The curriculum for the on-campus Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences combines practice, research, theory, policy and field education to prepare you for clinical and macro-level practice.
Our competency-based curriculum—the first in the nation to be approved by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)—is designed to provide you with the knowledge and practical skills to advance key social justice issues, examine your own perceptions of diversity and become more culturally aware as a social work professional.
On-Campus MSW Curriculum
The on-campus MSW curriculum:
- Is a 60-credit, two-year program (with the exception of the 72-credit hour School Social Work path)
- Begins with a one-week Change Agent Intensive (CHAI) course—a transformational immersion into the field of social work that explores the profession’s identity, history, values and philosophy.
- Integrates an interprofessional learning experience, which connects you with nursing, medicine and other graduate disciplines across campus through team-based learning.
View a sample curriculum for each path of study. We encourage you to request more information if you have questions or, if you’re ready, start your application!
- MSW with Children, Youth and Families
- MSW with Community Practice for Social Change
- MSW with Mental Health with Adults
- MSW with Mental Health with Children and Adolescents
- MSW with School Social Work
- MSW with Substance Use Disorders and Recovery
On-Campus Advanced Standing MSW Curriculum
The on-campus MSW curriculum:
- Is a 39 credit, one year program*
- The advanced standing MSW program is designed to be completed in one year as a full-time student. The exception to this is School Social Work. School Social Work is 1.5 years.
- If you earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program you will automatically receive advanced standing.
View a sample curriculum for each path of study. We encourage you to request more information if you have questions or, if you’re ready, start your application!
- Advanced Standing MSW with Children, Youth and Families
- Advanced Standing MSW with Community Practice for Social Change
- Advanced Standing MSW with Mental Health with Adults
- Advanced Standing MSW with Mental Health with Children and Adolescents
- Advanced Standing MSW with School Social Work
- Advanced Standing MSW with Substance Use Disorders and Recovery
MSW with Children, Youth and Families
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education I (SASS 601, 2 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory and Practice Seminar (SASS 495, 1 credit)
- Change Agent Intensive (SASS 502, 1 credit)
- Social Welfare Policy (SASS 503, 2 credits)
- Human Development & Diversity (SASS 504, 2 credits)
- Community Theory and Practice (SASS 507, 2 credits)
- Ind./Family Theory and Practice (SASS 508, 4 credits)
- Group Theory and Practice (SASS 509, 2 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education II (SASS 602, 3 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 496, 1 credit)
- Evidence Informed Practice (SASS 528, 2 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
Year Two
Fall Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Family System Interventions (SASS 517, 3 credits)
- Integrated Health & Wellness Specialized Policy (SASS 540, 3 credits)
- Trauma Informed SW Practice Child & Family (SASS 550, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Spring Semester - 14 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Evaluating Programs and Practices (SASS 542, 3 credits)
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
MSW with Community Practice for Social Change
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education I (SASS 601, 2 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory and Practice Seminar (SASS 495, 1 credit)
- Change Agent Intensive (SASS 502, 1 credit)
- Social Welfare Policy (SASS 503, 2 credits)
- Human Development & Diversity (SASS 504, 2 credits)
- Community Theory and Practice (SASS 507, 2 credits)
- Ind./Family Theory and Practice (SASS 508, 4 credits)
- Group Theory and Practice (SASS 509, 2 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education II (SASS 602, 3 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 496, 1 credit)
- Evidence Informed Practice (SASS 528, 2 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
Year Two
Fall Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Strategic Power Building with Communities (SASS 567, 3 credits)
- Community Practice Policy: Analyzing & Changing Social Policy (SASS 561, 3 credits)
- Choose one:
- Legislative & Political Processes (SASS 512, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Spring Semester - 14 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Planning & Implementing Soc. Change (SASS 569, 3 credits)
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
MSW with Mental Health with Adults
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education I (SASS 601, 2 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory and Practice Seminar (SASS 495, 1 credit)
- Change Agent Intensive (SASS 502, 1 credit)
- Social Welfare Policy (SASS 503, 2 credits)
- Human Development & Diversity (SASS 504, 2 credits)
- Community Theory and Practice (SASS 507, 2 credits)
- Ind./Family Theory and Practice (SASS 508, 4 credits)
- Group Theory and Practice (SASS 509, 2 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education II (SASS 602, 3 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 496, 1 credit)
- Evidence Informed Practice (SASS 528, 2 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
Year Two
Fall Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Social Work Practice in M.H.: Adults (SASS 583, 3 credits)
- Integrated Health & Wellness Specialized Policy (SASS 540, 3 credits)
- Choose one:
- S.W. Interventions in Co-occurring M.H. & Substance Abuse (SASS 562, 3 credits)
- Social Work Practice in Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse (SASS 564, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Spring Semester - 14 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Evaluating Programs and Practices (SASS 542, 3 credits)
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
MSW with Mental Health with Children and Adolescents
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education I (SASS 601, 2 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory and Practice Seminar (SASS 495, 1 credit)
- Change Agent Intensive (SASS 502, 1 credit)
- Social Welfare Policy (SASS 503, 2 credits)
- Human Development & Diversity (SASS 504, 2 credits)
- Community Theory and Practice (SASS 507, 2 credits)
- Ind./Family Theory and Practice (SASS 508, 4 credits)
- Group Theory and Practice (SASS 509, 2 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education II (SASS 602, 3 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 496, 1 credit)
- Evidence Informed Practice (SASS 528, 2 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
Year Two
Fall Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Integrated Health & Wellness Specialized Policy (SASS 540, 3 credits)
- S.W. Practice in Alcohol and Other Drugs (SASS 564, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Spring Semester - 14 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Evaluating Programs and Practices (SASS 542, 3 credits)
- Social Work Practice in Mental Health: Children/Adolescents (SASS 580, 3 credits)
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credit)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
MSW with School Social Work
Students interested in this program must meet with Marjorie N. Edguer, assistant professor at the Mandel School, to discuss the curriculum and process to complete courses at Baldwin Wallace University.
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education I (SASS 601, 2 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory and Practice Seminar (SASS 495, 1 credit)
- Change Agent Intensive (SASS 502, 1 credit)
- Social Welfare Policy (SASS 503, 2 credits)
- Human Development & Diversity (SASS 504, 2 credits)
- Community Theory and Practice (SASS 507, 2 credits)
- Ind./Family Theory and Practice (SASS 508, 4 credits)
- Group Theory and Practice (SASS 509, 2 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education II (SASS 602, 3 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 496, 1 credit)
- Evidence Informed Practice (SASS 528, 2 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
Summer Semester at Baldwin Wallace University - 9 hours
- Pupil Services and Community Resources (online BW) (EDU 584, 3 credits)
- Educational Studies (BW) (EDU 510, 3 credits)
- Children with Special Needs (BW) (EDU 573, 3 credits)
Year Two
Fall Semester - 18 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Family System Interventions (SASS 517, 3 credits)
- Children and Families in the School Setting (SASS 519, 3 credits)
- Trauma Informed SW Practice Child & Family (SASS 550, 3 credits)
- Social Work Practice in Alcohol and Other Drugs (SASS 564, 3 credits)
- Integrated Health & Wellness Specialized Policy (SASS 540, 3 credits)
Spring Semester - 18 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Evaluating Programs and Practices (SASS 542, 3 credits)
- Social Work Practice in Mental Health: Child and Adolescents (SASS 580, 3 credits)
- Social Work with Groups (SASS 585, 3 credits)
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credits)
MSW with Substance Use Disorders and Recovery
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education I (SASS 601, 2 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory and Practice Seminar (SASS 495, 1 credit)
- Change Agent Intensive (SASS 502, 1 credit)
- Social Welfare Policy (SASS 503, 2 credits)
- Human Development & Diversity (SASS 504, 2 credits)
- Community Theory and Practice (SASS 507, 2 credits)
- Ind./Family Theory and Practice (SASS 508, 4 credits)
- Group Theory and Practice (SASS 509, 2 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education II (SASS 602, 3 credits)
- Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 496, 1 credit)
- Evidence Informed Practice (SASS 528, 2 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
Year Two
Fall Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Choose one:
- S.W. Intervention in Co-occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders (*SASS 562, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Social Work Practice in Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse (SASS 564, 3 credits)
- Integrated Health & Wellness Specialized Policy (SASS 540, 3 credits)
Spring Semester - 14 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Choose one:
- Motivational Interviewing (*SASS 522, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Integrative Seminar in Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Treatment (SASS 576, 3 credits) (Weekend Format)
- Choose one:
- Social Work with Groups (*SASS 585, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credits)
Advanced Standing MSW with Children, Youth and Families
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Adv. Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 497, 1 credit)
- Integrated Health & Wellness Specialized Policy (SASS 540, 3 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Family System Interventions (SASS 517, 3 credits)
- Evaluating Programs and Practices (SASS 542, 3 credits)
- Trauma Informed SW Practice Child & Family (SASS 550, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Summer Semester - 8 hours
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Advanced Standing MSW with Community Practice for Social Change
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Adv. Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 497, 1 credit)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- Community Practice Policy: Analyzing & Changing Social Policy (SASS 561, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Evaluating Programs and Practices (SASS 542, 3 credits)
- Strategic Power Building w/Communities (SASS 567, 3 credits)
- Planning & Implementing Soc. Change (SASS 569, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Summer Semester - 8 hours
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Advanced Standing MSW with Mental Health with Adults
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Adv. Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 497, 1 credit)
- Integrated Health & Wellness Specialized Policy (SASS 540, 3 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- S.W. Practice in Substance Use Disorders (SASS 564, 3 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Evaluating Programs and Practices (SASS 542, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
- Social Work Practice in M.H.: Adults (SASS 583, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Summer Semester - 8 hours
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Advanced Standing MSW with Mental Health with Children and Adolescents
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Adv. Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 497, 1 credit)
- Integrated Health & Wellness Specialized Policy (SASS 540, 3 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- S.W. Practice in Substance Use Disorders (SASS 564, 3 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Evaluating Programs and Practices (SASS 542, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
- Social Work Practice in Mental Health: Children/Adolescents (SASS 580, 3 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Summer Semester - 8 hours
- Choose one:
- Death, Grief and Loss (SASS 518)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credits)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Advanced Standing MSW with School Social Work
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Adv. Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 497, 1 credit)
- Children and Families in the School Setting (SASS 519, 3 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- Trauma Informed SW Practice Child & Family (SASS 550, 3 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Family System Interventions (SASS 517, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
- Mental Health Practice with Children and Adolescents (SASS 580, 3 credits)
- Social Work with Groups (SASS 585, 3 credits)
Summer Semester with partner Baldwin Wallace University - 11 hours*
- Pupil Services and Community Resources (online BW) (EDU 584, 3 credits)
- Educational Studies (BW) (EDU 510, 3 credits)
- Children with Special Needs (BW) (EDU 573, 3 credits)
- Integrative Seminar (SASS 588, 2 credits)
Year Two
Fall Semester - 9 credits
- Evaluating Programs and Practices (SASS 542, 3 credits)
- Integrated Health & Wellness Specialized Policy (SASS 540, 3 credits)
- Social Work Practice in Alcohol and Other Drugs (SASS 564, 3 credits)
*Students interested in School Social Work must meet with Professor Marji Edguer to discuss the curriculum and process to complete courses at Baldwin Wallace University.
Advanced Standing MSW with Substance Use Disorders and Recovery
Year One
Fall Semester - 16 hours
- Field Education III (SASS 603, 3 credits)
- Adv. Field Education: Organizational Theory & Practice Seminar II (SASS 497, 1 credit)
- Integrated Health & Wellness Specialized Policy (SASS 540, 3 credits)
- Problems Identification, Screening (SASS 547, 3 credits)
- Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice Social Work (SASS 549, 3 credits)
- Social Work Practice in Substance Use Disorders (SASS 564, 3 credits)
Spring Semester - 15 hours
- Field Education IV (SASS 604, 3 credits)
- Evaluating Programs and Practices (SASS 542, 3 credits)
- Assessing and Engaging Community for Social Change (SASS 566, 3 credits)
- S.W. Intervention in Co-occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders (*SASS 562)
- Free Elective (3 credits)
Summer Semester - 8 hours
- Choose one:
- Trauma Informed Practice with Adults (SASS 554)
- or Free Elective (3 credits)
- Choose one:
- Social Work with Groups (* SASS 585)
- or Free Elective (3 credits)
- Integrative Seminar (*SASS 588, 2 credits)
*SASS 585 and SASS 588 are taught in the intensive weekend formatted course. The courses will each meet for approximately 2 weekends over the semester.
*Courses required for Ohio LCDC license eligibility
Please note that the sample patterns of enrollment on this page reflect the curriculum for students entering in fall 2025 and are subject to change in future terms. Our faculty may make enhancements or adjustments to the curriculum in future terms.