Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

• Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context (CSWE 1:1, SLO1)
• Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations (CSWE 1:2, SLO2)
• Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication (CSWE 1:3, SLO3)
• Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes (CSWE 1:4, SLO4)
• Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgement and behavior (CSWE 1:5, SLO5)
• Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels (CSWE 2:1, SLO6)
• Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences (CSWE 2:2, SLO7)
• Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies (CSWE 2:3, SLO8)
• Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels (CSWE 3:1, SLO9)
• Engage in practices that advance social, and environmental justice (CSWE 3:2, SLO10)
• Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research (CSWE 4:1, SLO11)
• Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings (CSWE 4:2, SLO12)
• Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery (CSWE 4:3, SLO13)
• Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services (CSWE 5:1, SLO14)
• Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services (CSWE 5:2, SLO15)
• Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice (CSWE 5:3, SLO16)
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies (CSWE 6:1, SLO17)
• Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies (CSWE 6:2, SLO18)
• Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies (CSWE 7:1, SLO19)
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies (CSWE 7:2, SLO20)
• Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the clinical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges, within clients and constituencies (CSWE 7:3, SLO21)
• Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies (CSWE 7:4, SLO22)
• Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies (CSWE 8:1, SLO23)
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies (CSWE 8:2, SLO24)
• Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes (CSWE 8:3, SLO25)
• Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies (CSWE 8:4, SLO26)
• Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed on goals (CSWE 8:5, SLO27)
• Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes (CSWE 9:1, SLO28)
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes (CSWE 9:2, SLO29)
• Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes (CSWE 9:3, SLO30)
• Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at micro, mezzo, and macro levels (CSWE 9:4, SLO31)
• Use supervision and self-reflection to process thoughts and emotions, and implement strategies to manage biases that may adversely affect outcomes. (CSWE C1; SLO S1)
• Demonstrate appropriate application of professional documentation. (CSWE C1; SLO S2)
• Integrate ethical standards into critical decision making. (CSWE C1; SLO S3)
• Engage in professional growth and learning through diverse forums and milieus for development beyond training. (CSWE C1; SLO S4)
• Utilize opportunities for leadership development. (CSWE C1; SLO S5)
• Employ culturally informed principles in the application of scientific inquiry. (CSWE C2; SLO S6)
• Incorporate life shaping experiences of diversity and difference to inform practice at micro, mezzo, macro levels. (CSWE C2; SLO S7)
• Apply decolonization, including the impact of white saviorism, privilege, and supremacy. (CSWE C2; SLO S8)
• Formulate policy and practice to enhance the dignity and worth of clients. (CSWE C3; SLO S9)
• Critically apply equity, inclusion, and liberation. (CSWE C3; SLO S10)
• Analyze the function of power to inform human rights practice. (CSWE C3; SLO S11)
• Utilize multi-dimensional assessment (research, practitioner, and client/lived experience) to inform practice. (CSWE C4; SLO S12)
• Generate research evidence to inform and/or improve programs, practice, and policy. (CSWE C4; SLO S13)
• Appraise the impact of policies in fully meeting human need. (CSWE C5; SLO S14)
• Devise policies rooted in equity, inclusion, and liberation. (CSWE C5; SLO S15)
• Integrate through thoughtful critique the knowledge of multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks (i.e., theories of change) in engaging client and stakeholder perspectives. (CSWE C6; SLO S16)
• Effectively build rapport honoring clients’ lived experience and stakeholder perspectives. (CSWE C6; SLO S17)
• Appraise the impact of leadership, and the use of power, on effective engagement. (CSWE C6; SLO S18)
• Integrate through thoughtful critique the knowledge of multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks (i.e., theories of change) in assessing client and stakeholder perspectives. (CSWE C7; SLO S19)
• Utilize holistic (micro to macro) data and information collection to inform the assessment process. (CSWE C7; SLO S20)
• Honor clients’ lived experience and stakeholder perspectives throughout ongoing tailored assessment process. (CSWE C7; SLO S21)
• Appraise the impact of leadership, and the use of power, on effective assessment. (CSWE C7; SLO S22)
• Integrate through thoughtful critique the knowledge of multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks (i.e., theories of change) in interventions with clients and stakeholders. (CSWE C8; SLO S23)
• Appraise the impact of leadership, and the use of power, on inter-professional collaboration and client intervention. (CSWE C8; SLO S24)
• Honor clients’ lived experience and stakeholder perspectives throughout the development of flexible, mutually agreed-on goals. (CSWE C8; SLO S25)
• Utilize holistic assessment and developed goals to guide evidence informed intervention selection. (CSWE C8; SLO S26)
• Implement interventions in a planful manner that are rooted in equity, inclusion, and liberation. (CSWE C8; SLO S27)
• Integrate, through thoughtful critique, the knowledge of multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks (i.e., theories of change) in selection and application of evaluative methods. (CSWE C9; SLO S28)
• Critically apply the impact of leadership, and the use of power, in process and outcome evaluation. (CSWE C9; SLO S29)
• Conduct the evaluation of interventions, processes and outcomes in a way that honors clients’ lived experience and stakeholder perspectives. (CSWE C9; SLO S30)
• Utilize evaluation findings in a planful manner rooted in equity, inclusion, and liberation. (CSWE C9; SLO S31)

Plan of Study

The following course of study is a typical schedule for a full-time student. Enrollment in some elective courses require completion of all foundation study. The plan of study is subject to change.

Regular Program

Advanced Standing Program

Students who have received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program, may apply to our MSW program as "Advanced Standing."

The graduate social work program grants the M.S.W. degree when students have completed the following degree requirements:

1. 60 credit hours of class (48 hours) and field (12 hours) for regular program students.
2. 36 credit hours of class (30 hours) and field (6 hours) for advanced standing students.
3. To remain in good standing, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0
4. Students take four electives (12 credit hours)

Licensure Disclosure

Licensing across the US for social workers requires a BSW or MSW from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited Program. A Social Work degree from UMKC meets this requirement; therefore, a social work degree obtained from UMKC will meet the initial licensing requirements for all 50 states. Each state has additional requirements including an exam, and post-graduate professional experience for LCSW licensure. There is a national exam through the Association of Social Work Boards, but not all states have adopted this.  

Program Director

Amy Simmons

States in Which the Curriculum Meets the Educational Requirements for Licensure

All US states and territories.

Specific electives are needed to fulfill requirements for certain social work licenses in FL, IN, KS, and ME. Please contact the program director for more information.

States in Which the Curriculum Does Not Meet the Educational Requirements for Licensure

N/A.