Navigating Your MSW Advanced Standing Program: Orientation, Practicum, and Additional Information
Summer 2026
Congratulations on your acceptance into the MSW Program at The University of Alabama! We look forward to you starting the program soon.
Academic Advising & Course Registration
Academic Advising
At orientation, you will have the opportunity to meet the MSW Academic Advisor, Aubree Cuip. Ms. Cuip is available to meet virtually and in-person to discuss course registration, academic advising, and student services by scheduling an appointment here.
Registration Information
Registration for Summer 2026 will begin on March 23. Summer classes will begin in May. Ms. Cuip will be reaching out to all admitted students as soon as the end of February to discuss registration details, courses, and degree plans. Please consistently check your Crimson email to ensure you receive the detailed registration information Ms. Cuip will be sending out.
For other important dates and student services information, please refer to the University Registrars website.
Orientation May 14-16, 2026
Blackboard Assignments
To ensure that you are prepared for the program, you will be enrolled into a required online orientation course in Blackboard. All course assignments should be completed prior to the in-person orientation. More details will be provided in April.
Orientation Event Information
The required in-person orientation will be an exciting time to connect with students, faculty, and staff.
Orientation Agenda
Lodging
Transportation
Practicum Education
You will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of the practicum education team during orientation and learn more about the practicum application process. Please keep the following information and dates in mind. The practicum application system (SWIS) will open in May to students entering practicum in spring 2027, and it will close for data entry in June.
Your practicum application must be submitted in June to be eligible for practicum placement in spring 2027. Worksite applications are due in early July. Please continue to check your Crimson email for more details. Exact dates will be provided in Spring 2026.
| Requirement | Due Date | Resources |
| Complete Practicum Application | TBA (early June) | How to Apply for Practicum: Please make sure you select spring 2027 as your application term and MSW 2 as your application type. Please disregard the faculty recommendation portion of the applying for practicum document |
| DL Out of State Form | TBA (late June) | Placement Exploration Tool |
| Complete Background Check | TBA (early October) | Background Check guide for in-state students Background Check Guide for out of State students |
| Mandatory Practicum Orientation | TBA (November or early December) | This will occur by Zoom. Further information and a link will be sent to you by the practicum office. * |
| Practicum Education Toolkit | N/A | A resource for you throughout the process. You are responsible for information in the handbook and following all policies/procedures. |
Please know that the practicum education team is available to answer your questions. Contact Carrie Turner, MSW Practicum Education Coordinator with any questions at ceturner6@ua.edu. It is helpful to identify that you are an Advanced Standing MSW student in your email.
Please note that failure to complete the practicum application and above requirements before the due date will delay your entry into practicum by a minimum of one term. This will also delay your graduation date.
*Students who do not attend the Zoom Mandatory Practicum Orientation will not be eligible to enter practicum spring 2027.
Scholarship Opportunities
Students are encouraged to seek internal and external scholarship opportunities to help fund their graduate education. The MSW Program staff will intermittently reach out to admitted students to inform them of funding opportunities they may be eligible for. Students can also review this list of potential funding opportunities to explore.
Please note application requirements and deadlines for each scholarship and fellowship. This resource will be periodically updated throughout the academic year.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
