Master of Social Work
About This Program |
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Flexible OptionsOffered weekdays and evenings at:
Offered weekends at:
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THRIVE Scholars Program Grant |
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Looking for other degrees in Social Work? |
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Resources |
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Admissions ContactAlie Baranauskas |
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Faculty ContactAnthony Hill |
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Upcoming Events |
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The Springfield College master of social work (MSW) program provides students with the education and experience needed to make a difference in the field of social work. Hands-on experience and faculty members who are recognized for their work locally, nationally, and internationally for their work, provide students with a well-rounded social work education.
The Master of Social Work program prepares social workers for professional practice through a single concentration in advanced generalist practice. Students graduate well-equipped to work at the individual, family, group, organization, and community levels with evidence-based and knowledge-guided practice.
Mission:
Through the teaching of social work knowledge and practice, the Masters in Social Work program at Springfield College prepares individuals to meet universal human needs in order to engender mutually beneficial interaction between individuals and societal systems at all levels, based on principles of economic and social justice, dignity, and human rights.
Program options:
- Master of social work weekday program (full-time, two years)- In this option, classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 3:50 p.m.. In addition to classroom work, a field practicum is required in each of four semesters and participation in fall field seminars is required. The field practica take place during weekday business hours.
- Master of social work evening program (full-time, two years)- In this option, classes meet on a weekly basis on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. All courses are in a hybrid format.
- Master of social work weekend program (part-time, three years)- In this option, classes meet seven times per semester in the fall and spring and in two summer semesters, on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 to 3:40 p.m. In addition to classroom work, a field practicum is required in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth semesters, along with fall field seminars. The content and quality of the weekday and weekend programs are the same. The field practica take place during weekday business hours.
Fieldwork Requirements:
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Full-time Weekday Program
First Internship, First Year: 450 hours, 15 hours per week for 15 weeks for two semesters.
Second Internship, Second Year – 600 hours, 20 hours per week for 15 weeks for two semesters. -
Part-time Weekend Program
First Internship, Second Year – 450 hours, 15 hours per week for 15 weeks for two semesters.
Second Internship, Third Year – 600 hours, 20 hours per week for 15 weeks for two semesters.
View the weekday and evening course schedule View the weekend course schedule
Admissions Requirements
This program enrolls students in all terms.
Complete the application form. No application fee.
Start your application process by completing the online application form. Be sure to complete your application by submitting all the required materials outlined in this section.
Graduate Admissions Essay
Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials. Once you login to your application portal you'll be able to upload your essay.
Your professional statement should describe (1) professional goals and reasons for pursuing an MSW degree in this program; and (2) the education, professional/work experience, and personal characteristics that make the applicant a good candidate for an advanced generalist MSW program.
Resume
Please include any college activities, out-of-school leadership experiences, work history, and community involvement to support your interest in or qualifications for graduate study. Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials. Once you login to your application portal you'll be able to upload your resume.
Letters of Recommendation
This program requires two letters of recommendation. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload your letter to your application.
Official Transcripts from All Institutions Previously/Currently Attended
- An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required.
- Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. In some cases, including if you plan to request coursework be transferred, a course-by-course translation is required. For this we recommend the World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
- In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu, or mailed to the college address:
Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109
International Applicants
All international applicants from non-English speaking countries are required, in addition to the items listed above, to submit:
- Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed College level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
- Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. In some cases, including if you plan to request coursework be transferred, a course-by-course translation is required. For this we recommend the World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
Our Associate Director of International Admissions Nicholas Venn can answer any questions you may have about enrolling in Springfield College as an international student. You may email him at intladmissions@springfield.edu or via phone at (413) 748-3891.
To submit materials:
After submitting your online application form you will receive user login credentials to access your student application portal. From that portal, you will be able to upload your graduate admissions essay and your resume. Recommenders will receive an email when you submit your application and will be able to upload their letter to your application. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu, or mailed to the college address:
Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109
Curriculum
I. Standard curriculum (60 credit program)
The sixty credits are distributed across four sequences, two field practicums and seminars, and three electives, as follows:
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment sequence (three courses, nine credits).
- Social Work Practice sequence (four courses, twelve credits).
- Social Work Research sequence (two courses, six credits).
- Social Welfare Policy sequence (three courses, nine credits).
- Foundation Field Practicum and Seminar (7.5 credits, 450 practicum hours per academic year).
- Specialization Field Practicum and Seminar (7.5 credits, 600 practicum hours per academic year).
- Advanced standing students take an additional field seminar in the spring semester for .5 credits.
- Electives (nine credit hours).
Guided by the School’s mission, the master of social work curriculum is designed within a generalist foundation year and an advanced generalist specialization year. The first year provides students with theoretical perspectives across the four sequences, as well as grounding in fundamental skills in individual, family, group, and community intervention.
The advanced generalist specialization year is designed to provide “skill sets” that build on the foundation year. The curriculum provides students with opportunities to develop advanced clinical assessment, intervention, supervisory, and administrative skills in practice; mastery of diagnostic skills; a set of complex social action skills in policy; and a set of research skills.
The focus on “skill sets” occurs within the context of three programmatic themes: social change, human rights, and social justice. In comparison to generalists, advanced generalists are able to assess more complex situations with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities and to intervene with more advanced, sophisticated and targeted practice skills.
Electives enrich the specialization year curriculum by providing students the opportunity to explore areas of advanced generalist practice in greater depth, depending upon individual interests, strengths, and/or needs. Typical elective courses include:
- Therapeutic Applications of Adventure
- Seminar in Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations
- International Social Work and Human Rights
- Contemporary Challenges in Child Welfare
- Family Treatment
- Loss and Grief
- Substance Abuse in Social Work Practice
- Social Work Practice with Children
- Legal Aspects of Social Work Practice
- Working with Older Adults for Clinicians, Administrators, and Activists
- Mediation and Conflict Resolution for Clinicians, Managers, and Activists
- Proposal Writing and Grant Acquisition
- School Social Work and the Education of Exceptional Children
- Special Topics in Social Work
- Severe and Persistent Mental Illness
- Consultation to Community Based Organizations
- Continuous Quality Improvement
A. Core requirements (51 credits)
- MSSW 601 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment 1 Credits: 3
- MSSW 602 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment 2 Credits: 3
- MSSW 603 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment 3 Credits: 3
- MSSW 611 - Social Welfare Policy 1 Credits: 3
- MSSW 612 - Social Welfare Policy 2 Credits: 3
- MSSW 613 - Social Welfare Policy 3 Credits: 3
- MSSW 621 - A Survey of Social Work Research Methods Credits: 3
- MSSW 623 - Social Work Research 2 Credits: 3
- MSSW 631 - Social Work Practice 1 Credits: 3
- MSSW 632 - Social Work Practice 2 Credits: 3
- MSSW 633 - Social Work Practice 3 Credits: 3
- MSSW 634 - Social Work Practice 4 Credits: 3
- MSSW 674 - Field Seminar 1 Credits: 0.5
- MSSW 676 - Field Seminar 2 Credits: 0.5
- MSSW 684 - Field Practicum 1 - First Half Credits: 3.5
- MSSW 685 - Field Practicum I - Second Half Credits: 3.5
- MSSW 686 - Field Practicum 2 - First Half Credits: 3.5
- MSSW 687 - Field Practicum 2 - Second Half Credits: 3.5
B. Elective credits (9 credits)
Students select three MSSW elective courses for a total of nine credits, in consultation with their advisor.
Deadline
Priority deadlines are as follows:
- August 1 for fall (September) entry
- December 1 for spring (January) entry
All required supporting materials are due as follows:
- August 15 for fall (September) entry
- January 1 for spring (January) entry
Cost
| Graduate Program Courses | $1,138 per credit |
| Approximate total cost (60 credits) | $68,280 |
| Graduate Student Fee* | $396 |
| Enrollment Deposit | $300 |
All approximate costs above are based on 2022-23 academic year costs.
*The graduate student fee (full time) includes the following costs for the 2022-23 academic year.
- Student Government Fee: $21
- Community Engagement Fee: $36
- Recreation Fee: $324
- Class Dues: $15
The graduate student fee (part-time) is $87.50 per semester.
