Online Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Curriculum

Winthrop University’s Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) curriculum is CSWE-accredited, grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics, and designed to educate students to become competent, specialized social workers. It features a specialized focus on empowerment practice and teaches critical thinking skills as well as theories and methodologies for culturally relevant assessment, intervention and evaluation. The program culminates with a capstone project in which students demonstrate their ability to apply the theories and methodologies they have learned for empowerment practice.

The online M.S.W. program has two program options:

  • 60-credit hour Traditional Program for those without an undergraduate social work degree
  • 39-credit hour Advanced Standing Program available as a potential option for applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
    • These applicants are eligible to apply to the Advanced Standing Program, however, holding an undergraduate degree in social work does not guarantee acceptance into the Advanced Standing Program. The Advanced Standing Program can be completed in two years, while the Traditional M.S.W. Program can be completed in three years.

Traditional Program Courses (60 credits)

SCWK 601 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3 credits)

This course focuses on human behavior in the social environment across multiple systems and people. Human biopsychosocial development across the life span will be explored and the interdependence between people and their environments will be discussed. The reciprocal interactions (human and economic) between people and their environments including families, groups, communities, and the larger social environment will be addressed. The course will emphasize an empowerment-based perspective that affirms client strengths and coping capacities within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people relative to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability and socioeconomic class. This course builds on the liberal arts perspective.

SCWK 602 Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)

This course provides the generalist foundation for specialized M.S.W. social policy courses. Its purpose is to help students understand what drives social welfare policy, the values and beliefs underlying social welfare policy, and how it impacts our lives. The course is designed to be theoretical and practical. Fundamental concepts and theories of social welfare policy are examined. The competing values and beliefs that influence social welfare policy are discussed and analyzed. An overview of the history of social welfare policy in the United States is explored. Social welfare policies and programs are examined within the context of the social problems they address. The course also explores the strengths and weaknesses of current government interventions. Special focus is given to social welfare policies and programs designed to promote social and economic justice. The themes of poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of oppression are addressed. Students will also explore ways to conduct effective social welfare policy analysis.

SCWK 603 Social Work Research (3 credits)

Social work practitioners need research skills to be accountable, and to evaluate their own practices, programs and service delivery. Moreover, as service roles and tasks expand and as accountability demands progressively increase, the need of the social work profession for systematic development of empirically validated knowledge becomes more acute. This course prepares the social work practitioner to carry out three research roles: 1) critical consumers of research in the social and behavioral sciences; 2) competent evaluators of their own practices, programs and service delivery; and 3) active participants in knowledge generating inquiries that include designing and implementing research for the development of service and the clarification of issues in social work practice.

SCWK 604 Generalist Social Work Practice I (3 credits)

This course introduces the purpose, scope, and focus of social work practice. Topics covered include social work practice perspectives; building relationships and describing situations; assessing resources and planning change; and implementing, evaluating and stabilizing change with clients. Throughout the course, content emphasizes a generalist perspective with special attention to issues of ethical standards for practice, human diversity, oppression, and self-awareness.

SCWK 605 Interpersonal Helping Skills (3 credits)

This course helps students develop professional social work interviewing strategies that are effective with a range of diverse populations. It provides intensive experiential learning opportunities to develop helping skills such as empathetic communication skills with individuals and groups (empathy, genuineness, concern, respect, nonverbal communication, listening and observing, feedback) and expressive interviewing skills (exploration and clarification of roles, purpose and expectations, paraphrasing, focusing, reflecting, informing, summarizing, confronting, assuring and reassuring).

SCWK 610 Generalist Social Work Practice II (3 credits)

This course focuses on the study and application of social work group theory as it applies across the life span to client intervention groups as well as to agency and community task groups. Three focal areas are addressed within the context of social work group theory: the individual group member, the group and the environment in which the group functions. Attention is also given to a theoretical approach for working with individuals with diverse backgrounds in diverse settings.

SCWK 611 Generalist Social Work Practice III (3 credits)

The course requires study and application of major models of social work practice with emphasis on the linkage between theoretical models of social work practice, assessment, intervention, and outcome in work with organizations and communities. Students develop skills in beginning, middle, and ending phases of intervention, practice evaluation, and advocacy.

SCWK 612E Field Instruction I (Generalist) (1 credits)

Field instruction provides the student with unique learning experiences available only in the "real" world of professional practice. Field instruction is an educationally directed program designed to provide opportunities for students to apply generalist theoretical knowledge and skills to practice situations in supervised social work field settings. Field experiences also afford students the opportunity to learn about and work within an agency structure, interpreting and implementing policies, programs, and services. During this course, students will apply generalist practice knowledge and skills for engaging, assessing, intervening, and evaluating in a field practice setting. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate generalist practice competence in the following course objectives.

SCWK 612F Field Instruction I (Generalist) (1 credits)

Field instruction provides the student with unique learning experiences available only in the "real" world of professional practice. Field instruction is an educationally directed program designed to provide opportunities for students to apply generalist theoretical knowledge and skills to practice situations in supervised social work field settings. Field experiences also afford students the opportunity to learn about and work within an agency structure, interpreting and implementing policies, programs, and services. During this course, students will apply generalist practice knowledge and skills for engaging, assessing, intervening, and evaluating in a field practice setting. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate generalist practice competence in the following course objectives.

SCWK 612G Field Instruction I (Generalist) (1 credits)

Field instruction provides the student with unique learning experiences available only in the "real" world of professional practice. Field instruction is an educationally directed program designed to provide opportunities for students to apply generalist theoretical knowledge and skills to practice situations in supervised social work field settings. Field experiences also afford students the opportunity to learn about and work within an agency structure, interpreting and implementing policies, programs, and services. During this course, students will apply generalist practice knowledge and skills for engaging, assessing, intervening, and evaluating in a field practice setting. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate generalist practice competence in the following course objectives.

SCWK 614 Social Welfare Policy II (3 credits)

The course addresses the knowledge and skills related to social welfare policy analysis and advocacy. It begins with a discussion around social issues and analysis of existing social policies. It then moves on to the challenges of advocacy in the arena of social welfare. The course focuses on critical analyses of policies that impact vulnerable populations and diverse communities at the local, national, and international level and implications for social work practice. Students develop an understanding of social work policy practice as well as policy practice skills, especially in terms of advocacy and political action.

SCWK 615 Empowerment Practice Concepts (3 credits)

This course examines the concepts that together form a coherent framework for empowerment-based social work practice across systems (individuals and families, small groups, and communities and organizations) and with diverse, oppressed populations. Impacts of privilege and structural oppression in our own lives are examined to better understand effective use of self as a critical component of social work practice. Processes and outcomes of empowerment strategies are discussed, as are the simultaneous personal, collective, and structural bases of empowerment practice. Attention is given to the empowerment tradition in social work, as well as to the critical analysis of contemporary issues of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation from an empowerment perspective. The course aim is to prepare students for entering the specialized year of study in social work empowerment practice.

SCWK 620 Advanced Practice: Micro Systems (3 credits)

This course focuses on advanced social work theories and methods that are consistent with empowerment-based practice with micro systems. The emphasis will be on evidence-based theories and methods that are relevant across contemporary practice settings and service delivery systems. The application of specialized social work practice skills will be addressed within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people.

SCWK 621 Leadership and Empowerment Practice (3 credits)

This course will focus on leadership and supervision in practice settings. Models of leadership and supervision will be addressed with a focus on those models that are consistent with principles of empowerment-based practice. The nature of power in leadership and supervision will be discussed, including roles, tasks, and techniques for facilitating effective organizational practices and outcomes. Also included will be topics such as navigating organizational culture, position development, objective setting, delegation, service delivery, evaluating staff performance and incorporating cultural competency in leadership and supervisory roles. Course content will also address leadership and supervision relative to social work values and the NASW Code of Ethics.

SCWK 622E Field Instruction II (3 credits)

After successfully attaining the competencies from the generalist courses (including field), students should be able to begin to apply knowledge and skills taught in the specialized empowerment practice courses required by the Council on Social Work Education. Students will be placed in an agency setting that provides students with an opportunity to engage in specialized empowerment practice. This is the second of three practicum courses. This course requires students to work a minimum of 240 hours in a social work practice setting under the supervision of an M.S.W. trained social work practitioner. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate beginning specialized practice competence.

SCWK 622F Field Instruction II (3 credits)

After successfully attaining the competencies from the generalist courses (including field), students should be able to begin to apply knowledge and skills taught in the specialized empowerment practice courses required by the Council on Social Work Education. Students will be placed in an agency setting that provides students with an opportunity to engage in specialized empowerment practice. This is the second of three practicum courses. This course requires students to work a minimum of 240 hours in a social work practice setting under the supervision of an M.S.W. trained social work practitioner. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate beginning specialized practice competence.

SCWK 623 Psychopathology and Empowerment Practice (3 credits)

This course will focus on psychopathology and social work practice. Major mental illnesses across the life cycle will be explored, along with their impact across client populations and systems. Social work assessment and intervention approaches for social work practice with people who have mental illness will be addressed. The course will emphasize an empowerment-based perspective that affirms client strengths and coping capacities within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people relative to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and socioeconomic class.

SCWK 631 Advanced Practice: Macro Systems (3 credits)

This course focuses on advanced social work knowledge and skills that are consistent with empowerment-based practice in communities and organizations. The course will emphasize contemporary theories and methods that are relevant in social work practice with larger systems. The application of specialized social work practice with communities and organizations will be addressed within a context of professional social work values and ethics and universal human rights.

SCWK 632E Field Instruction III (3 credits)

After successfully attaining the competencies from the generalist courses (including field) and the empowerment practice concentration, students should be able to apply knowledge and skills taught in the specialized empowerment practice courses required by the Council on Social Work Education. Students will be placed in an agency setting that provides students with an opportunity to engage in specialized empowerment practice. SCWK 632 continues the development of specialized practice skills accomplished in SCWK 622. This course requires students to work a minimum of 240 hours in a social work practice setting under the supervision of an M.S.W.-trained social work practitioner. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate specialized practice competence of the following course objectives in an independent manner that illustrates their ability to enter the practice field as an M.S.W. practitioner.

SCWK 632F Field Instruction III (3 credits)

After successfully attaining the competencies from the generalist courses (including field) and the empowerment practice concentration, students should be able to apply knowledge and skills taught in the specialized empowerment practice courses required by the Council on Social Work Education. Students will be placed in an agency setting that provides students with an opportunity to engage in specialized empowerment practice. SCWK 632 continues the development of specialized practice skills accomplished in SCWK 622. This course requires students to work a minimum of 240 hours in a social work practice setting under the supervision of an M.S.W.-trained social work practitioner. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate specialized practice competence of the following course objectives in an independent manner that illustrates their ability to enter the practice field as an M.S.W. practitioner.

SCWK 633 Advanced Social Work Research (3 credits)

This course provides advanced specialized understanding of social work research by integrating knowledge gained in practice courses with experience in field placements. Using quantitative and qualitative approaches, the course advances critical thinking skills to determine selection, development and employment of knowledge regarding best practice approaches.

SCWK 640 Advanced Practice: Capstone (3 credits)

This specialized social work practice course serves as the capstone seminar experience in the M.S.W. curriculum. Its purpose is for students to refine and explicate their knowledge of specialized social work practice theories and methodologies relative to the Social Work Program concentration in empowerment practice. A primary focus of the seminar will be on students developing a comprehensive written paper examining policy to practice considerations and an accompanying professional presentation of selected theories and practice methods that comprise their philosophical orientation to specialized social work practice that is grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics.

Advanced Standing Program Courses (39 credits)

SCWK 606 Social Work Foundation Review (3 credits)

This course provides incoming advanced standing students a review of the social work foundation content related to human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policy, social work research, generalist social work practice, and interpersonal helping skills. Students will refresh their knowledge of content and practice skills in these focus areas and apply such knowledge in case studies.

SCWK 614 Social Welfare Policy II (3 credits)

The course addresses the knowledge and skills related to social welfare policy analysis and advocacy. It begins with a discussion around social issues and analysis of existing social policies. It then moves on to the challenges of advocacy in the arena of social welfare. The course focuses on critical analyses of policies that impact vulnerable populations and diverse communities at the local, national, and international level and implications for social work practice. Students develop an understanding of social work policy practice as well as policy practice skills, especially in terms of advocacy and political action.

SCWK 615 Empowerment Practice Concepts (3 credits)

This course examines the concepts that together form a coherent framework for empowerment-based social work practice across systems (individuals and families, small groups, and communities and organizations) and with diverse, oppressed populations. Impacts of privilege and structural oppression in our own lives are examined to better understand effective use of self as a critical component of social work practice. Processes and outcomes of empowerment strategies are discussed, as are the simultaneous personal, collective, and structural bases of empowerment practice. Attention is given to the empowerment tradition in social work, as well as to the critical analysis of contemporary issues of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation from an empowerment perspective. The course aim is to prepare students for entering the specialized year of study in social work empowerment practice.

SCWK 620 Advanced Practice: Micro Systems (3 credits)

This course focuses on advanced social work theories and methods that are consistent with empowerment-based practice with micro systems. The emphasis will be on evidence-based theories and methods that are relevant across contemporary practice settings and service delivery systems. The application of specialized social work practice skills will be addressed within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people.

SCWK 621 Leadership and Empowerment Practice (3 credits)

This course will focus on leadership and supervision in practice settings. Models of leadership and supervision will be addressed with a focus on those models that are consistent with principles of empowerment-based practice. The nature of power in leadership and supervision will be discussed, including roles, tasks, and techniques for facilitating effective organizational practices and outcomes. Also included will be topics such as navigating organizational culture, position development, objective setting, delegation, service delivery, evaluating staff performance and incorporating cultural competency in leadership and supervisory roles. Course content will also address leadership and supervision relative to social work values and the NASW Code of Ethics.

SCWK 622F Field Instruction II (3 credits)

After successfully attaining the competencies from the generalist courses (including field), students should be able to begin to apply knowledge and skills taught in the specialized empowerment practice courses required by the Council on Social Work Education. Students will be placed in an agency setting that provides students with an opportunity to engage in specialized empowerment practice. This is the second of three practicum courses. This course requires students to work a minimum of 240 hours in a social work practice setting under the supervision of an M.S.W. trained social work practitioner. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate beginning specialized practice competence.

SCWK 622E Field Instruction II (3 credits)

After successfully attaining the competencies from the generalist courses (including field), students should be able to begin to apply knowledge and skills taught in the specialized empowerment practice courses required by the Council on Social Work Education. Students will be placed in an agency setting that provides students with an opportunity to engage in specialized empowerment practice. This is the second of three practicum courses. This course requires students to work a minimum of 240 hours in a social work practice setting under the supervision of an M.S.W. trained social work practitioner. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate beginning specialized practice competence.

SCWK 623 Psychopathology and Empowerment Practice (3 credits)

This course will focus on psychopathology and social work practice. Major mental illnesses across the life cycle will be explored, along with their impact across client populations and systems. Social work assessment and intervention approaches for social work practice with people who have mental illness will be addressed. The course will emphasize an empowerment-based perspective that affirms client strengths and coping capacities within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people relative to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and socioeconomic class.

SCWK 631 Advanced Practice: Macro Systems (3 credits)

This course focuses on advanced social work knowledge and skills that are consistent with empowerment-based practice in communities and organizations. The course will emphasize contemporary theories and methods that are relevant in social work practice with larger systems. The application of specialized social work practice with communities and organizations will be addressed within a context of professional social work values and ethics and universal human rights.

SCWK 632F Field Instruction III (3 credits)

After successfully attaining the competencies from the generalist courses (including field) and the empowerment practice concentration, students should be able to apply knowledge and skills taught in the specialized empowerment practice courses required by the Council on Social Work Education. Students will be placed in an agency setting that provides students with an opportunity to engage in specialized empowerment practice. SCWK 632 continues the development of specialized practice skills accomplished in SCWK 622. This course requires students to work a minimum of 240 hours in a social work practice setting under the supervision of an M.S.W.-trained social work practitioner. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate specialized practice competence of the following course objectives in an independent manner that illustrates their ability to enter the practice field as an M.S.W. practitioner.

SCWK 632E Field Instruction III (3 credits)

After successfully attaining the competencies from the generalist courses (including field) and the empowerment practice concentration, students should be able to apply knowledge and skills taught in the specialized empowerment practice courses required by the Council on Social Work Education. Students will be placed in an agency setting that provides students with an opportunity to engage in specialized empowerment practice. SCWK 632 continues the development of specialized practice skills accomplished in SCWK 622. This course requires students to work a minimum of 240 hours in a social work practice setting under the supervision of an M.S.W.-trained social work practitioner. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate specialized practice competence of the following course objectives in an independent manner that illustrates their ability to enter the practice field as an M.S.W. practitioner.

SCWK 633 Advanced Social Work Research (3 credits)

This course provides advanced specialized understanding of social work research by integrating knowledge gained in practice courses with experience in field placements. Using quantitative and qualitative approaches, the course advances critical thinking skills to determine selection, development and employment of knowledge regarding best practice approaches.

SCWK 640 Advanced Practice: Capstone (3 credits)

This specialized social work practice course serves as the capstone seminar experience in the M.S.W. curriculum. Its purpose is for students to refine and explicate their knowledge of specialized social work practice theories and methodologies relative to the Social Work Program concentration in empowerment practice. A primary focus of the seminar will be on students developing a comprehensive written paper examining policy to practice considerations and an accompanying professional presentation of selected theories and practice methods that comprise their philosophical orientation to specialized social work practice that is grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics.

Find Out More Now!

Winthrop University’s online M.S.W. curriculum can teach you skills to empower people and communities as a specialized social worker. To get more details, please contact a program manager toll-free at 833-257-1704 or request more information today!