COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Wichita State University requires completion of either 55 credit hours for the regular standing track or 32 credit hours for the advanced standing track, both of which combine classroom instruction, supervised practicum experiences, and elective coursework to prepare students for advanced generalist social work practice in diverse professional settings. The regular program includes 39 credit hours of classroom-based study and 16 credit hours of supervised practicum, while the advanced standing program includes 24 credit hours of coursework and 8 credit hours of practicum, with both pathways requiring completion of 9 credit hours of graduate electives and maintenance of a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a grade of C or higher required in all courses. All MSW students must complete SCWK 816 during the summer semester, and additional required coursework is completed across fall and spring semesters depending on program track. The curriculum for the regular program includes foundational courses such as generalist practice, cultural competency, social welfare policy, human behavior, and research methods in the first year, followed by advanced generalist practice, clinical assessment, applied research, and policy advocacy in the second year, while advanced standing students begin directly in advanced coursework and practicum experiences. A key component of the MSW program is the extensive practicum requirement, totaling 1,000 agency-based hours for regular standing students and 600 hours for advanced standing students, completed in supervised social service settings with structured field instruction and university-led seminars that connect academic learning to professional practice standards established by the Council on Social Work Education. Students also have the option of completing a thesis through SCWK 800, which may count toward elective credit, although it is not required. Applied learning is embedded throughout the program, primarily through practicum courses such as SCWK 720, 721, 822, and 823, where students engage in real-world social work practice while reflecting on their experiences in academic seminars. Overall, the MSW program at Wichita State is designed to develop advanced professional competencies in clinical practice, policy analysis, research, and community-based social work, preparing graduates for impactful careers in social services, healthcare, advocacy, and public welfare organizations.