Selected Educational Outcomes
- Using the strengths perspective, graduates will practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills that are appropriate for the range of human differences.
- Graduates will demonstrate the ability to practice at increasing levels of complexity using specialized theories and practice methods.
- Graduates will demonstrate elements of leadership and the ability to shape the professional environment.
- Graduates will demonstrate an increasing ability to engage in informed and systematic self-directed practice.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
- Students must complete all academic requirements to a satisfactory degree, including 1,000 clock hours of practicum.
- Students must submit a portfolio to the faculty during the last semester in residence, which reflects the way in which they met all program objectives.
This program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). VSU graduate students who are not enrolled in the M.S.W. program may take elective courses with the permission of the Head of the Department of Social Work, but required courses are restricted to M.S.W. students. The M.S.W. program is cohort-based, and the order of courses is strictly determined by selection of program. Academic credit will not be given for life experience or previous work experience.
Program cohort options and detailed programs of study are available at the Department of Social Work office and website. Students are admitted to one of the following cohort options:
- On-campus option: Full-Time (2-year); Part-Time (3- or 4-year)
- Web-based (3-year) including 5 weekends of on-campus classes each semester
- Advanced Standing option: Full-Time On-Campus (1-year); Full-Time Web-Hybrid (1-year);
Part-Time On-Campus (2-year); Part-Time Web-Hybrid (2-year)
Advanced Standing students may request either the on-campus or web-based option and may elect to attend classes full-time or part-time. The Advanced Standing option is available only to students who received a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) from a CSWE-accredited program in the last 5 years. Additional admission requirements apply. Enrollment in this option is extremely competitive, and space is limited.
Prior to admission to any graduate program at Valdosta State University, applicants must first submit a completed application to the Graduate School. A completed application packet includes official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, official test scores (GRE, MAT), completed application form, fee, and any additional program requirements, submitted by the admission deadline. To be considered for the preferred term, all required materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than the close of business on the deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow adequate time for document submission and to ensure receipt of documents.
Application Deadlines
Deadline for applications is January 14 of each year for Advanced Standing Admissions (applicants who have earned a B.S.W. from a C.S.W.E.-accredited institution within the last 5 years) and February 14 of each year for standard applications. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. Classes start in May or August for regular M.S.W. students and in May/June for Advanced Standing M.S.W. students.
Go to the Graduate School website and click on Our Programs, then click on MSW Program for information on:
- Specific MSW Program Admission Requirements
- MSW Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
- MSW Program Graduation Requirements
To Apply Online, click here.
Requirements for the Master of Social Work Degree
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year - Foundation Courses | 31 | |
| SOWK 6004 | Social Work Practice with Groups | 2 |
| SOWK 6100 | Introduction to Professional Social Work Education | 1 |
| SOWK 6201 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SOWK 6202 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SOWK 6301 | Generalist Practice Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SOWK 6302 | Generalist Practice II Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SOWK 6303 | Practice Skills Lab | 2 |
| SOWK 6400 | Generalist Practice in Social Welfare Policy, Problems, and Services | 3 |
| SOWK 6500 | Generalist Practice in Research and Evaluation Methods in Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 6800 | Field Practicum and Seminar I | 4 |
| SOWK 6900 | Field Practicum and Seminar II | 4 |
| Second Year - Concentration Courses | 29 | |
| SOWK 7300 | Advanced Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SOWK 7310 | Advanced Practice with Families | 3 |
| SOWK 7320 | Advanced Practice with Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SOWK 7400 | Advanced Practice in Social Welfare Policy and Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 7500 | Advanced Practice in Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 7611 | Advanced Social Work Practicum I | 3 |
| SOWK 7612 | Advanced Social Work Practicum II | 3 |
| SOWK 7810 | Psychopathology and Assessment | 3 |
| Select a minimum of 5 hours of General Practice Electives: 1 | 5 | |
| SOWK 7000 | Independent Study in Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 7001 | Special Topics in Social Work | 1-3 |
| SOWK 7700 | Social Work Practice with Older Adults | 3 |
| SOWK 7820 | Issues in Substance Use | 3 |
| SOWK 7840 | Seminar on Loss and Bereavement | 3 |
| SOWK 7860 | Grant Writing and Program Development for Human Services | 3 |
| SOWK 7870 | Social Work Practice with Abusing and Neglecting Families | 3 |
| SOWK 7890 | Spirituality in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 7770 | Trauma Informed Child Welfare Practice | 2 |
| SOWK 7800 | Social Work Practice in Health Settings | 2 |
| SOWK 7850 | Social Work Practice in Schools | 2 |
| Total Hours Required for the Degree | 60 | |
| 1 | Some elective courses are available in summer semester |
Field Practicum
Students in the M.S.W. program complete two separate year-long practicum experiences. These field placements in social service agencies run concurrently with coursework and allow students an opportunity to integrate classroom content with actual practice experiences. Students are required to complete 16 to 18 hours per week in practicum, depending on program cohort option. Practicum placements are geographically limited and determined by the Director of Field Instruction.
Requirements for the Master of Social Work Degree--Advanced Standing
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 28 | |
| SOWK 7100 | Orientation to Advanced Generalist Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 7300 | Advanced Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SOWK 7310 | Advanced Practice with Families | 3 |
| SOWK 7320 | Advanced Practice with Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SOWK 7400 | Advanced Practice in Social Welfare Policy and Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 7500 | Advanced Practice in Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 7611 | Advanced Social Work Practicum I | 3 |
| SOWK 7612 | Advanced Social Work Practicum II | 3 |
| SOWK 7810 | Psychopathology and Assessment | 3 |
| Select a minimum of 5 hours of General Practice Electives: | ||
| SOWK 7000 | Independent Study in Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 7700 | Social Work Practice with Older Adults | 3 |
| SOWK 7770 | Trauma Informed Child Welfare Practice | 2 |
| SOWK 7800 | Social Work Practice in Health Settings | 2 |
| SOWK 7820 | Issues in Substance Use | 3 |
| SOWK 7840 | Seminar on Loss and Bereavement | 3 |
| SOWK 7850 | Social Work Practice in Schools | 2 |
| SOWK 7860 | Grant Writing and Program Development for Human Services | 3 |
| SOWK 7870 | Social Work Practice with Abusing and Neglecting Families | 3 |
| SOWK 7890 | Spirituality in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Total Hours Required for the Degree | 33 | |
