About the Master of Science in Social Work Degree Program
Highlights:
- 60 semester hour degree program
- Two concentrations: Clinical Social Work and Community and Administrative Leadership
- Flexible study options: 1 to 3½ year programs
- 1,020 hours of field practicum
The Master of Science in Social Work program at the University of Texas at Austin prepares students for advanced social work practice and policy-related administration with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. This professional degree offers a broad spectrum of career opportunities in settings such as private agencies, hospitals, schools, private practice, and local, state and federal government including the legislature.
Developed in accordance with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) curriculum standards and policies, the social work program is committed to providing leadership and excellence in social work education. The 60 credit hour Master of Science in Social Work program includes a nine course foundation curriculum required of all students; followed by a sequence of courses in one of two areas of concentration: Clinical Social Work or Community and Administrative Leadership. In both foundation and concentration curriculum, experiential learning is provided through internships at selected organizations, governmental, non-profit, or for-profit agencies in which qualified and competent educational supervision is provided. Course content and field experiences are organized and integrated using a systems/developmental framework and a bio-psycho-social perspective.
Foundation Curriculum
In addition to providing preparation for generalist social work practice, the foundation curriculum serves the purpose of developing the student's knowledge of and identification with the social work profession--that is, knowing about and appreciating social work's historical development and evolution, the range of professional interventions characteristic of contemporary practice, ethical issues and concerns now confronting practitioners, and the organizational contexts of practice. The foundation curriculum provides socialization to the profession that is further developed during study in a particular concentration area. Throughout the program, regardless of the student's choice of concentration, emphasis is placed on social work's commitment to culturally diverse populations and women, to issues of social and economic justice, and to the advancement of the knowledge base of the profession. Social work values and ethics are supported throughout the classroom and field practicum courses.
Portfolio Programs
Portfolio Programs are opportunities for students to obtain credentials in a cross-disciplinary academic area of inquiry - one involving research conducted in several disciplines. Portfolio Programs now offered through the University's Office of Graduate Studies Intellectual Entrepreneurship Program and available to MSSW students include those in Dispute Resolution, Gerontology, Nonprofit Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies. Students would work with the MSSW Academic Advisor to arrange portfolio classes. For more information visit the Office of Graduate Studies' Portfolio Programs.
Additional admission information is also available for Dual Degree, International students, Transfer students and those Students with a Bachelor's in Social Work.
If you are interested in applying to the MSSW program starting in Summer or Fall 2008, we have a new Online Application.