Advanced Standing MSW
Designed for students who have earned a qualifying BSW or BSSW from a CSWE-accredited program, UM's Advanced Standing MSW is a full-time, 37-credit program completed in 12 months. Students complete a 9-credit summer bridge, specialization-year coursework, 6 elective credits, and 600 practicum hours during the fall and spring semesters.
At a Glance
- 37 credits
- 12 months
- Full-time
- Required one-day orientation
- 9-credit synchronous online summer bridge
- 6 elective credits
- 600 practicum hours during fall and spring
Program Format and Schedule
Summer bridge:
Classes are held synchronously (live) online on Fridays during the summer term.
Fall and spring - synchronous (live) online:
- Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. for electives
- Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Explore the Advanced Standing MSW curriculum and course planning information.
Planning for 2027: Possible Modality Options
We are gathering student and applicant feedback as we explore possible modality options for the Advanced Standing MSW program beginning with the 2027 start. The required summer bridge would continue to be offered synchronously (live) online, with classes scheduled on Fridays during the summer term.
After the summer bridge, the School is exploring two different tracks for completing the Advanced Standing MSW:
- Some students will opt to finish the fall and spring in person/on campus.
- Others will choose to complete the remainder of the program online asynchronously (paced with weekly modules, but not requiring weekly live participation).
These options are not guaranteed and will depend on student interest, applicant feedback, enrollment, and program capacity.
If additional options are not feasible, the program will continue in its current synchronous online format.
Fall and spring - in-person or synchronous online:
- Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. for electives
- Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fall and spring - asynchronous online: If the asynchronous online option is offered, courses would not have required weekly live class meeting times. Coursework would be paced through weekly modules.
Practicum
Advanced Standing students complete 600 practicum hours over the fall and spring semesters, averaging approximately 20 hours per week.
Practicum provides students with hands-on experience in the field while promoting social justice and serving marginalized members of their local communities.
Explore Advanced Standing practicum and field education.
Eligibility
Applicants must have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
Applicants must have a GPA of 3.25, or an overall GPA of 3.0 with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in core social work courses.
Preference is given to applicants with at least 2,000 hours of post-BSW professional social work experience and to applicants who earned their BSW or BSSW within the past seven years.
Application Dates
Applications open September 15. The deadline for all application materials is February 15.
Advanced Standing Information Session
Watch the Advanced Standing information session.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Yes. Please visit our Scholarships page for information about available scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
-
Tuition and fees may change each year. For current cost information, please visit the following pages:
-
Students are required to complete a total of 600 practicum hours over the fall and spring semesters.
-
We anticipate a cohort of approximately 18 Advanced Standing students each year.
-
No. The Advanced Standing MSW is currently offered full-time only.
-
Typically offered electives include:
- Differential Diagnosis in Clinical Social Work Practice
- Social Work in the Field of Addictions
- Dynamic Supervision
- Social Work with Couples and Families
- Motivational Interviewing
- Introduction to Trauma Therapy
- Reproductive Justice
- Restorative Justice
- Expressive Arts Therapy
Not all electives are offered every term, and space may be limited.
-
Applications are accepted from September 15 through February 15.
-
Summer bridge:
Classes are held synchronously (live) online on Fridays during the summer term.
Fall and spring - in-person or synchronous online:
- Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. for electives
- Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fall and spring - asynchronous online:
If the asynchronous online option is offered, courses would not have required weekly live class meeting times. Coursework would be paced through weekly modules.