Pursuing advancement in social work
The advanced standing program involves a total of 34 graduate credit hours, which includes one field practicum placement in the community during the student's last semester.
MSW Advanced Standing Degree Plan: Part-Time
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from an undergraduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) no longer than seven years prior to admission to the MSW program.
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify their Bachelor of Social work meets CSWE's accreditation standards before applying to advanced standing program.
- Verification is to be submitted with the application by a notation of CSWE accreditation on the official transcript, or a print out of accreditation status of BSW degree awarding university listed on CSWE Accredidation page.
- Applicants must have no more than one grade of "C" and not grades below "C" in social work major courses.
- Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 scale
International advanced standing students
International students are able to apply for advanced standing program by completing the following procedures:
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CSWE's International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service (ISWDRES) recognizes academic credentials in social work that are comparable to accredited baccalaureate and master's degrees in social work in the United States. Recognition is necessary to establish qualifications for employment, graduate school admission, membership in the National Association of Social Workers, state licensing, and/or certification.
- An International applicant is required to complete the ISWDRES screening form through Council on Social Work Education to determine if a social work degree has been obtained before applying to advanced standing program.
- Verification is to be submitted with the application through notation of CSWE accredited program on the official transcript or other forms of official CSWE document.
Degree Requirements
- Expected to meet graduate school requirements for good academic standing of a 3.0 GPA for all graduate course work transferred in or earned at Missouri State University
- Obtain at least B-level grades in all graduate social work courses, or courses that count toward their MSW degree
- Achievement of all three capstone requirements by due dates:
- Comprehensive exam
- Research project and poster/oral presentation
- Specialist level practicum
Sample Schedule
The part-time option typically takes two years to complete; you will begin courses in the summer term of the year you are accepted. The part-time option is available at both the Springfield, Joplin, and West Plains campuses.
Summer, Semester 1: 3 hrs.
SWK 750: Social Work Practice I
Fall, Semester 2: 6 hrs.
SWK 754: Advanced Social Work Assessment
SWK 755: Social Work Practice II
Spring, Semester 3: 3-6 hrs.
SWK 756: Social Work Practice III
Elective: Social Work Elective*
Summer, Semester 4: 0-3 hrs.
Elective: Social Work Elective*
Fall, Semester 5: 6 hrs.
SWK 746: Foundations in Social Work Research
SWK 760: Advanced Policy Practice
Spring, Semester 6: 13 hrs.
SWK 780: Social Work Field Practicum and Seminar II (10 hrs.)
SWK 797: Applications in Social Work Research
*You are required to meet with your advisor when scheduling classes.
Note: Practicum hours in the summer may only be required if you practicum extends into the summer term. These courses are not required for students completing all practicum hours in the spring term, which is the typical format.