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 the summer and fall 2026 semesters will begin on March 23. Students will need to register for both semesters at that time. Summer classes will begin on May 26. 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.
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 be open May 4 – June 1, 2026 to students entering practicum in Spring 2027.
Your practicum application must be submitted by June 1, 2026 to be eligible for practicum placement in spring 2027. Review table below and continue to check your Crimson email for more details.
| Requirement | Due Date | Resources |
| Complete Practicum Application | May 4 through June 1 | 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 | June 15 | Placement Exploration Tool (Accessible in SWIS. Only for students Completing placement outside the State of Alabama) |
| Employment-Based Placement Application | June 30 | 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 | October 1 | Background Check guide for in-state students Background Check Guide for out of State students |
| Open Office Hours* | May 8, 9:00 to 11:00 CST May 29, 11:00 to 1:00 CST | Zoom: https://ua-edu.zoom.us/j/83221436123?pwd=Y0M3VVBiLzVDUU5PS1d5YUt5QXZOdz09 Meeting ID: 832 2143 6123 Passcode: 154298 |
| Mandatory Practicum Orientation | Tentative Dates: November 30 – December 2, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CST Friday, December 4, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST *only need to attend one of the four sessions | 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!
