The Forensic Social Work concentration prepares students for professional practice in the judicial arena. Specifically, it will prepare students to work with individuals, families, groups and organizations that are involved in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. This concentration will equip students for micro and macro practice in law enforcement, the court system, probation, residential settings (group homes, forensic mental health hospitals), correctional facilities (jails, prisons, juvenile detention centers), child custody cases, child abuse investigations, and victim assistance programs.

The Gerontology Social Work concentration prepares students for professional practice with the aging population. This concentration will serve to increase students’ scope and depth of knowledge and skills in social work practice with older adults and their families at the individual, community, social and political levels. The curriculum prepares students to assume practice and leadership roles and responsibilities in such settings as community agencies, social services, mental health organizations, health care facilities, long-term institutions, retirement communities, professional research organizations, and business and industry.

The Mental Health Social Work concentration prepares students for professional practice with individuals and families experiencing mental health challenges. This concentration prepares students to assume practice and leadership roles and responsibilities in such settings as community mental health agencies and organizations, substance abuse programs, health care, long-term institutions, professional research organizations, and business and industry.

Graduates of the MSW Program will be prepared for advanced social work training and academic leadership. Upon completion of the Program, students will be equipped with an advanced requisite of knowledge, skills, and values in specialized areas of practice and research.

The curriculum will be implemented in one of three time frames: traditional (4 semesters), part-time (8 semesters), and advanced standing (2 semesters). Each Program has its own requirements for admission, structure and implementation. See Forms for curriculum sheets.