MSW Advanced Standing Program
Our Advanced Standing Program is for students who completed their undergraduate degree in social work or social welfare. All students are required to attend an intensive 4-week summer “bridge” program. In Autumn Quarter, students will join the Full-Time MSW students in the specialized curriculum.
More information about the MSW Advanced Standing Program can be found here.
Practicum Placement Process
Students build off their generalist social work studies during a 4-week intensive summer bridge program and quickly enter the MSW Specialized curriculum in a chosen area of specialization.
MSW Full-Time Advanced Students will join the Full-Time MSW students in the specialized curriculum in Autumn quarter.
The Specialized Practicum is tailored to a student’s chosen specialization and offers broader responsibilities and more complex skill development.
Placement Timeline 2026-2027
After accepting your offer of admission and paying the enrollment deposit, you can begin applying and interviewing with practicum sites with your Field Faculty/CWTAP advisor’s guidance.
*CWTAP students: this timeline does not apply to you. Please contact CWTAP directly about your placement process.
Explore Opportunities
Attend Information Sessions
Field Faculty offer info sessions to help you explore different practice areas, specializations, and traineeship opportunities
Start Planning
Meet with your Field Faculty to discuss potential placement sites before you apply. If you’re interested in an agency not currently in our network, bring this to your Field Faculty – do not contact the agency yourself.
Review & Apply
Access the Field Opportunities Website (available to students on February 3, 2026)
OFE will send you a link to browse all available placements.
- Each posting includes:
- Placement description and learning opportunities
- Eligible programs and specializations
- Application requirements and deadlines
- Schedule options
- Any prerequisites
Before You Apply
- Meet with your Field Faculty
- Verify you meet prerequisites (experience, interests, program level, specialization)
- Prepare your application materials:
- Updated resume
- Cover letter
- OFE Practicum Cover Sheet (check with your Field Faculty, this might be optional)
- Any additional materials required by the agency/site
Important Notes:
- Each agency may have its own application process – read the postings carefully
- Hospital placements have unique process with an earlier finalization deadline, this depends on the hospital you are applying to
Interview
Apply up to 3 sites at a time
As a courtesy to your peers and agencies, limit yourself to three active applications
Interview Process
- Agencies screen applicants
- Selected students are invited to interview
- Agency offers placement to student
Accepting Offers
- You have 5 business days to accept or decline a placement offer. After one week, the offer may be withdrawn
Finalize Placement
The Office of Field Education will send instructions on how to submit your confirmed placement information during Winter and Spring Quarter
Questions?
Contact your Field Faculty or the OFE team anytime at sswfield@uw.edu—we’re here to support you!
Practicum Hours, Credits and Due Dates
| Quarter | Start Date | Practicum Hours/Week | Credits | Due Dates |
| Summer | Term B: Intensive 4-week academic “bridge” program with 3 courses, attending full-time. No practicum. | |||
| Autumn | Sept 24 | 24 hours/week (Mon, Tues, Weds) | 6 |
Learning Agreement Due: Oct 17
Evaluation Due: Dec 5
|
| Winter | Jan 5 | 24 hours/week (Mon, Tues, Weds) | 6 |
Evaluation Due: Mar 13
|
| Spring | Mar 30 | 20 hours/week (Mon, Tues, Weds) | 5 |
Evaluation Due: Jun 5
|
| Specialization options: Administration and Policy Practice (APP), Community-Centered Integrative Practice (CCIP), Clinicial Social Work (CSW) | ||||
Total: 680 hours = 17 credits*
Specializations: Administration and Policy Practice (APP), Community-Centered Integrative Practice (CCIP), Clinical Social Work (CSW)
Autumn Quarter:
- Credits: 6 credits
- Practicum Hours: 24 hrs/week (Mon, Tues, Weds)
- Learning Agreement Due: Oct 17
- Quarterly Evaluation: Dec 5
Winter Quarter:
- Credits: 6 credits
- Practicum Hours: 24 hrs/week (Mon, Tues, Weds)
- Quarterly Evaluation Due: Mar. 13
- No learning agreement
Spring Quarter:
- Credits: 5 credits
- Practicum Hours: 20 hrs/week (Mon, Tues, Weds)
- Quarterly Evaluation Due: Mar. 13
- No learning agreement
Note: Schedule varies by quarter with some flexibility available through Field Faculty approval
Each student’s credit plan and program of study varies, but this outline reflects the most common path our students take.
As of June 2025, admission to the Part-Time Advanced Standing Program option is suspended.
| Quarter | Start Date | Practicum Hours/Week | Credits | Due Dates |
| Summer | Term B: Intensive 4-week academic “bridge” program with 3 courses, attending full-time. No practicum. | |||
| Autumn | Variable | Variable | Variable |
Learning Agreement Due: Oct 17
Evaluation Due: Dec 5
|
| Winter | Variable | Variable | Variable |
Evaluation Due: Mar 13 |
| Spring | Variable | Variable | Variable |
Evaluation Due: Jun 5 |
| Specialization options: Administration and Policy Practice (APP), Community-Centered Integrative Practice (CCIP), Clinicial Social Work (CSW) | ||||
Total: 680 hours = 17 credits*
Specializations: Administration and Policy Practice (APP), Community-Centered Integrative Practice (CCIP), Clinical Social Work (CSW)
Autumn Quarter:
- Credits: 6 credits
- Practicum Hours: 24 hrs/week (Mon, Tues, Weds)
- Learning Agreement Due: Oct 17
- Quarterly Evaluation: Dec 5
Winter Quarter:
- Credits: 6 credits
- Practicum Hours: 24 hrs/week (Mon, Tues, Weds)
- Quarterly Evaluation Due: Mar. 13
- No learning agreement
Spring Quarter:
- Credits: 5 credits
- Practicum Hours: 20 hrs/week (Mon, Tues, Weds)
- Quarterly Evaluation Due: Mar. 13
- No learning agreement
Note: Schedule varies by quarter with some flexibility available through Field Faculty approval
Each student’s credit plan and program of study varies, but this outline reflects the most common path our students take.