SOCIAL WORK: PROGRAMS OF STUDY Social Work (MSW) THE MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE Admission Requirements 1) Applicants to the Master of Social Work program should apply for admission by March 1 for a September commencement of studies in the same year. 2) Applicants to the Master of Social Work program must have: (a) satisfactorily completed a B.S.W. or an equivalent social work professional degree program; (b) submitted a preliminary outline of an educational plan that will provide direction for research and study; (c) successfully completed one undergraduate course in statistics and one in research methods; (d) maintained an average of B+ in the final year of undergraduate work and obtained a cumulative average of B. Program Requirements All students are required to complete a total of eight (8) courses including either a thesis option (2 course credits) plus a thesis seminar (1 course credit) or an advanced practice internship (2 course credits) plus an internship seminar (1 course credit). Unless otherwise specified, classes in each course are three hours per week for 13 weeks. Course Sequencing Part-time Studies - Students are expected to complete their program of study in two consecutive years. In either Year I or II, students must register in three consecutive semesters to complete their program of study. Due to the extensiveness of the Thesis or Advanced Practice Internship requirement, it is expected that students both define their vulnerable population of study early on and work on their requirements in semesters in which they may not be registered for actual courses. All students must commit to either the Thesis or Advanced Practice Internship option by the end of the second semester in Year I. Full-time Studies: Full-time studies involves two options. Option 1 is for students who possess a B.S.W. degree from an accredited program. Students are expected to complete their program of study in three consecutive semesters over a one year period. It is expected that students define their vulnerable population of study early on and commit to either the Thesis or Advanced Practice Internship by the end of the first semester with the approval of their Academic Advisor. Option 2 is for students who possess a four year degree in a related discipline or field of study, e.g., Nursing, Psychology, Sociology, Women's Studies, Criminology, Public Administration, Law, Education, etc. This program takes two years to complete and includes a required field practice component. It is expected that students define their vulnerable population of study early on and commit to either the Thesis or Advanced Practice Internship by the end of the first year with the approval of their Academic Advisor.