COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at The University of Southern Mississippi provides advanced professional education and extensive field training to prepare students for leadership and practice roles in social services, healthcare, public welfare, mental health, community development, and related human service sectors. In addition to meeting the university’s general graduate admission standards, applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on the last 60 undergraduate credit hours and submit a statement of purpose, a professional standards statement, a résumé, and three recommendation letters. Students seeking Advanced Standing must hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program completed within the previous five years, maintain at least a 3.5 GPA in social work coursework with no grade below “B,” pass a qualifying examination, and receive approval from the MSW admissions committee. Advanced Standing students may receive up to 25 hours of foundational course exemptions, reducing the degree requirement to a minimum of 35 credit hours. The traditional MSW curriculum requires 60 credit hours and includes coursework in human rights and social justice, social welfare policy, ethical decision-making, evidence-based practice, program evaluation, leadership, management, research, forensic social work, and advanced intervention and assessment methods for children, families, adults, organizations, communities, and addiction services. Students also complete supervised field education experiences through either full-time or part-time placement models, gaining practical training in professional social work environments. The Advanced Standing curriculum focuses primarily on advanced practice, research, administration, intervention strategies, and field education while omitting foundational coursework already completed during undergraduate social work study. The program offers flexible enrollment options, including full-time and part-time schedules, with different admission periods depending on the selected model. Through its strong emphasis on classroom instruction, ethical practice, evidence-based interventions, leadership development, and hands-on field training, the MSW program equips graduates with the professional competencies required for successful careers in a wide range of social work and human service settings.