Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

MSW – Administration Concentration (60 units)
2 Year Schedule

Following the sequence of courses listed below will fulfill the course requirements of the MSW degree with a concentration in Administration. Faculty provided recommendations for students with more specific interests in one area of study or another (i.e., mental health, child welfare, etc.) are at the bottom of this page.

Students in the Title IV-E stipend generally follow the Direct Practice concentration. If a Title IV-E stipend recipient wishes to pursue the Administration concentration they must secure the approval of the Title IV-E Program Coordinator.

Year 1 – Fall

  • SW 601 Sem in Social Welfare Policy & Services (3)
  • SW 619 Hum Behavior in the Social Environment (3)
  • SW 630 Soc Work Prac: A Generalist Perspective (3)
  • SW 650 Field Practicum (3) Cr/NC
  • SW 690 Sem in Social Work Research Methods (3)

Year 1 – Spring

  • SW 610 Computer Applications in Soc Work Prac (3)
  • SW 620A Sem in Human Behavior and Social Environment (3)
  • SW 631 Social Work Practice: Individuals, Families, and Groups (3)
  • SW 632 Social Work Practice: Organizations and Communities (3)
  • SW 650 Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC

Year 2 – Fall

  • SW 740 Adv Sem Social Wk Admin (3)
  • SW 720 Civic Engagement (3)
  • SW 755 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
  • An Advanced Research methods course: Either SW 791 (3) or SW 797 (3).
  • One Social Work Elective:
    • SW 758
    • SW 780
    • SW 781
    • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor. Cannot be used to fill both the elective requirement and the advanced research methods requirement)
    • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

Year 2 – Spring

  • An Advanced Social Policy course: One of SW 702 numbered courses (3)
  • SW 755 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
  • Two Social Work Electives. Any of the courses numbered:
    • SWORK 745 Leadership (3) (Strongly recommended for students with an Administration focus)
    • SWORK 758 Community Problem-Solving (3) (Strongly recommended for students with a Community Development focus)
    • SW 720
    • SW 758
    • SW 780
    • SW 781
    • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • SW 799 (Thesis)
    • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

MSW – Direct Practice (60 units)
2 Year Schedule

Following the sequence of courses listed below will fulfill the course requirements of the MSW degree with a concentration in Direct Practice. After the table, faculty provide recommendations for students with more specific interests in one area of study or another (i.e., school social work, mental health, child welfare, etc.).

Students in the Title IV-E stipend program tailor their studies in the area of child welfare. Students receiving the Title IV-E stipend must follow the course recommendations of the faculty in selecting Advanced Social Policy, Advanced Human Behavior, and electives. Any deviation from the list below must receive the approval of the coordinator of the Title IV-E program. Please follow the link below the listing of courses for specific requirements.

Student pursuing the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential with authorizations in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendence tailor their studies for the PPS credential. Students seeking the PPS credential must follow the course recommendations of the faculty in selecting Advanced Social Policy, Advanced Human Behavior, and elective. Please follow the link below the listing of courses for specific requirements.

Year 1 – Fall

  • SW 601 Sem in Social Welfare Policy & Services (3)
  • SW 619 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3)
  • SW 630 Social Work Practice: A Generalist Perspective (3)
  • SW 650 Field Practicum (3) Cr/NC
  • SW 690 Sem in Social Work Research Methods (3)

Year 1 – Spring

  • SW 610 Computer Applications in Soc Work Prac (3)
  • SW 620A Sem in Human Behavior and Social Environment (3)
  • SW 631 Social Work Practice: Individuals, Families, and Groups (3)
  • SW 632 Social Work Practice: Organizations and Communities (3)
  • SW 650 Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC

Year 2 – Fall

  • An Advanced Human Behavior course: A SW 720 numbered course. (3)
  • SW 744 Advanced Seminar in Selected Topics in Clinical Social Work Practice (3)
  • SW 750 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
  • An Advanced Research methods course: A course numbered SW 791 or SW 797.
  • A Social Work Elective. Any of the courses numbered:
    • SW 720
    • SW 758
    • SW 780
    • SW 781
    • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor. Cannot be used to fill both the elective requirement and the advanced research methods requirement)
    • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

Year 2 – Spring

  • An Advanced Social Policy course: One of SW 702 numbered courses (3)
  • SW 739 Advanced Seminar in Social Work Practice with Families (3)
  • SW 750 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
  • A Social Work Elective. Any of the courses numbered:
    • SW 720
    • SW 758
    • SW 780
    • SW 781
    • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • SW 799 (Thesis)
    • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

Recommended Selections

The faculty recognizes that some students may be interested in focusing their studies on a particular area of practice. For those students, the faculty have compiled recommendations for courses for particular fields of practice. These courses will help you decide the most appropriate courses for your program of study.

Recommendations are for the following areas of practice:

MSW – Administration (60 units)
3 Year Schedule

Following the sequence of courses listed below will fulfill the course requirements of the MSW degree with a concentration in Administration. Faculty provided recommendations for students with more specific interests in one area of study or another (i.e., mental health, child welfare, etc.) are at the end of the page.

Students in the Title IV-E stipend generally follow the Direct Practice concentration. If a Title IV-E stipend recipient wishes to pursue the Administration concentration they must secure the approve the approval of the Title IV-E Program Coordinator.

Year 1 – Fall

  • SW 601 Sem in Social Welfare Policy & Services (3)
  • SW 619 Hum Behavior in the Social Environment (3)

Year 1 – Spring

  • SW 620A Sem in Human Behavior and Social Environment (3)
  • SW 690 Sem in Social Work Research Methods (3)

Year 2 – Fall

  • SW 610 Computer Application in Soc Work Prac (3)
  • SW 630 Soc Work Prac: A Generalist Perspective (3)
  • SW 650 Field Practicum (3) Cr/NC

Year 2 – Spring

  • SW 631 Soc Work Prac: Individuals, Families, and Groups (3)
  • SW 632 Soc Work Prac: Organizations and Communities (3)
  • SW 650 Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC

Year 3 – Fall

  • SW 740 Adv Sem Social Wk Admin (3)
  • SW 720 Civic Engagement (3)
  • SW 755 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
  • An Advanced Research methods course: Either SW 791 (3) or SW 797 (3).
  • One Social Work Elective:
    • SW 758
    • SW 780
    • SW 781
    • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor. Cannot be used to fill both the elective requirement and the advanced research methods requirement)
    • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

Year 3 – Spring

  • An Advanced Social Policy course: One of SW 702 numbered courses (3)
  • SW 755 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
  • Two  Social Work Electives. Any of the courses numbered:
    • SWORK 745 Leadership (3) (Strongly recommended for students with an Administration focus)
    • SWORK 758 Community Problem-Solving (3) (Strongly recommended for students with a Community Development focus)
    • SW 720
    • SW 758
    • SW 780
    • SW 781
    • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • SW 799 (Thesis)
    • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

MSW – Direct Practice (60 units)
3 Year Schedule

Following the sequence of courses listed below will fulfill the course requirements of the MSW degree with a concentration in Direct Practice. After the table, faculty provide recommendations for students with more specific interests in one area of study or another (i.e., school social work, mental health, child welfare, etc.).

Students in the Title IV-E stipend program tailor their studies in the area of child welfare. Students receiving the Title IV-E stipend must follow the course recommendations of the faculty in selecting Advanced Social Policy, Advanced Human Behavior, and electives. Any deviation from the list below must receive the approval of the coordinator of the Title IV-E program. Please follow the link below the listing of courses for specific requirements.

Student pursuing the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential with authorizations in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendence tailor their studies for the PPS credential. Students seeking the PPS credential must follow the course recommendations of the faculty in selecting Advanced Social Policy, Advanced Human Behavior, and elective. Please follow the link below the listing of courses for specific requirements.

Year 1 – Fall

  • SW 601 Sem in Social Welfare Policy & Services (3)
  • SW 619 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3)

Year 1 – Spring

  • SW 620A Sem in Human Behavior and Social Environment (3)
  • SW 690 Sem in Social Work Research Methods (3)

Year 2 – Fall

  • SW 610 Computer Application in Soc Work Prac (3)
  • SW 630 Soc Work Prac: A Generalist Perspective (3)
  • SW 650 Field Practicum (3) Cr/NC

Year 2 – Spring

  • SW 631 Soc Work Prac: Individuals, Families, and Groups (3)
  • SW 632 Soc Work Prac: Organizations and Communities (3)
  • SW 650 Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC

Year 3 – Fall

  • An Advanced Human Behavior course: A SW 720 numbered course. (3)
  • SW 744 Advanced Seminar in Selected Topics in Clinical Social Work Practice (3)
  • SW 750 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
  • An Advanced Research methods course: A course numbered SW 791 or SW 797.
  • A Social Work Elective. Any of the courses numbered:
    • SW 720
    • SW 758
    • SW 780
    • SW 781
    • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor. Cannot be used to fill both the elective requirement and the advanced research methods requirement)
    • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

Year 3 – Spring

  • An Advanced Social Policy course: One of SW 702 numbered courses (3)
  • SW 739 Advanced Seminar in Social Work Practice with Families (3)
  • SW 750 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC

A Social Work Elective. Any of the courses numbered:

  • SW 720
  • SW 758
  • SW 780
  • SW 781
  • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor.)
  • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
  • SW 799 (Thesis)
  • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

The faculty recognizes that some students may be interested in focusing their studies on a particular area of practice. For those students, the faculty have compiled recommendations for courses for particular fields of practice. These courses will help you decide the most appropriate courses for your program of study.

Recommendations are for the following areas of practice:

MSW – Administration (60 units)
4 Year Schedule

Following the sequence of courses listed below will fulfill the course requirements of the MSW degree with a concentration in Administration. After the table, faculty provide recommendations for students with more specific interests in one area of study or another (i.e., mental health, child welfare, etc.).

Students in the Title IV-E stipend generally follow the Direct Practice concentration. If a Title IV-E stipend recipient wishes to pursue the Administration concentration they must secure the approve the approval of the Title IV-E Program Coordinator.

Year 1 – Fall

  • SW 601 Sem in Social Welfare Policy & Services (3)
  • SW 619 Hum Behavior in the Social Environment (3)

Year 1 – Spring

  • SW 620A Sem in Human Behavior and Social Environment (3)
  • SW 690 Sem in Social Work Research Methods (3)

Year 2 – Fall

  • SW 610 Computer Application in Soc Work Prac (3)
  • SW 630 Soc Work Prac: A Generalist Perspective (3)
  • SW 650 Field Practicum (3) Cr/NC

Year 2 – Spring

  • SW 631 Soc Work Prac: Individuals, Families, and Groups (3)
  • SW 632 Soc Work Prac: Organizations and Communities (3)
  • SW 650 Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC

Year 3 – Fall

  • SW 720 Civic Engagement (3)
  • One Social Work Electives:
    • SW 758
    • SW 780
    • SW 781
    • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor. Cannot be used to fill both the elective requirement and the advanced research methods requirement)
    • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

Year 3 – Spring

  • An Advanced Social Policy course: One of SW 702 numbered courses (3)
  • One Social Work Electives. Any of the courses numbered:
    • SWORK 745 Leadership (3) [Strongly recommended for students with an Administration focus]
    • SWORK 758 Community Problem-Solving (3) [Strongly recommended for students with a Community Development focus]
    • SW 720
    • SW 758
    • SW 780
    • SW 781
    • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
    • SW 799 (Thesis)
    • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

Year 4 – Fall

  • SW 740 Adv Sem Social Wk Admin (3)
  • SW 755 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
  • An Advanced Research methods course: Either SW 791 (3) or SW 797 (3).

Year 4 – Spring

  • SW 755 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
  • One Social Work Electives. Any of the courses numbered:
  • SWORK 745 Leadership (3) (Strongly recommended for students with an Administration focus)
  • SWORK 758 Community Problem-Solving (3) (Strongly recommended for students with a Community Development focus)
  • SW 720
  • SW 758
  • SW 780
  • SW 781
  • SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor.)
  • SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
  • SW 799 (Thesis)
  • Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor

(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

MSW – Direct Practice (60 units)
4 Year Schedule
Following the sequence of courses listed below will fulfill the course requirements of the MSW degree with a concentration in Direct Practice. After the table, faculty provide recommendations for students with more specific interests in one area of study or another (i.e., school social work, mental health, child welfare, etc.).

Students in the Title IV-E stipend program tailor their studies in the area of child welfare. Students receiving the Title IV-E stipend must follow the course recommendations of the faculty in selecting Advanced Social Policy, Advanced Human Behavior, and electives. Any deviation from the list below must receive the approval of the coordinator of the Title IV-E program. Please follow the link below the listing of courses for specific requirements.

Student pursuing the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential with authorizations in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendence tailor their studies for the PPS credential. Students seeking the PPS credential must follow the course recommendations of the faculty in selecting Advanced Social Policy, Advanced Human Behavior, and elective. Please follow the link below the listing of courses for specific requirements.

Year 1 – Fall
SW 601 Sem in Social Welfare Policy & Services (3)
SW 619 Hum Behavior in the Social Environment (3)
Year 1 – Spring
SW 620A Sem in Human Behavior and Social Environment (3)
SW 690 Sem in Social Work Research Methods (3)
Year 2 – Fall
SW 610 Computer Application in Soc Work Prac (3)
SW 630 Soc Work Prac: A Generalist Perspective (3)
SW 650 Field Practicum (3) Cr/NC
Year 2 – Spring
SW 631 Soc Work Prac: Individuals, Families, and Groups (3)
SW 632 Soc Work Prac: Organizations and Communities (3)
SW 650 Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
Year 3 – Fall
An Advanced Human Behavior course: A SW 720 numbered course. (3)
A Social Work Elective. Any of the courses numbered:
SW 720
SW 758
SW 780
SW 781
SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor. Cannot be used to fill both the elective requirement and the advanced research methods requirement)
SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor
(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

Year 3 – Spring
An Advanced Social Policy course: One of SW 702 numbered courses (3)
A Social Work Elective. Any of the courses numbered:
SW 720
SW 758
SW 780
SW 781
SW 797 (Requires approval of instructor.)
SW 798 (Requires approval of instructor.)
SW 799 (Thesis)
Or another elective approved by the Graduate Advisor
(Note: Courses numbered 720, 758, 780, 781, 791, 797 and 798 are variable content courses. The particular content of the course is indicated by the course title and syllabus. A student may take multiple variable content courses with the same course number, as long as the content of the course is different. See the Graduate Advisor for approval and processing.)

Year 4 – Fall
SW 744 Advanced Seminar in Selected Topics in Clinical Social Work Practice (3)
An Advanced Research methods course: A course numbered SW 791 or SW 797.
SW 750 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
Year 4 – Spring
SW 739 Advanced Seminar in Social Work Practice with Families (3)
SW 750 Advanced Field Practicum (4) Cr/NC
Recommended Selections
The faculty recognizes that some students may be interested in focusing their studies on a particular area of practice. For those students, the faculty have compiled recommendations for courses for particular fields of practice. These courses will help you decide the most appropriate courses for your program of study.

Recommendations are for the following areas of practice:

Title IV-E Stipend Program
PPS School Social Work Program

Curriculum Map

Degree Learning Outcomes (DLOs) Capacity Levels 

The curricula for BASW and MSW degrees within the SDSU School of Social Work are based on the nine competency-centered learning outcomes established by the Commission on Accreditation (COA) of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The nine competencies are designed to build capacity for student achievement from generalist (BASW) to advanced specialist (MSW) practice.  Courses in the BASW curriculum are considered at the Basic Competency-Centered Level, courses in the MSW Foundation Year curriculum are considered at the Intermediate Competency-Centered Level, and courses in the MSW Advanced Year curriculum are at the Advanced Competency-Centered Level.  

Additionally, student learning capacity is demonstrated across each course with a specified degree of learning: Introduced, Practiced, Demonstrated.

  1. Introduced: Students are introduced to basic knowledge, concepts, theories and/or ideas that support the learning outcome.
  2. Practiced: Students are given the opportunity to strengthen and support the development of knowledge and skills necessary in order to achieve the desired level of competency (basic, intermediate, advanced). Students may require assistance in some applications.
  3. Demonstrated: Students can integrate all of the skills, knowledge, abilities, and attitudes necessary to complete the student learning outcome independently.

The coded capacity levels were collectively discussed across the SDSU School of Social Work’s Curriculum Committee. Curriculum mapping and coding will be reviewed annually in conjunction with the School’s program assessment CSWE outcome results.

Contact Us

SDSU Social Work

Hepner Hall room 119
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4119