Social Work

M.S.W. Program Director's Message

On behalf of the graduate faculty and staff of the Department of Social Work, greetings and welcome! We know you have many options when choosing a M.S.W. program. It is our hope you choose Winthrop University for this journey. Where Social Work at Winthrop differs is in the emphasis on empowerment, student-focus, and diverse faculty. The hallmark of the program is that instructors get to know their students. Our program prepares graduates to be ethical, competent, and value-based advanced social work practitioners, as well as leaders in the social work profession. Emphasis on empowerment practice prepares our graduates to think critically and to utilize theory-based, evidence-informed interventions to address human need and to promote social and economic justice, while affirming the strengths and capabilities of all people and communities and valuing human diversity.

         Sincerely,
         Christopher J. Ward
         Graduate Director and Online Program Coordinator          

Master of Social Work

The Winthrop University M.S.W. program, with a specialization in empowerment practice, is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and offers five different options for completing the M.S.W. degree:

  1. Full-Time Traditional M.S.W. Program (60 credits) - A two-year program for students interested in full-time study. Each cohort begins in August and completes four semesters of study, including two field placements.

  2. Full-Time Advanced Standing M.S.W. Program (39 credits) - A one-year program for students who already have a CSWE-accredited B.S.W. degree. Each cohort begins in May and completes a full calendar year of study, including one field placement.

  3. Online Master of Social Work - Using the same curriculum as our on-campus programs, we now offer a fully online M.S.W. in both the 39- and 60-credit program options. The program offers a 60-credit hour Traditional program for those without an undergraduate social work degree and a 39-credit hour Advanced Standing program available for those who have earned an undergraduate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. Enrollment is three times a year, in fall, winter and summer and classes are 100% online. Contact a program manager toll-free at 833/257-1704 for more details.

For more information about the M.S.W. degree options at Winthrop University, please fill out a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION or register to attend one of our Information Sessions.

 

Empowerment Practice Specialization

 The M.S.W. Program offers a curriculum focused on empowerment practice across systems (individuals and families, small groups, and communities and organizations). Empowerment practice utilizes advanced critical thinking skills to assess the influence of multiple and interlocking personal, structural, and societal systems of power on vulnerable and oppressed populations. It incorporates the use of advanced social work theories and methodologies for culturally relevant assessment, intervention, and evaluation at multiple levels of complexity and across systems in order to promote human and social well-being.

 

Practicum / Field Placement 

Practicum / Field placements are an important component in our programs. The Office of Practicum Instruction coordinates and supports graduate and undergraduate internships in a wide variety of local and regional agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Non-Degree Seeking Courses

The Department of Social Work offers two graduate courses for non-degree seeking students: Psychopathology & Empowerment Practice and Psychodiagnostics & Social Work Practice. For more information about apply as a non-degree seeking student, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

Information for Applicants

To apply to the Full-Time options, please use the Winthrop University Graduate Studies Application.

To apply to the Online Program option, please contact a program manager at 833/257-1704 or apply online.

The Department of Social Work offers a range of Assistantship positions for M.S.W. students. You can visit the Winthrop University Graduate Studies web site for information on Graduate Tuition & Financial Assistance.

You may also visit Winthrop University's Graduate Studies to access the Academic Probation Policy.