Advanced Standing MSW Curriculum & Course Planning
The Advanced Standing MSW is a 37-credit pathway that begins with a required 9-credit summer bridge and continues through specialization-year coursework, 6 elective credits, and practicum during the fall and spring semesters.
Students use the curriculum and course planning resources below to understand the program sequence, plan their coursework, and prepare for practicum and the Professional Portfolio.
Program Sequence
Summer Bridge
Advanced Standing students begin with a required 9-credit summer bridge completed synchronously online on Fridays during the summer term.
- SW 500 Orientation: 1 credit
- SW 505 Foundations of Social Work Practice: 2 credits
- SW 526 Critical Skills in Integrated Social Work Practice: 3 credits
- SW 532 Indian Child Welfare Act: 1 credit
- SW 533 Social Welfare and Justice in Historical Context: 2 credits
Fall Semester
Students complete 11 credits of required specialization coursework and 3 elective credits during the fall semester, for a standard total of 14 credits.
- SW 521 Advanced Research and Program Evaluation: 3 credits
- SW 535 Advanced Integrated Practice: 4 credits
- SW 578 Advanced Integrative Seminar I: 1 credit
- SW 588 Concentration Practicum I: 3 credits
- Elective coursework: 3 credits
Spring Semester
Students complete 11 credits of required specialization coursework and 3 elective credits during the spring semester, for a standard total of 14 credits.
- SW 531 Methods of Social Policy Analysis: 3 credits
- SW 545 Practice of Organizational Leadership: 3 credits
- SW 579 Advanced Integrative Seminar II: 1 credit
- SW 589 Concentration Practicum II: 3 credits
- SW 599 Professional Portfolio: 1 credit
- Elective coursework: 3 credits
Course Planning
Use the current Advanced Standing MSW Course Planner to review the recommended course sequence and plan your summer, fall, and spring coursework.
View the current Advanced Standing MSW Course Planner
Elective Courses
Advanced Standing students complete 6 elective credits as part of the 37-credit program, typically 3 credits during fall and 3 credits during spring.
Elective offerings vary by semester and may include Social Work courses as well as approved graduate-level courses outside the School of Social Work. Students should review current course offerings and work with their advisor when selecting electives.
Course Descriptions and Degree Requirements
The University of Montana Academic Catalog provides official MSW degree requirements and course descriptions.
- Review MSW degree requirements in the Academic Catalog
- Review Social Work course descriptions in the Academic Catalog
Professional Portfolio
The Professional Portfolio integrates students' practice experience and knowledge gained through coursework, practicum, and research with the goals and learning objectives of the MSW program.
Learn more about the MSW Professional Portfolio.
Practicum in the Curriculum
Advanced Standing students complete 600 practicum hours during the fall and spring semesters, averaging approximately 20 to 25 hours per week. Practicum is integrated with specialization-year coursework and provides opportunities to apply advanced social work knowledge and skills in supervised practice settings.
Learn more about Field Education and Practicum.
Last reviewed: October 2026