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Social Work, M.S.W. in Cincinnati

Saint Louis University’s Master of Social Work program in southern Ohio offers the opportunity for students to earn an M.S.W. from our highly ranked and internationally known program without the challenges associated with relocation.

Program Highlights

  • With SLU's hybrid model, approximately 60% of the program is taught online. The remaining courses are offered in a face-to-face format, including practicum planning and field seminar courses. In-person courses take place at Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
  • SLU faculty integrate innovative classroom activities with community-based practice. An on-site fieldwork coordinator will assist students in securing meaningful, local fieldwork placements.
  • Students can specialize in the clinical concentration or the community and organization concentration.
  •  Courses can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis, and students who already have their bachelor's degree in social work can accelerate their studies in the advanced standing program. 
  • Students without a bachelor's degree in social work enter the foundation program. 

This M.S.W program prepares students in the Jesuit tradition to be advanced social work practitioners, acting as agents of change to promote individual and societal well-being.

Both SLU and Xavier were founded on the Catholic tradition of educating students who seek a higher purpose and a greater good. Our students learn and live social work and engage in service by committing to serve humankind with compassion.  

For additional information, see the link below:

SLU M.S.W. Information

Accreditation 

The baccalaureate social work program at Saint Louis University has been continuously accredited since 1974.
 
The master of social work program at Saint Louis University has been continuously accredited since 1930.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
1701 Duke Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314-3457
Phone: 703-683-8080 

  1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
  2. Graduates will be able to engage in diversity and difference in practice.
  3. Graduates will be able to advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice.
  4. Graduates will be able to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
  5. Graduates will be able to engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
  6. Graduates will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. 
  7. Graduates will be able to assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. 
  8. Graduates will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
  9. Graduates will be able to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. 

M.S.W. Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

Generalist Foundation Courses
SWRK 5702Social Policy3
SWRK 5725Human Behavior & the Social Environment3
SWRK 5750Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups3
SWRK 5751Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations3
SWRK 5819Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar1
SWRK 5841Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum2
Hallmark Courses
SWRK 5700Values & Ethics in Social Work3
SWRK 5707Policy Practice for Social Justice3
Research Methods Courses
SWRK 5787Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice3
Concentration specific courses24-33
Select one of the following:
Total Credits48-57

Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

Advanced Practice Concentration Courses
SWRK 5746Principles & Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis3
SWRK 5747Behavioral Assessment3
SWRK 5748Behavior Change & Processes in Applied Behavior Analysis3
SWRK 5749Behavior Change & Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis3
SWRK 5774Measurement & Experimental Design in Applied Behavior Analysis3
SWRK 5001Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management3
SWRK 5002Philosophy of Behavioral Science3
Concentration Practicum
SWRK 5822Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I2
SWRK 5820Integrative Practice Seminar (ABA)1
SWRK 5823Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II2
SWRK 5830ABA Integrative Practice Seminar II1
SWRK 5824Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III2
SWRK 5840ABA Integrative Practice Seminar III1
ABA 5116Practicum IV2
ABA 5115Advanced Clinical Research and Practice Seminar IV1
Concentration Electives0
None
Total Credits33

Clinical Concentration

Advanced Practice Concentration Courses
SWRK 5733Advanced Social Work Practice3
SWRK 5734Human Behavior & the Social Environment Part II3
SWRK 5762Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice3
SWRK 5784Evaluation of Social Work Practice3
Concentration Practicum
SWRK 5820Integrative Practice Seminar (Clinical)1
SWRK 5842Clinical Practicum I2
SWRK 5843Clinical Practicum II3
Concentration Electives
Select 6 credits 6
Total Credits24

Up to 6 credits may be taken outside of Social Work (SWRK) courses.

Community and Organization Concentration

Advanced Practice Concentration Courses
SWRK 5721Community Theory & Practice3
SWRK 5784Evaluation of Social Work Practice3
SWRK 5785Organizational & Program Planning3
Concentration Practicum
SWRK 5820Integrative Practice Seminar (Comm Org)1
SWRK 5832Community & Organization Practicum I2
SWRK 5833Community & Organization Practicum II3
Concentration Electives
Select 9 credits 9
Total Credits24

Up to 6 credits may be taken outside of Social Work (SWRK) courses.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration (Full-Time)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
SWRK 5725 Human Behavior & the Social Environment 3
SWRK 5746 Principles & Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis 3
SWRK 5750 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups 3
SWRK 5774 Measurement & Experimental Design in Applied Behavior Analysis 3
 Credits12
Spring
SWRK 5747 Behavioral Assessment 3
SWRK 5748 Behavior Change & Processes in Applied Behavior Analysis 3
SWRK 5751 Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations 3
SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar 1
SWRK 5821 MSW/ABA Foundation Practicum 2
 Credits12
Summer
SWRK 5001 Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management 3
SWRK 5749 Behavior Change & Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis 3
SWRK 5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (ABA) 1
SWRK 5822 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I 2
 Credits9
Year Two
Fall
SWRK 5002 Philosophy of Behavioral Science 3
SWRK 5702 Social Policy 3
SWRK 5823 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II 2
SWRK 5830 ABA Integrative Practice Seminar II 1
 Credits9
Spring
SWRK 5762 Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice 3
SWRK 5787 Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice 3
SWRK 5824 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III 2
SWRK 5840 ABA Integrative Practice Seminar III 1
 Credits9
Summer
SWRK 5707 Policy Practice for Social Justice 3
ABA 5115 Advanced Clinical Research and Practice Seminar IV 1
ABA 5116 Practicum IV 2
 Credits6
 Total Credits57
*

This course is necessary to become a LCSW

Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration (Part-Time)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
SWRK 5750 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups 3
SWRK 5751 Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWRK 5725 Human Behavior & the Social Environment 3
SWRK 5787 Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice 3
 Credits6
Summer
SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar 1
SWRK 5821 MSW/ABA Foundation Practicum 2
SWRK 5702 Social Policy 3
 Credits6
Year Two
Fall
SWRK 5746 Principles & Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis 3
SWRK 5774 Measurement & Experimental Design in Applied Behavior Analysis 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWRK 5747 Behavioral Assessment 3
SWRK 5748 Behavior Change & Processes in Applied Behavior Analysis 3
 Credits6
Summer
SWRK 5001 Supervision and Organizational Behavior Management 3
SWRK 5749 Behavior Change & Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Fall
SWRK 5002 Philosophy of Behavioral Science 3
SWRK 5822 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum I 2
SWRK 5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (ABA) 1
 Credits6
Spring
SWRK 5762 Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice 3
SWRK 5823 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum II 2
SWRK 5830 ABA Integrative Practice Seminar II 1
 Credits6
Summer
SWRK 5707 Policy Practice for Social Justice 3
SWRK 5824 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum III 2
SWRK 5840 ABA Integrative Practice Seminar III 1
 Credits6
Year Four
Fall
ABA 5115 Advanced Clinical Research and Practice Seminar IV 1
ABA 5116 Practicum IV 2
 Credits3
 Total Credits57
*

This course is necessary for a LCSW.

Clinical Concentration (Full-Time)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
SWRK 5725 Human Behavior & the Social Environment 3
SWRK 5750 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups 3
SWRK 5751 Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations 3
SWRK 5787 Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice 3
 Credits12
Spring
SWRK 5702 Social Policy 3
SWRK 5841 Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 1 2
SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar 1
SWRK 5734 Human Behavior & the Social Environment Part II 3
Elective 3
 Credits12
Summer
SWRK 5700 Values & Ethics in Social Work 3
SWRK 5707 Policy Practice for Social Justice 3
Elective 3
 Credits9
Year Two
Fall
SWRK 5733 Advanced Social Work Practice 3 3
SWRK 5762 Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice 3
SWRK 5820 Integrative Practice Seminar 1
SWRK 5842 Clinical Practicum I 2 2
SWRK 5784 Evaluation of Social Work Practice 3
 Credits12
Spring
SWRK 5843 Clinical Practicum II 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits48
1

Must be taken concurrently with SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr) 

2

Must take concurrently with SWRK 5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)

3

SWRK 5733 Advanced Social Work Practice (3 cr) must be taken either concurrently or after SWRK 5842 Clinical Practicum I (2 cr).

Clinical Concentration (Part-Time)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
SWRK 5725 Human Behavior & the Social Environment 3
SWRK 5750 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWRK 5702 Social Policy 3
SWRK 5751 Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations 3
 Credits6
Summer
SWRK 5707 Policy Practice for Social Justice 3
SWRK 5841 Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 2
SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar 1
 Credits6
Year Two
Fall
SWRK 5787 Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice 3
SWRK 5734 Human Behavior & the Social Environment Part II 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWRK 5762 Diagnosis & Assessment in Clinical Practice 3
Elective 3
 Credits6
Summer
SWRK 5733 Advanced Social Work Practice 3
SWRK 5820 Integrative Practice Seminar 1
SWRK 5842 Clinical Practicum I 2
 Credits6
Year Three
Fall
SWRK 5784 Evaluation of Social Work Practice 3
SWRK 5843 Clinical Practicum II 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWRK 5700 Values & Ethics in Social Work 3
Elective 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits48
1

Must take concurrently with SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)

2

Students can begin taking electives when they begin Concentration Core Courses and can add a three-credit elective to any semester beginning in Semester Five. 

3

Must take concurrently with SWRK 5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)

4

 SWRK 5733 Advanced Social Work Practice (3 cr) must be taken either in concurrently or after SWRK 5842 Clinical Practicum I (2 cr).

Community and Organization Concentration (Full-Time)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
SWRK 5725 Human Behavior & the Social Environment 3
SWRK 5750 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups 3
SWRK 5751 Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations 3
SWRK 5787 Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice 3
 Credits12
Spring
SWRK 5702 Social Policy 3
SWRK 5841 Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 2
SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar 1
SWRK 5721 Community Theory & Practice 3
Elective 3
 Credits12
Summer
SWRK 5700 Values & Ethics in Social Work 3
SWRK 5707 Policy Practice for Social Justice 3
Elective 3
 Credits9
Year Two
Fall
SWRK 5785 Organizational & Program Planning 3
SWRK 5820 Integrative Practice Seminar (Comm Org) 1
SWRK 5832 Community & Organization Practicum I 2
SWRK 5784 Evaluation of Social Work Practice 3
Elective 3
 Credits12
Spring
SWRK 5833 Community & Organization Practicum II 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits48
1

Must be taken concurrently with SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)

Community and Organization Concentration (Part-Time)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
SWRK 5725 Human Behavior & the Social Environment 3
SWRK 5750 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWRK 5702 Social Policy 3
SWRK 5751 Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations 3
 Credits6
Summer
SWRK 5841 Master of Social Work Foundation Practicum 2
SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar 1
Elective 3
 Credits6
Year Two
Fall
SWRK 5787 Research for Evidence-Informed Research Practice 3
SWRK 5785 Organizational & Program Planning 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWRK 5721 Community Theory & Practice 3
Elective 3
 Credits6
Summer
SWRK 5784 Evaluation of Social Work Practice 3
Elective 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Fall
SWRK 5820 Integrative Practice Seminar 1
SWRK 5832 Community & Organization Practicum I 2
SWRK 5707 Policy Practice for Social Justice 3
 Credits6
Spring
SWRK 5700 Values & Ethics in Social Work 3
SWRK 5784 Evaluation of Social Work Practice 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits48
1

Must take concurrently with SWRK 5819 Foundation Integrative Practice Seminar (1 cr)

2

Students can begin taking electives when they begin Concentration Core Courses and can add a three-credit elective to any semester beginning in Semester Five.

SLU M.S.W. in Cincinnati Site Coordinator
Jaylene Schaefer, Ph.D., LISW
BSW Chair and Professor at Xavier University
513-745-3242
 

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions please contact:
Kathryn MacLean
Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions
314-977-2752
socialwork@slu.edu