MSW Program Specialization
All students will specialize in Advanced Integrated Practice. The curriculum prepares students to integrate micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills across service sectors and within interdisciplinary teams to effectively address social and human problems across a wide range of practice areas, with a particular emphasis on effective models of rural service delivery. This update to the curriculum will prepare WVU MSW graduates to be well-rounded, advanced practitioners who can respond to the complex realities of practice in a variety of roles and settings.
On-Campus and Online Program Delivery
Students may complete their MSW through our on-campus or our online program delivery options. The on-campus program is offered on the WVU Morgantown campus and students may complete coursework as full-time or part-time students. Our online program is fully asynchronous and is offered on a part-time basis only. Students enrolled in the online program receive in-state tuition rates, regardless of residency status. Field placements are arranged in the student’s home community with assistance from the field office.
Advanced and Regular Standing Programs
Advanced Standing: Students may apply to the Advanced Standing program if they have earned a BSW degree from a regionally accredited institution within the past 8 years. Students in the advanced standing program are required to complete 36 total credits of coursework along with the Advanced Field experience.
Regular Standing: Students who have an undergraduate degree from a field other than social work or who have earned their BSW more than 8 years prior to their application date must apply to the regular standing program. Students in the regular standing program complete 60 total credits in coursework along with the Generalist Field experience, and the Advanced Field experience.
Full-Time and Part-Time Options
On-campus students may pursue their MSW through the full-time or part-time options. The online program is only offered on a part-time basis. Students in the full-time advanced standing program can complete the program in one year and those in the part-time advanced standing program can complete the program in two years. The full-time regular standing program can be completed in two years; the part-time regular standing program can be completed in three years. Copies of the suggested degree progression plans for each option can be found on the MSW Academic Catalog webpage. Alterations from the suggested degree progression plans require departmental approval and are granted on a case-by-case basis.
Required Coursework
The MSW Program includes both generalist and advanced coursework. Regular standing students must complete both generalist and advanced requirements; Advanced standing students must complete only the advanced coursework.
The required courses are listed in the Academic Catalog: