The School of Social Work offers a graduate professional curriculum accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education leading to the Master of Social Work degree. The M.S.W. with concentrations in clinical social work practice, and social work planning and administrative practice, are available on the Academic Campus in Richmond and in the Northern Virginia off-campus site. The program offered in the Northern Virginia off-campus site is primarily a part-time program. The purpose of the M.S.W. Program at VCU is to educate persons for advanced practice in either clinical social work or planning and administration. Graduates of this program will be able to address personal and social problems; formulate, implement, and evaluate policies and programs; engage in knowledge development for the profession; and, influence community decision making. The educational program focuses on service to people who experience vulnerability due to lack of personal, social and/or institutional resources to meet their emotional, health and economic needs.
An Advanced Standing Program is available to qualified students with a bachelor's degree from an undergraduate social work program (BSW), accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education, completed no more than five years prior to the date of application to the M.S.W. Program. The Advanced Standing Program leads to a Master of Social Work degree upon completion of 39 credit hours. The program begins in early June, continuing through the summer, and culminates with graduation the following May.
Study in the M.S.W. Program combined with study in other programs or subjects can lead to students earning special certificates or additional degrees. Options are offered for a Certificate in Aging, for School Social Work certification, for a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Intervention, for a Certificate in Nonprofit Management.