Study the social, environmental and physical influences that together determine the health and well-being of people and communities.
Saint Louis University's graduate social work program is among the top 20 percent in the nation, as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. If you want a career in social work, our programs are designed to get you there.
Field Education Policy and Procedures Manual
Saint Louis University's Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) prepares social work professionals for 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.
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 traditional 15-week format (two-and-a-half-hour classes, fall and spring semesters) and a ten-week format (three-and-a-half-hour classes, summer semester). Electives may also be offered in the following formats: two intersession periods of week-long classes, online blended classes or five consecutive Saturday sessions (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
SLU's M.S.W. curriculum includes generalist foundation courses, advanced practice courses in an area of concentration 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. Saint Louis University's School of Social Work offers three concentrations:
SLU's M.S.W. degree is 57 credits, 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 many earn up to 18 credits of advanced standing toward the M.S.W.
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 a board-certified behavior analyst.
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.
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.
While completing coursework, students will also be mentored by an M.S.W. field instructor and work in a social work capacity in the community.
Students can further specialize their studies through coursework or practicum experiences in the following areas:
SLU's M.S.W. program is ranked in the top 20 percent of social work programs nationally. Possible careers include work in the fields of healthcare, mental health, school, child welfare, family services, criminal justice, gerontology, policy, advocacy, administrative and community development.
Successful applicants should possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
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 along with the following:
All applicants who apply by the priority deadline of April 1 for fall and Oct. 1 for spring are reviewed for scholarships. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed for admissions until Aug. 1 for fall and Dec. 1 for spring.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The admissions committee considers several factors to determine a candidate's eligibility:
Students who have completed a bachelor's degree in social work from an eligible, CSWE accredited program, can receive up to 18 credits of “advanced standing” toward a Master of Social Work at Saint Louis University; approved advanced standing students will need to complete only 39 credits of master's coursework.
To be eligible, students must have:
We recognize that when choosing to continue your education, cost can be a concern. To help ease that decision, we have identified the following financial aid resources.
FAFSA and Other Resources
All incoming students should complete the application for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A step-by-step guide to submitting your FAFSA is available online.
Saint Louis University Student Financial Services provides a Graduate Financial Aid Handbook that outlines the process of financing your graduate education.
The following links to resources in Saint Louis University Student Financial Services may also be helpful:
Scholarships
New and continuing students are eligible for merit-based scholarships. Prospective students who apply for admission by the priority deadline are automatically screened for scholarship eligibility. No additional application is required; awards are based on information provided in the admission application.
The priority deadline for fall is April 1 and the priority deadline for spring is October 1.
Please note that the terms of scholarship are subject to change if the student petitions for a degree transfer or fails to remain in good academic standing.
The Doerr Fellowship for Equity and Inclusion 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 April 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 throughout the year by the Doerr Center.
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. You must first submit the full application minus the nomination letter to the School of Social Work by Jan. 2 to be considered for nomination. Find more details on application components here. Completed applications including all application components minus the nomination letter should be submitted as a PDF to kristi.richter@slu.edu.
By filling out a graduate assistantship application, you will automatically be considered for a full or partial graduate assistantship with the School of Social Work. Assistantships are appointed for one year. Students must reapply to be considered for a second year and there are no guarantees that recipients will receive subsequent/continuing assistantships.
Full graduate assistantships are University-funded assistantships (UFA) 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. Most full assistantships are assigned to help faculty with research (GRA) and a small number may be assigned to assist with administrative work (GA), or faculty teaching (GTA).
The full graduate assistant works with one or two faculty members, depending on faculty needs. Time is divided between both faculty mentors, if the student is assigned two. Students who receive a fully-funded UFA in one year may not receive a UFA in subsequent years, although they remain eligible for partial assistantships throughout their pursuit of a graduate degree in the School of Social Work.
Partial graduate assistantships 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. Partial assistantships may be assigned to assist with administrative work (GA), research (GRA), or faculty teaching (GTA). Depending on the hours assigned, tuition benefits will differ; health insurance and stipends are not awarded with partial assistantships.
Current students may be eligible for conference/training funding, graduate assistantships and scholarships. For more information and applications, visit the School of Social Work's Google Site.
The baccalaureate social work program at Saint Louis University has been continuously accredited since 1974.
The master’s social work program at Saint Louis University 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
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Generalist Foundation Courses | ||
SWRK 5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
SWRK 5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
SWRK 5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
SWRK 5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
SWRK 5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
SWRK 5841 | Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum | 2 |
Hallmark Courses | ||
PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 3 |
SWRK 5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
Research Methods Courses | ||
SWRK 5787 | Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice | 3 |
Concentrations | 33 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
Total Credits | 57 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Advanced Practice Concentration Courses | ||
SWRK 5746 | Principles & Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
SWRK 5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
SWRK 5748 | Behavior Change & Processes in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
SWRK 5749 | Behavior Change & Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
SWRK 5774 | Measurement & Experimental Design in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
SWRK 5930 | Special Topics | 3 |
Concentration Practicum | ||
SWRK 5822 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I | 2 |
SWRK 5823 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 3 |
SWRK 5824 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 3 |
SWRK 5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
SWRK 5830 | ABA Integrative Practice Seminar II | 0 |
SWRK 5840 | ABA Integrative Practice Seminar III | 0 |
Concentration Electives | 6 | |
Select six credits † | ||
Total Credits | 33 |
† | Up to 6 credits may be taken outside of Social Work (SWRK) courses. |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Advanced Practice Concentration Courses | ||
SWRK 5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | 3 |
SWRK 5733 | Advanced Social Work Practice | 3 |
SWRK 5734 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment Part II | 3 |
SWRK 5762 | Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice | 3 |
SWRK 5784 | Evaluation of Social Work Practice | 3 |
Concentration Practicum | ||
SWRK 5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
SWRK 5842 | Clinical Practicum I | 2 |
SWRK 5843 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
Concentration Electives | ||
Select 12 credits † | 12 | |
Total Credits | 33 |
† | Up to 6 credits may be taken outside of Social Work (SWRK) courses. |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Advanced Practice Concentration Courses | ||
SWRK 5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | 3 |
SWRK 5721 | Community Theory & Practice | 3 |
SWRK 5784 | Evaluation of Social Work Practice | 3 |
SWRK 5785 | Organizational & Program Planning | 3 |
Concentration Practicum | ||
SWRK 5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
SWRK 5832 | Community & Organization Practicum I | 2 |
SWRK 5833 | Community & Organization Practicum II | 3 |
Concentration Electives | ||
Select 15 credits † | 15 | |
Total Credits | 33 |
† | Up to 6 credits may be taken outside of Social Work (SWRK) courses. |
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
SWRK 5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
SWRK 5746 | Principles & Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
SWRK 5774 | Measurement & Experimental Design in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
SWRK 5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
SWRK 5748 | Behavior Change & Processes in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
SWRK 5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
SWRK 5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
SWRK 5821 | MSW/ABA Foundation Practicum | 2 |
Credits | 12 | |
Summer | ||
SWRK 5001 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
SWRK 5749 | Behavior Change & Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
SWRK 5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
SWRK 5822 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I | 2 |
Credits | 9 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
SWRK 5002 | Philosophy of Behavioral Science | 3 |
SWRK 5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
SWRK 5823 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 2 |
SWRK 5830 | ABA Integrative Practice Seminar II | 1 |
Credits | 9 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5762 | Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice | 3 |
SWRK 5787 | Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice | 3 |
SWRK 5824 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 2 |
SWRK 5840 | ABA Integrative Practice Seminar III | 1 |
Credits | 9 | |
Summer | ||
SWRK 5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
ABA 5115 | Advanced Clinical Research and Practice Seminar IV | 1 |
ABA 5116 | Practicum IV | 2 |
Credits | 6 | |
Total Credits | 57 |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
SWRK 5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
SWRK 5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5762 | Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice | 3 |
SWRK 5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
SWRK 5821 | MSW/ABA Foundation Practicum | 2 |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
SWRK 5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
SWRK 5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
SWRK 5774 | Measurement & Experimental Design in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
SWRK 5746 | Principles & Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5747 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
SWRK 5748 | Behavior Change & Processes in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
SWRK 5001 | Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management | 3 |
SWRK 5749 | Behavior Change & Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
SWRK 5002 | Philosophy of Behavioral Science | 3 |
SWRK 5822 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I | 2 |
SWRK 5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5787 | Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice | 3 |
SWRK 5823 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II | 2 |
SWRK 5830 | ABA Integrative Practice Seminar II | 1 |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
SWRK 5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
SWRK 5824 | Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III | 2 |
SWRK 5840 | ABA Integrative Practice Seminar III | 1 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
ABA 5115 | Advanced Clinical Research and Practice Seminar IV | 1 |
ABA 5116 | Practicum IV | 2 |
Credits | 3 | |
Total Credits | 57 |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 3 |
SWRK 5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
SWRK 5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
SWRK 5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
SWRK 5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5841 | Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 1 | 2 |
SWRK 5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
Clinical Concentration Core Course | 3 | |
Clinical Concentration Core Course | 3 | |
SWRK 5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
SWRK 5842 | Clinical Practicum I 2 | 2 |
SWRK 5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
SWRK 5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | 3 |
SWRK 5787 | Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice | 3 |
SWRK 5733 | Advanced Social Work Practice (or Elective) 3 | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5843 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
SWRK 5784 | Evaluation of Social Work Practice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Total Credits | 57 |
1 | Must be taken concurrently with SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr) |
2 | Must take concurrently with SWRK 5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr) |
3 | SWRK 5733 Advanced Social Work Practice (3 cr) must be taken either concurrently or after SWRK 5842 Clinical Practicum I (2 cr). |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
SWRK 5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
SWRK 5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
SWRK 5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 3 |
SWRK 5841 | Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 1 | 2 |
SWRK 5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | 3 |
SWRK 5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
Clinical Concentration Core Courses 2 | 3 | |
Clinical Concentration Core Courses | 3 | |
SWRK 5787 | Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice | 3 |
Credits | 9 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5784 | Evaluation of Social Work Practice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
SWRK 5842 | Clinical Practicum I 3 | 2 |
SWRK 5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
SWRK 5733 | Advanced Social Work Practice (or Elective) 4 | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5843 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Total Credits | 57 |
1 | Must take concurrently with SWRK 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 SWRK 5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr) |
4 | SWRK 5733 Advanced Social Work Practice (3 cr) must be taken either in concurrently or after SWRK 5842 Clinical Practicum I (2 cr). |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 3 |
SWRK 5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
SWRK 5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
SWRK 5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
SWRK 5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5841 | Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 1 | 2 |
SWRK 5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
Community & Org Concentration Core Course | 3 | |
Community & Org Concentration Core Course | 3 | |
SWRK 5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
SWRK 5832 | Community & Organization Practicum I | 2 |
SWRK 5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
SWRK 5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | 3 |
SWRK 5787 | Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5833 | Community & Organization Practicum II | 3 |
SWRK 5784 | Evaluation of Social Work Practice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Total Credits | 57 |
1 | Must be taken concurrently with SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr) |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
SWRK 5725 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
SWRK 5750 | Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5702 | Social Policy | 3 |
SWRK 5751 | Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 3 |
SWRK 5841 | Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 1 | 2 |
SWRK 5819 | Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5700 | Values & Ethics in Social Work | 3 |
SWRK 5707 | Policy Practice for Social Justice | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
Community & Org Concentration Core Course 2 | 3 | |
Community & Org Concentration Core Course | 3 | |
SWRK 5787 | Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice | 3 |
Credits | 9 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5784 | Evaluation of Social Work Practice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
SWRK 5832 | Community & Organization Practicum I | 2 |
SWRK 5820 | Integrative Practice Seminar | 1 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
SWRK 5833 | Community & Organization Practicum II | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 9 | |
Total Credits | 57 |
1 | Must take concurrently with SWRK 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. |