Master of Social Work
Program Contact: Carol R. Awasu 203-582-6433
The Master of Social Work program prepares students for achievement and leadership in the field of social work. The curricular approach of the MSW program is unique in that it directly engages students in interprofessional education and the health care team approach.
Quinnipiac’s MSW program embraces the university’s commitment to the development of professional expertise through practice experience. The two field placements offer students the opportunity to practice skills learned in the classroom in real-world settings. A seminar that supports the student in integrating academic and fieldwork is held monthly. Upon completion of the MSW degree, the student will have at least 1,000 hours of professional preparation in the field.
The 60 credits required for the MSW degree include 30 credits in the generalist curriculum and 30 credits in the specialized practice curriculum. The degree can be completed full-time in four terms of study or through an extended plan over six or eight terms. Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program may apply for Advanced Standing and complete 36 credits over one or two years.
The specialized practice curriculum has a concentration of health and mental health. An integrative seminar/capstone project is completed in the final semester of study and requires an integrative paper or project. The MSW program values interprofessional education and requires students to complete 30 hours of interprofessional education activities before graduation. The MSW program at Quinnipiac University does not give credit for life or work experience.
For those who have already earned a bachelor of social work, Quinnipiac offers an Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program.
Students entering Quinnipiac as undergraduates who are interested in the social work program have the option of pursuing a dual-degree bachelor's to master's program. There are two options: the Accelerated Dual-Degree BS in Health Science Studies/Master of Social Work (3+2) that begins with an undergraduate degree in Health Science Studies in the School of Health Sciences, or the Accelerated Dual-Degree Bachelor's/Master of Social Work (3+2) that begins with undergraduate study in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students who are interested in earning a JD and a Master of Social Work may earn both degrees on an accelerated basis by enrolling in the joint Dual-Degree JD/MSW program. Please see the Admission tab for additional details.
The MSW degree also meets the academic requirements for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Traditional MSW Program of Study
Students can choose among three plans of study for the traditional MSW.
The curriculum for the professional courses in the program are subject to modification as deemed necessary to maintain a high-quality educational experience and keep current with best practices in the profession.
Two-Year Full-Time MSW
Students in this plan of study enter the MSW program in the fall semester and complete the degree over four terms of study in two academic years. In addition to their classes, students are required to complete generalist and specialized practice field placements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| SW 500 | Generalist Field Education Practicum I | 3 |
| SW 501 | Social Work Practice I: Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SW 504 | Social Welfare and Social Policy | 3 |
| SW 505 | Social Work Research | 3 |
| SW 511 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I: Theories for Practice for Individuals and Families | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SW 502 | Generalist Field Education Practicum II | 3 |
| SW 503 | Social Work Practice Ii: Social Work Practice with Groups, Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SW 507 | Issues of Diversity and Oppression | 3 |
| SW 508 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| SW 512 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II: Theories for Groups, Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SW 600 | Specialized Practice Field Education Practicum in Health/Behavioral Health I | 4 |
| SW 601 | Social Work Practice III: Specialized Clinical Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 604 | Evaluation Research Work Programs and Practice | 2 |
| Select two electives 1 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SW 602 | Specialized Practice Field Education Practicum in Health/Behavioral Health II | 4 |
| SW 603 | Social Work Practice IV: Specialized Organizational Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 605 | Integrative Seminar/Capstone Project | 2 |
| Select two electives 1 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| 1 | Of the four elective courses, two must be clinical elective courses. |
Three-Year Extended MSW
Students complete the generalist curriculum over two years with a reduced course load and then attend classes full time to complete the specialized practice curriculum. In addition to their classes, students are required to complete generalist and specialized practice field placements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| SW 505 | Social Work Research | 3 |
| SW 511 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I: Theories for Practice for Individuals and Families | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SW 507 | Issues of Diversity and Oppression | 3 |
| SW 512 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II: Theories for Groups, Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SW 500 | Generalist Field Education Practicum I | 3 |
| SW 501 | Social Work Practice I: Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SW 504 | Social Welfare and Social Policy | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SW 502 | Generalist Field Education Practicum II | 3 |
| SW 503 | Social Work Practice Ii: Social Work Practice with Groups, Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SW 508 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SW 600 | Specialized Practice Field Education Practicum in Health/Behavioral Health I | 4 |
| SW 601 | Social Work Practice III: Specialized Clinical Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 604 | Evaluation Research Work Programs and Practice | 2 |
| Select two electives 1 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SW 602 | Specialized Practice Field Education Practicum in Health/Behavioral Health II | 4 |
| SW 603 | Social Work Practice IV: Specialized Organizational Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 605 | Integrative Seminar/Capstone Project | 2 |
| Select two electives 1 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| 1 | Of the four elective courses, two must be clinical elective courses. |
Four-Year Extended MSW
Students complete the generalist curriculum over two years with a reduced course load and then complete the specialized practice curriculum over two years with a reduced course load. In addition to their classes, students are required to complete generalist and specialized practice field placements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| SW 505 | Social Work Research | 3 |
| SW 511 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I: Theories for Practice for Individuals and Families | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SW 507 | Issues of Diversity and Oppression | 3 |
| SW 512 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II: Theories for Groups, Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SW 500 | Generalist Field Education Practicum I | 3 |
| SW 501 | Social Work Practice I: Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SW 504 | Social Welfare and Social Policy | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SW 502 | Generalist Field Education Practicum II | 3 |
| SW 503 | Social Work Practice Ii: Social Work Practice with Groups, Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SW 508 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Select two electives 1 | 6 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select two electives 1 | 6 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SW 600 | Specialized Practice Field Education Practicum in Health/Behavioral Health I | 4 |
| SW 601 | Social Work Practice III: Specialized Clinical Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 604 | Evaluation Research Work Programs and Practice | 2 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SW 602 | Specialized Practice Field Education Practicum in Health/Behavioral Health II | 4 |
| SW 603 | Social Work Practice IV: Specialized Organizational Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 605 | Integrative Seminar/Capstone Project | 2 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| 1 | Of the four elective courses, two must be clinical elective courses. |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the MSW program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Ethics: Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Diversity: Demonstrate and embrace diversity and difference.
- Justice: Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice.
- Research: Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Policy: Engage in policy practice.
- Engagement: Assess, intervene and engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Evaluation: Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Quinnipiac University MSW program is to prepare social workers for specialized practice in health and mental health through a curriculum that focuses on clinical and organizational practice, experiential learning, and interprofessional teamwork. Guided by respect for human dignity and a commitment to social justice, the MSW program uses a person-in-environment framework to ready students for professional practice in dynamic contexts.
MSW Program Values
The MSW program’s core values reflect the NASW Code of Ethics for Social Workers: service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity and competence.
MSW Program Goals
The MSW program has the following four goals:
- Prepare social workers to be specialized practitioners in diverse systems of various sizes, emphasizing competent, ethical clinical and organizational practice toward the advancement of the human condition. The specialized curriculum will build upon the generalist curriculum, which is focused on the necessity of knowledge and skills to practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Prepare social workers to practice without discrimination with diverse populations.
- Prepare social workers to engage in professional activities that promote interprofessional collaboration and advocacy within diverse environments toward the enhancement of the human condition.
- Prepare students for lifelong professional development.
Admission
To qualify for admission to the program, students must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association, with a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least 20 semester credits in liberal arts. Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program are encouraged to apply for Advanced Standing.
Background Check and Drug Screening
To ensure their safety and maintain high-quality care of patients, clinical affiliates of the university require students to have a criminal background check. All students entering the Quinnipiac MSW program are required to undergo a criminal background check (through the university vendor) prior to beginning classes. This is a mandatory component of the program. In addition, MSW students may be required to undergo a criminal background re-check and/or drug screen prior to any of their field placements. The results are made available to the student through their own personal and secure online portal. Whenever a Quinnipiac MSW student may need proof of his/her criminal background check for field placements, the student will release the information directly from their personal portal to the clinical site. The cost of the criminal background check and any re-checks and/or drug screens is the responsibility of each individual student.
Dual-Degree JD/MSW
Students interested in earning both a JD and a Master of Social Work may earn both degrees on an accelerated basis by enrolling in the Dual-Degree JD/MSW program. Students must apply and be accepted separately to each program. Ideally, students would apply to both programs before starting either but a student enrolled in either program could, during the first year (and possibly later), apply for and be accepted to the other program.
For more information, see the Dual-Degree JD/MSW page.
The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
The CSWE address is:
Council on Social Work Education
1701 Duke Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-683-8080
Fax: 703-683-8099
Email: info@cswe.org
Website: CSWE.org
All Council on Social Work Education programs measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education. These competencies are dimensions of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training. A measurement benchmark is set by the social work programs for each competency. An assessment score at or above that benchmark is considered by the program to represent mastery of that particular competency.
Please click Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes (PDF) for more information (last completed June 6, 2017).