Master of Social Work: Advanced Clinical Practice

Master of Social Work (Online Only)

Saint Leo University's Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is an innovative online program. Course content is accessed online. Classes are scheduled routinely to apply the course learning on an interactive digital platform. This technology allows for face-to-face interaction in the convenience of the student's home. Given this innovation of a graduate online program, students should enter the program knowing that they will have to meet for weekly evening classes via webcam (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights cohort), be available for week daytime work hours for internships, attend one weekend seminar at the University campus in the final year of the program, and adjust their lives to meet the demands and expectations of the Saint Leo University MSW online program.  Please review the entire program curriculum outline and all MSW Program information on the Saint Leo website to make an informed decision regarding meeting the demands of the program.

The Master of Social Work Program's mission is to prepare graduate students for professional advanced practice in becoming leaders through the provision of social work services that promote social and economic justice, and human rights locally, nationally, and globally. The program further expects graduates to contribute to the empowerment of people/groups that experience discrimination and oppression. Graduates are prepared to be leaders in advanced clinical social work practice serving all areas of the population, in particular the increasing aging population, with an emphasis on working with children and families, military personnel, and the workforce population.

The MSW Program offers a two year, 62-credit-hour cohort/track option. The two-year program starts each program fall semesters. In order to begin this cohort/track, you must apply no later than July 15th of each year. If you miss this deadline, you will have to wait until the next fall to begin the program.by the posted deadline. A three-year cohort/track consists of two classes per 16 weeks with one semester offering three courses. This cohort/track is for those who cannot meet the curriculum course outline of the two-year cohort/track. The three-year cohort/track starts each fall. In order to begin this cohort/track, you must apply no later than July 15th of each year. If you miss this deadline, you will have to wait until the next fall to begin this program.

A one-year, 32-credit-hour full and part time Advanced Standing cohort/track is offered to those who meet eligibility criteria for grade point average and have completed a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program within the last five years. The one-year Advanced Standing program starts each summer. In order to begin the Advanced Standing cohort/track, you must apply no later than April 15th of each year. If you miss this deadline, you will have to wait until the next summer to begin this program

A part-time, five semester Advanced Standing program is offered to those who have completed a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited program within the last five years. The part-time Advanced Standing program starts each spring. In order to begin the Part-Time Advanced Standing program, you must apply no later than November 15th each year.  If you miss this deadline, you will have to wait until the next spring to begin this program.

Attendance at a one-weekend on-campus seminar is required of all students enrolled in the MSW Program (during the final year of the program).

The first year of the 2-year cohort/track is the 30-credit-hour foundation year. The second year is the concentration year, and it is 32 credit hours. We offer the Advanced Clinical Practice concentration. The advanced standing students will complete only the advanced clinical practice concentration year curriculum. In the three-year cohort/track, the foundation year is the first year and the first two semesters of the second year. The advanced clinical concentration year begins in the second year and continues through the end of the third year.

All cohort/tracks are sequential and must be taken according to the curriculum outline for each cohort/program. All students register for their cohort/track courses each semester. Therefore, your assigned class nights will vary from semester to semester.

The MSW program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

As a CSWE accredited MSW program, the curriculum is designed to meet education requirements for state licensure. Each state has specific laws related to licensing requirements that is governed by a state licensing board. Each student is responsible for contacting their state licensing board to determine all requirements for licensure.

Expected Program Outcomes

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior 
2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice 
3. Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice 
4. Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice 
5. Engage in Policy Practice 
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities