Advanced Standing MSW in Clinical Practice Online
A Faster Path to Your Online Master’s in Social Work
Online
1 – 1.5 Years
32 Credit Hours
$525 Cost Per Credit
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Prepare for Clinical Practice in Less Time
Embark on your journey to effecting positive change in your community with our advanced standing Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Designed for those with a BSW degree, our advanced standing track allows you to leverage your past achievements to graduate in 1 year as a full-time student or 1.5 years as a part-time student. With a reduced total credit requirement of just 32 hours, you’ll gain valuable experience while maximizing your existing knowledge and building advanced clinical skills.
The MSW program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and taught by diverse and experienced faculty who are dedicated to your success. Through the field practicum and online coursework that includes live interactive sessions, you’ll advance your capabilities and prepare for Master’s level licensure in half the time.
Program Benefits
- Graduate Faster
- Clinical Concentration
- Focus on Practice in Rural & Tribal Communities
- No GRE/GMAT Scores Required
Curriculum Details
13 Courses
32 Credit Hours
Our advanced standing track prepares you to work as a direct service practitioner, ready to support individuals, families, groups and communities in New Mexico and the Southwest. You will develop effective practice skills during courses that integrate social work knowledge and theory, bolstered by an exploration of the interrelatedness of human problems, life situations and social conditions. The advanced standing track offers a faster path to an MSW, as you will benefit from the following:
- 31 fewer credit hours than the traditional track
- 11 fewer courses than the traditional track
- 1 clinical practicum experience (the traditional track includes an additional generalist practicum)
Required Advanced Standing Courses
- SOWK 6010 DSM for Clinicians
- SOWK 6330 Advanced Clinical Research
- SOWK 6440 Group Work
- SOWK 6560 Professional Development
- SOWK 6650 Advanced Multicultural Practice 1
- SOWK 6660 Advanced Multicultural Practice 2
- SOWK 5240 Field Preparation
- SOWK 5180 Social Work Practice in Rural Communities
- SOWK 5260 Telehealth and Social Work Practice
- SOWK 6110 Social Work Practice – Latinx/Hispanic Clients
- SOWK 6170 Social Work Practice in Tribal Communities
- SOWK 6320 Field Practicum 3
- SOWK 6340 Field Practicum 4
Who is the Ideal Student for the Advanced Standing MSW Track?
The online MSW advanced standing track is for students who completed a bachelor’s in social work at an accredited university within the last five years and earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher in their major. The specified criteria enable advanced standing students to complete the MSW program in half the time compared to other students, leveraging their recent bachelor’s in social work and high GPA to expedite their progress. Please review the following admission details to see if you’re eligible for the advanced standing track.
Advance Standing Admissions
Spring Semester Deadline September 1 Students will be notified by October 30
Fall Semester Deadline March 24 Applicants will be notified by April 30
At New Mexico Highlands University, your previous social work education could help you qualify for advanced standing admission. You’ll complete the following requirements to begin this program, and we’re here to assist you every step of the way.
View MSW Admissions| Online Application Form | Apply today Now accepting applications.* |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Degree | CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) earned within the last five years. |
| Minimum GPA | Minimum 3.5 GPA in social work major. Students who do not meet the 3.5 GPA requirement may be considered based on the strengths of other application materials. |
| Transfer Credits | The Advanced Standing program does not accept transfer credits. |
| Transcripts | Official copies of all college transcripts. |
| Professional References | Three professional references. One reference must be from a field placement supervisor (or another professional who can speak to work in a human service setting). At least one reference must be from an instructor. The third reference must also be professional, not from a family member, friend, or coworker who is not a supervisor. |
| Work Experience | Current resume inclusive of employment and volunteer experience. Work experience is recommended but not required. Applicants ARE assessed on work experience. It can include volunteer experience as well as internships. |
| Client Assessment | The Client Assessment (a biopsychosocial-spiritual assessment) paper should demonstrate advanced writing skills and mastery of prior BSW coursework and the core social work competencies. You will conduct a comprehensive biopsychosocial-spiritual assessment based on a specific case scenario provided in the application packet. Applicants should demonstrate generalist social work practice knowledge and should be proficient in communicating their comprehension of key social work concepts, theories, skills, ethics, and values. |
| Personal Essay/Narrative | All MSW program applicants are required to address six essay prompts. Please review details for each prompt on the MSW program admissions page. |
*If you are not admitted to the advanced standing program, you will be considered for the two-year (Full-time) or three-year (part-time) online program.
Answers to Common Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to us for assistance or more information.
The traditional MSW program includes 16 core courses, four focus courses, and two field practicums for a total of 24 classes. The advanced standing MSW track consists of seven core courses, four focus courses, and one field practicum for a total of 13 classes, reducing the total credit hours from 63 to 32.
The advanced standing MSW track offers a streamlined one-year completion option compared to the traditional two-year duration for full-time students. For those opting for part-time enrollment, the advanced standing MSW extends to a year and a half, while the traditional MSW extends to three years.
A cohort model means you will start with a small group of students, take classes together throughout your program and graduate together. The cohort group fosters a strong sense of community and support among classmates. All students follow a predetermined schedule of courses which provides structure and consistency. Your cohort journey begins with the new student orientation (conducted through Zoom) on the Friday and Saturday before the start of the semester.
The MSW program charges $525 per credit, resulting in a total cost of $33,075 for the traditional MSW track. The advanced standing track is 32 credit hours resulting in a total cost of $16,800. There is an additional $40 fee for each practicum course (5320, 5340, 6320 & 6340).
The advanced standing MSW track requires a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree obtained from a CSWE-accredited program within the last five years and a demonstration of mastery of fundamental social work principles and practices as indicated on application materials. You can find additional requirements on our admissions page.