Master of Social Work (MSW)—Advanced Standing
School of Public Service and Education
The Master of Social Work (MSW)—Advanced Standing degree program provides learners who have a bachelor's degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program with the opportunity to advance their social work practice skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Learners develop and apply advanced generalist practice and leadership skills in engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation from a strengths perspective grounded in social work values and ethics, social justice, human rights, cultural competence, policy practice, the integration of technology, and evidence-based practice through the integration of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards from the CSWE. To enhance and reinforce the demonstration of micro, mezzo, and macro specialized advanced generalist practice skills, learners engage in face-to-face residency experiences. Upon successful completion of the generalist curriculum, learners further develop their specialized, advanced generalist practice skills by selecting electives in the areas of clinical practice, leadership and supervision, or human services. Learners who have a bachelor’s degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program or those who have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree may pursue Capella’s MSW Advanced Standing program.
Practicum/Internship Experience Requirement(s)
Minimum of 500 supervised internship experience hours. See the Practicum/Internship Experience section below for more information.
Additional Program Requirements
| SWK5012 | Culturally Responsive Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations | 4 |
| SWK5013 | Mental Health Practice and Advanced Interventions: Theory and Practice | 4 |
| SWK5014 | Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice | 4 |
| SWK5015 | Advanced Statistics, Research, and Program Evaluation | 4 |
| SWK5016 | Integrative Technology in Advanced Social Work Practice | 4 |
| SWK5017 | Clinical Supervision and Leadership in Social Work Practice | 4 |
| SWK5018 | Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice: Theories, Skills, Values, and Professional Practice | 4 |
| SWK5525 | Advanced Internship Seminar/Lab | 4 |
| SWK5526 | Advanced Internship Practicum 1 | 4 |
| SWK5527 | Advanced Internship Practicum 2 | 4 |
| SWK5528 | Advanced Internship Practicum 3 | 4 |
Two Elective Courses
At least 8 quarter credits.
Choose one of the following three recommended elective pairs.
| SWK5800 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice with Children and Youth | 4 |
| And | |
| SWK5801 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice Screening, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Children and Youth | 4 |
| Or | |
| SWK5802 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice with Adults | 4 |
| And | |
| SWK5803 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice Screening, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Adults | 4 |
| Or | |
| SWK5804 | Innovative Leadership and Supervision in Social Work Practice | 4 |
| And | |
| SWK5805 | Managing Social Work Practice in the 21st Century | 4 |
Or
Choose from a select list of graduate courses† related to social work within the fields of psychology (PSY), counseling (COUN, PLAY, SHB), human services (HMSV), healthcare (MHA, MPH, NHS), or related are as approved by the academic program director.
Total
At least 52 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
† Learners are encouraged to contact their academic advisors for additional details.
Capella University cannot guarantee eligibility for licensure, endorsement, other professional credential, or salary advancement. State licensing regulations and professional standards vary; learners are responsible for understanding and complying with the requirements of the state in which they intend to work. For more information, see the professional licensure disclosures for this program on Capella’s website.
Practicum/Internship Experience
Learners enrolled in the Master of Social Work (MSW)-Advanced Standing degree program are required to complete a minimum of 500 supervised hours of hands-on internship experience in an agency setting that is specific to the learner’s area of interest. The practicum/internship experience portion for this program is the signature pedagogy in social work education.
In the MSW-Advanced Standing practicum/internship experience, learners integrate theory, practice, and intellectual contributions from their courseroom activities to develop advanced generalist practice skills under the leadership and supervision of an experienced professional social worker. This practicum/internship experience provides learners with the opportunity to participate in advanced practice with individuals, families, groups, and organizations. Additionally, learners engage in an advanced integrated practicum/internship seminar to support their advanced generalist practice development.
Learners use their practicum/internship experiences to help them achieve their program outcomes and advanced generalist practice skills under the leadership and supervision of an experienced professional social worker. This practicum/internship experience provides learners with the opportunity to experience direct practice with individuals, families, groups, and organizations. Additionally, learners engage in an integrated practicum/internship seminar to support their professional development.
Practicum and/or Internship hours are considered complete once all program required practicum/internships hours have been successfully achieved. Partial completion of practicum/internship requirements/hours can't be verified for licensure or transfer of hours.