The Schedule

First Summer
June-August
Smith College campus

First Internship Placement
September-April
Sites around the country

Second Summer
June-August
Smith College campus

Second Internship Placement
September-April
Sites around the country

Third Summer
June-August
Smith College campus

First Summer

During the first academic summer, courses focus on the knowledge, skills and values which form the foundation, or core, of the social work profession. This also prepares you for the School's specialization in clinical practice. You will be introduced to the major social work methods, the psychological and sociocultural theories upon which social work practice rests, the history of social work and social welfare, social policy analysis and research methods.

Second Summer

Coursework in the second summer is firmly rooted in an understanding of human development and adaptation within a sociocultural context utilizing multiple theories of intervention including: psychodynamic theory, family theories, and social constructivist and eco-systemic perspectives.

Third (Final) Summer

Elective courses provide you with the opportunity to focus on particular areas of interest by exploring content on specific populations, particular problems, and/or in innovative practice settings.

Through each of your summers, our exceptional student services will assist you with writing, quantitative learning, tech challenges, accessibility needs and much more. In your final summer, you’ll take advantage of our career services with mock interviews, resume help and on-campus job interviews.

Internships

From September through April, you are encouraged to focus exclusively on your learning in your internship.

The Smith SSW internship is a unique and intensive learning opportunity that provides you with one of the most advanced training opportunities found in graduate education. With sites across the country, Smith has partnered with some of the finest training institutes, providing you with a breadth of clinical experience unmatched by other social work programs. 

During your two supervised internships you will apply and integrate your learning from your summer coursework and practice your skills in work with individuals, families and small groups.

Your work with your adviser will include assignments such as monthly narrative reports, developing a learning plan, a clinical issues report and a major case study.

Enriching your first year internship is the four hour a week community practice experience. In the second year, you will make use of your research skills and participate actively in the pursuit or development of knowledge for professional practice through the completion of a research project.

Throughout the year, the additional training and support is provided through monthly small-group seminars.

Each summer when you return to campus, you will bring all your learning back into the classroom, enriching the experience and your understanding of your coursework.

Learn more about the M.S.W. curriculum.

The Community