Social Work (MSW) Requirements
The mission of the Master of Social Work is to prepare students to be effective advanced practitioners in the fields of Administration in Social Work and Clinical Social Work. In addition, the program prepares professionals committed to the social and economic justice of human beings. To this end, the curriculum of the program is framed in the systemic-ecological approach and emphasizes the perspectives of empowerment and strengths, integrated with the biopsychosocial vision.
The Master in Social Work has two specializations: Administration in Social Work and Clinical Social Work.
The Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) (http://www.cswe.org).
The Metropolitan Campus is authorized to offer this Program.
Program Goals
The goals of the Master in Social Work are congruent with its mission and are oriented toward the preparation of advanced level practitioners who can:
- Use the perspectives of strengths and empowerment in the practice of Social Work for the promotion, strengthening, maintenance and restoration of the mental health and well-being of individuals, families and the community in general.
- Examine and use scientific findings and methodologies in their professional practice, evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of their practice, and participate in the process of evaluating the achievement of the organizational goals.
- Develop and implement strategies and techniques that promote social and economic justice for the benefit of systems within the context of human rights, values and ethics of the Social Work profession.
- Incorporate in their practice strategies that promote the recognition of cultural diversity and human rights, and understand how they affect social systems.
Competencies Profile of Graduates
The Program is designed to develop the core competencies, in agreement with the 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) that will allow students at the graduate level, in harmony with their specialization, to:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Engage diversity and difference in practice.
- Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
The Master in Social Work has two study Programs:
Regular Program - This curricular program is aimed at students with a bachelor’s degree in various specializations, including those that come from programs not accredited by the CSWE. The first 24 credits consist of courses of the fundamentals of the practice of General Social Work. The other 33 credits are specialization courses selected by the student. Fifty-seven (57) credits are required to complete the degree.
Advanced Program - This curricular program is aimed at students who hold a bachelor’s degree accredited by the CSWE or approved and have completed their degree with 3.00 or more in majors' courses. The student is admitted to the specialization of choice and 33 credits are required to complete the program.
The Master in Social Work consists of two specializations: Administration in Social Work and Clinical Social Work.
The specialization in Administration in Social Work prepares advanced level practitioners with the knowledge, skills and values that enable them to perform professionally in human service organizations that offer family services. It includes the areas of management, administration, supervision, development, and analysis of social policy, and the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of programs.
The specialization in Clinical Social Work prepares advanced level social workers with the knowledge, skills, and the values to intervene clinically with people, families and groups. Models of intervention are critically examined within their sociocultural context. It also includes professional practice from a perspective of strengths and empowerment integrated with the biopsychosocial approach.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the admission requirements for master's programs established in the section "Requirements for Admission to Master’s Programs" of this catalog, students must present the results of a standardized admissions test for graduate studies. The test score will be used in the admission formula to the Program. Submission of a negative certificate of Criminal Record and a negative certificate of the Sex Offender Registry (Law No. 300, of 1999) are also required. Students must also meet the following requirements according to the specialization of interest.
Regular Program Admission Requirements
Approval of the following courses at the undergraduate level or equivalents with a minimum grade of C:
| Statistical Methods course |
3 credits |
| General Sociology course |
3 credits |
Advanced Program Admission Requirements
Have an academic grade point average of 3.00 or more in the Social Work specialization courses at the Undergraduate level.
Students with a Bachelor in Social Work from a program accredited by the CSWE and whose average in major courses are between 2.50 and 2.99, may be admitted to the Advanced Program under conditional admission to take the major course or courses at the undergraduate level necessary to reach 3.00. This average must be reached in or before the second academic term.
Admission of Transfer Students
Students who request admission by transfer from other master's programs must meet the requirements of the current Graduate Catalog and the specific requirements of the Program. Validation of transfer credits requires that:
- 51% or more of the credits be taken in the desired program of transfer.
- Credits validated must be from master's programs accredited by the CSWE.
- Courses validated must have been approved with A or B.
Admission of Transfer Students
Students of a master's program in Social Work of the Inter-American University who request transfer to the Metropolitan Campus Program must meet the requirements of the current Graduate Catalog and the specific requirements of the Program. Transfer of credits requires that:
- 51% or more of the credits be taken in the desired program of transfer.
- Courses validated must have been approved with A or B.
Graduation Requirements
To complete the Master in Social Work (MSW) in any of the specializations, the student must pass the comprehensive exam or the integrative seminar.
- The comprehensive exam will be offered twice a year. A minimum score of 75% is required in each of the two parts to pass the comprehensive exam.
- The integrative seminar will be offered during any academic term of the Program and will be approved with a minimum score of 75%.
Course Validation Policy
The master's program does not validate work experience, life experiences or current jobs as substitutes for practicums or courses that are required in the study sequences.
Requirements for the Master of Social Work
Regular Program
| Core Course Requirements (Fundamentals) |
24 credits |
| Specialization Requirements |
33 credits |
| Total |
57 credits |
Advanced Program
| Specialization Requirements |
33 credits |
| Total |
33 credits |
Core Requirements - 24 credits
The student may choose one of the two specializations offered by the Master in Social Work: Administration in Social Work or Clinical Social Work.
Specialization Requirements - 33 credits
Courses listed under each specialization.