Social Work, M.S.W. in St. Louis
pro's Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) prepares social work professionals to work with vulnerable populations facing health, social and economic challenges.
Social workers are educationally prepared to provide services including therapy, policy advocacy, case management, group work, crisis intervention, children and family practice and leadership for nonprofit organizations. M.S.W.-level social workers are employed in a wide variety of human service organizations including family and community centers, mental health and treatment centers, hospitals, schools, nonprofit agencies, residential children’s or adult centers, justice centers and many more organizations.
Program Highlights
- SLU's M.S.W. program offers multiple course delivery formats to assist students who are working full- or part-time and for students who want to progress faster by taking additional credits per semester.
- Formats include the online and in-person traditional 15-week format (two-hour-and-45-minute classes, fall and spring semesters) and a 10-week format (three-and-a-half-hour classes in the summer semester).
- Electives may also be offered in the following formats: two intersession periods of week-longclasses, online blended classes or five consecutive Saturday sessions (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Curriculum Overview
SLU's M.S.W. curriculum includes generalist foundation courses, advanced practice courses in an area of concentration, hallmark and research courses, and field practica. The generalist foundation courses provide the basic social work theory and methods for working with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Students then select an advanced practice area of concentration and proceed with courses in these areas. pro's School of Social Work offers three concentrations:
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Clinical
- Community and Organization
SLU's M.S.W. degree is48 credits for Clinical and Community and Organization concentrations (*Applied Behavior Analysis concentration is56 creditsdue to students' potential dual credentialing),with full-time and part-time options available. Students with a Bachelor of Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program may earn up to 15 credits of advanced standing toward the M.S.W.
Applied Behavior Analysis M.S.W. Concentration
The applied behavior analysis concentration focuses on evidenced-based methods to assist children, adults and organizations in changing behavior. The curriculum prepares students to be eligible to become board-certified behavior analysts.
Clinical M.S.W. Concentration
The clinical concentration focuses on assessment, intervention and outcomes in clinical work with individuals, families, groups or larger systems. Courses focus on working with diverse families and family systems across a developmental life span using core clinical approaches to engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation of outcomes in a variety of clinical practice settings.
Community and Organization M.S.W. Concentration
The community and organization concentration focuses on mezzo- and macro-level community work, such as community organizing and advocacy, nonprofit administration and local, state and national policy advocacy and implementation.
Social Work Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
While completing coursework, students will be mentored by an M.S.W. field instructor and work in a social work capacity in the community.
M.S.W. students can further specialize their studies through coursework or practicum experiences in the following areas:
- Community mental health practice
- Criminal justice
- Gerontology
- Health practice
- Nonprofit administration
- Practice with children and youth
- School social work
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Therapy with individuals and families
- Trauma-informed practice
- Veteran services
Careers in Social Work
SLU's M.S.W. program is a highly ranked social work program nationally. Possible careers include work in the fields of health care, mental health, secondary education, child welfare, family services, criminal justice, gerontology, policy, advocacy, administrative and community development.
Admission Requirements
Successful applicants should possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Conditional admission may be considered for students with cumulative GPAs below 3.00.
Application Requirements
- Application form
- Transcript(s)
- Two letters of recommendation (one academic, one professional)
- One academic letter from a professor who has evaluated your academic performance in the classroom.
- One professional letter from a supervisor who has evaluated your work in the field or related volunteer experience.
- If you have been out of school five or more years, you may submit two professional letters.
- If you are entering the program directly from an undergraduate program, you may submit two academic letters.
- éܳé
- Professional Statement
Requirements for International Students
SLU's M.S.W. program requires a TOEFL of 92 or higher.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:
- ٱDzԲٰٱEnglish Language Proficiency
- Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships.
- Proof of financial support that must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at pro
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
- Courses taken and/or lectures attended
- Practical laboratory work
- The maximum and minimum grades attainable
- The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
- Any honors or degrees received.
WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Application Deadlines
Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed for admissions until Aug. 1 for fall and Dec. 1 for spring. All applicants who apply are reviewed for merit-based scholarships.To be considered for a graduate assistantship, students must fill out the GA application found under "Scholarships and Financial Aid" by March 1.
Review Process
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The admissions committee considers several factors to determine a candidate's eligibility:
- Academic achievement
- Strength of the undergraduate program
- Application information
- Professional statement
- Work experience
- Any graduate degrees earned
- Motivation
- Leadership and service
- The undergraduate GPA is weighted with other criteria in the admissions process
Advanced Standing
Students who have completed a bachelor's degree in social work from an eligible, CSWE-accredited program,can receive up to 15 credits of “advanced standing” toward a Master of Social Work at pro; approved advanced standing students will need to complete only 33 credits of master's coursework.
To be eligible, students must have:
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Earned grades of ‘B’ or better in undergraduate social work courses
- Completed their bachelor’s in a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- No additional transfer credits will be accepted.
Tuition
Tuition | Total Program Cost |
---|---|
Advanced Standing track Tuition and University Fees | $30,000 |
Foundation track Tuition and University Fees | $48,000 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Financial Aid
We recognize that cost can be a concern when choosing to continue your education and have identified the following financial aid resources to assist you.
FAFSA and Other Resources
All incoming students should complete the application. A step-by-step guide to submitting your FAFSA is available online. pro Student Financial Services provides a Graduate Financial Aid Handbook that outlines the process of financing your graduate education.
The following links to resources in pro Student Financial Services may also be helpful:
Scholarships
New and continuing students are eligible for merit-based scholarships. Prospective students will be automatically screened for scholarship eligibility. No additional application is required; awards are based on information provided in the admission application.
Please note that the terms of the scholarship are subject to change if a student petitions for a degree transfer or fails to remain in good academic standing.
Fellowships
The is a full-tuition fellowship funded by the School of Social Work for new and continuing students. A separate application is required with a deadline of March 1. This fellowship requires that recipients serve as members of the School of Social Work's Equity and Inclusion Committee. Recipients will also be expected to actively participate in the diversity, equity and inclusion activities sponsored by the Doerr Center throughout the year.
Newly accepted master's or doctoral students and students in the first year of a program are eligible to apply for a University-wide diversity, dissertation or presidential fellowship. Find more details on application components here.
Graduate Assistantships and Internships
By filling out a , you will automatically be considered for a graduate assistantship or a graduate internship with the School of Social Work. Assistantships are appointed for one year. Students must reapply to be considered for a second year, and recipients are not guaranteed to receive subsequent/continuing internships.
Graduate assistantships are University-funded assistantships awarded by the School of Social Work. They are assigned and funded for two semesters (a duration of nine months, 20 hours per week), working with designated faculty. Benefits include 12 months of health care coverage, a stipend and 18 credit hours of tuition remission.
Depending on faculty needs, the graduate assistant works with one or two faculty members. Time is divided between both faculty mentors if the student is assigned to two. Students who receive a fully-fundedUniversity-funded assistantship in one year may not receive it in subsequent years. However, they remain eligible for graduate internship while pursuing a graduate degree in the School of Social Work.
Graduate internships are funded and awarded by the School of Social Work. They are assigned and funded for two semesters (a duration of nine months, 8-16 hours per week), working with assigned faculty. Graduate interns may be assigned to assist with administrative work, research or faculty teaching. Depending on the hours assigned, tuition benefits will differ; health insurance and stipends are not awarded for graduate internships.
Other Funding for Current Students
Accreditation
The baccalaureate social work program at pro has been continuously accredited since 1974. The Master of Social Work program at pro has been continuously accredited since 1930.
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
1701 Duke Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314-3457
Phone: 703-683-8080
pro’s applied behavior analysis program is currently a Verified Course Sequence (VCS). Students who graduate from the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysisprogram will have completed all requirements necessary to sit for theBoard Certified Behavior Analyst®(BCBA®) exam.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Graduates will be able to engage in diversity and difference in practice.
- Graduates will be able to advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice.
- Graduates will be able to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Graduates will be able to engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
- Graduates will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Graduates will be able to assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Graduates will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Graduates will be able to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Generalist Foundation Courses | ||
¸鰭5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
¸鰭5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
¸鰭5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
¸鰭5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
¸鰭5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
¸鰭5841 | Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum | 2 |
ǰ¸鰭5821 | MSW/ABA Foundation Practicum | |
Hallmark Courses | ||
¸鰭5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
Choose one Ethics course: | 3 | |
¸鰭5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | |
¸鰭5749 | Ethics in Behavior Analysis * | |
Concentration specific courses | 27-33 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
Total Credits | 48-54 |
- *
¸鰭5749 Ethics in Behavior Analysis (3 cr) is for ABA students only.
Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration (not available at learning sites)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Advanced Practice Concentration Courses | ||
¸鰭5746 | Principles & Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
¸鰭5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
¸鰭5748 | Behavior Change & Processes in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
¸鰭5774 | Measurement & Experimental Design | 3 |
¸鰭5001 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
¸鰭5002 | Philosophy of Behavioral Science | 3 |
¸鰭5762 | Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice | 3 |
Concentration Practicum | ||
¸鰭5822 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I | 2 |
¸鰭5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar (ABA) | 1 |
¸鰭5823 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 2 |
¸鰭5824 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 3 |
5115 | Advanced Clinical Research Capstone | 3 |
5116 | Practicum IV | 1 |
Total Credits | 33 |
ԾDzԳԳٰپDz
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Advanced Practice Concentration Courses | ||
¸鰭5708 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
¸鰭5733 | Advanced Clinical Practice with Individuals | 3 |
¸鰭5736 | Advanced Clinical Practice with Families and Groups | 3 |
¸鰭5762 | Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice | 3 |
Concentration Practicum | ||
¸鰭5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar (Clinical) | 1 |
¸鰭5842 | Clinical Practicum I | 2 |
¸鰭5843 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
Concentration Electives | 9 | |
Select 9 credits † | ||
Total Credits | 27 |
- †
Up to 6 credits may be taken outside of Social Work (SWRK) courses.
Community and OrganizationConcentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Advanced Practice Concentration Courses | ||
¸鰭5708 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
¸鰭5721 | Community Theory & Practice | 3 |
¸鰭5785 | Organizational & Program Planning | 3 |
Concentration Practicum | ||
¸鰭5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar (Comm Org) | 1 |
¸鰭5832 | Community & Organization Practicum I | 2 |
¸鰭5833 | Community & Organization Practicum II | 3 |
Concentration Electives | 12 | |
Select 12 credits † | ||
Total Credits | 27 |
- †
Up to 6 credits may be taken outside of Social Work (SWRK) courses.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration(Full-Time)
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
¸鰭5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
¸鰭5746 | Principles & Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
¸鰭5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
¸鰭5774 | Measurement & Experimental Design | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
¸鰭5748 | Behavior Change & Processes in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
¸鰭5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
¸鰭5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
¸鰭5821 | MSW/ABA Foundation Practicum | 2 |
Credits | 12 | |
Summer | ||
¸鰭5001 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
¸鰭5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar (ABA) | 1 |
¸鰭5822 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I | 2 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
¸鰭5002 | Philosophy of Behavioral Science | 3 |
¸鰭5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
¸鰭5823 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 2 |
Credits | 8 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5762 | Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice * | 3 |
¸鰭5824 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 2 |
¸鰭5749 | Ethics in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
Credits | 8 | |
Summer | ||
¸鰭5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
5115 | Advanced Clinical Research Capstone | 3 |
5116 | Practicum IV | 1 |
Credits | 7 | |
Total Credits | 53 |
- *
This course is necessary to become a LCSW
Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration (Part-Time)
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
¸鰭5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
¸鰭5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5821 | MSW/ABA Foundation Practicum | 2 |
¸鰭5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
¸鰭5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
¸鰭5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
¸鰭5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
¸鰭5746 | Principles & Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
¸鰭5774 | Measurement & Experimental Design | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
¸鰭5748 | Behavior Change & Processes in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
¸鰭5001 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
¸鰭5002 | Philosophy of Behavioral Science | 3 |
¸鰭5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
¸鰭5822 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I | 2 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5823 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 2 |
¸鰭5749 | Ethics in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
¸鰭5762 | Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice * | 3 |
Credits | 8 | |
Summer | ||
¸鰭5824 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 2 |
Credits | 2 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
5115 | Advanced Clinical Research Capstone | 3 |
5116 | Practicum IV | 1 |
Credits | 4 | |
Total Credits | 53 |
- *
This course is necessary for a LCSW.
Clinical Concentration (Full-Time)
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
¸鰭5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
¸鰭5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
¸鰭5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
¸鰭5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5841 | Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 1 | 2 |
¸鰭5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
¸鰭5736 | Advanced Clinical Practice with Families and Groups | 3 |
¸鰭5762 | Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice * | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Summer | ||
¸鰭5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | 3 |
¸鰭5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
¸鰭5733 | Advanced Clinical Practice with Individuals 3 | 3 |
¸鰭5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
¸鰭5842 | Clinical Practicum I 2 | 2 |
¸鰭5708 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5843 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
Credits | 3 | |
Total Credits | 48 |
- 1
Must be taken concurrently with ¸鰭5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)
- 2
Must take concurrently with ¸鰭5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)
- 3
¸鰭5733 Advanced Clinical Practice with Individuals (3 cr) must be taken either concurrently or after ¸鰭5842 Clinical Practicum I (2 cr).
- *
This course is necessary for a LCSW.
Clinical Concentration (Part-Time)
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
¸鰭5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
¸鰭5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
¸鰭5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
¸鰭5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
¸鰭5841 | Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 1 | 2 |
¸鰭5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
¸鰭5762 | Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice * | 3 |
¸鰭5736 | Advanced Clinical Practice with Families and Groups | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
Elective 2 | 3 | |
Elective 2 | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
¸鰭5733 | Advanced Clinical Practice with Individuals 4 | 3 |
¸鰭5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
¸鰭5842 | Clinical Practicum I 3 | 2 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
¸鰭5843 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
¸鰭5708 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | |
Total Credits | 48 |
- 1
Must take concurrently with ¸鰭5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)
- 2
Students can begin taking electives when they begin Concentration Core Courses and can add a three-credit elective to any semester beginning in Semester Five.
- 3
Must take concurrently with ¸鰭5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)
- 4
¸鰭5733 Advanced Clinical Practice with Individuals (3 cr) must be taken either in concurrently or after ¸鰭5842 Clinical Practicum I (2 cr).
- *
This course is necessary for a LCSW.
Community and Organization Concentration (Full-Time)
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
¸鰭5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
¸鰭5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
¸鰭5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
¸鰭5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5841 | Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 1 | 2 |
¸鰭5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
¸鰭5721 | Community Theory & Practice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Summer | ||
¸鰭5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | 3 |
¸鰭5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
¸鰭5785 | Organizational & Program Planning | 3 |
¸鰭5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar (Comm Org) | 1 |
¸鰭5832 | Community & Organization Practicum I 2 | 2 |
¸鰭5708 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5833 | Community & Organization Practicum II | 3 |
Credits | 3 | |
Total Credits | 48 |
- 1
Must be taken concurrently with ¸鰭5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)
- 2
Must be taken concurrently with¸鰭5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)
Community and Organization Concentration (Part-Time)
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
¸鰭5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
¸鰭5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
¸鰭5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
¸鰭5841 | Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 1 | 2 |
¸鰭5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
¸鰭5785 | Organizational & Program Planning | 3 |
Elective 3 | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5721 | Community Theory & Practice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
¸鰭5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
¸鰭5832 | Community & Organization Practicum I 2 | 2 |
¸鰭5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
¸鰭5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | 3 |
¸鰭5708 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Total Credits | 48 |
- 1
Must take concurrently with ¸鰭5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)
- 2
Must take concurrently with¸鰭5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)
- 3
Students can begin taking electives when they begin Concentration Core Courses and can add a three-credit elective to any semester beginning in Semester Three.
For admission questions, contact:
School of Social Work Graduate Admissions Office
socialwork@slu.edu
314-977-2752