School of Social Work

Advanced Standing MSW

Designed for students who have earned a qualifying BSW or BSSW from a CSWE-accredited program, UM's Advanced Standing MSW provides an accelerated, full-time pathway to the MSW. Students begin with a required summer bridge and continue through specialization coursework, electives, and practicum during the fall and spring semesters.

At a Glance

Program Format and Schedule

The Advanced Standing MSW includes a required one-day orientation and a required synchronous online summer bridge. Beginning with the 2027 start, students will have multiple options for completing their fall and spring coursework, depending on student interest.

Summer Bridge

All Advanced Standing students begin with a required 9-credit summer bridge. Classes are held synchronously (live) online on Fridays during the summer term.

Fall and Spring Beginning in 2027

Depending on student interest, students will have the option to complete their fall and spring semesters through one of the following formats:

• In-person / campus-based: Coursework is completed on the University of Montana campus in Missoula.
• Online asynchronous: Coursework is paced through weekly online modules without required weekly live class meetings.

For the in-person and synchronous online formats, required coursework is generally scheduled on Fridays. Social Work electives are typically offered on Thursday evenings, although elective schedules may vary.

Curriculum and Course Planning

The 37-credit Advanced Standing curriculum includes a 9-credit summer bridge, specialization-year coursework, and 6 elective credits.

Explore the Advanced Standing MSW curriculum and course planning information.

Practicum

Advanced Standing students complete 600 practicum hours during the fall and spring semesters, averaging approximately 20 hours per week.

Practicum provides students with supervised opportunities to integrate classroom learning with professional social work practice and develop advanced integrated practice competencies.

Learn more about Field Education and Practicum.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from a CSWE-accredited program and a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for all undergraduate work, based on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 may still apply but must submit a brief GPA statement as part of their application.

Application Dates

Applications open September 15. The deadline for all application materials is February 15.

Advanced Standing MSW Program Information Session

Last reviewed: October 2026