THE MSW FORMAT
The Augsburg MSW schedule is designed to meet the needs of the adult learner.
Academic
Calendar
We follow a trimester academic calendar, offering classes September
through June, exclusively on weekends. Classes typically meet every
other weekend with some back-to-back weekends.
Class Periods
Classes meet in four-hour blocks on Friday evenings from 6 to 10 p.m.,
Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and Saturday afternoons
from 1 to 5 p.m. A short break is offered at the mid-point of class.
Each class meets for eight sessions in a given trimester.
Course Load
Foundation students complete 18 full courses. Full-time students enroll
in three courses per trimester for six trimesters, totaling two
years. Part-time students enroll in one or two courses per trimester
for 12 trimesters, totaling four years.
Advanced Standing students complete 13 full courses. Full-time students enroll in one course for the first trimester and in three courses per trimester for the remaining four trimesters, totaling one and a half years.
Course Credit and Contact Hours
A full credit MSW course (1.0) is equal to 4 semester credits or 6
quarter credits. Each full course meets for 32 contact hours, with
the expectation of substantial independent study outside of class.
Cohorts and Course Sequence
MSW students are admitted with a particular cohort. Cohorts are distinguished
by: level of admission (foundation or advanced standing), rate of
attendance (full-time or part-time), and preferred concentration
(Family Practice or Program Development, Policy, and Administration-"PDPA").
Time Commitment
Although classes meet on weekends, students spend time on their studies
during non-class weekends and weekdays. The typical student will
spend 12 hours in classes within a 23-hour period. For every hour
spent in class, a student may spend 3 to 4 hours outside of class,
working on assignments or group projects. A student also may spend
15 to 20 hours per week in the field practicum during the fall and
winter trimesters (a span of six or seven months for each practicum).
In the final year of study, students complete a summative project, which requires substantial independent research, analysis, and writing.
Because the MSW plan of study is rigorous and requires a significant time commitment for coursework and practica, most students arrange to reduce their work hours or request time away during their graduate studies. Each student's situation is unique and must be decided individually.
Time to Completion
Average time to completion is two years for foundation full-time and
four years for foundation part-time. Advance standing students complete
the degree on average in 1 1/2 years by attending full time. All
students must complete the MSW degree in no more than four years
following matriculation.
