Social Work - Advanced Standing - Advanced Generalist, MSW
Explore an accelerated path to leadership in social work. This program prepares you to serve diverse Southwest populations through 480 hours of supervised fieldwork in your own region, bridging undergraduate theory with the skills needed to alleviate suffering and advance social justice.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation and professional licensure
The MSW program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education'...
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Program description
ASU ranks No. 20 for best graduate social work program by U.S. News & World Report, 2024.
The advanced standing advanced generalist specialization of the Master of Social Work program builds on mastery of the generalist foundation to increase the depth and breadth of practice. It's designed in an accelerated and intensive one-year format.
You learn both the micro skills of direct practice and macro skills of community development. Advanced generalist faculty emphasize the distinct characteristics of social work services helpful in both nonprofit settings and the small and rural community context.
The MSW program is consistent with the purpose of the social work profession to alleviate human suffering, enhance well-being and promote social justice with an emphasis on Southwest populations.
Why study social work - advanced standing at ASU?
ASU's School of Social Work is one of the largest and most diverse in the country, giving you access to faculty with deep expertise in Southwest populations and the distinct challenges facing communities in this region.
The advanced generalist track at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions sets you apart by building proficiency in both micro-level clinical skills and macro-level community development. You won't have to choose between direct practice and policy work, preparing you to lead across nonprofit settings and rural community contexts.
Additional details
You can connect with peers and expand your professional network through organizations such as the American Indian Social Work Student Association, Compassion for Her, Macro Social Work Student Network, Phi Alpha Honor Society, Social Work Advancement Team on the West Valley campus, Social Work Student Organization on the Downtown Phoenix campus, and Tucson Student Council.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
39 credit hours including the required applied project course (SWG 693)
Required Core (3 credit hours) Advanced Generalist Coursework (24 credit hours) Other Requirements (6 credit hours) Restricted Electives (3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
SWG 514 Bridge Seminar I (3)
SWG 606 Assessment of Mental Disorders (3)
SWG 610 Advanced Social Work Practice III (3)
SWG 614 Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice IV (3)
SWG 623 Program Evaluation (3)
SWG 632 Policy Practice (3)
SWG 640 Professional Seminar II: Applying Theory to Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice (3)
SWG 645 Advanced Generalist Practicum I (3)
SWG 646 Advanced Generalist Practicum II (3)
SWG 515 Bridge Seminar II (3)
SWG 516 Social Work Skills Seminar (3)
SWG 693 Applied Project (3)
Students in this program hold an undergraduate Council on Social Work Education-accredited Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent degree with a GPA of 3.20 in their junior and senior years within the last six years.
Students must start the program in the summer for a total of nine credit hours. The remainder of the program is completed within two semesters (one academic year).
Students complete a practicum and an applied project.
Students complete their practicum during the fall and spring semesters.
The academic unit advises and monitors students to ensure they choose the appropriate coursework.
Advanced generalist and other requirement coursework may be substituted with approval of the academic unit.
Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved restricted electives.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply professional social work theories to working with diverse, oppressed and marginalized populations in both micro and macro practice
- Apply professional values and ethics during the advanced generalist practicum placement
- Apply advocacy concepts and methods that support and advance social, economic, and environmental justice
Apply professional social work theories to working with diverse, oppressed and marginalized populations in both micro and macro practiceAdmission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Applicants must hold a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program with a minimum GPA of 3.20 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last two years of work leading to the BSW (junior and senior GPA). Applicants must have received their BSW degree no more than six years prior to the date of admission to the MSW program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information A combination of academic and professional references is desirable. References from friends, family members or personal therapists are not accepted. At least one of the three required references must be from the applicant's BSW practicum instructor or, if employed in a social work-related job for two or more years, from the applicant's supervisor. Guidelines for writing the statement can be found on the program website. Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines, and they should contact the School of Social Work with any questions about the application process.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 02/01 | Final* |
| Session A/C | Online | 02/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this social work degree prepares you for
Graduates are prepared to be practitioners who deliver culturally competent, ethical interventions that range from complex case management and practice with individuals (micro); families and groups (mezzo); to affecting social change by developing skills in organization, administration, policy development and community practice (macro).
Career examples include:
- community outreach coordinator
- hospital or school social worker
- mental health advocate
- program specialist
- social services manager or director
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Social Work
|
UCENT 800
mswadvising@asu.edu
602-496-0800
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
