Program Overview
The MSW program offers an advanced generalist competency-based curriculum. Our graduates are expected to demonstrate professional competencies across various levels of practice. These competencies are informed by social work knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes and are applied in the service of enhancing the well-being of individuals and communities.
All MSW program options and master plans of study have been carefully designed to ensure graduates gain advanced specialized practice competencies across all five client system levels: individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Program Options
The MSW program is designed to help you earn your degree on a timeline that best fits your needs.
The Columbia MSW Program option offers a face-to-face 11-month Advanced Standing program, a two year- Extended-time Advanced Standing program, a two-year Full-time program, or a three-year Extended-time program of study (coming fall 2026).
The Greenville MSW Program option offers a face-to-face three-year Extended-time program of study.
The Charleston MSW program option offers a face-to-face three-year Extended-time program of study.
Degree Requirements
Our program’s academic regulations are consistent with the Graduate School and in accordance with accreditation standards established by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Full-time and Extended-time students must complete 60 credit hours
- Advanced Standing students must complete 36 credit hours
- All graduate-level studies must be completed in six years
In accordance with Graduate School policies, all MSW students must successfully pass a Comprehensive Assessment. The comprehensive assessment requires students to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired in coursework and other learning experiences and apply theories and principles to aspects of professional practice and research in social work.
Summer II Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 701 | Professional Development Bridge (*delivered in-person) | 3 |
| SOWK XXX | XXX Elective | 3 |
Fall Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 735 | Advanced Social Work Interventions with Individuals | 3 |
| SOWK 775 | Advanced Social Work Interventions with Groups | 3 |
| SOWK 755 | Advanced Social Work Interventions with Organizations | 3 |
| SOWK 792 or 793 | Evaluation of Social Work Practice OR Evaluation of Social Work Programs | 3 |
| SOWK 783 | Field Instruction III: Advanced Social Work Practice | 3 |
Spring Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 718 | Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 766 | Advanced Social Work Interventions with Families | 3 |
| SOWK 776 | Advanced Social Work Interventions with Communities | 3 |
| SOWK 784 | Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK XXX | XXX Elective | 3 |
*This MPOS is required for both the In-person and Online Full-time Programs.
Foundation Year – Fall
| Generalist Year – Fall Semester Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 712 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SOWK 714 | Diversity and Social Justice Issues for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 716 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SOWK 781 | Field Instruction I: Generalist Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 791 | Social Work Research Methodologies | 3 |
Foundation Year – Spring
| Generalist Year – Spring Semester Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 722 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups | 3 |
| SOWK 732 | Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SOWK 742 | Social Welfare Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SOWK ___ | Elective | 3 |
| SOWK 782 | Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice | 3 |
Advanced Year – Fall
| Advanced Generalist Year – Fall Semester Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 735 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SOWK 775 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups | 3 |
| SOWK 755 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations | 3 |
| SOWK 792 or SOWK 793 |
Evaluation of Social Work Practice OR Evaluation of Social Work Programs |
3 |
| SOWK 783 | Field Instruction III: Advanced Social Work Practice | 3 |
Advanced Year – Spring
| Advanced Generalist Year – Spring Semester Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 718 | Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 766 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| SOWK 776 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities | 3 |
| SOWK ___ | Elective Course * | 3 |
| SOWK 784 | Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice | 3 |
Our MSW program offers options for Extended-time students in Greenville, SC at the University Center of Greenville , in Charleston, SC at 4130 Faber Pl Dr #100, North Charleston, SC 29405 and in Columbia, SC at the USC-Columbia campus.
First Year, Generalist – Fall Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 712 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SOWK 714 | Diversity and Social Justice Issues for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 781.JXn | Field Instruction I: Generalist Social Work Practice (Seminar) | 3 |
First Year, Generalist – Spring Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 716 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SOWK 722 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups | 3 |
| SOWK 782. JXn | Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice (Seminar) | 2 |
First Year, Generalist – Summer Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 742 | Social Welfare Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SOWK 732 | Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SOWK 782. JXn | Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice (no seminar) | 1 |
Second Year, Transition to Advanced Generalist – Fall Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK ___ | Elective Course | 3 |
| SOWK 791 | Social Work Research Methodologies | 3 |
| SOWK 783. JXn | Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice | 1 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist – Spring Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK ___ | Elective Course | 3 |
| SOWK 792 | Evaluation of Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 783.JXn | Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice | 1 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist – Summer Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 735 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SOWK 775 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups | 3 |
| SOWK 783. JXn | Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice | 1 |
Third Year, Advanced Generalist – Fall Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 755 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations | 3 |
| SOWK 766 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| SOWK 784. JXn | Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice | 1 |
Third Year, Advanced Generalist – Spring Semester
| Course No. | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 718 | Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 776 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities | 3 |
| SOWK 784. JXn | Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice (completion credit) | 2 |
Field practicum will start at the beginning of the first year and run continuously throughout the program including both summers. The generalist practice field practicum occurs in the first 3 semesters, and the advanced generalist field practicum occurs in the remaining five semesters. This field practicum plan equates to 8 required hours per week in field practicum for the entire program.
Advanced Generalist - Summer II Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 701 |
Professional Development Bridge |
3 |
|
SOWK XXX |
XXX Elective |
3 |
Advanced Generalist - Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 735 |
Advanced Social Work Interventions with Individuals |
3 |
|
SOWK 775 |
Advanced Social Work Interventions with Groups |
3 |
|
SOWK 755 |
Advanced Social Work Interventions with Organizations |
3 |
|
SOWK 792 or 793 |
Evaluation of Social Work Practice OR Evaluation of Social Work Programs |
3 |
|
SOWK 783 |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Social Work Practice |
3 |
Advanced Generalist -Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 718 |
Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK 766 |
Advanced Social Work Interventions with Families |
3 |
|
SOWK 776 |
Advanced Social Work Interventions with Communities |
3 |
|
SOWK 784 |
Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK XXX |
XXX Elective |
3 |
First Year, Transition to Advanced Generalist- Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK XXX |
Elective Course (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 701 |
Professional Bridge Course (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 783. JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
First Year, Advanced Generalist- Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK XX |
Elective Course (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 792 |
Evaluation of Social Work Practice (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 783.JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
First Year, Advanced Generalist- Summer Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 735 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 775 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 783.JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist - Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 755 |
Advanced Practice with Organizations (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 766 |
Advanced Practice with Families (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 784.JXn |
Field Instruction IV: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist- Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 718 |
Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 776 |
Advanced Practice with Communities (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 784.JXn |
Field Instruction V: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
2 |
First Year, Generalist – Fall
|
Generalist Year – Fall Semester Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 712 |
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I |
3 |
|
SOWK 714 |
Diversity and Social Justice Issues for Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK 716 |
Human Behavior and the Social Environment II |
3 |
|
SOWK 781 |
Field Instruction I: Generalist Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK 791 |
Social Work Research Methodologies |
3 |
First Year, Generalist – Spring
|
Generalist Year – Spring Semester Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 722 |
Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups |
3 |
|
SOWK 732 |
Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities |
3 |
|
SOWK 742 |
Social Welfare Policy Analysis |
3 |
|
SOWK ___ |
Elective |
3 |
|
SOWK 782 |
Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice |
3 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist – Fall
|
Advanced Generalist Year – Fall Semester Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 735 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals |
3 |
|
SOWK 775 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups |
3 |
|
SOWK 755 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations |
3 |
|
SOWK 792 |
Evaluation of Social Work Practice OR Evaluation of Social Work Programs |
3 |
|
SOWK 783 |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Social Work Practice |
3 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist – Spring
|
Advanced Generalist Year – Spring Semester Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 718 |
Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK 766 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Families |
3 |
|
SOWK 776 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities |
3 |
|
SOWK ___ |
Elective Course * |
3 |
|
SOWK 784 |
Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice |
3 |
First Year, Generalist – Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 712 |
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 714 |
Diversity and Social Justice Issues for Social Work Practice (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 781.JXn |
Field Instruction I: Generalist Social Work Practice (Seminar) (*delivered online) |
3 |
First Year, Generalist – Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 716 |
Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 722 |
Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 782. JXn |
Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice (Seminar) (*delivered online) |
2 |
First Year, Generalist – Summer Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 742 |
Social Welfare Policy Analysis (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 732 |
Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 782. JXn |
Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice (no seminar) |
1 |
Second Year, Transition to Advanced Generalist – Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK ___ |
Elective Course (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 791 |
Social Work Research Methodologies (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 783. JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist – Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK ___ |
Elective Course (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 792 |
Evaluation of Social Work Practice (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 783.JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist – Summer Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 735 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 775 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 783. JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
Third Year, Advanced Generalist – Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 755 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 766 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 784. JXn |
Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice |
1 |
Third Year, Advanced Generalist – Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 718 |
Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 776 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 784. JXn |
Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice (completion credit) |
2 |
Field practicum will start at the beginning of the first year and run continuously throughout the program including both summers. The generalist practice field practicum occurs in the first 3 semesters, and the advanced generalist field practicum occurs in the remaining five semesters. This field practicum plan equates to 8 required hours per week in field practicum for the entire program.
First Year, Generalist – Fall
|
Generalist Year – Fall Semester Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 712 |
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I |
3 |
|
SOWK 714 |
Diversity and Social Justice Issues for Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK 716 |
Human Behavior and the Social Environment II |
3 |
|
SOWK 781 |
Field Instruction I: Generalist Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK 791 |
Social Work Research Methodologies |
3 |
First Year, Generalist – Spring
|
Generalist Year – Spring Semester Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 722 |
Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups |
3 |
|
SOWK 732 |
Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities |
3 |
|
SOWK 742 |
Social Welfare Policy Analysis |
3 |
|
SOWK ___ |
Elective |
3 |
|
SOWK 782 |
Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice |
3 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist – Fall
|
Advanced Generalist Year – Fall Semester Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 735 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals |
3 |
|
SOWK 775 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups |
3 |
|
SOWK 755 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations |
3 |
|
SOWK 792 |
Evaluation of Social Work Practice OR Evaluation of Social Work Programs |
3 |
|
SOWK 783 |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Social Work Practice |
3 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist – Spring
|
Advanced Generalist Year – Spring Semester Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 718 |
Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK 766 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Families |
3 |
|
SOWK 776 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities |
3 |
|
SOWK ___ |
Elective Course * |
3 |
|
SOWK 784 |
Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice |
3 |
Advanced Generalist - Summer II Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 701 |
Professional Development Bridge |
3 |
|
SOWK XXX |
XXX Elective |
3 |
Advanced Generalist - Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 735 |
Advanced Social Work Interventions with Individuals |
3 |
|
SOWK 775 |
Advanced Social Work Interventions with Groups |
3 |
|
SOWK 755 |
Advanced Social Work Interventions with Organizations |
3 |
|
SOWK 792 or 793 |
Evaluation of Social Work Practice OR Evaluation of Social Work Programs |
3 |
|
SOWK 783 |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Social Work Practice |
3 |
Advanced Generalist - Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 718 |
Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK 766 |
Advanced Social Work Interventions with Families |
3 |
|
SOWK 776 |
Advanced Social Work Interventions with Communities |
3 |
|
SOWK 784 |
Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK XXX |
XXX Elective |
3 |
First Year, Transition to Advanced Generalist- Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK XXX |
Elective Course |
3 |
|
SOWK 701 |
Professional Bridge Course |
3 |
|
SOWK 783. JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
First Year, Advanced Generalist- Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK XX |
Elective Course |
3 |
|
SOWK 792 |
Evaluation of Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK 783.JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
First Year, Advanced Generalist- Summer Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 735 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals |
3 |
|
SOWK 775 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups |
3 |
|
SOWK 783.JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist - Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 755 |
Advanced Practice with Organizations |
3 |
|
SOWK 766 |
Advanced Practice with Families |
3 |
|
SOWK 784.JXn |
Field Instruction IV: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist- Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 718 |
Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice |
3 |
|
SOWK 776 |
Advanced Practice with Communities |
3 |
|
SOWK 784.JXn |
Field Instruction V: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
2 |
First Year, Generalist – Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 712 |
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 714 |
Diversity and Social Justice Issues for Social Work Practice (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 781.JXn |
Field Instruction I: Generalist Social Work Practice (Seminar) (*delivered online) |
3 |
First Year, Generalist – Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 716 |
Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 722 |
Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 782. JXn |
Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice (Seminar) (*delivered online) |
2 |
First Year, Generalist – Summer Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 742 |
Social Welfare Policy Analysis (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 732 |
Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 782. JXn |
Field Instruction II: Generalist Social Work Practice (no seminar) |
1 |
Second Year, Transition to Advanced Generalist – Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK ___ |
Elective Course (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 791 |
Social Work Research Methodologies (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 783. JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist – Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK ___ |
Elective Course (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 792 |
Evaluation of Social Work Practice (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 783.JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
Second Year, Advanced Generalist – Summer Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 735 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 775 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 783. JXn |
Field Instruction III: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice |
1 |
Third Year, Advanced Generalist – Fall Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 755 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 766 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 784. JXn |
Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice |
1 |
Third Year, Advanced Generalist – Spring Semester
|
Course No. |
Title |
Credit |
|
SOWK 718 |
Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice (*delivered online) |
3 |
|
SOWK 776 |
Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities (*delivered in-person) |
3 |
|
SOWK 784. JXn |
Field Instruction IV: Advanced Social Work Practice (completion credit) |
2 |
Field practicum will start at the beginning of the first year and run continuously throughout the program including both summers. The generalist practice field practicum occurs in the first 3 semesters, and the advanced generalist field practicum occurs in the remaining five semesters. This field practicum plan equates to 8 required hours per week in field practicum for the entire program.