Regular MSW Pathway
The Regular MSW Pathway consists of academic coursework for four regular semesters, one summer semester, and field practicum experiences across four regular semesters.
Application Requirements:
- Complete the Graduate School application.
- A Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning with a broad foundation in the liberal arts.
- An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in the baccalaureate program.
- Submission of a professional resume.
- Submission of three references:
- At least one reference must be able to make informed statements of the applicant’s preparedness for a graduate social work education program and the applicant’s potential contributions to the field of social work.
- Family members may not serve as references.
- A personal narrative statement written in APA format that includes the following:
- A detailed discussion of why the applicant has chosen social work, including personal, family, and environmental influences.
- A detailed discussion of the applicant’s experiences working with people in a human services related capacity.
- If the applicant has not been working in a human services field, the applicant should discuss other experiences related to working with people in a helping capacity.
- A self-reflection of the applicant’s degree of preparedness to engage in graduate-level social work education including both internal and external factors related to the applicant.
- The applicant’s preference to attend the full-time or the part-time MSW plan of study.
- How the applicant plans to use the MSW degree once they graduate.
Applicants may apply to the MSW Program at any time. Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee for the upcoming academic year on a monthly basis beginning in November and ending in April. Applicants will be notified of the admissions committee's decision by the end of the month in which the application was reviewed. Applications received after the April deadline will be reviewed the following November.
The priority deadline for the MSW Pathways for the upcoming academic year occurs on January 15th and the final deadline is April 15th. Applicants who wish to be admitted through a guaranteed admission program must submit their applications prior to the January 15th priority deadline. Applications must be complete before the deadline to be considered. Applicants who are currently completing a bachelor's degree when offered admission must successfully complete the degree by May 30 in order to advance into the MSW Program.
The Clinical MSW Program at FHSU takes advantage of the flexibility and outreach aspects of online education while maintaining a strong hands-on clinical training emphasis. The program features several innovative strategies to educate and train practitioners, utilizing the advantages of delivering coursework online while infusing robust face-to-face clinical training. Since the program coursework is completed entirely online, it is accessible from wherever students might live. Keep in mind though, "online" doesn't mean "alone". In fact, there is likely more interaction between students and faculty in the FHSU model of clinical education and training than in more traditional models of graduate education. The courses infuse synchronous face-to-face learning with full-time social work faculty and other students, utilizing zoom and other audio-video interaction. Students work together using collaborative technologies such as Go-React and Yellow dig Engage. These training experiences give students the chance to practice their skills in real-world environments such as simulated psychotherapy experiences with guidance from faculty, and simulated courtroom experiences with practicing attorneys. These clinical training experiences are far more useful than classroom role-plays, as they provide students the opportunity to learn alongside clinical social workers and other professionals in real-world environments. The clinical intensives experience occurs on campus in Hays, KS for three days at the end of the spring semester.
In addition to the clinical coursework and hands-on clinical intensive training, students will complete a practicum experience at an agency in their home community. Practicum experiences provide students the opportunity for hands-on, supervised training in the field and the program coordinates weekly learning experiences with the field instructor that corresponds to what is being taught in the practice classes. This synergy allows students a robust experience as they learn to apply social work theory and practice models using the skills being developed in the classroom, clinical intensives, and practicum placements.
Regular MSW Pathway students must complete 66 credit hours to obtain the MSW.
| SOCW 810 Social Welfare Policy and Analysis | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 820 HBSE I: Micro Knowledge and Theory | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 830 Generalist SW Practice I: Micro Skills | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 840 Generalist SW Field Practicum I (200 clock hours) | 6 hrs |
| SOCW 815 Social Work Research Methods and Data Analysi | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 835 Generalist SW Practice II: Mezzo/Macro Skills | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 835 Generalist SW Practice II: Mezzo/Macro Skills | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 845 Generalist SW Field Practicum II (200 clock hours) | 6 hrs |
| SOCW 850 Assessment and Treatment of Mental Disorders I | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 855 Assessment and Treatment of Mental Disorders II | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 860 Personal and Professional Development Seminar | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 870 Medical Social Work and Behavioral Health Practice | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 880 Advanced Clinical SW Practice with Individuals | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 890 Advanced Clinical SW Field Practicum I (250 clock hours) | 6 hrs |
| SOCW 865 Social Work Supervision and Agency Management | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 875 Forensic Social Work Practice | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 885 Advanced Clinical SW Practice with Groups and Families | 3 hrs |
| SOCW 895 Advanced Clinical SW Field Practicum II (250 clock hours) | 6 hrs |