Our Part-time and Full-time MSW Advanced Standing Programs are for applicants with an undergraduate degree in social work or social welfare. Students build off of their generalist (formerly known as "foundational") social work studies during their intensive summer bridge and quickly enter the MSW specialized (formerly known as "advanced") curriculum in a chosen area of specialization (formerly known as "concentration").
The Full-time MSW Advanced Standing program begins in mid-summer with the intensive summer “bridge” program. This program helps students make the transition from their undergraduate experience to graduate school with bridge coursework that prepares students to enter their studies in the MSW specialized curriculum.
In the autumn, students join the full-time MSW Day Program students in the specialized curriculum. The MSW Day Program specialized curriculum provides in-depth preparation in advanced social work practice, building specialized 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.
This program begins in mid-summer, for an intensive "bridge" program. During this time, Advanced Standing students attend classes up to five days a week. Summer Courses will be held during Term B (see UW Academic Calendar for details), although students should plan to be in town and settled in before orientation. Summer classes will run M, W, F, 9:30-12:30 and T, Th 9:30-4:20 PM with an hour off for lunch.
In the specialized year, students attend classes for one to two days per week and are typically in the field for three full days per week. Required courses and most practicum hours are offered during weekday, daytime hours. During this time, classes will be offered during three different time slots (8:30-11:20am, 11:30am-2:20pm, and 2:30-5:20pm) on Thursdays and Fridays. Students should only have to take classes in 2 of these 3 timeslots on a given day in any given quarter, unless they elect to take 3, but students should plan to be able to attend classes in all 3 timeslots. Classes will change each quarter based on rooms and instructors’ availability. Since some classes meet over the lunch hour, students will be permitted to bring non-disruptive food into their classrooms.
Students in the specialized curriculum only have 3-4 required courses total over the course of the year (depending upon chosen area of specialization), so students generally can graduate while only taking 2 courses plus practicum each quarter. Students will typically have practicum for full days on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Electives for DAY students will usually be in one of the time blocks above, but some are also available on Thursday evenings, 6-9pm or on the Saturday schedule (9am-4pm over 4 Saturdays.)
Autumn Quarter
Policy Course Th 2:30-5:20am
Specialist Practice Course F 11:30am-2:20pm
Specialist Practicum Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Winter Quarter
Specialist Practice Course Th 11:30am-2:20pm
Elective Any 3 hour slot on Th or F or Th eve or Sat
Specialist Practicum Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Spring Quarter
Elective Any 3 hour slot on Th or F or Th eve or Sat
Elective Any 3 hour slot on Th or F or Th eve or Sat
Specialist Practicum Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
As soon as you’ve confirmed you’re attending by paying your deposit, you will be contacted by a field faculty member from the Office of Field Education. They will want to have at least a phone call or skype conversation as soon as possible to discuss Autumn practicum options with you. Additionally, once you have paid your deposit and have a UWNetID and UW email, you’ll be given the ability to view practicum placement options.
Students typically are on their practicum site 3 full days each week (MTW) for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters, unless other arrangements are made. The first day of practicum is typically the first day of instruction each quarter, but students should always check in with Field Instructor at the agency to make sure they are expecting you that day or if they want you to start the following Monday.
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
The Part-time MSW Advanced Standing program begins in mid-summer with a full-time intensive summer “bridge” program. This 5-week "bridge" program helps students make the transition from their undergraduate experience to graduate school with bridge coursework that prepares students to enter their studies in the MSW specialized curriculum.
In the autumn of year one, students join the part-time MSW Extended Degree Program students in the specialized curriculum. The MSW Extended Degree Program specialized curriculum provides in-depth preparation in advanced social work practice, building specialized 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.
This program begins in mid-summer, for an intensive "bridge" program. During this time, Advanced Standing students attend classes up to five days a week full-time. Summer Courses will be held during Term B (see UW Academic Calendar for details), although students should plan to be in town and settled in before orientation. Summer classes will run M, W, F, 9:30-12:30 and T, Th 9:30-4:20 PM with an hour off for lunch.
In the remainder of the specialized curriculum, students take 1 course per quarter along with practicum. Our part-time structure allows students to flexibly distribute practicum hours to best suit their busy schedules – and many of our students are able to do their field education in their place of employment. Required classes for Weekend students will be held primarily on four full Fridays, 9:30am-4:20pm, most quarters. Students will take electives typically on four full Saturdays per quarter, also 9:30am-4:20pm or on Thursday evenings, 6-9pm. Required classes for Evening students will almost always be on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 6-9pm for the duration of the program. Elective courses will usually be on Thursday evenings at 6-9pm or over the course of four Saturdays, 9:30am-4:20pm.
Elective courses will usually be on Thursday evenings at 6-9pm or over the course of four Saturdays, 9am-4pm. Part-time students may also take DAY elective courses on a space-available basis, if their schedule allows. Most students take 2 courses or 1 course and practicum each quarter. Part-time Advanced Standing students attend all 4 quarters (Autumn-Summer) a year and take 6 quarters to complete the degree.
As soon as you’ve confirmed you’re attending by paying your deposit, you will be contacted by a field faculty member from the Office of Field Education. They will want to have at least a phone call or skype conversation as soon as possible to discuss Autumn practicum options with you. Additionally, once you have paid your deposit and have a UWNetID and UW email, you’ll be able to view practicum placement descriptions in our SSW database.
The practicum requires completion of 17 credits (680 hours) and students usually take between 3-6 quarters to complete those hours. Students in the Part-time Advanced Standing Program should be prepared to arrange their outside lives to accommodate being able to serve in their practicums during at least some traditional working hours, M-F from 8-5pm. Students almost always need to drop down to half-time employment or less during their practicum.
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