MSW Concentration Requirements
In addition to the specializations, we offer students the opportunity to tailor their learning through three unique concentration options. Program administrators will verify grade benchmarks, additional learning and mentorship completion. Failure to complete the concentration will not impact the student's graduation eligibility. If students complete their concentration, they will be given the chosen concentration designation on their final transcript, along with their chosen specialization.
Concentration Steps:
1. Receive concentration options before advanced-year coursework
2. Notify program administration by deadline if pursuing a concentration
3. Reconfirm interest via email during final term
4. Create Box Folder (Last Name, First Name — Concentration)
5. Upload required documents throughout advanced coursework
6. Inform Capstone faculty and align Colloquium presentation with concentration
7. Administration verifies grades, mentorship, and Box folder compliance
8. Receive email confirming completion status
9. Concentration designation added to final transcript upon completion
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. Students can further focus and develop their learning and practice in leadership and management.
| Community Specialization Requirements | Clinical Specialization Requirements |
| A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration. | A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration. |
| Community Social Work Practice I (SWO 5375) | Organizational Leadership & Management (SWO 5323) |
| Community Social Work Practice II (SWO 5378) | Program Evaluation (SWO 5384) as elective credit, in addition to the required Clinical Evaluation Course (or another approved course related to organizational leadership). |
| Organizational Leadership & Management (SWO 5323) | 10 Hours of CE credit related to supervision, leadership, grant writing, budgeting, advocacy, board governance, fund development, program evaluation, HR issues, marketing, or technology. |
| Program Evaluation Course (SWO 5384) | Students must connect the Capstone Project to Organizational Leadership. |
| Students must connect the Capstone Project to Organizational Leadership. | One term of faculty mentorship focuses on organizational leadership. The agendas and a one—to two-page summary of the mentorship experience are included. |
| One term of faculty mentorship focuses on organizational leadership, including a 1-2 page summary of the mentorship experience and accompanying agendas (if available). | B or better in all courses tied to the concentration (SWO 5323, SWO 5384, SWO 5395) |
| B or better in all courses tied to the concentration (SWO 5375, SWO 5378, SWO 5323, SWO 5384 & SWO 5395) | |
| Attend 5 hours of any of the curated CEU opportunities (please note, most of these options have a small fee associated, but many have a student option you may choose for a reduced cost). Upon completing these courses, students will receive a CEU or completion certificate, which should be uploaded to the Concentration Box Folder. |
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.
| Community Specialization Requirements | Clinical Specialization Requirements |
| A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration. | A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration. |
| Asset Map Project in SWO 5375 & SWO 5378 must connect to trauma-informed practice. If this is not possible, students may work with faculty and MSW program administrators to develop another assignment that considers the macro implications of trauma and social work practice considerations. | Clinical Social Work Practice I (SWO 5370) |
Health Practice & Policy (SWO 5376) May substitute another elective as approved by the Online or MSW Program Director | Clinical Social Work Practice II (SWO 5380) |
Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families (SWO 5377) May substitute another elective as approved by the Online or MSW Program Director | Health Practice & Policy (SWO 5376) May substitute another elective as approved by the Online or MSW Program Director |
| Complete an assigned training | Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families (SWO 5377) May substitute another elective as approved by the Online or MSW Program Director |
| One term of faculty mentorship focuses on trauma-informed practice, including a 1-2 page summary of the mentorship experience and accompanying agendas. | One term of faculty mentorship focuses on trauma-informed practice, including a 1-2 page summary of the mentorship experience and accompanying agendas |
| Students must connect the Capstone Project to trauma-informed practice | Students must connect the Capstone Project to trauma-informed practice |
| B or better in all courses connected to the concentration (SWO 5375, SWO 5378, SWO 5376, SWO 5377 & SWO 5395) | B or better in all courses tied to the concentration (SWO 5370, SWO 5380, SWO 5376, SWO 5377 & SWO 5395) |
| Complete an assigned training |
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.
| Community Specialization Requirements | Clinical Specialization Requirements |
| A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration. | A one-page summary of what the student has learned through pursuing the concentration. |
| Human Diversity & Social Justice (SWO 5320) or Diversity & Leadership (SWO 2320) | Human Diversity & Social Justice (SWO 5320) or Diversity & Leadership (SWO 2320) |
| Complete an assigned training and submit an outline | Complete an assigned training and submit an outline |
Complete one term of faculty mentorship and complete a 1-2 page summary of the mentorship experience and accompanying agenda
| Complete one term of faculty mentorship and complete a 1-2 page summary of the mentorship experience and accompanying agenda |
| One assignment in Health Policy and Practice (SWO 5376), Social Work Practice and Advocacy with Children and Families (SWO 5377), or Organizational Leadership and Management (SWO 5323) that evaluates or promotes best practices | One assignment in Health Policy and Practice (SWO 5376), Social Work Practice and Advocacy with Children and Families (SWO 5377), or Organizational Leadership and Management (SWO 5323) that evaluates or promotes best practices |
| Complete an assigned training and submit a one-page summary | Complete an assigned training and submit a one-page summary |
| Students must connect the Capstone Project to the concentration | Students must connect the Capstone Project to the concentration |
| B or better in all courses tied to the concentration (SWO 5320 or SWO 2320, SWO 5323 or SWO 5377 or SWO 5376 and SWO 5395). | B or better in all courses tied to the concentration (SWO 5320 or SWO 2320, SWO 5323 or SWO 5377 or SWO 5376 and SWO 5395). |