MSW

The master of social work degree awarded to students who have completed the requirements of accredited schools of social work. Requirements for the MSW typically include successful completion of 60 academic hours, including about 24 hours of field placement, taken over the equivalent of two full-time years. The student is often required to complete a thesis or research project. In some schools, the degree is known as the MSSW (master of science in social work, master of social service work), MSSA (master of social service administration), or MA in social work. All are essentially the same in educational requirements and standards.