Focus Area Course Planning

Courses are predetermined for each focus area and offered primarily during the fall and spring terms. Each student must follow the unique curriculum and course sequence for the focus area selected. Request for substitutions and adjustments must be submitted in writing by the student and approved by the advisor and program director.

Since course offerings vary widely across the curriculum, each student must be available to enroll in day and evening classes on any weekday according to the course offerings for the term.

Successful completion of the advanced curriculum requires satisfactory grades in:

SWK-S618 Social Policy and Services (focus area specific)
SWK-S623 or 624: (should be taken with 651 or 652)
- S623 Practice Evaluation is for students in the Mental Health & Addictions, Schools, Health, or Children, Youth, and Families focus areas.
- S624 Program Evaluation is for students in the Community & Organizational Leadership focus area
Five (5) advanced 600 level MSW practice courses (see specific requirements for each focus area)
SWK-S 651 & 652 Practicum II & III

All students must select one Focus Area and complete five (5) practice courses to complete the MSW degree. Specific practice course requirements for each Focus Area are listed below.

Children, Youth, & Families: (Must choose 3 of the 4 practice courses listed; add 1-2 elective(s) to total five practice courses to complete degree)

☐ 632 Child Welfare Practice I: Working with Children Impacted by Violence

☐ 633 Child Welfare Practice II: Working with Diverse and Transitional Families

☐ 634 Group and Community-Based Practice with Children and Families

☐ 636 Social Work Practice with Involuntary Populations

☐ Elective

Community and Organizational Leadership: (Must complete 662, 663, 664 and choose 2 electives to total five practice courses to complete degree)

☐ 662 Fiscal Management, Marketing, & Resource Development

☐ 663 Leveraging Organizations, Communities, and Political Systems

☐ 664 Designing Transformational Programs

☐ Elective (any practice course from any other Focus Area)

☐ Elective (any practice course from any other Focus Area)

For clinical license, choose from 633, 634, 685, 687, 693, 694 to fulfill electives.

Health: (Must choose 692, 693 and 694 or 696 and 1-2 elective(s) to total five practice courses to complete degree)

☐ 692 Healthcare Practice I

☐ 693 Practice with Individuals, Families, & Communities in Healthcare

Must choose one of the following (may choose both)

☐ 694 Social Work Practice with Older Adults

☐ 696 Loss, Grief, Death, & Bereavement

☐ Elective (For clinical license, students should choose a course with Groups content, e.g. 634 or 687)

☐ Elective (any practice course from any Focus Area)

Mental Health and Addictions: (Must complete the 4 practice courses listed and choose 1 elective to total five practice courses to complete degree)

☐ 683 Community-Based Practice in Mental Health & Addictions

☐ 685 Mental Health & Addiction Practice with Individuals & Families

☐ 686 Social Work Practice in Addictions

☐ 687 Mental Health & Addiction Practice with Groups

☐ Elective (any practice course from any Focus Area)

Schools: (Must complete 613, 616, 614 and 2 electives to total five practice courses to complete degree; recommend courses listed)

☐ 613 Specialized Instruction and Support Services for Diverse Student Populations

☐ 616 Social Work Practice in Schools

☐ 614 School Social Work Practice with Children, Adolescents, and Families

☐ Recommended course electives listed below, but any electives can fulfill 2 course minimum; recommend at least one elective is a licensure course

☐ 632 Child Welfare Practice I: Working with Children Impacted by Violence

☐ 685 Mental Health & Addiction Practice with Individuals & Families

☐ 634 Group and Community-Based Practice with Children and Families (for clinical license)

☐ 687 Mental Health & Addiction Practice with Individuals & Families (for clinical license)

MSW Electives:

Any MSW Focus Area practice course may count as an elective toward graduation. Some courses may not be appropriate for special programs like the Behavior Health Academy (BHA) or for professional licenses or certifications. Students should consult their academic advisor when questions arise. SWK-S600 Special Topics in Social Work offers a variety of courses MSW students may use as an elective. See course offerings at: https://studentcentral.iupui.edu/.