Master of Social Work

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About the program

MSW Online, the online Master of Social Work program, empowers aspiring social workers to promote and sustain a high quality of life for marginalised individuals and communities. The online curriculum is grounded in the Black Perspective, a lens that empowers learners to develop an inclusive, strengths-based approach to direct and macro practice. Learners follow one of two tracks below:

• Traditional: This 60-credit track is for learners who hold any bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Learners can complete this track part time in as few as 36 months. The full-time track can be completed in as few as 16 months.
  Advanced Standing: This 45-credit track is for learners who hold a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution. Learners can complete this track part time in as few as 24 months. The full-time track can be completed in as few as 12 months.

Admissions

MSW Online enrolls individuals who show potential to become passionate social work leaders. To complete an application, you will need to submit the following items:

• Online application 
• Current résumé 
• Transcripts from all previously attended institutions 
• Personal essay and application essay
• Three letters of recommendation

Field education courses

In addition to taking foundation and concentration courses, you will complete field education courses, too. These courses will help you to develop expertise in a specific area of social work and will prepare you to put your classroom skills to practice in agency settings.

Field of practice courses: In addition to a concentration, you’ll choose a specialized field of practice — Child and Family Welfare, or Mental Health — to develop your expertise in a specific area of social work. Your electives will address topics like substance use, human sexuality, as well as race, class and gender.

Agency-based education courses: These courses are designed to complement and support your agency-based education placements. As you learn and master new techniques, competencies and concepts in the classroom, you will also start applying them directly to your work with clients.

About the program

A learner’s first year consists of core courses, while their second year includes both core courses and elective courses. Learners must finish 54 credits and can complete the program in as little as 24 months. Upon graduation, learners earn a Master’s of Business Administration degree. The MBA program offers both full- and part-time courses to help learners achieve their goals as they simultaneously navigate their unique professional and personal obligations. The full-time courses are worth 3 credits and take place over 10 weeks; the part-time courses are worth 1.5 credits and last 5 weeks. Learners have the flexibility to focus on electives and to choose a specialization during their second year, with 13.5 elective credits. Learners are able to customize their program to their own interests thanks to seven focus areas available to them, or choose to stay with general management. The seven areas of focus include:

• Corporate strategy: Devise strategies that help the bottom-line and provide a competitive advantage.
  Corporate finance: Hone financial analysis and broaden your managerial skills.
  Investment management: Gain knowledge invaluable for mastering derivative securities and portfolio management.
  Marketing: Learn quantitative skills and frameworks to understand and discover consumer insights.
  Entrepreneurship: Delve further into entrepreneurial skills through learning in the Entrepreneurship Lab.
  Energy: Master the management and entrepreneurial skills you need as the energy industry continues evolving.
  Healthcare: Complement general business management courses with the skills you need to drive change in the healthcare industry.

We are looking for learners with ambition, authentic voices, and diverse perspectives. Your application is an opportunity to allow the admissions department to learn about you, why you fit in, and how you can achieve your career goals with an MBA from Rice Business. To complete an online application, you will need to submit:

• A self-recorded video interview 
• All previous college or university transcripts
• A résumé
• Letters of recommendation