Navigating Your MSW Traditional 60-Credit Program: Orientation, Practicum, and Additional Information
Fall 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
We are currently working to fill the role of MSW Academic Advisor. In the meantime, please reach out to Kayla Johnson, Students Services Program Manager at sswadvisor@ua.edu to meet virtually and in-person to discuss course registration, academic advising, and student services.
Registration Information
Registration for Fall 2026 will begin on March 23. Fall classes will begin on August 19. We 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 we will be sending out.
For other important dates and student services information, please refer to the University Registrars website.
Orientation: July 9-11, 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 June.
Orientation Event Information
The required in-person orientation will be an exciting time to connect with students, faculty, and staff.
Additional details about orientation will be provided to you in the upcoming months. Please be sure to continue to check your Crimson email.
Practicum Education Requirements
You will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of the practicum education team at MSW orientation. In the meantime, please keep the following dates in mind as they relate to your practicum. The practicum application system (SWIS) will be open March 1, 2026, through May 15, 2026 for students entering practicum in Fall 2026. Your practicum application must be submitted no later than May 15, 2026, to be eligible for your practicum placement for Fall 2026. The Practicum Education Program will host several open office hours between March 1 and May 15 to provide specific instructions on the practicum application process. Please make plans to attend one of the sessions before submitting your practicum application.
| Requirement | Due Date | Resources |
| Complete Practicum Application | May 1 through May 15 ** First year stipend interests should be submitted in SWIS application by May 1 | How to Apply for Practicum Please make sure you select Fall 2026 as your application term and MSW 1 as your application type. |
| Out-of-State Placement Form | May 20 | Placement Exploration Tool (Accessible in SWIS. Only for students Completing placement outside the State of Alabama) |
| Employment-Based Placement Application | June 1 | Employment-Based Placement Application (Accessible in SWIS. Only applies to students who are applying to complete their practicum with their current employer.) |
| Complete Background Check | August 1 | Background Check guide for all students Background Check Guide |
| Open Office Hours* | March 6 – 11:00 to 12:30 CST April 2 – 11:00 to 12:30 CST April 24 – 9:00 to 11:00 CST May 7 – 9:00 to 11:00 CST | Zoom: https://ua-edu.zoom.us/j/83221436123?pwd=Y0M3VVBiLzVDUU5PS1d5YUt5QXZOdz09 Meeting ID: 832 2143 6123 Passcode: 154298 |
| Practicum Education Toolkit | N/A | You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the information in the toolkit and following all applicable policies/procedures. |
| Stipends Available for 1st Year Students | May 1 with completed SWIS application | Please select the stipends you are interested in applying for in SWIS by May 1. Your completed application should be submitted by May 1st. You are only eligible for placements listed in the PowerPoint you received. |
| Mandatory Practicum Orientation | Tentative Dates: August 24 – August 26, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. CST August 28 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST *only need to attend one of the four sessions |
Failure to complete the practicum application and above requirements before the due date will delay your entry into field. This will also delay your graduation date.
The earlier your application is submitted, the earlier the Practicum Education Office can begin the placement process. The office begins this process as applications are submitted.
If you would like to learn more about part-time curriculum options, please let us know at your earliest convenience!
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 a MSW Two-Year student in your email.
The Practicum Education Office looks forward to connecting with you!
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 this Fall!
