Graduate Program Requirements

Students in the full‐time, spring-start, and extended‐study programs are required to complete a minimum of   sixty (60) semester hours: Twenty-seven (27) hours are taken in the generalist curriculum, twenty‐four (24) hours are required in the specialization curriculum, and nine (9) hours are required as electives.

Students in the advanced standing curriculum are required to complete a minimum of thirty‐seven semester hours: Seven (7) hours are required in the generalist curriculum, twenty‐four (24) hours are required in the specialization curriculum, and six (6) hours are required as electives.

To accommodate a wide range of student needs, the MSW program of study offers options for full‐ time (4 semesters of study; 60 credit hours), spring start (5-6) semesters of study; 60 credit hours), and extended study (6 to 8 semesters of study; 60 credit hours). Regardless of progression through the program, the educational components of each sequencing option are the same. The specialist curriculum is generally full‐time (2 semesters), although students may choose to extend (3 to 5 semesters).  All MSW students follow the same learning expectations for field education and meet the same requirements for graduation. Courses are offered in the traditional classroom settings, online, and in a hybrid format (combination of traditional classroom and online).

MSW Program Requirements

1. 30 semester hours of foundation‐level graduate coursework (24 semester hours) and field (6 semester hours), 30 semester hours of specialization‐level coursework (18 semester hours) and field (12 semester hours).
2. All courses in the 30 semester hours of foundation‐level graduate coursework (24 semester hours) and field (6 semester hours) are required and must be taken with a passing grade before specialization‐level coursework, elective semester hours, or independent study semester hours may be undertaken.
3. 12 hours of specialization‐level coursework, 6 hours of specialization‐level field, and 6 hours of specialization‐level field seminar are required courses.
4. 9 semester hours of electives or independent study, included above, must be taken with the non‐thesis option.
5. A passing score on the capstone Comprehensive Examination. The comprehensive examination for the Master of Social Work program consists of three components: 1) an evaluation of the student’s ability to meet MSW program competencies in field placement; 2) a student self‐assessment of her/his ability to meet all MSW program competencies; and 3) completion of a social work licensure practice examination with a score of 75 or higher.

The foundation curriculum

The foundation curriculum provides evidence-based knowledge, behaviors and skills for social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. The concentration curriculum allows students to extend the basic knowledge gained in the foundation to a more focused advanced evidence-based practice with families and children or advanced evidence-based practice with adults and families. . Both the foundation and concentration portions of the program emphasize evidence-based practice and critical thinking skills.

Students must follow a structured program of study that includes all of the following foundation courses (30 credit hours) (unless advanced standing):

• SWRK 7001 - Skills Prof Pract SWRK ** Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7002 - Individuals and Families Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7003 - Groups Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7005 - Assessmnt,Diag,Psychopath ** Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7021 - SW Across the Lifespan ** Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7022 - Organizations and Communities Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7030 - Social Welfare Policy/Services ** Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7051 - Field Placement I Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7052 - Field Placement II Credit Hours: (3)

• Elective (3)

Upon successful completion of at least 8 of the 10 foundation courses

Upon successful completion of at least 8 of the 10 foundation courses students move to the concentration curriculum, which includes 30 credit hours in either the Advanced Practice with Children, Youth, and Families concentration or the Advanced Practice with Adults and Families concentration.

Advanced Social Work Practice Across Systems

• SWRK 7025 - Scientific Methods ** Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7026 - Evaluative Research ** Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7028 - Advanced Individual Practice Across Systems Credit Hours: 3
• SWRK 7034 - Advanced Community Practice Across Systems Credit Hours: 3
• SWRK 7053 - Field Placement III ** Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7054 - Field Placement IV ** Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7055 - Integrative Field Seminar I ** Credit Hours: (3)
• SWRK 7056 - Integrative Field Seminar II ** Credit Hours: (3)

Retention Requirements

1. Students in the MSW program must comply with all retention standards  of the Graduate School at the University of Memphis.
2. All students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. Should the student’s cumulative GPA fall below that mark, a period of one semester will be allowed to correct the deficiency. At the discretion of the chair, the coordinator of graduate studies in the student’s college, and the Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, this period may be extended one additional semester. Students failing to improve their GPA to an acceptable level in that time will be dismissed from the program.
3. No more than 6 hours of “C-,” “C” or “C+” will be applied toward meeting degree requirements. No grade of a D+ or lower will count toward the degree.
4. All degree requirements for the Master of Social Work must be completed within 6 years of initial enrollment.

Graduation Requirements

All students seeking the Master of Social Work degree must:

1. Successfully complete all courses required in the program of study
2. Abide by the honor’s statement which includes a commitment to engage in professional conduct appropriate for a Social Worker at all times in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
3. Adhere to all graduate and University requirements as stated in The University of Memphis Graduate Catalog (available from the Graduate School).
4. Satisfactorily pass a written comprehensive examination in the final semester of study.