Social Work
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Contact Us
Associate Provost for Academic Programs
Anthony Hall, Suite 220
1265 Lincoln Drive - MC 4305
SIU Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
(618) 453-2121
webmaster@siu.edu
Main Content
The Master of Social Work program offers preparation for professional social work practice. The organizing principle of the M.S.W. program is the improvement of the quality of individual life through the enhancement of social and economic justice and opportunity. Upon completion of the M.S.W. program, the student will have acquired knowledge, values, and skills consistent with the social work profession and be capable ultimately of engaging in autonomous social work practice. Graduates will be able to effectively deliver the social services needed to meet human needs in both urban and rural areas.
The M.S.W. program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Regular Two-Year or Online MSW Program for entry in the Fall semester, applicants must:
- Meet all admission requirements set forth by the Graduate School.
- Have a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last two years or last 60 hours of undergraduate course work.
- Show evidence of a broad liberal arts base with substantial preparation in the social and behavioral sciences and humanities.
- Demonstrate content in human biology and introductory statistics.
- International students must have a TOEFL score of 550 (paper); 213 (computer); 80 (internet) or above. The IELTS exam is also acceptable (a minimum score of 6.5).
To be considered for admission to the Advanced Standing MSW Program for entry in the Summer semester, applicants must:
- Have a BSW degree from an accredited social work program.
- Meet all requirements listed for the Regular Two-Year and Online Program listed above.
Note: A standardized test score, such as the GRE, is not required for admissions, however, students applying for a graduate assistantship will be required to have an official GRE score on file in Social Work.
Applications may be made online at https://gradschool.siu.edu/apply/
Applications will be accepted up to April 1. Admissions Committee meets monthly from January to the April deadline; Priority will be given to Advanced Standing students who submit their application by February 1 and 2 Year applications by March 1. Early applications have a better chance to receive their first choice in specialization. Applicants who complete their undergraduate degree requirements by December and have all application materials submitted to Social Work by October 1 may be considered for early admission and may take electives prior to entry into the summer or fall cohort.
Applicants may be required to take additional courses as a condition of admission. Documented potential for the profession of social work is considered a part of the admission criteria, which may also include an interview prior to acceptance.
Each application will be individually reviewed; however, meeting all stated criteria will not automatically guarantee admission to social work.
Applicants must apply online, both to the Graduate School and to Social Work. Official transcripts should be sent directly to the Graduate School. Students accepted in the MSW Program must register for the semester they are admitted.
This Program requires a non-refundable $65 application fee that must be submitted with the application for admission to graduate study in Social Work.
Student Advisement
Upon admission to the Master of Social Work degree program, the student will be assigned a faculty adviser. The adviser is available for career counseling as well as assisting in other matters which might arise in connect with the student's work.
Financial Aid
The program offers limited financial assistance through graduate assistantships. Other scholarships, grants-in-aid, etc., may be applied for throughout the Graduate School, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale IL 62901-4716.
Degree Requirements
Students admitted to the regular two-year program are required to complete the first year foundation curriculum and the second year advanced curriculum. They are required to complete a minimum of 60 Credit Hours of graduate course work taken in the approved sequence. The foundation curriculum consists of 30 Credit Hours and includes the following courses:
Fall (15 Credit Hours)
Spring (15 Credit Hours)
Reduced Load
Students who are unable to attend full time can choose to attend part time under our Reduced Load Scheduling Agreement. The Reduced Load schedule includes:
Semester I – Fall (8 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 500: Human Behavior and the Social Environment in Social Work
- SOCW 501: Generalist Practice
Semester II – Spring (8 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 504: Ethnic Diversity in Social Work
- SOCW 521: Social Work Policy Practice
- Elective
Semester III – Fall (7 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 510: Families, Groups & Organizations in Social Work
- SOCW 541A: Foundation Practicum Seminar I
- SOCW 541B: Foundation Practicum I
Semester IV – Spring (7 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 511: Social Work Research
- SOCW 542A: Foundation Practicum Seminar II
- SOCW 542B: Foundation Practicum I
Students admitted to the advanced-standing program are required to complete nine Credit Hours of transition courses, with a grade of B or better in each course, and a minimum of 30 Credit Hours in the second-year graduate course curriculum in the approved sequence. The transition courses include the following:
The second-year curriculum is organized around the following areas of emphasis: health/mental health; and children, youth and families. The program also offers course work in preparation for a Professional Educator License in School Social Work by the Illinois State Board of Education. Applicants must indicate their preference of area of emphasis. Although we attempt to accommodate each applicant's first preference, we do not guarantee students will receive their first choice. The second-year curriculum includes the following courses in each area of emphasis:
Health/Mental Health
Fall (15 Credit Hours)
Spring (15 Credit Hours)
Reduced Load Health/Mental Health Scheduling
Semester I – Fall (6 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 531: Psychosocial Disorders in Social Work Practice
- SOCW 555: Advanced Policy analysis & Practice: H/MH
Semester II – Spring (6 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 532: Program Evaluation for Social Work
- Elective
Semester III – Fall (9 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 543A: Advanced Practicum Seminar I
- SOCW 543B: Advanced Practicum I
- SOCW 551: Advanced Social Work Practice i: Health & Mental Health
Semester IV – Spring (9 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 544A: Advanced Practicum Seminar II
- SOCW 544B: Advanced Practicum II
- SOCW 552: Advanced Social Work Practice II: Health & Mental Health
Children, Youth and Families
Fall (15 Credit Hours)
Spring (15 Credit Hours)
Reduced Load Children, Youth & Families Scheduling
Semester I – Fall (6 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 531: Psychosocial Disorders in Social Work Practice
- SOCW 565: Advanced Policy analysis and Practice: CYF
Semester II – Spring (6 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 532: Program Evaluation for Social Work
- Elective
Semester III – Fall (9 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 543A: Advanced Practicum Seminar I
- SOCW 543B: Advanced Practicum I
- SOCW 561: Social Work Practice I: CYF
Semester IV – Spring (9 Credit Hours)
- SOCW 544A: Advanced Practicum Seminar II
- SOCW 544B: Advanced Practicum II
- SOCW 562: Social Work Practice II: CYF
Licensure in School Social Work
Endorsement in Professional Educator License (PEL) in School Social Work. Please refer to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) for the most current information on licensure requirements for School Social Work.
Those students who wish to qualify for the PEL Endorsement in School Social Work need to:
- Complete the core courses as listed above under their chosen specialization
- Take the following courses (which will satisfy the elective requirements):
- SOCW 533 – Social Work Practice in the Schools (2 CH)
- SOCW 567 – Advanced School Social Work Issues (2 CH)
- SPED 300 as an undergraduate or SPED 420 as a graduate to satisfy the prerequisite for School Social Work Field Practicum. This must be completed before the Fall semester Field placements (SOCW 543B & SOCW 544B)
- EDUC 319 and EAHE 501 (3 CH) or EAHE 503 (3 CH) suggested electives for School Social Work
- The Field Practicum placement – SOCW 543B (3 CH) and SOCW 544B (3 CH) will be in a school setting for two consecutive semesters (607 clock hours).
- Pass the School Social Work Licensure Content Test prior to completion of coursework.
Post-Graduate Licensure in School Social Work
Students with an MSW from a CSWE accredited program who wish to qualify for endorsement in School Social Work need to:
- have completed an MSW from an accredited institution
- complete the Field prerequisite of SPED 300 or SPED 420
- complete SOCW 533 – Social Work Practice in the Schools (2 CH)
- complete SOCW 567 – Advanced School Social Work Issues (2 CH)
- Complete the Field Practicum placement – SOCW 543B (3 CH) and/or SOCW 544B (3 CH) in a public school setting (a total of 607 field hours required)
- Pass the School Social Work Licensure Content Test prior to completion of coursework.
In each year of study, in addition to classroom work, students are required to complete field practicum. Applied learning through field practice is an integral component of social work education. Field instruction provides the student with the opportunity for applying social work theory and conceptual learning to realistic and practical situation. Students may not substitute current or past, paid or volunteer, social work experience for the field practicum requirements of the MSW program. While the school takes into account the student’s career goals in the selection of the field practicum assignment, we do not guarantee that students will receive their first preference of field assignment.
Additional Requirements
MSW students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
Within limits imposed by the policies of the Graduate School of the University, transfer credit hours will be permitted for up to 30 credit hours for applicants who wish to transfer from another accredited graduate program in social work.
M.S.W./J.D. Concurrent Degrees
A concurrent degree in Social Work and Law is designed to educate practitioners in law and social work to effectively utilize the problem-solving strategies and techniques of both professions. Students prepared in this program will develop an understanding of the ethics, language, research, history, and processes of both professions. Individuals so trained will be uniquely prepared for careers which combine both legal and human service needs such as administration, supervision of the provision of services, legal aspects of services, public policy leadership roles, family practice and community planning and development. Accepted students could complete a concurrent program in as few as three years with full-time summer attendance. Students must meet the requirements of admission and be admitted separately to Social Work and the School of Law. Students currently enrolled in social work or law programs must have a minimum GPA before they may enroll in the concurrent program. The minimum GPA for Social Work is 3.0 and for Law is 2.5. Social Work students interested in this program should consult with the Social Work Graduate Program Director.
Certificate in Gerontology
Social Work participates in the Certificate in Gerontology interdisciplinary program and offers a class, SOCW 575, Policy and Program Issues of Aging, which is a Certificate requirement. For more information on the Certificate program, please see the Graduate Certificates tab on the Graduate Catalog homepage.