Advanced Program

Our Master of Social Work program provides two curriculum options: “Standard” and “Advanced Standing." The Standard curriculum is 61 credits while the Advanced curriculum is 40 credits.

Applicants are only eligible to apply for the Advanced Standing option if they have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited social work program and make application within 7 seven years and have attained a minimum GPA of 2.75 for all undergraduate coursework, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all undergraduate social work coursework.

General Advanced Program Information

Advanced Standing is available only to students whose undergraduate degree in social work or social welfare was from an undergraduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education at the time the degree was awarded, and received in the within 7 years of application. If your undergraduate degree was in a field other than social work you are not eligible for Advanced Standing.

Eligible applicants may apply to the Advanced Standing program and, if not accepted, will automatically be considered for the Standard Program.

Students who are accepted into the Advanced Standing program will be required to register for the Bridge Courses (summer for Radford campus). Classes will be offered on Saturdays (June and July in Radford) with additional work done online. Students who plan on attending the Advanced Standing program should be aware that these courses are mandatory and attendance will be required on Saturdays.

Full-Time Plan of Study

4 semesters, 40 credits

Summer (1)Fall (1)Spring (1)Summer (2)
SW 678SW 682SW 761Elective
SW 679SW 772SW 784Elective
 SW 783SW 785 
 SW 791 (5)SW 792 (5) 

Part-Time Plan of Study

6 semesters, 40 credits

Summer (1)Fall (1)Spring (1)
SW 678SW 682SW 761
SW 679SW 772Elective
Summer (2)Fall (2)Spring (2)
ElectiveSW 783SW 784
 SW 791 (5)SW 785
  SW 792 (5)

Courses

  • SW 678: Advanced Standing Bridge Course I
  • SW 679:  Advanced Standing Bridge Course II
  • SW 682: Biopsychosocial assessment
  • SW 772: Research II
  • SW 783: Social Work Practice III
  • SOWK 784: Social Work Practice IV
  • SW 791/792: Concentration Practice & Seminar I & II (5 credits each)
  • SW 761: Social Welfare Policy II
  • SW 785: Integrative seminar