Before you begin a program geared toward receiving the Master's of social work, you need to accomplish some research about the institution you are considering attending. The Council on Social Work requires that you attend a facility of higher learning that is accredited in order for your degree to be recognized as valid. Accreditation is significant for the licensing or certification that is required in most states if you want to practice in the field.
Specializations in the field of social work at the Master's level include schools, children, marriage and family and substance abuse. You can also elect to receive your social work specialization in the areas of end of life care, health and/or mental health, juvenile delinquency and justice or gerontology. Each of these areas of specializations can be approached from an integrated or family practice model. Integrated practice requires the social work candidate to consider all stakeholders in a particular environment, while family practice concentrates on providing services to families and their members.
The curriculum for MSW programs incorporates field experience with classroom learning. Field experience requires the student to perform in the social work profession and allows the student an opportunity to apply learning to performance. Classroom courses include a focus on ethics, work with clients, and the practice of social work and human behavior. Courses are also required in relation to assessments, as well as theory.
To obtain a Masters in social work you can be expected to complete an estimated 64 credit hours. The exact number of course hours will depend on the specific institution that you attend. However, because the MSW is an advanced degree you will also be required to conduct research, prepare for classes outside of the classroom and accomplish work in a professional setting. Furthermore, some MSW programs require the completion of an advanced research project, similar to a dissertation, that will be quite time consuming.
The prerequisites for the MSW will vary, depending on the institution that you will attend. Hawaii Pacific University, for example, requires MSW candidates to hold a Bachelor's in social work, or show successful completion in courses related to statistics, psychology and research. However, Newman University required students to have completed courses in philosophy, language arts and mathematics, as well as biology prior to admission.