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Master of Social Work (MSW)

• About the Program
• Program Options
• Admission
• Coursework
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• Field Education
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*All stated financial information is subject to change. The At a Glance provides Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) to aid in program comparison only. For a detailed cost estimate or more information, contact APU's Graduate Student Financial Services.

Coursework

• Course Requirements
• Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families Concentration
• Community Practice and Partnerships Concentration
• Full-Time, Part-Time,
  and Advanced Standing Options
• Academic Probation and Disqualification

Course Requirements

Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families Concentration

This concentration prepares students for clinically oriented practice with individuals and families in contexts such as mental health clinics, managed care facilities, shelters, group homes, child welfare, hospice, schools, correctional institutions, and other settings where personal helping relationships are developed. Specific emphasis is placed on advanced clinical practice skills with children, adolescents, families, older adults, group therapy skills, and policies specific to health and mental health concerns.

Community Practice and Partnerships Concentration

This concentration prepares students to provide leadership in a variety of local and global contexts such as nonprofit agencies, government programs, and policy and advocacy organizations. Drawing on the significant cultural diversity characterizing the Los Angeles area, and the expertise of faculty, the curriculum prepares students to be proactive leaders and to collaborate with communities to improve the complex local, national, and international social problems they encounter. Topics in the curriculum include organizational behavior and management, local and global social policy, fundraising and grant writing, program development, and human rights issues.

Full-Time, Part-Time,
and Advanced Standing Options

The full-time program (2 years) includes classes two days per week and approximately 16 hours per week of supervised internship. All students take the same first-year foundation courses. Concentration courses are taken in the second year of the program.

The part-time program (4 years) includes classes one evening per week (two classes per semester, scheduled back-to-back). In addition, there are four weekend-intensive courses throughout the program. All students take the same foundation courses in the first and second years. Concentration courses are taken in the third and fourth years of the program. Supervised internships requiring approximately 16 hours per week occur in the second and fourth years.

The advanced standing program (9 months) allows graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs to receive their MSW degree in 9 months. Students complete two three-hour advanced standing bridge courses during a three-week summer session prior to their start of the concentration curriculum, in which they join existing full-time MSW students for the remaining two semesters (30 curriculum hours) of the MSW program. Advanced-standing student field internships require 20 hours per week for fall and spring semesters. The two bridge courses are: 1) SOCW 550 Advanced Standing: Intermediate Praxis and 2) SOCW 551 Advanced Standing: Intermediate Research and Evidence-based Practice.

The part-time advanced standing program (2 years) allows graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs to receive their MSW degree over the course of two years. Students complete two three-hour, advanced-standing bridge courses during a three-week summer session prior to their start of the concentration curriculum, in which they join the existing part-time MSW students for the remaining two years (30 curriculum hours) of the part-time MSW program. Part-time, advanced-standing student field internships require 20 hours per week for fall and spring of the second year of the program.

Full-Time Schedule

Note: Field internship (Field I–IV) is 16 hours per week, to be arranged with agency.

Part-Time Schedule

The part-time program (four years) includes classes one evening per week (two classes per semester, scheduled back-to-back). In addition, there are four weekend-intensive courses throughout the program (Saturday 8 a.m.–6 p.m.).

All students take the same foundation courses in the first and second year. Concentration courses are taken in the third and fourth years of the program. Supervised internships requiring approximately 16 hours per week occur in the second and fourth years.

Note: Field internship (Field I–IV), taken in second and fourth years, is 16 hours per week and to be arranged with agency.

Note: Weekend-intensive courses meet 3–5 Saturdays per month (8 a.m.–6 p.m.), depending on unit load.

Academic Probation and Disqualification

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to continue in the MSW program. In the event the GPA drops below the minimum, the student will be placed on academic probation and given one enrollment period to raise it to the satisfactory level. A 3.0 GPA is also required for continued financial aid.

Continuation in the MSW program requires a demonstration of academic ability. A student must maintain a 3.0 GPA and must pass all required social work courses with a B- or higher. Field and field seminar courses require B or higher grade. If a student does not obtain a passing grade, the course must be repeated. A course may only be attempted twice. If the second attempt results in a failing grade, the student will be dismissed from the program.