Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing)

Program Description/Overview

This program is designed for students who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program within the past seven years. This accelerated 30-unit curriculum allows qualified students to complete the MSW degree in a three-trimester format by building upon foundational generalist competencies acquired at the baccalaureate level.

Consistent with the mission of the Alliant MSW Program, the AS-MSW prepares clinically focused, competent scholar-practitioners who promote social and economic justice through inclusive, ethical social work practice with individuals, families, and groups across diverse cultures and communities. Grounded in the profession’s core values and a strong commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion, the program advances students’ knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive and affective processes necessary for advanced-level practice.

Aligned with the 2022 Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), the AS-MSW affirms the profession’s purpose of promoting human and community well-being within a global context. Guided by a person-in-environment framework, scientific inquiry, and respect for human diversity, students are prepared to advance human rights and address social, racial, economic, and environmental injustice.

The advanced curriculum emphasizes clinical practice, policy analysis, crisis intervention, and practice-informed research. Through integrated field education experiences, students apply classroom learning in professional settings and develop competencies in engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation across system levels. Graduates are prepared for advanced clinical and community-based practice and emerge as ethically grounded professionals committed to human dignity, systemic equity, and collective well-being.

Program Mission Statement: 

The mission of the program is to prepare clinically focused, competent scholar-practitioners who promote social and economic justice through inclusive, ethical social work practice that focuses on individuals, families, and groups in diverse cultures and communities.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

Graduates of the program will demonstrate mastery of the nine CSWE competencies as outlined by the Council on Social Work Education (EPAS, 2022): 

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
3. Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
4. Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
5. Engage in Policy Practice
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
   

Professional Behavior Expectations/Ethical Guidelines

Students are expected to uphold the NASW Code of Ethics and Alliant’s professional conduct standards. The program fosters accountability, self-reflection, and ethical decision-making throughout the curriculum.

Licensure

Students successfully completing the program’s degree requirements can apply for licensure through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). ASWB is the nonprofit organization composed of the social work regulatory boards and colleges of all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and all 10 Canadian provinces. They are the only nonprofit organization dedicated to social work regulation. 

Programmatic Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Internship, Practicum, and/or Dissertation Information

Students complete two advanced field practicum courses (SWK70070  and SWK70075 ), totaling 600 supervised hours across clinical and community settings. Field education is integrated with concurrent seminars emphasizing reflection, supervision, and professional skill development.

The Alliant MSW Field Education Program bridges classroom learning with real-world social work practice through structured practicum experiences. This integration occurs via: 

• The Learning Contract/Practicum Education Evaluation Tool 
• Practicum Seminar 
• Practicum Site Visits 
• Assignments 

These structured activities promote the application of evidence-informed practice and provide a framework for skill development. 

Practicum Seminar 

The practicum seminar supports students in integrating field experiences with academic coursework. Held alongside SWK70070 , and SWK70075 , these seminars provide a forum for students to discuss: 

• Practicum experiences 
• Application of theoretical frameworks 
• Supervisory relationships 
• Professional values and ethics 
• Self-care and resilience 

Facilitated by a practicum seminar instructor, these discussions use peer consultation and support to deepen students’ understanding of core competencies. Key topics, such as assessment, ethical and professional behavior, engagement, social justice, policy, and evidence-informed practice, are explored beyond theory, ensuring that students translate concepts into effective practice. 

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 30

Total Core Credit Units: 27

Total Elective Credit Units: 3

Elective Requirements

Select one of the following:

• SWK60300 - Forensic Social Work (3 units)
• SWK60400 - Management and Organizational Development for Social Workers (3 units)
• SWK60500 - Social Work in Health Care (3 units)
• SWK60600 - Social Work and Aging (3 units)

Curriculum Plan