The MSW program at University of Houston consists of 63 semester credit hours. Our program is unique in that it offers a one semester foundation, which serves as the prerequisite for all following coursework. See the MSW Degree Plan Checklist for more information about required coursework and the Enrollment Models for more information about scheduling of classes.

The Foundation Semester

The intensive first semester is organized around content on the foundation of professional social work, including coursework in practice, policy, research, and human behavior in the social environment. A practice skills lab and a foundation field practicum (180 clock hours) are also required. The foundation semester totals 15 credit hours and each component is graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Students must satisfactorily complete 15 credit hours before enrolling in any advanced courses.

Foundation Semester Schedule

Foundation Purpose and Learning Objectives:

The M.S.W. program is rooted in the liberal arts and includes an integrated, professional foundation upon which the advanced curriculum is built.

Upon completion of the foundation curriculum, students will be able to:

• Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice;
• Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly;
• Practice without discrimination with respect and with knowledge and skills related to age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation;
• Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and delineate strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice;
• Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues;
• Apply the knowledge and skills of an integrated and contextualized social work perspective to practice with systems of all sizes;
• Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities;
• Analyze and influence social policies;
• Use critical thinking to evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions;
• Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities;
• Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice;
• Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems.

The Advanced Curriculum

Following the Foundation Semester, all students complete advanced courses in Social Welfare Policy Analysis, Multilevel Assessment, and Evaluation of Practice (three credit hours each), and nine credit hours in their chosen track. The advanced curriculum also includes a minimum of 15 credit hours of free choice elective coursework, and an additional three hour Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE) elective. All students complete 720 clock hours in advanced field practica; this is in addition to the 180 clock hours of foundation field (total clock hours=900).

Students select an advanced track in either Clinical Social Work Practice, or Leadership, Administration, and Advocacy. There are nine credit hours of required courses for each track. Additionally, all students complete an at least one “crossover elective course.” Clinical students will take at least one Leadership, Administration, and Advocacy course. Leadership, Administration, and Advocacy students will take at least one elective Clinical course

Clinical Practice

Clinical Practice is the application of theories, methods, skills, values and ethics needed to enhance the cognitive, mental, emotional, behavioral, physical and social well-being of individuals, couples, families, groups and communities.

Clinical practice requires leadership in promoting social, economic and political justice. Its methods are relationship-centered, contextualized, culturally sensitive and strengths focused. It includes knowledge about biopsychosocial functioning - and - evidence based interventions. Clinical practice includes, but is not limited to:

• assessment and intervention
• diagnosis and treatment
• education and prevention
• advocacy
• counseling and psychotherapy
• supervision and consultation

Students in the Clinical concentration are required to take these three courses:

• Contextualized Strengths Based Practice (a combination human behavior and practice course)
• Transtheoretical Clinical Practice (theory & practice course)
• Clinical Applications of DSM (practice).

Leadership, Administration, and Advocacy

Leadership, Administration, and Advocacy prepares students for practice in urban settings where the needs of diverse, vulnerable populations require highly skilled professional leaders. Work in communities, in public and private organizations is designed to promote progressive social change that contributes to the growth and empowerment of individuals, agencies and communities.

Core concepts and practice skills are developed for work at the community, organizational, societal, and global levels. Students are prepared to assume leadership positions as advocates, managers, program planners, researchers, policy analysts, and agency and community capacity builders.

Students in this concentration are required to take these three courses:

• Administrative Practice (practice course)
• Dynamics of Leadership (a combination human behavior & practice course)
• Strategies of Community Development (theory/practice)

MSW Certificate Programs

Optional certificates are available to students enrolled at the University of Houston who would like to develop specialized knowledge and skills essential to working effectively with specific populations and/or social issues. Certificates are available in Gerontology, Health Disparities, Political Social Work, and Trabajo Social. These optional certificates do not require additional hours; however, they are earned by completing 9 credit hours of select courses in the chosen certificate area, with a minimum of a “B” average. For MSW students, a related field practicum is encouraged. Descriptions of each certificate program are provided here.