Social Work: Leadership & Social Change, MSW
for the degree of Master of Social Work, Leadership & Social Change Concentration
The Leadership and Social Change (LSC) concentration prepares social work students to further their careers by developing advanced skills in macro practice. Since the social work profession has a long tradition of working towards improving conditions of disadvantaged populations through advocacy efforts with political officials and others, this concentration will prepare students for macro-level advanced practice. These skills can lead to positions, such as, policy advocate, program director, executive director, political strategist, supervisor, administrator, public service leader, strategic planner, or consultant.
The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The MSW program offers courses on campus and online.
The master's degree provides specialized study for advanced social work practice. Students take foundation and advanced courses in social work practice methods with individuals, families and organization, in policy and services, in research, and in human behavior and the social environment. Students are required to complete a one to two semester field placement/internship (minimum 900 hours) in an approved setting. A total of 44 -72 hours of graduate coursework is required for the M.S.W. degree. The determination of the number of hours needed within the range is determined on a case-by-case basis after considering each student’s prior education, coursework and experience. The curriculum may be completed in 16 to 18 months of full-time study.
MSW students choose from one of these two concentrations:
- In the Advanced Clinical Practice concentration, students prepare for clinical practice with individuals, families and groups, and in one of the focus areas. These students' Methods coursework has a clinical focus.
- Students in the Leadership & Social Change (LSC) concentration prepare for advanced macro practice which focuses on work with communities and organizations rather than work with individuals and families. In the LSC concentration students are prepared to work in either leadership/administration or advocacy/policy. Methods coursework for this concentration has a Macro focus.
Admission
MSW program applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad;
- a grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) or greater for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work;
- 20 hours of completed coursework in a liberal arts core consisting of social and behavioral sciences, the humanities, and biological sciences
- evidence of personal attributes that are suitable for the profession of social work;
- a score of 103 or above on the TOEFL test;
- provision of a written supplementary statement.
Advanced Standing MSW applicants who meet all above requirements who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program in the past seven years are considered for admission into the Advanced Standing MSW program. This is a three semester/44 hour program that may be completed in 12 months by most students.
for the degree of Master of Social Work, Leadership & Social Change Concentration
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
This program is available on campus or online
Requirements for the Master of Social Work with the Leadership and Social Change Concentration
Advanced Standing (Entering With a BSW)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Methods | 12 | |
| Social Welfare Planning | ||
| SW Practice with Communities | ||
| Managing Human Service Orgs | ||
| Policy | 4 | |
| Policy Practice and Advocacy | ||
| Research | 4 | |
| Program Evaluation | ||
| HBSE | 4 | |
| Theories of Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change | ||
| Electives | 8 | |
| Field Education | 12-24 | |
| Field Practicum and Integrative Seminar I | ||
| Field Practicum and Integrative Seminar II | ||
| Total Hours: | 44-56 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| A concentration is required. | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 36 |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Entering Without a BSW
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Methods | 16 | |
| Generalist SW Practice Methods | ||
| Social Welfare Planning | ||
| SW Practice with Communities | ||
| Managing Human Service Orgs | ||
| Policy | 4-8 | |
| Social Welfare Pol and Svcs | ||
| Policy Practice and Advocacy | ||
| Research | 4-8 | |
| Social Work Research Methods | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| HBSE | 4-8 | |
| HBSE I: Human Development | ||
| Theories of Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change | ||
| Electives | 8 | |
| Field Education | 24 | |
| Field Practicum and Integrative Seminar I | ||
| Field Practicum and Integrative Seminar II | ||
| Total Hours | 64-72 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| A concentration is required. | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 48 |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
| A maximum of 8 hours of the Policy, Research or HBSE credit may be waived if taken as an undergraduate. |
for the degree of Master of Social Work, Leadership & Social Change Concentration
Advanced Student Learning Competencies
1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior. Students will demonstrate the ability to:
1.1 Develop a self-awareness of ethical standards of practice, and identify situations in which personal values, legal standards, and professional expectations may conflict.
1.2 Understand the principles identified in the NASW Code of Ethics such as: limiting practice to personal areas of competence, boundaries of sharing or withholding confidential information, and resolving ethical dilemmas arising from value conflicts.
2. Engage diversity and difference in practice. Students will demonstrate the ability to:
2.1 Understand the importance of diversity and diverse perspectives on the development and impact of social policies and programs.
2.2 Communicate the importance of diversity and diverse perspectives when conducting social change interventions, whether through advocacy, policy development, or leadership in social service agencies.
2.3 Engage diverse populations in advocacy, organizational management, policy development, and coalition building.
3. Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. Students will demonstrate the ability to:
3.1 Understand key rights and responsibilities embodied in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the U.S. Constitution, and related documents that advocate for social, economic, and environmental justice.
3.2 Apply social, economic, and environmental justice principles to the analysis and development of policies and programs.
4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice. Students will demonstrate the ability to:
4.1. Assess and utilize research evidence and effective practice approaches related to social policy, administration, and advocacy.
4.4. Apply needs assessments and other data in the conduct of policy analysis, community development, and program development.
4.3 Be able to conduct social program evaluation studies and interpret findings to enhance both service delivery processes and service outcomes.
5. Engage in policy practice. Students will demonstrate the ability to:
5.1. Understand leading societal trends that shape the agendas of governmental officials and others involved in policy development.
5.2. Be able to critically assess legislative, regulatory, and judicial communications related to social policies.
5.3. Develop skills in writing brief communications and longer reports on behalf of policy positions.
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students will demonstrate the ability to:
6.1 Develop skills required to organize campaigns, build linkages, and develop coalitions with other stakeholders on behalf of social change efforts.
6.2 Use empathy, reflection and interpersonal communication skills to effectively engage diverse constituencies in advocacy, policy development, and leadership.
7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students will demonstrate the ability to:
7.1. Conduct needs assessments to inform policy advocacy and/or program development that address social needs of a group or community.
7.2 Identify assessment strategies for improving supervisory and/or organizational effectiveness.
7.3 Be able to assess the interests of various stakeholders needed to influence, policy, programs, and social change.
8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students will demonstrate the ability to:
8.1 Understand leadership strategies for effecting social change, whether through advocacy, policy development, or leadership strategies to affect social change.
8.2 Develop entrepreneurial approaches to addressing social service needs of oppressed and marginalized groups.
8.3 Demonstrate grant writing skills for accessing resources that support social change and program improvement.
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
9.1 Critically evaluate the effectiveness and impact of organizational management, human service programs, community development, social welfare policy, and/or social change interventions.
9.2. Disseminate results of evaluation or research (such as written reports or presentations) in order to improve programs and influence policy for the degree of Master of Social Work Major in Social Work Leadership & Social Change Concentration.
Graduate Programs in Social Work
- Schools Specialization, CAS (online)
- Social Work, MSW (on campus and online)
- concentration required:
- Social Work, PhD
for the degree of Master of Social Work, Leadership & Social Change Concentration
School of Social Work
Director of Graduate Studies: Associate Dean Min Zahn
School of Social Work website
1010 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244-5246
undergradsocialwork@illinois.edu