MSW Pathways

Valpo MSW students graduate with an Advanced Generalist specialization, extending the knowledge, value, and skills of generalist practice through specialized coursework and transformative practicum experiences. By enhancing their conceptual understanding, reinforcing theories, and further developing their practice skills, Advanced Generalist students lead and serve in multiple capacities with diverse populations.

Within the Advanced Generalist specialization, Valpo MSW students select a pathway to further define their studies and gain expertise in their areas of interest. Pathways include:

Direct Practice

This pathway provides students the knowledge, skills, and values to lead and serve in clinical roles. This pathway is ideal for students seeking to provide services to individuals, families, or groups in a broad range of settings with diverse populations. Building on the MSW intensive skills courses, students in this pathway should take SOCW 691 – Psychopathology for Social Workers and two other elective courses of their choosing. Additionally, students are encouraged to engage in a direct practice-focused practicum experience that uniquely prepares them for the workforce and readies them for the clinical licensure process. Graduates often practice in areas including community mental health, schools, hospitals, criminal legal system, private practice, and more.

Macro Practice

The Macro Practice Pathway provides students the knowledge, skills, and values to lead and serve in broader systems and society. This pathway is ideal for students seeking to advance social justice and the well-being of diverse populations in systems and communities at large. Building on the MSW intensive skills courses, students in this pathway should take SOCW 695- Program Planning, Development, & Evaluation and two other elective courses of their choosing. Additionally, students are encouraged to engage in a macro-focused practicum experience that uniquely prepares them for the workforce. Students are prepared to serve in a wide range of settings, including in community development agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, government, and more. 

Individualized

This pathway provides students a customized approach to meet their interests, guided by values and ethics of the social work profession. Building on the MSW  intensive skills courses, students in this pathway complete three elective courses, each of their choosing. Faculty and students work together to identify elective coursework and a practicum experience that prepares them for the workforce. Students in this pathway are prepared to lead and serve at a wide range of social work settings with diverse populations.