Program Overview
A Clinical Practice specialization will prepare you for social work in a clinical mental health setting. If you're interested in working in direct practice with individuals, families, or groups in a counseling or mental health setting, you might consider the clinical specialization.
Program Details
Duration & Schedule
Courses are offered in 15-week semesters and two 7.5-week summer terms.
- A regular standing full-time plan of study typically takes 1¾ years (21 months), and a part-time plan of study typically takes 2¾ years (33 months) with 15-week semesters and two 7.5-week summer terms.
- An advanced standing full-time plan of study typically takes one year beginning in the summer, and a part-time plan of study typically takes two years with 15-week semesters and two 7.5-week summer terms.
Because your MSW plan of study will be custom tailored based on your interests and objectives, your time to complete the program may vary.
Courses
Students without a BSW will be considered regular standing and will be required to complete 18 credits of foundational courses along with 6 credits (450 hours) of foundational practicum. These students will take an additional 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced field and seminar, and 15 credits of practice specializations of their choice for a total of 60 credit hours. Students may have some foundation coursework waived if the requirement was met in their undergraduate coursework.
Required foundation Courses:
Students without a BSW will be considered regular standing and will be required to complete 18 credits of foundational courses along with 6 credits (450 hours) of foundational practicum.
- Foundations of Social Work (History, Philosophy, & Theory) (3)
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment (3)
- Social Work Research Methods (3)
- Policy Planning & Analysis (3)
- Practice I Individuals (3)
- Practice II Families & Groups (3)
- Foundation Field & Seminar: total of 6 credits; 450 hours
Required Advanced Courses:
Students will take 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced field and seminar
- Social Work Ethics and Professional Development (3)
- Trauma: Theory and Practice in Social Work (3)
- Psychopathology (3)
- Inequality, Diversity, and Social Justice (3)
- Applied Research Project (3)
- Advanced Field & Seminar: total of 6 credits; 450 hours
Required Specialization Courses:
Students will choose five practice specialization courses (15 credits). Students seeking a Clinical Practice specialization will choose five practice specialization courses. Four courses must be from the Clinical specialization courses and up to one can be from the Community Practice & Administration specialization (although all five may be chosen from the Clinical options).
Practice Specialization Course Options: Clinical Specialization
- Motivational Interviewing & Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (3)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (3)
- Neurobiology and Social Work Practice (3)
- Marital & Family Therapy (3)
- Play Therapy (3)
- Clinical Practice with Adolescents (3)
- Grief (3)
- Advanced Behavioral and Social Interventions for Exceptional Children (3)
- Crisis Intervention (3)
Practice Specialization Course Options: Community Practice and Administration Specialization
- Organizational and Community Change Planning (3)
- Non-Profit Administration & Organizational Theory (3)
- Community Organizing and Advocacy (3)
- Program Evaluation (3)
- Budgeting & Public Finance (3)
- Grant Writing & Fundraising (3)
- Leadership (3)
- HR Management (3)
Students seeking advanced standing but have a BSW older than seven years old will be required to complete 9 credits of foundations courses (Social Work Research Methods, Practice I Individuals, Practice II Families and Groups). These students will take an additional 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced practicum, and 15 credits of practice specializations of their choice for a total of 45 credit hours.
Required foundation Courses:
Students seeking advanced standing but have a BSW older than seven years old will be required to complete 9 credits of foundations courses.
- Social Work Research Methods (3)
- Practice I Individuals (3)
- Practice II Families & Groups (3)
Required Advanced Courses:
Students will take 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced field and seminar
- Social Work Ethics and Professional Development (3)
- Trauma: Theory and Practice in Social Work (3)
- Psychopathology (3)
- Inequality, Diversity, and Social Justice (3)
- Applied Research Project (3)
- Advanced Field & Seminar: total of 6 credits; 450 hours
Required Specialization Courses:
Students will choose five practice specialization courses (15 credits). Students seeking a Clinical Practice specialization will choose five practice specialization courses. Four courses must be from the Clinical specialization courses and up to one can be from the Community Practice & Administration specialization (although all five may be chosen from the Clinical options).
Practice Specialization Course Options: Clinical Specialization
- Motivational Interviewing & Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (3)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (3)
- Neurobiology and Social Work Practice (3)
- Marital & Family Therapy (3)
- Play Therapy (3)
- Clinical Practice with Adolescents (3)
- Grief (3)
- Advanced Behavioral and Social Interventions for Exceptional Children (3)
- Crisis Intervention (3)
Practice Specialization Course Options: Community Practice and Administration Specialization
- Organizational and Community Change Planning (3)
- Non-Profit Administration & Organizational Theory (3)
- Community Organizing and Advocacy (3)
- Program Evaluation (3)
- Budgeting & Public Finance (3)
- Grant Writing & Fundraising (3)
- Leadership (3)
- HR Management (3)
Advanced standing students who have completed a BSW within the last seven years will be required to complete 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced practicum, and 15 credits of practice specializations of their choice for a total of 36 credit hours.
Required Advanced Courses:
Students will take 15 credits of advanced courses, 6 credits (450 hours) of advanced field and seminar
- Social Work Ethics and Professional Development (3)
- Trauma: Theory and Practice in Social Work (3)
- Psychopathology (3)
- Inequality, Diversity, and Social Justice (3)
- Applied Research Project (3)
- Advanced Field & Seminar: total of 6 credits; 450 hours
Required Specialization Courses:
Students will choose five practice specialization courses (15 credits). Students seeking a Clinical Practice specialization will choose five practice specialization courses. Four courses must be from the Clinical specialization courses and up to one can be from the Community Practice & Administration specialization (although all five may be chosen from the Clinical options).
Practice Specialization Course Options: Clinical Specialization
- Motivational Interviewing & Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (3)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (3)
- Neurobiology and Social Work Practice (3)
- Marital & Family Therapy (3)
- Play Therapy (3)
- Clinical Practice with Adolescents (3)
- Grief (3)
- Advanced Behavioral and Social Interventions for Exceptional Children (3)
- Crisis Intervention (3)
Practice Specialization Course Options: Community Practice and Administration Specialization
- Organizational and Community Change Planning (3)
- Non-Profit Administration & Organizational Theory (3)
- Community Organizing and Advocacy (3)
- Program Evaluation (3)
- Budgeting & Public Finance (3)
- Grant Writing & Fundraising (3)
- Leadership (3)
- HR Management (3)
"I still frequently reference things that I learned in class within my career. While working with children I find the polyvagal theory taught by Dr. Tara Boer to be a great framework for understanding de-escalation, especially when people are feeling overwhelmed and become upset or shut down."
Lexi Hooyer, Class of '22, Primary Child Therapist, Sioux Falls, SD
Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Faculty Info
Staff
If you have any questions about °¼Í¹ÊÓƵor this program, please feel free to reach out or connect with us and we'll be in touch.
Connect with us
Submit your information to request more information about °¼Í¹ÊÓƵand this program. We'll also use this information to connect you with your admissions counselor!
Related Programs
Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.
