Master of Social Work (60 credits)
The MSW program prepares social justice-minded, competent, ethical social workers to promote social and economic justice at all levels of society. The curriculum and field placement components of the MSW program complement one another through instruction and practice evidence-based practice to prepare students for trauma-informed practice and treatment methods, community organizing and change and in advocacy for social policies to promote a more just society. Social Work students learn and develop skills of multicultural practice to engage diversity in practice and advocate for human rights and social justice.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program requires students to provide the following for admission consideration: an official undergraduate transcript, a minimum GPA of 3.0 (GPA’s under 3.0 will be considered but not immediately accepted), a current resumé, an essay (directions are located in the admissions materials), and three letters of recommendation from either work/internship experience and/or academic relationships. Applications are reviewed by the MSW Program Director and one additional faculty member. Students will be informed of the admissions decision at the completion of review.
Students will complete four semesters of field experience (advanced standing students may only be required to complete two semesters of field experience). Students will be admitted to Field if they do not have any pending “incomplete” grades, and have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0. If students do not meet these criteria, they will work with their social work faculty advisor to determine which criteria has not been met, and develop a plan to resolve the criteria which had not been satisfied. The student and advisor will submit this plan to the MSW Program Director and Field Director who will approve or disapprove the plan. If approved, the student will have one semester to resolve the unmet criteria. If it is impossible for the student to raise their GPA to a 3.0, the student will be advised to take a leave of absence or withdraw from the MSW program. The completion of Field is dependent on students earning a grade of “B” or better in the following courses: CSWRK 5015, CSWRK 5020, CSWRK 5040, CSWRK 5045, CSWRK 5065, and CSWRK 5080.
Questions about the MSW program should be sent to the MSW Program Director Joshua Baldwin (jbaldwi6@lesley.edu). Questions about the MSW program’s field experience should be sent to the MSW Field Director Elaine Gatewood (egatewoo@lesley.edu).
Learning outcomes:
Consistent with the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education Accreditation, the proposed MSW program goals are to prepare social workers who:
- Practice cultural humility, consistently engage in self-reflection with regards to our own social position, power and privilege as these influence our interpretations of clients and their social world and as it influences client’s perception of us.
- Engage in ongoing self-reflection and critical thinking to identify and to enact the best available research and practice wisdom in our practice.
- Promote social justice through inclusive excellence, anti-oppressive practice and advocacy for human rights.
- Engage in lifelong learning and personal growth through intentional self-care, professional development and collaboration.
- Engage in ethical, human rights-driven social work practice through a person-in-environment framework.
Advance Standing: Students who have made a grade of "B" or better in six BSW courses can receive up to 24 credits towards their MSW. When applying to the MSW program, the transcripts of students with a BSW will be reviewed and awarded these credits upon admission to the program. Non-Lesley students applying to the MSW program who have earned a BSW from a CSWE accredited program will also be allowed to apply for advanced standing. They will adhere to the same standards documented above. In addition, they will be asked to provide a letter of recommendation from their senior year field placement experience.
For the university's transfer credit policy for this and other programs, see the Transfer of Credits page.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses (51 credits)
Electives (9 credits)
Take three or more graduate-level CSWRK courses. Students can also take courses in other masters' programs with permission of the Program Director or Academic Advisor.
| CSWRK 5060 | Mental Health, Neurodiversity, and Substance Use | 3 |
| CSWRK 5075 | Policy, Grant Writing, and Program Design | 3 |
| CSWRK 5090 | Social Work Practice with Groups and Families | 3 |
| CSWRK 5095 | DSM-5 & Diagnostic Tools | 3 |
| CSWRK 5550 | Forensic Social Work | 3 |
| CSWRK 6000 | Designing Personal Success Plans for Youth Achievement | 3 |