applications | 3 |
| MSW-508 | Foundation Field I 2 | 4 |
| MSW-510 | Foundation Field II 3 | 4 |
| MSW-511 | Social Work in a Multicultural Society | 3 |
| MSW-512 | Direct Practice II ((Families, Groups, Communities, Organizations)) | 3 |
| MSW-513 | Policy II: Soc Pol & Soc Just 3 | 3 |
| MSW-514 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
| MSW-515 | Advanced Social Work Research | 3 |
| MSW-516 | Advanced Social Work Theory Across Systems | 3 |
| MSW-517 | Advanced Social Work Practice Across Systems | 3 |
| MSW-550 | Advanced Practicum I 2 | 4 |
| MSW-551 | Advanced Practicum II 2 | 4 |
| Electives 1 | ||
| The MSW program allows students to take any three (3) of the following electives to meet the degree requirement: | 9 | |
| MSW-509 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| MSW-520 | International Social Work | 3 |
| MSW-521 | Social Work Response to Mass Violence and Disasters | 3 |
| MSW-524 | Understanding Trauma | 3 |
| MSW-525 | Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| MSW-526 | Mindfulness and Stress: Understanding the Breaking Points | 3 |
| MSW-528 | Medical Social Work I | 3 |
| MSW-529 | Medical Social Work II | 3 |
| MSW-531 | Introduction to Gerontology and Aging | 3 |
| MSW-532 | Social Work with the Aging and Their Families | 3 |
| MSW-533 | Death, Dying, and Bereavement | 3 |
| MSW-535 | Drugs and Addictive Behaviors | 3 |
- 1
Traditional Option students choosing a track must do so before or while enrolled in MSW-506 Policy I: Social Welfare and Social Policy. Students not choosing a track must select three electives from those offered by the program.
- 2
This course requires students to complete 250 contact hours in an approved social work setting. Students in the Traditional Option must complete 1,000 fieldwork hours to complete the program.
- 3
Student electing to complete the Medical Social Work Track will complete in lieu of MSW-513 Policy II: Soc Pol & Soc Just.
Advanced Standing Option
Program Details - Master of Social Work
Degree: Master of Social Work | Semesters: 3 Full Time
Minimum credit hours required to graduate: 36.
MSW Advanced Standing Option Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSW-500 | Student Success and Self-Care | 1 |
| MSW-511 | Social Work in a Multicultural Society | 3 |
| MSW-513 | Policy II: Soc Pol & Soc Just 1 | 3 |
| MSW-514 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
| MSW-515 | Advanced Social Work Research | 3 |
| MSW-516 | Advanced Social Work Theory Across Systems | 3 |
| MSW-517 | Advanced Social Work Practice Across Systems | 3 |
| MSW-550 | Advanced Practicum I 2 | 4 |
| MSW-551 | Advanced Practicum II 2 | 4 |
| Electives 3 | 9 | |
| The MSW program allows students to take any three (3) of the following electives to meet the degree requirement: | ||
| MSW-509 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| MSW-520 | International Social Work | 3 |
| MSW-521 | Social Work Response to Mass Violence and Disasters | 3 |
| MSW-524 | Understanding Trauma | 3 |
| MSW-525 | Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| MSW-526 | Mindfulness and Stress: Understanding the Breaking Points | 3 |
| MSW-528 | Medical Social Work I | 3 |
| MSW-529 | Medical Social Work II | 3 |
| MSW-531 | Introduction to Gerontology and Aging | 3 |
| MSW-532 | Social Work with the Aging and Their Families | 3 |
| MSW-533 | Death, Dying, and Bereavement | 3 |
| MSW-535 | Drugs and Addictive Behaviors | 3 |
- 1
Student electing to complete the Medical Social Work Track will complete in lieu of MSW-513 Policy II: Soc Pol & Soc Just.
- 2
This course requires students to complete 250 contact hours in an approved social work setting. Students in the Advanced Standing Option must complete 500 fieldwork hours to complete the program.
- 3
Advanced Standing students choosing a track must do so before or while enrolled in MSW-515 Advanced Social Work Research. Students not choosing a track must select three electives from those offered by the program.
Program Details – Master of Social Work Track Courses1
The MSW program allows students to take any three (3) of the following electives to meet the degree requirement:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSW-509 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| MSW-520 | International Social Work | 3 |
| MSW-521 | Social Work Response to Mass Violence and Disasters | 3 |
| MSW-524 | Understanding Trauma | 3 |
| MSW-525 | Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| MSW-526 | Mindfulness and Stress: Understanding the Breaking Points | 3 |
| MSW-528 | Medical Social Work I | 3 |
| MSW-529 | Medical Social Work II | 3 |
| MSW-531 | Introduction to Gerontology and Aging | 3 |
| MSW-532 | Social Work with the Aging and Their Families | 3 |
| MSW-533 | Death, Dying, and Bereavement | 3 |
| MSW-535 | Drugs and Addictive Behaviors | 3 |
- 1
Students may choose the course listed above or any course(s) that are part of the three tracks.
Program Details - Master of Social Work Specialty Track Courses1
- 1
It is recommended that all MSW students declare their intent to pursue either the generalist degree or a track prior to enrolling in MSW-506 Policy I: Social Welfare and Social Policy for the Traditional Option or MSW-515 Advanced Social Work Research for the Advanced Standing Option. Students wishing to pursue a generalist degree program will choose three courses from those listed in the above electives area.
Courses for Crisis and Response Intervention Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSW-520 | International Social Work | 3 |
| MSW-521 | Social Work Response to Mass Violence and Disasters | 3 |
| MSW-524 | Understanding Trauma | 3 |
Courses for Medical Social Work Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MPH-503 | Advocacy in Public Health Policy and Law 1 | 3 |
| MPH-504 | Cultural Competency and Global Public Health | 3 |
| MSW-528 | Medical Social Work I | 3 |
| MSW-529 | Medical Social Work II | 3 |
- 1
Student electing to complete the Medical Social Work Track will complete the MPH-503: Advocacy in Public Health Policy & Law course in lieu of MSW-513 Policy II: Soc Pol & Soc Just.
Courses for Trauma Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses for Trauma Track | ||
| MSW-524 | Understanding Trauma | 3 |
| MSW-525 | Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| MSW-526 | Mindfulness and Stress: Understanding the Breaking Points | 3 |
For the most up-to-date curriculum grids, visit chamberlain.edu/curriculum.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Standards for Professional Behavior
This policy applies to the students enrolled in the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program at Chamberlain University. The standards apply to students in all settings, including the classroom, the immersion and the field environments. The MSW degree program at Chamberlain University has professional/behavioral standards and expectations for both students and faculty. The goal for the program is to create a learning environment that is supportive and inclusive of the diversity of its students, faculty and staff. Further, we believe it is crucial to be transparent in our expectations for, and responsibilities of, all community members within and outside the program. Refer to the Chamberlain University College of Health Professions Student Handbook for a full description of the MSW Professional Standards.