Social Work, MASW

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Program Description

The Master of Arts in Social Work (MASW) was fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in February 2021. 

The mission of the program is to prepare students to become advanced generalist social work professionals. Advanced generalist practice emphasizes effective practice and policy skill development to promote diversity and cultural competency, social and economic justice, reduce oppression, and improve the broader human condition. Students graduating with a Master of Arts in Social Work from this program will be prepared to work in direct practice and administrative social work positions in private and public settings helping clients across the lifespan meet their basic human needs. MASW graduates are also eligible to become Licensed Social Workers (LSW) and Licensed Independent Social Workers (LISW) in the state of Ohio.

Full-time (2 years), part-time (3-4 years), or advanced standing (3 semesters) programs are offered to admitted graduate students. Classes are taught on the WSU campus. Classes are face to face, and some are offered as hybrid/blended classes.  

Under the Advanced Generalist Concentration, students choose electives from two Concentration Focus Areas: 1) Families and Children or 2) Older Adults. Students in the advanced standing program will complete 500 hours of field education; all other students will complete 900 hours of field education over the course of the program.

Successful completion of the Master of Arts in Social Work (MASW) meets the educational requirements for the LSW and LISW in Ohio as regulated by the Counselor, Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.

Licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding that state’s licensure or certification requirements.

Admissions Requirements

• Complete an Application for Graduate Admission
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended 
• Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher (based on a 4 point system) for all previous graduate work.
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in social work or behavioral science courses.
• Have completed behavioral science coursework listed on the application.
• Have completed the personal statement following the instructions on the application.
• Have submitted three professional letters of reference.

Instructions for reference letters can be found on the social work webpage.

Advanced Standing applicants must have a BSW from a CSWE accredited university within 5 years of beginning in the MASW program.  Applicants must also have an overall GPA of 3.25 and 3.25 average in all social work courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Wright State University Master of Arts in Social Work (MASW) program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
2. Engage diversity and difference in practice
3. Advance human rights and social, economic, and  environmental justice
4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
5. Engage in policy practice
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

For More Information

• Social Work, MASW
• School of Social Work and Human Services
• College of Health, Education, and Human Services

Program Requirements:

Advanced Standing students complete the minimum 34 hours of prescribed coursework and 600 hours of field education. All other students, complete the minimum 54 hours of prescribed coursework and complete 900 hours of field education.

Regular, MASW Dept Core and Electives

FALL SEMESTER YEAR 1

• SW 6110 - Social Welfare Policy I Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3
• SW 6170 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3 - Micro Systems
• SW 6210 - Social Work Practice I Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3
• SW 6160 - Graduate Social Work Research I Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3
• SW 6150 - Cultural Competency in Social Work Practice Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

SPRING SEMESTER YEAR 1

• SW 6220 - Social Work Practice II Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3
• SW 6610 - Social Work Field Education I Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• SW 6640 - Social Work Field Education Seminar I Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• SW 6890 - Selected Topics in Social Work Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

FALL SEMESTER YEAR 2

• SW 7230 - Social Work Assessment and the DSM Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

•  

• SW 6410 - Concentration Focus Area Families and Children: Practice Credit Hour(s): 3 or
• SW 6450 - Concentration Focus Area Older Adults: Practice Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

•  

• SW 7630 - Social Work Field Education III Credit Hour(s): 2
• SW 7650 - Social Work Field Education Seminar II Credit Hour(s): 1
• SW 7160 - Graduate Social Work Research II Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

SPRING SEMESTER YEAR 2

• SW 7240 - Agency Administration Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

•  

• SW 6420 - Concentration Focus Area Families and Children: Policy Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3 or
• SW 6460 - Concentration Focus Area Older Adults: Policy Credit Hour(s): 3

•  

• SW 7630 - Social Work Field Education III Credit Hour(s): 2
• SW 7660 - Social Work Field Education Seminar III Credit Hour(s): 1
• SW 7170 - Social Work Capstone Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

TOTAL: 54 HOURS

Advanced Standing, MASW Dept Core and Electives

SUMMER SEMESTER

• SW 6160 - Graduate Social Work Research I Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3
• SW 6150 - Cultural Competency in Social Work Practice Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3
• SW 6640 - Social Work Field Education Seminar I Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• SW 6890 - Selected Topics in Social Work Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

FALL SEMESTER YEAR 2

• SW 7230 - Social Work Assessment and the DSM Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

•  

• SW 6410 - Concentration Focus Area Families and Children: Practice Credit Hour(s): 3 or
• SW 6450 - Concentration Focus Area Older Adults: Practice Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

•  

• SW 7630 - Social Work Field Education III Credit Hour(s): 2
• SW 7650 - Social Work Field Education Seminar II Credit Hour(s): 1
• SW 7160 - Graduate Social Work Research II Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

SPRING SEMESTER YEAR 2

• SW 7240 - Agency Administration Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

•  

• SW 6420 - Concentration Focus Area Families and Children: Policy Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3 or
• SW 6460 - Concentration Focus Area Older Adults: Policy Credit Hour(s): 3

•  

• SW 7630 - Social Work Field Education III Credit Hour(s): 2
• SW 7660 - Social Work Field Education Seminar III Credit Hour(s): 1
• SW 7170 - Social Work Capstone Credit Hour(s): 0 or 3

TOTAL: 34 HOURS