MSW Specializations & Concentrations
Our innovative and holistic program provides two areas for MSW students to specialize. Students choose from a specialization in Community or Clinical Practice. The clinical specialization is designed for those who wish to work one-on-one with clients, families, and groups, providing case management, counseling, mental health care, and more. The community specialization prepares students for macro social work practice with organizations and communities. Students in both specializations have unique internship experiences supporting their chosen specialization.
Clinical Practice Specialization: Micro/Mezzo Social Work
Clinical practice specialization - this specialization prepares students for advanced social work practice in multiple clinical settings, often working with interdisciplinary teams. This specialization is designed for those who wish to work one-on-one with clients, families, and groups, providing case management, counseling, mental health care, and more. Students apply evidence-based practice theories and models in advanced clinical practice settings. Students who choose this track often move on to careers in healthcare, schools, behavioral health organizations, trauma intervention, advanced case management, work with children and families, and more.
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Community Practice Specialization: Macro Social Work
Community practice specialization - this specialization prepares students for working with public and/or nonprofit organizations, communities, congregations, and religiously affiliated agencies. Students learn to apply evidence-informed and asset-based community practice frameworks and methods of intervention to develop responsive human resource systems, sustainable physical and social environments, and just public and institutional policies.
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MSW Concentrations
We know students value a curriculum that prepares them for social work practice and allows them to customize their learning experience. In addition to the specializations, we offer students the opportunity to tailor their learning through three unique concentration options.
Organizational Leadership Concentration
Students who wish to pursue a concentration in organizational leadership are interested in leading and developing organizations, particularly those focused on the not-for-profit and social service sectors. They are committed to creating healthy and thriving organizations emphasizing DEIB and anti-oppressive leadership practices. Students can further focus and develop their learning and practice in leadership and management.
Trauma-Informed Practice Concentration
The Trauma Informed Practice Concentration develops a student's knowledge base more comprehensively in trauma-informed social work practice. The concentration will focus on crisis response, trauma, and recovery in social work practice with implementation considerations at micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Concentration
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Concentration allows students to focus on content and activities that increase intersectional social awareness and promote anti-oppressive practices. Students should complete the selected assignments below with an emphasis on diversity-informed and anti-oppressive social work practices.