Social Work, MSW

The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a professional degree designed to prepare students for ethical and competent trauma-informed social work practice. Our graduates are trained to be direct practitioners, advocates, and leaders who make a difference in the lives of clients and communities impacted by trauma. 

MSW Mission

The Master of Social Work program prepares advanced professional social workers for ethical and competent trauma-informed social work practice across diverse and different populations at micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice.

MSW Goals

• Educate advanced social work practitioners with knowledge, values, and skills necessary for ethical and competent practice across diverse and different populations with a focus on trauma-informed social work practice. [Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 2015; Competencies 1 & 2]
• Engage students in a process of practice-informed research and research-informed practice. (CSWE, 2015; Competencies 4 & 7)
• Prepare social workers to provide regional leadership in the development and implementation of policies, programs, and services that support human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice and understand the ways trauma impacts all levels of practice. (CSWE, 2015; Competencies 3 & 5)
• Develop social workers who exemplify a commitment to the social work core values while engaging, assessing, intervening, and evaluating trauma-informed practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. (CSWE, 2015; Competencies 6, 8 & 9)

Full-time and Extended Study General Requirements

• A minimum of 60 credit hours of graduate coursework;
• A grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4-point scale) or better; and
• Grades of B- or better in all courses counted toward the degree.

Full-time and Extended Study Course Requirements

• 30 Credit Hours Generalist Practice Courses
• 21 Credit Hours Specialized Practice Courses: Trauma Informed Social Work Practice
• 9 Credit Hours Electives

Advanced Standing General Requirements

• A minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework;
• A grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4-point scale) or better; and
• Grades of B- or better in all courses counted toward the degree.

Advanced Standing Course Requirements

• 6 Credit Hours Advanced Standing Courses
• 21 Credit Hours Specialized Practice Courses: Trauma Informed Social Work Practice
• 9 Credit Hours Electives

Generalist Practice Courses (30 Credit Hours for full-time and extended study students)

• SOWK 5001 - Skills for Social Work Practice   
• SOWK 5002 - Individual Social Work   
• SOWK 5003 - Research Methods: Skills for Research-Informed Practitioners   
• SOWK 5004 - Organization and Community Social Work   
• SOWK 5005 - Group and Family Systems   
• SOWK 5006 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment   
• SOWK 5390 - Rethinking Social Policy   
• SOWK 5391 - Power, Racism, Oppression, and Privilege in Social Work Practice  
• SOWK 5111 - Generalist Social Work Practicum Seminar I *
• SOWK 5112 - Generalist Social Work Practicum Seminar II *

* Generalist Practicum Placement Sequence

Advanced Standing Courses (6 Credit Hours for advanced standing students)

• SOWK 5201 - Policy Bridge for MSW Advanced Standing: Power, Racism, Oppression, and Privilege   
• SOWK 5202 - Advanced Standing Seminar   

Specialized Practice Courses: Trauma Informed Social Work Practice (21 Credit Hours for full-time, extended study, and advanced standing students)

All generalist practice courses must be completed before taking specialized practice courses.

• SOWK 6001 - Psychopathology and Trauma   
• SOWK 6002 - Trauma and Violence: Community-engaged and macro practice   
• SOWK 6003 - Treatment of Trauma   
• SOWK 6059 - Advanced Therapeutic Interventions  
• SOWK 6111 - Specialized Social Work Practicum Seminar I **
• SOWK 6112 - Specialized Social Work Practicum Seminar II **
• SOWK 6113 - Trauma Informed Seminar   

** Specialized Practicum Placement Sequence

Practicum

Practicum placement is an integral sequence of the MSW curriculum as it is the signature pedagogy for social work. As such, MSW students are matched with various social service agencies, government entities, private organizations or even non-traditional social work settings. Students complete a minimum of 400 hours in the generalist practice year of study (SOWK 5111 & 5112) and a minimum of 500 hours in the trauma informed specialized practice year of study (SOWK 6111 & 6112).

Elective Courses (9 Credit Hours for full-time, extended study, and advanced standing)

Students may choose to focus these elective hours around an area based on their interests and career goals. To help students target educational areas unique to social work practice, social work elective offerings are designed around five high-need areas in the profession: military social work, healthcare social work, school social work, child welfare training, and community development. Not all courses are offered every year. 

When appropriate, students may include elective courses offered by other UCCS departments, with prior written approval of the MSW Director.

Culminating Experience Requirement: Portfolio

MSW students are required to complete a portfolio as their culminating experience. The portfolio represents a culmination of all of the work accomplished in the MSW program and is administered during the Trauma Informed Seminar (SOWK 6113). Details about the portfolio are included in the MSW Student Handbook.

Master’s Thesis

The Master’s Thesis is an opportunity for students to conduct a comprehensive review of the theoretical and research literature in a subject area and collect original data or analyze existing data in new ways. Thesis requires 6 credit hours of coursework taken over two semesters and counts toward the MSW’s elective credit hour requirement. The thesis option is available to MSW students who have achieved an exceptional academic record and who wish to pursue independent research. Thesis is suited for students who intend to pursue a PhD degree or to enter a research or policy environment upon completion of the MSW degree.

Minimum eligibility requirements for pursuing a thesis are included in the MSW Student Handbook. Please note, student who complete the Thesis must also meet standard portfolio requirements in the MSW program’s capstone seminar course. 

MSW Program Policies and Procedures

The MSW policy and procedures are outlined in the MSW Student Handbook. The MSW program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.

CPS Policies and Procedures

Refer to the College of Public Service General Information section  of this academic catalog for detailed eligibility criteria, policies, and procedures relevant to this program.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2015 Accreditation Competencies

• Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
• Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
• Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
• Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
• Engage in Policy Practice
• Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Commitment to Cultural Diversity and Social Justice

As stated in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) for MSW Degree Programs in Social Work Education, UCCS Social Work faculty and students shall:

1. “Act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin [or ancestry], color, sex [gender], sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion [creed], mental or physical disability, or socio-economic status” (NASW Code of Ethics, 6.04d).
2. Practice within the defining principles of “service, social and economic justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships and integrity and competence” (CSWE, 1.0).
3. “… Enhance human well-being and alleviate poverty, oppression, and other forms of social injustice” (CSWE, 1.0).
4. “… Develop and apply practice in the context of diverse cultures” (CSWE, 1.0).