A future-focused MSW

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University has launched a redesigned Master of Social Work (MSW) curriculum that reflects the realities of contemporary society and social work practice—dynamic, interdisciplinary and deeply connected to the communities and systems in which people live.

As social workers increasingly move across roles, populations and settings over the course of their careers, the new curriculum emphasizes flexibility, breadth and depth. Streamlined from eight areas of study into two specializations and four clearly defined paths, the structure allows students to build a strong professional foundation while tailoring their education to evolving interests and goals as they grow.

The bold path forward

Students now choose between two specializations: Community Practice and Social Change and Integrated Health and Wellness. Within these specializations, four paths offer focused preparation. Community Practice and Social Change continues to center social justice, civic engagement and the power of communities to improve health and well-being. Integrated Health and Wellness—formerly Direct Practice—reflects a more holistic, person-centered approach to care across the lifespan.

The Integrated Health and Wellness specialization includes three paths: Child and Family Practice, which combines child welfare and child mental health; Adult Behavioral Health, integrating adult mental health and substance use disorder training; and the Trauma and Healing path, a new offering that elevates trauma-informed practice and aligns with the school’s well-established Trauma Certificate. Together, these paths recognize that social workers must understand trauma, behavioral health and substance use across settings, populations and systems.

“The Mandel School curriculum redesign concentrates efforts and resources into the highest impact areas of student interest, optimizing our three instructional delivery platforms for increased student access and success,” explained Associate Professor David Hussey, PhD (SAS ’79; GRS ’92, social welfare). “It reduces overlap in our paths of study and addresses compelling market trends including trauma, the prominence of mental health and substance use disorders, and the power of community practice to produce meaningful social change.”

Flexibility and choice elevated

Across all paths, students benefit from a cohort-based model, expanded elective options and strong integration with field education. All four paths are available in the school’s on-campus, online and weekend formats, allowing students to select the learning environment that best fits their lives while maintaining access to the same curriculum and faculty expertise. Online students are also welcome to engage on campus, further strengthening connection and community.

The redesigned curriculum also brings more full-time, tenured faculty into core courses, creating richer opportunities for mentorship, research-informed teaching and applied learning. Faculty worked intentionally across courses to reduce duplication, close gaps and ensure that students experience a cohesive, well-sequenced program from start to finish.

Ultimately, the new curriculum reflects what sets the Mandel School apart: a forward-thinking, trauma-informed, community-engaged approach to social work education—designed to support students not just in their first job, but across a lifetime of meaningful, impactful practice.

“The Mandel School is well known for our history curriculum innovation,” said Dean Dexter Voisin, PhD. “We were the first competency-based curriculum in social work education, and we continue to evolve alongside the needs of our students and the demands of future social work careers. This latest redesign is another example of how the Mandel school is forward-thinking, future-oriented, and empowers students with the experience they need.”