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Full-time and Part-time Status

Students can complete the MSW program in two years (four semesters) if they take 15 hours each semester. All students are admitted in the Fall semester. If full time students decide to take elective courses in the summer term after their foundation year, they may take as few as 12 hours in each of the two semesters (Fall and Spring) of their second year. Part time students must complete the foundation coursework in two years and must complete the concentration coursework in an additional two years, requiring no more than four years to complete the degree.

Full time students should not expect to hold full time jobs during their enrollment in the program. The time demands of graduate coursework, coupled with the time requirements of the field practicum, make full time employment unrealistic.

Part time students need to be aware that if they are employed during the MSW program there will be times when their employment may require scheduling adjustments to take courses offered during the day or when their field practicum assignment requires daytime work. (The majority of field practica will require daytime work.) The Council on Social Work Education requires that students must complete degree requirements within four years.