MSW Advanced Standing Program Format & Schedule
As of June 2025, admission to the Part-Time Advanced Standing Program option is suspended. Our Full-Time MSW Advanced Standing Program is for applicants with an undergraduate degree in social work or social welfare. Students build off of their generalist social work studies during their intensive summer bridge and quickly enter the MSW specialized curriculum in a chosen area of specialization.
This program is an on-campus graduate program that combines classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork.
The curriculum builds advanced knowledge of relevant policies, systems, theories, and practice methods across a variety of settings and populations. Students are prepared for advanced professional practice, in a chosen area of specialization, in a way that fosters social work leadership, effective social interventions, a commitment to a just and diverse society, and a commitment to public service.
Full-Time Advanced Standing
Schedule
Full-Time Advanced Standing students attend Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, graduating in just 11 months.
The Full-Time Advanced Standing Program begins with a required full-time intensive Summer Bridge Program with classes meeting during weekday, daytime hours. This 4-week program helps students transition from their undergraduate experience to graduate school with bridge coursework that prepares students to enter their studies in autumn quarter. Summer courses will be held during Term B (see UW Academic Calendar), although students should plan to be in town and settled in beforehand.
Students take three classes per quarter (7 credits/28 hours per week) and spend three full days per week at their specialized practicum (24 hours per week). Electives are scheduled in daytime slots although students can take Thursday evening and Saturday electives on a space-available basis.
Practicum Placement
The School of Social Work offers more than 600 practicum sites. We place students in a variety of settings, including behavioral health agencies, hospitals, schools, community nonprofits, courts, legislatures, and research institutes. The placement is tailored to a student’s chosen specialization and offers complex skill development.
Students are assigned a Field Faculty advisor who offers guidance, supervision, and support in the practicum process. Field Faculty begin working with students as soon as they’re admitted and students begin.
Disclaimer: The School of Social Work reserves the right to (1) add or delete courses; (2) change instructor, time, day or location of courses; (3) cancel any course for insufficient registration or academic/administrative decision without notice; (4) unregister students from courses for which they have mis-enrolled or have not received permission to enroll; or (5) move students into a different section of a multi-section course. Students will be notified of any changes.