The online MSSW is a 100% online program. Courses are asynchronous, and delivered in standard term length.
To help you proceed through the master's in social work program as quickly and successfully as possible, follow your chosen curriculum plan when registering for courses each semester. Should you choose a concentration, please work with the social work advising office for information regarding concentration electives. The coursework includes two academic year-long field/practicum placements that require on average 16 to 18 hours per week in the field/practicum placement.
Students who are admitted and do not have a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree enter the 60 credit hour regular program.
* (Prerequisite: all Generalist Courses)
Students holding a CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree who have demonstrated good academic performance in their social work courses may be enrolled in the 30 credit hour advanced standing Program.
This program equates to completing the 30 credit hour specialized portion of the 60 credit hour program. Advanced Standing is limited. For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.
In order to graduate from the MSSW program, you will be required to complete supervised practice at a social service organization in your state of residence prior to graduation (check state authorization info for requirements in your state).
SW 601 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
Prerequisite: Restricted to students enrolled through Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. The focus of this class is on macro theories as well as the impact of social and economic forces on individuals and social systems.
SW 602 Social Welfare Policy I
Prerequisite: Restricted to students enrolled through Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. The focus of this class is on the historical context and evolution of social welfare policy, and how dominant values and contextual factors shape policy in a broad range of social welfare arenas.
SW 603 Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice Practice
This foundation course designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills for social work practice with people who are subject to various forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, and ableism operating at the individual, community and institutional levels of society. Diversity, strengths, and social justice practice are emphasized. Developing greater professional and personal awareness about the impacts of various forms of oppression are addressed.
SW 604 Micro Social Work Practice
Prerequisite: SW 670 (or concurrent); Restricted to students admitted to Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. The focus of this class is on the development of the knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice with individuals, families and small groups. This class is designed to provide students with an understanding of the social work profession's mission, values, ethics and roles.
SW 605 Macro Social Work Practice
Prerequisite: SW 604; SW 671 (or concurrent); Restricted to students admitted to the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. The focus of this class is on the development of the knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice with larger groups, organizations and communities.
SW 619 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
Prerequisite: SW 601 and restricted to students admitted to the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. The focus of this class is on the theories and knowledge of the human biopsychosocial development, including theories and knowledge about the range of smaller social systems in which individuals live. Content about values and ethical issues related to biopsychosocial theories are included.
SW 622 Social Welfare Policy II
Prerequisite: SW 602 and restricted to students enrolled in the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. The focus of this class is on the interrelationships between problem conceptual conceptualization, policy options and their impact on social work practice and clients. Students develop their ability to critically assess current service delivery problems as they impact client need, giving particular attention to vulnerable population groups.
SW 626 Research Methodology and Design
Prerequisite: Restricted to students enrolled through the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. This course provides students the foundation knowledge for scientific inquiry. Ii covers all aspects of the research process from problem formulation to writing of the research report. It introduces students to qualitative, quantitative, and single-subject methods of conducting research and evaluating practice.
SW 670 Generalist Social Work Practicum I
Prerequisite: Restricted to students enrolled through the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. Corequisite: SW 604 or SW 701. This course is a generalist fieldwork experience based on the strengths model of social work practice and taken concurrently with the Social Work Practice 1 course. This practicum assists the student in developing a social work perspective and skills working with a wide range of client systems: individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, communities and the larger society. The practicum experience provides for the integration of theory, learned across the foundation courses related to human behavior, diversity, organizational and community dynamics, policy and research.
SW 671 Generalist Social Work Practicum II
Prerequisite: Restricted to students enrolled through the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. Corequisite: SW 605. This course is a generalist fieldwork experience based on strengths model of social work practice and taken concurrently with the Social Work Practice I course. The practicum assists the student in developing a social work perspective and skills working with a wide range of client systems: individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, communities and the larger society. The practicum experience provides for the integration of theory learned across the foundation courses related to human behavior, diversity, organizational and community dynamics, policy and research.
SW 640 Evidence-Based Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
Prerequisite: SW 605 or admission into the 30 hour program; SW 672 (or concurrent); Restricted to students enrolled through the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. The focus of this class is on using advanced problem-solving practice models and critical thinking skills designed to guide everyday decisions social workers make, whether they function as direct service providers or case managers supervisors.
SW 641 Social Justice Policy
Prerequisite: SW 605 or admission into the 30-hour program and either registration in the Summer preceding SW 640 in the Fall or 640 (or concurrent) in the Fall; Restricted to students enrolled through Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. The focus of this class is on assessing, engaging, planning and executing projects for and in collaboration with organizations and communities. Advanced SW Practice I will extend and deepen the knowledge gained in SW 605 by teaching practical skills in such areas as creating change, conducting assessments, networking, leadership, strategic planning, project development and management, team work, meeting management, community planning, community development, community organization, budgeting and finances, fundraising and grant writing, marketing and interfacing with the media, with a special emphasis on working with groups and organizations.
SW 642 Psychopathology
Prerequisite: SW 605 and SW 671, or SW 701, or admission to the 30hr program.
This course examines concepts of labeling theory, stigma, strengths perspective, and the clinical use of diagnostic classification of psychopathology from a social work perspective. The implications of various definitions of psychopathology and the uses of diagnostic systems to inform practice policy and to promote social justice are considered.
SW 668 Program Evaluation in Social Work
Prerequisite: SW 626, SW 605, and SW 671, or admission into the 30-hour program.
This advanced research course is focused on program evaluation that is aimed at helping students integrate research and practice skills, and prepares students to evaluate services and programs using research methods and research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.
SW 672 Specialized Social Work Practicum I
Prerequisite: Restricted to students enrolled through the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. Corequisite: SW 640. This course focuses on the application of advanced theory, knowledge and skills covered in the advanced level curriculum. Students will integrate the competencies developed in their advanced year with practice experience. Student will use theoretical understanding of advanced level social work practice, social policy, social work values and ethics, and communication skills to guide practice interventions.
SW 673 Specialized Social Work Practicum II
Prerequisite: Restricted to students enrolled through the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science. Corequisite: SW 677. This course focuses on the application of advanced theory, knowledge and skills covered in the advanced level curriculum. Students will integrate the competencies developed in their advanced year with practice experience. Student will use theoretical understanding of advanced level social work practice, social policy, social work values and ethics, communication skills to guide practice interventions.
SW 677 Mezzo Practice and Integrated Social Work Practice with Complex Cases
Prerequisite: Restricted to students enrolled through Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science; SW 605 or admission into the 30-hour program and SW 673 (concurrent). The focus of this class is on reinforcing, integrating and building on practice skills learned in Advanced Practice I & II (SW 641 & SW 640). Students learn integration strategies and practice skills rooted in solution oriented, cognitive, behavioral, systematic approaches to promote change at multiple levels of social systems using a case based learning approach.