COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree at the University of New Hampshire requires a total of 62 credit hours of advanced graduate-level coursework (800- or 900-level), along with extensive practical training through two multi-semester internships that together include approximately 1,100 hours of supervised field experience. The program is structured to prepare students for advanced professional practice in clinical, community, and policy-focused social work settings. Academic performance standards are strict, as grades below a B- in graded courses or a “fail” in credit/fail courses are considered unsatisfactory, and repeated courses do not replace failing grades on the academic record. Students who accumulate failing grades in 9 or more credits may be dismissed from the program. While the curriculum is largely structured, students are allowed to choose three elective courses, at least one of which must be from the Department of Social Work, allowing some specialization based on career interests. The core curriculum provides comprehensive training in advanced generalist social work practice and includes foundational courses in social welfare policy, human behavior and the social environment, research methods, data analysis, program evaluation, and clinical and community practice skills. Students complete multiple internship courses (Internship I–IV), which are central to professional development and provide real-world experience in social service settings. Advanced practice courses focus on clinical assessment, intervention, and community and administrative practice, preparing students for leadership roles in diverse social work environments. Elective options allow further specialization in areas such as mental health, addictions, child and adolescent welfare, developmental disabilities, trauma-informed practice, aging, school social work, intimate partner violence, spirituality, international social work, digital-age social work, and therapeutic or adventure-based interventions. Overall, the program integrates academic knowledge, research skills, policy understanding, and intensive field experience to prepare graduates for professional licensure and advanced practice in social work across clinical, community, and systemic levels.