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 learning 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.
Practicum/Internship Experience Requirement(s):
Minimum of 600 supervised internship experience hours. See the Practicum/Internship Experience section below for more information.
SWK5012 * |
Cultural Competence and Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations
Learners investigate diversity and difference, power and privilege,
and oppression, as they relate to social work practice. Throughout the
course, learners become knowledgeable of one’s biases toward race,
ethnicity, culture, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, social and
economic status, political ideology, and disability; how those biases
contribute to discrimination and oppression; and the ethics of
culturally competent best practice. In addition,
learners assess personal values, beliefs, and behaviors that may limit
their ability to practice effective social work with people of diverse
backgrounds. Through the use of technology, learners then engage in
strategy and leadership best practices for dealing with biases in
social work practice.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Must be taken
during the first quarter by learners who have been admitted to the
MSW—Advanced Standing degree program. Prerequisite(s): SWK5007;
completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5008. Learners in
the MSW—Advanced Standing degree program are exempt from these
prerequisites. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by
coursework from a CSWE-accredited program.
| 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
SWK5013 * |
Mental Health Practice and Advanced Interventions: Theory and Practice
This course prepares learners for advanced mental health best
practice. Learners use multiple theoretical frameworks and technology
to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate individuals, families,
groups, organizations, and communities within the mental health field.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only.
Prerequisite(s): SWK5007; completion of or concurrent registration
in SWK5008. Learners in the MSW—Advanced Standing degree program
are exempt from these prerequisites. Cannot be fulfilled by
transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program.
| 4 quarter credits |
SWK5014 * |
Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice
Learners in this course develop and demonstrate advanced generalist best 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. During this course, learners engage in a dynamic synchronous and asynchronous online hybrid experience integrating live video clinical practice experiences with faculty and learners in a virtual learning community. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5012, completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5013. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 4 quarter credits |
SWK5015 * |
Advanced Statistics, Research, and Program Evaluation
This course provides learners with the opportunity to advance their
knowledge in research methodology, data collection, and program
evaluation in social work best practice. Learners integrate research
practice, knowledge, and theory with leadership methods and data
processing and analysis, in order to better understand the
implications of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods data.
Learners also use and interpret various statistical procedures for
analyzing quantitative and qualitative data using analytical software
and applications.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only.
Prerequisite(s): SWK5013. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except
by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program.
| 4 quarter credits |
SWK5016 * |
Integrative Technology in Advanced Social Work Practice
This course is an introduction to transformative and innovative
methods of client interviewing, follow up, documentation, evaluation,
professional development, and communication through the use of
technology, with particular emphasis on 21st-century social work
practice skills used to serve diverse clients. Learners engage in
interactive roleplay activities and create a technology-based
initiative that promotes social justice and best practices.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in
SWK5015. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
SWK5017 * |
Clinical Supervision and Leadership in Social Work Practice
This course is an introduction to leadership theories and skills,
ethical decision-making, self-care efficacy, strategic planning, and
administrative roles in social work organizations. Throughout the
course, learners investigate technology integration; administrative,
educational, and supportive supervision; supervision procedures;
conduct of supervision; and legal and regulatory guidelines.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in
SWK5016. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from
a CSWE-accredited program.
| 4 quarter credits |
SWK5018 * |
Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice: Theories, Skills, Values, and Professional Practice
This course provides a synthesis of all social work practice systems.
Learners apply critical-thinking skills as they delve into the
identification of social work values and ethics; the assessment of
professional behaviors and skills; the engagement of cultural
competence; the integration of research, knowledge, human behavior,
and theory; and the application and analysis of social work best
practice, social justice, policy, technology, and leadership.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in
SWK5528. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
SWK5525 * |
Advanced Internship Seminar/Lab
This course prepares learners for internship placement. Throughout
the interactive seminar, learners review social work best practices as
well as the steps necessary for success in the internship, including
professionalism, interviewing techniques, process recording,
documentation, evaluation, and safety.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Special
permission is required for registration.
Prerequisite(s): SWK5013, SWK5014. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
SWK5526 * |
Advanced Internship Practicum 1
This is the first course in a sequence of three required practicum
courses during which learners complete a minimum of 600 supervised
internship experience hours. Throughout the practicum, learners engage
in experiential learning in an agency setting and apply social work
best practice theories, professional values, practice techniques, and
technology integration skills gained from their advanced generalist
coursework. This course includes an integrative seminar that
facilitates learners’ leadership development with regard to
graduate-level generalist social work practice.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Special
permission is required for registration. Prerequisite(s): SWK5014;
SWK5026 with a grade of “B” or higher or SWK5525. Approval of
practicum application. All application materials must be received
by the first day of the quarter preceding the quarter of the
proposed start date. Refer to the current manual for further
details. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
SWK5527 * |
Advanced Internship Practicum 2
This is the second course in a sequence of three required practicum
courses during which learners complete a minimum of 600 supervised
internship experience hours. Throughout the practicum, learners engage
in experiential learning in an agency setting and apply social work
best practice theories, professional values, practice techniques, and
technology integration skills gained from their advanced generalist
coursework. This course includes an integrative seminar that
facilitates learners’ leadership development with regard to
graduate-level generalist social work practice.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Special
permission is required for registration. Prerequisite(s): SWK5526
with a grade of “B” or higher. Approval of practicum application.
All application materials must be received by the first day of the
quarter preceding the quarter of the proposed start date. Refer to
the current manual for further details. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
SWK5528 * |
Advanced Internship Practicum 3
This is the third course in a sequence of three required practicum
courses during which learners complete a minimum of 600 supervised
internship experience hours. Throughout the practicum, learners engage
in experiential learning in an agency setting and apply social work
best practice theories, professional values, practice techniques, and
technology integration skills gained from their advanced generalist
coursework. This course includes an integrative seminar that
facilitates learners’ leadership development with regard to
graduate-level generalist social work practice.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Special
permission is required for registration. Prerequisite(s): SWK5527
with a grade of “B” or higher. Approval of practicum application.
All application materials must be received by the first day of the
quarter preceding the quarter of the proposed start date. Refer to
the current manual for further details. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
Two Elective Courses
At least 8 quarter credits
Recommended elective courses:
SWK5800 * |
Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice with Children and Youth
Learners in this course acquire the advanced knowledge and skills
required to engage in the clinical treatment of children and youth.
Learners examine theoretical frameworks, including developmental,
ecological systems, cognitive/behavioral, and psychodynamic. In
addition, learners analyze assessment styles and intervention
planning, with an emphasis on cultural and environmental factors.
Throughout the course, learners use technology and leadership skills
to synthesize, integrate, and apply that which they have learned, in
order to provide assessment and treatment that is grounded in
professional social work ethics and best practices to children and
youth.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only.
Prerequisite(s): SWK5013. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
-and- | ||
SWK5801 * |
Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice Screening, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Children and Youth
This course provides a bio-psychosocial approach to identification,
screening, assessment, and diagnosis of common psychosocial problems
experienced by children and youth. Learners analyze etiology,
recognition, and diagnosis of these problems in the context of the
socio-cultural formation of disordered behavior. Throughout the
course, learners apply social work best practices, leadership skills,
techniques gained throughout their coursework, the most recent edition
of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and the use of
technology to screen, assess and diagnose issues, such as serious
mental illness, suicidality, depression and anxiety, substance abuse,
child abuse, and the effects of trauma.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only.
Prerequisite(s): SWK5800. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
OR
SWK5802 * |
Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice with Adults
This course is designed to prepare learners for advanced clinical
social work practice utilizing multiple theoretical frameworks and
technology to engage, assess, evaluate, and intervene in ethically and
culturally competent clinical practice with adults. In addition,
learners use best practice skills to serve as competent clinical
social work practitioners in nonprofit, for-profit, and community
organizations. Throughout the course, learners apply a skills-based
approach; leadership in presenting and practicing the use of specific
screening, assessment, and diagnostic protocols; as well as the most
recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to
provide diagnostic formulations.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only.
Prerequisite(s): SWK5013. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
-and- | ||
SWK5803 * |
Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice Screening, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Adults
This course provides a bio-psychosocial approach to identification,
screening, assessment, and diagnosis of common psychosocial problems
experienced by adult clients. Learners analyze etiology, recognition,
and diagnosis of these problems in the context of the socio-cultural
formation of disordered behavior. Throughout the course, learners
apply social work best practices, leadership skills, techniques gained
throughout their coursework, the most recent edition of the American
Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, and the use of technology to screen, assess
and diagnose issues, such as serious mental illness, suicidality,
depression and anxiety, substance abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, and
the effects of trauma.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only.
Prerequisite(s): SWK5802. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
OR
SWK5804 * |
Innovative Leadership and Supervision in Social Work Practice
The course provides social work learners with the opportunity to
explore workplace dynamics, communication theory, leader’s influence,
and the relationship between social work best practice and leadership
skills. Learners also analyze the use of technology as a tool for
effectively serving as administrators.
For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only.
Prerequisite(s): SWK5014. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
-and- | ||
SWK5805 * |
Managing Social Work Practice in the 21st Century
This course covers best practices in hiring, staffing, coaching, and
evaluating personnel. In particular, learners review key practice
policies related to health care, consumer rights, educational rights,
access, disabilities, cultural diversity, and ethical practices in the
workplace. Other course topics include leadership, grant writing,
program development, professional development, and strategic planning.
In addition, learners gain an understanding of advanced financial
management and planning with the use of technological resources.
For MSW—Advanced Standing and MSW learners only.
Prerequisite(s): SWK5804. Cannot be fulfilled by
transfer. | 4 quarter credits |
OR
Choose from a select list of graduate courses† related to social work within the fields of psychology (PSY), counseling (ADD, COUN, SHB), human services (HMSV, NPM), health care (MHA, MPH, NHS), public administration (MPA, PUAD), education (ED), or related area as approved by the academic program director.
Total
At least 52 quarter credits
* Denotes courses that have prerequisite(s). Refer to the descriptions for further 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 600 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.