Social Work - Standard Program, MSW
With any undergraduate background, this is the social work program to get you prepared for your career. Meet educational requirements for LMSW/LCSW licensure in all 50 states, and gain 960 hours of supervised training through two year-long internships.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
54 credit hours OR
57 credit hours OR
60 credit hours
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 on Social Work Education.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Social Work - Standard Program, MSW degree description
ASU ranks No. 20 for best graduate social work program by U.S. News & World Report, 2024.
The first half of the standard program focuses on curriculum and gaining skills that build a foundational knowledge in social work. The second half of the program allows you to build specialized practice knowledge in advanced direct practice; policy, administration and community; and advanced generalist social work practice.
The standard Master of Social Work program can be completed over the course of two or three years.
ASU Sync
If you are on F-1 or J-1 immigration status, you should speak with an advisor about other options to complete this program. Students on F-1 or J-1 immigration status are not permitted to complete courses via ASU Sync.
If you're seeking to use GI Bill® benefits for ASU Sync programs, you should contact the Pat Tillman Veterans Center regarding certain limitations.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Why study social work at ASU?
As one of the largest and top-ranked social work schools in the nation, ASU gives you diversity in field placements and a curriculum attuned to the social and cultural dynamics of the American Southwest. You can also pursue concurrent degree options, including American Indian studies (Indigenous rights and social justice), MS; Juris Doctor; and public administration, MPA.
Additional details
Get involved beyond the classroom through active student communities like the American Indian Social Work Student Association, Compassion for Her, the Macro Social Work Student Network, Phi Alpha Honor Society, the Social Work Advancement Team at the West Valley campus, the Social Work Student Organization at the Downtown Phoenix campus, and the 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.
51 credit hours and a portfolio, or
51 credit hours and a thesis, or
51 credit hours including the required applied project course (SWG 593 or SWG 693), or
51 credit hours including the required capstone course (SWG 621) , or
54 credit hours and a portfolio, or
54 credit hours and a thesis, or
54 credit hours including the required applied project course (SWG 593 or SWG 693), or
54 credit hours including the required capstone course (SWG 621), or
57 credit hours and a portfolio, or
57 credit hours and a thesis, or
57 credit hours including the required applied project course (SWG 593 or SWG 693), or
57 credit hours including the required capstone course (SWG 621), or
60 credit hours and a portfolio (MSW/MPA concurrent degree), or
60 credit hours and a thesis (MSW/MPA concurrent degree), or
60 credit hours including the required applied project course (SWG 593 or SWG 693) - Advanced Generalist Track, or
60 credit hours including the required capstone course (SWG 621) (MSW/MPA concurrent degree)
STANDARD PROGRAM (campus immersion): Required Core (3 credit hours) Foundation Coursework (18 to 27 credit hours) Restricted Electives (21 to 27 credit hours) Other Requirements (3 credit hours) Culminating Experience Options (0 to 6 credit hours) ADVANCED GENERALIST TRACK (digital immersion): Required Core (3 credit hours) Advanced Generalist Track Coursework (54 credit hours) Culminating Experience Options (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The 60 credit hour advanced generalist track is the digital immersion option. These students have a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Students in the 60 hour path must take foundation year coursework in restricted electives per CSWE accreditation standards. All credit hour path criteria must be approved by the academic unit prior to selection in the iPOS. A student interested in moving to a concentration should notify the academic advisor prior to submitting their iPOS. The academic unit advises and monitors students to ensure they choose the appropriate coursework. The number of credit hours required for restricted electives depends on the credit hour path chosen and the culminating experience. Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives. The foundation year includes basic courses in direct practice, organizational and community change, social policy, human behavior and research. Foundation coursework is selected in consultation with the academic advisor. Students are required to complete two practicums: a foundation practicum placement (480 hours) and a specialization practicum placement (480 hours) in a different setting. Other requirement coursework may be substituted with approval of the academic unit. The program may be completed within four semesters (two years) or six semesters (three years).
SWG 510 Foundation Practice I (3)
SWG 501 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3)
SWG 502 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3)
SWG 511 Foundation Practice II (3)
SWG 519 Research Methods in Social Work (3)
SWG 531 Social Policy and Services (3)
SWG 533 Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice in Social Work (3)
SWG 541 Generalist Practicum I (3)
SWG 542 Generalist Practicum II (3)
SWG 585 Macro Social Work Practice (3)
SWG 610 Advanced Social Work Practice III (3) or
SWG 619 Practice-oriented Research (3) or
SWG 623 Program Evaluation (3)
portfolio (0) or
SWG 593 Applied Project (3) or
SWG 599 Thesis (6) or
SWG 621 Integrative Seminar (3) or
SWG 693 Applied Project (3)
SWG 510 Foundation Practice I (3)
SWG 593 Applied Project (3) or
SWG 693 Applied Project (3)
Students on the 51, 54 and 57 credit hour paths have an undergraduate Council on Social Work Education-accredited Bachelor of Social Work in social work degree or Bachelor of Arts degree in community advocacy and social policy. Path selection depends on the student's educational background. Students are to consult an academic advisor in the unit.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Identify and 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 practice.
- Apply professional values and ethics during the advanced generalist internship.
Identify and apply advocacy concepts and methods that support and advance social, economic and environmental justice.Admission 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 are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. The School of Social Work requires one of the following: Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree 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 field instructor or, if employed in a social work-related job for two or more years, from the applicant's supervisor. The applicant's professional resume should include both work and volunteer experience in social service organizations. In order to be considered for possible admission, applicants who do not have work experience in social service organizations are required to have a minimum of 240 hours of volunteer experience in the social services over a six-month period in the five years immediately preceding application. Guidelines for writing the statement of educational and career goals can be found at the program website. If the applicant does not meet the minimum GPA requirements, the application may still be considered for admission to the program. Test scores from either the GRE or the Miller Analogies Test are required only if the applicant's junior and senior GPA was below a 3.20 (scale is 4.00 = "A"). ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition. Students should see the program website for application deadlines. Three-year program Transfer credit Exemptions Concurrent degrees are currently unavailable for the online MSW degree program. Students 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.
Students interested in this option must specifically apply to the part-time program and complete it in accordance with the plan developed to finish the degree in three years.
Any transfer work is reviewed and approved in accordance with Graduate College policy. Transfer work must have been completed within three years of the semester and year of admission to the MSW degree program at ASU with a grade of "A" (scale is 4.00 = "A") or better.
Courses must have been completed within three years of the admit term of the MSW degree. Grades received must be an "A-" or better. A letter of good standing is required from the institution where students have taken the coursework. Course equivalencies from outside of ASU are reviewed by the MSW program coordinator. Courses identified as required core and culminating experiences in the breakdown of requirements cannot be substituted.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 06/01 | Final* |
| Session A/C | Online | 06/01 | Final* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 10/15 | 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.
Explore expanded study opportunities
ASU offers formally approved and coordinated degree programs at the graduate degree level. These programs include a designated number of approved credit hours that are shared by two degrees. For most concurrent degree programs, you apply once through the ASU graduate application. However, if you want to pursue a concurrent program that includes a law degree, you must submit both the ASU graduate application and the law school application.
This degree is also offered as a concurrent program with the following:
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
There are many paths within social work that graduates can pursue. Career examples include:
- adult and juvenile correction social worker
- behavioral health hospital social worker
- community organizer
- gerontology services patient coordinator
- group and individual clinician
- homeless services outreach coordinator or shelter director
- policy analyst
- program director and grant writer
- school social worker
- social services or nonprofit administrator
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.
