Master of Social Work

The MSW degree requires 65 credit hours, consisting of 48 credit hours of classroom courses and 17 credit hours of practicum courses. On-campus course numbers have the prefix SW; online courses, SWO.

Specialized Year

Licensure and Certificate Programs

As an MSW student, you may choose to pursue a certificate program in which you will gain advanced skills in a specific area of interest through a structured sequence of courses.

Elective Courses

MSW students who opt not to enroll in a certificate can still develop a focused skill set through their elective courses. Students interested in an area of focus can work with their Academic Advisors on elective selection. Examples of focus areas are:

• Health and Aging
• Child and Family Wellbeing
• Substance Use and Misuse
• Adult Mental Health
• Trauma and Interpersonal Violence
• Group Practice
• Clinical Practice and Therapy Models

Course Sequencing / Prerequisites

• Research, SW 441/SWO 441 must be completed prior to enrollment in Evaluation, SW 509/SWO 509.
• Program Evaluation, SW 509/SWO 509 must be taken concurrently with SW 447A or SW 447B/SWO 447AX or SWO 447BX.
• Dynamics of Racism and Oppression, SW 409/SWO 409 must be completed before commencing specialized year courses.
• SW 403/SWO 403 must be completed before SW 404/SWO 404.
• Practicum Education Year I, SW 446A or SWO 446X is concurrent with SW 421A or SWO 421A; SW 446B or SWO 446B is concurrent with SW 421B or SWO 421B.
• Practicum Education Year II, SW 447A or SWO 447AX is concurrent with SW 424A or SWO 424A; SW 447B or SWO 447BX is concurrent with SW 424B or SWO 424B.
• Students must stay in the same sections (day, time, and professor) for practice classes: SW 421A/SWO 421A and SW 421B/SWO 421B and SW 424A/SWO 424A and SW 424B/SWO 424B.

Practicum Placements

Students apply their academic knowledge through direct-practice internships with individuals, groups, families, agencies, and larger systems. Practicum helps students develop a strong foundation of social work practice skills prior to graduation. The final semesters of practicum placement focus on advanced clinical skills. Practicum placements occur on weekdays (Monday-Friday) during regular business hours.

On Ground MSW practicum options 

• Full-Time Students: Internships are three days (24 hours) per week from September to May for both years of the MSW Program.
• Extended Program Students: Internships taken during the second and third years of the program are three days (24 hours) per week from September to May. Students can choose to do placements 16 hours per week for 11 months.
• Advanced Standing Students: Advanced standing students complete one 2 semester (Fall, Spring) practicum. Placements are 24 hours each week.
• 16-Month Students: Internships are in four consecutive semesters starting in the Spring Term. Each is 24 hours per week.

Online MSW practicum options

In the first term of practicum education students complete the Simulated Practicum Experience, a 14-week 3 credit course that constitutes the first term of the generalist placement. After successful completion of the course, students enter the three-term agency-based placement which comprises the final term of the generalist placement and both terms of the specialized placement. The core of the Simulated Practicum Experience is simulation training, an evidence-based teaching and learning pedagogy and an essential method for applying knowledge to practice. MSW program students are required to complete a minimum of 1104 hours of practicum in their agency-based placements. Regular attendance of three days a week (or 24 hours per week) in practicum is required of students during the three terms. Advanced Standing students attend 672 hours of practicum for two terms.

Students in each of the online options typically begin practicum work as follows:

• Extended (8 terms): 4th term
• Full-time (6 terms): 2nd term
• Accelerated (4 terms): 1st term
• Advanced Standing (3 terms): 2nd term
• Advanced Standing (2 terms): 1st term

Employment as Practicum (all enrollment options)

In certain situations, the School and Practicum Education Department may permit students to use a paid social work position to fulfill the practicum education requirement for one practicum. In the On Ground program this arrangement is generally made for the foundation placement but can also occur during the advanced placement if faculty deems the site appropriate. In the Online program this could possibly be approved as the 3 term placement. Students who wish to use their place of paid employment as a practicum must complete an employment-based Practicum placement application. Each application will be carefully reviewed and decided upon within the framework of Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and school standards and expectations. To be approved, the agency and student must agree to adhere to the criteria for such placements, which are listed in the Practicum Education Manual.

Get ready to become a licensed School Social Worker or School Adjustment Counselor (SSW/SAC) in Massachusetts. This program gives you the expertise and real-world experience to help students succeed in school, grow socially, and support their emotional health.

You’ll take courses like Social Work in the Schools I and II, Child and Adolescent Diagnosis, and an elective that fits your interests. With two practicum placements, including one in a school, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to work in K–12 settings. The second placement is usually in a place that serves children and families, helping you build a firm foundation in working with youth.

You’ll meet all the requirements from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, including passing the Communication and Literacy parts of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). This prepares you for state licensure upon graduation.

If you’re unsure about choosing between clinical and policy work, Simmons University’s Certificate in Public Policy lets you combine clinical training with advanced public policy knowledge. This program prepares on-campus students to emerge as leaders in social work.

Along with your MSW courses, you’ll take three classes with public policy faculty to broaden your understanding of policy systems, theory, analysis, and key policy topics. These classes count toward the 65 credits needed for the MSW, so there’s no extra cost.

You’ll graduate with the skills to analyze and influence policies at the local, state, and national levels. This opens up many career paths in social work, especially in policymaking, advocacy, and administration.

Become a trauma-informed clinician who can support individuals and communities with understanding, compassion, and skill.

The Certificate in Trauma Practice prepares you to work in many settings, such as schools, community mental health centers, programs for immigrants and refugees, hospitals, correctional systems, and private therapy practices. You’ll work with children, adults, couples, families, and groups, giving you the flexibility needed in today’s clinical environments.

Along with your MSW courses, you’ll take classes like Child and Adolescent Trauma, Lifespan of Trauma Treatment: Adults and Families, and two electives focused on trauma. You’ll graduate ready to use evidence-based trauma treatment with people of all ages and in different care settings.

Simmons University’s Certificate in Healthcare prepares on-campus students to become the next generation of clinical social work leaders in health and healthcare.

Along with your MSW courses, you’ll take specialized classes in healthcare systems, culture, practices, and working with other professionals. You’ll get a personalized and integrated learning experience. These classes are part of the 65 credits needed for the MSW, so there’s no extra cost.

You’ll be ready to work in health services settings like community health centers, primary care practices, hospitals, behavioral health clinics, and other healthcare organizations. You’ll also be prepared to make a difference through direct clinical work, especially with underserved groups.

Simmons University’s Certificate in Mental Health Practice prepares online students to work with people who have serious mental health conditions, including those with other health challenges.

Along with your MSW courses, you’ll take specialized classes on being a clinician and advocate, and on working with teams, families, and other support systems. These classes count toward the 65 credits needed for the MSW, so there’s no extra cost.

Throughout the program, you’ll learn about how stigma, marginalization, and discrimination affect health, safety, access to resources, and quality of life. You’ll graduate with the skills to use evidence-based interventions to help clients manage symptoms, support wellness, and recover.

Build advanced clinical skills to serve active service members, veterans, and their families with respect and care.

The Certificate in Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families helps you better understand military culture, systems, and identity, as well as the unique experiences, strengths, and challenges experienced by military-connected people. You’ll also learn to work respectfully with minoritized communities in the military, building the cultural awareness needed for ethical and effective practice.

You’ll graduate ready to support individuals and families at any stage of military life, whether you work in healthcare, community agencies, schools, or clinical settings.