Advanced-Standing Program
Students who hold a bachelor of Social Work degree from a BSW program accredited 
by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) may be admitted to the MSW program with advanced-standing status. The 42 hours of required coursework are completed in one spring or summer semester, followed by one full academic year. Advanced-standing students complete one field experience related to their area of concentration.
The Advanced-Standing Program is also offered every other year through our distance education sites in Gadsden, Montgomery, and Mobile.
Spring or Summer Semester
Orientation
- SW 576 Intermediate Social Work Research
(3 hours) - SW 577 Components of Human Development and Social Systems (3 hours)
- SW 578 Social Welfare Policies and Delivery Systems, Social Problems, and the History of Social Welfare (3 hours)
- SW 579 Components of Social Work Practice
(3 hours)
TOTAL HOURS = 12
Concentration Year
There are two concentrations available during the second year of the M.S.W. program. Social Work with Children, Adolescents, and their Families, and Social Work with Adults and their Families. Each concentration includes two required courses, the opportunity for three electives (which can be courses from the other concentration), and a field placement related to the concentration.
Two other courses will also be required during concentration year: SW 525 Evaluation Research and SW 501 Advanced Social Welfare Policy Analysis. In addition, the faculty has directed that the following electives be offered on a yearly basis: SW 506 Social Service Planning and Program Development, SW 536 Social Service Program and Agency Administration, SW 515 Psychopathology, and SW 513 Models and Methods of Social Work Practice in Health Care. Students have the opportunity, in collaboration with their academic advisors, to tailor their concentrations to reflect their own unique and individualized preferences.
An emphasis in Program Planning and Agency Administration [PAA] is available with either of the concentrations. To emphasize this content area as part of their concentration, students must take both SW 506 Social Service Planning and Program Development and SW 536 Social Service Program and Agency Administration as two of their three electives. Then, they will request a placement in their concentration year that includes the PAA emphasis. Please note that the opportunity to complete the PAA emphasis may be limited by the student’s own scheduling, site, and commuting preferences, and the School does not guarantee access to this emphasis to all students.
Social Work with Children, Adolescents, and their Families
Semester I
- SW 564 Models and Methods of Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents in Mental Health (3 hours)
- SW 565 Models and Methods of Social Work Practice in Child Welfare and Family Services (3 hours)
- SW 525 Evaluation Research or Elective (3 hours)
- Elective or SW 501 Advanced Social Welfare Policy Analysis (3 hours)
- Elective (3 hours)
Semester II
- SW 501 Advanced Social Welfare Policy Analysis or Elective
- Elective or SW 525 Evaluation Research
- Field (500 clock hours) (9 hours)
TOTAL HOURS = 30
Social Work with Adults and their Families
Semester I
- SW 532 Models and Methods of Social Work Practice with Adults in Mental Health
(3 hours) - SW 533 Models and Methods of Gerontological Social Work Practice (3 hours)
- SW 525 Evaluation Research or Elective (3 hours)
- Elective or SW 501 Advanced Social Welfare Policy Analysis (3 hours)
- Elective (3 hours)
Semester II
- SW 501 Advanced Social Welfare Policy Analysis or Elective
- Elective or SW 525 Evaluation Research
- Field (500 clock hours) (9 hours)
TOTAL HOURS = 30
Electives Offered Every Year:
- SW 513 Models and Methods of Social Work Practice in Health Care
- PAA SW 506 Social Service Planning and Program Development
- PAA SW 536 Social Service Program and Agency Administration
- SW 515 Psychopathology
Other electives to be offered dependent upon faculty and student preferences.