MSSW Program Requirements
The MSSW program requires 60-credit hours of coursework and 960 clock-hours of supervised field internship.
We offer two concentrations, Clinical Social Work and Administration and Policy Practice. Within each concentration there are many opportunities to tailor the degree to your interests and goals.
Curriculum
Foundation
The foundation curriculum prepares students for generalist social work practice and develops knowledge of and identification with the social work profession. Students learn about social work values, ethics and practices; populations at risk; human behavior and the social environment; dynamics of organizations and communities; social welfare policy and services and research methodologies. Regardless of the student’s choice of concentration, the program emphasizes commitment to diverse populations, social and economic justice and the advancement of the knowledge-base of the profession.
Concentrations
Clinical Social Work
This concentration gives you the knowledge and skills for ethical, evidence-based, strengths-based and culturally responsive clinical practice with individuals, families, groups and communities.
Course content includes clinical assessment and diagnosis, group treatment, and electives in clinical practice such as treatment of traumatized populations, attachment, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Administration and Policy Practice (APP)
This concentration gives you the knowledge and skills for ethical and culturally responsive practice in human service organizations such as federal, state and community-based agencies, for profit and nonprofit organizations and foundations.
Course content includes strategic partnerships, information systems, management, program evaluation, grant writing, advanced policy practice and organizational leadership.
Flexible program options
Complete the MSSW program as a full-time student in two years or choose more flexible options that take longer. We offer options for independent study with individual faculty and for taking elective courses in other graduate departments at UT Austin. Required courses are offered during daytime and evening hours, and some are offered during the summer. Students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from an accredited school can complete a shorter program.
| Program options | Semesters | Typical credit-hour load per semester | Start | Total credit hours |
| 1-year program for BSW degree holders: 42-hour program 48-hour program | 4 | 6-15 | Summer | 42-48 |
| 2-year program | 4 | 15 | Fall | 60 |
| 3-year program | 6 | 9-12 | Fall | 60 |
| 3-and-half-year program | 10 | 6-9 | Fall | 60 |
Please note:
- For financial aid considerations, full-time status in the MSSW program is 12-credit hours or more.