Overview

Those entering the program who do not have a BSW from a CSWE accredited program may seek exemption from one or more of the foundation year courses in one of two ways: (1) Course Review or (2) Exemption Exam(s).

Exemption by Prior Coursework Review

Exemption by course review is a process whereby a student shows they have taken a course(s) that meet the required foundational social work content, including the statistics prerequisite. To determine if you took a similar course eligible for exemption, first review the UW-Madison Social Work Generalist Course Descriptions. Exemptions are not granted for Advanced Practice coursework.

If you have taken one or more equivalent course(s), complete the Course Exemption Form. It will be reviewed for meeting program requirements. Submit the form AFTER you’ve been admitted and have confirmed to attend our MSW program. If the course(s) taken are not on the Social Work/Social Welfare Course Equivalency Chart, a syllabus is required along with the Course Exemption Form.

You may count up to 7 undergraduate credits from prior courses with an earned grade of B or better to your MSW degree. For courses taken as a UW-Madison undergraduate, courses must be numbered 300 or above. Additional courses listed on your course exemption form that meet criteria for exemptions may exempt you from taking the same course(s). However, students completing more than 7 credits of prior coursework with grades B or better will still be limited to 7 credits, and are required to take additional courses in the MSW program to meet the 49-credit minimum credit requirement.

To be eligible for exemption, prior coursework must meet the following criteria:

1. previously taken course(s) must have been taken as part of a CSWE-accredited program, except for research methods or psychopathology. Coursework for research methods or psychopathology may be from a non-social work program if it meets equivalency as determined by our faculty.
2. UW-Madison undergraduate courses: Previously taken course(s) must be numbered 300 or above
3. previously taken course(s) must not be older than five years from date of graduation to date of starting the MSW program
4. must have earned a grade of ‘B’ or better

Courses eligible for exemption by Prior Coursework Review are:

• Soc Work 612 Psychopathology in Generalist Social Work Practice
• Soc Work 650 Methods of Social Work Research
• Soc Work 710 Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice in Social Work
• Soc Work 711 Human Behavior and the Environment
• Soc Work 400, 441, and 442 only if coursework was taken in a CSWE accredited BSW program but a BSW degree was not awarded. Please consult with an advisor.

Exemption by Exam

An exemption exam is a way to demonstrate sound understanding of foundational generalist social work content required for our MSW Program. Exemption exams are intended for students who have had prior exposure to the required content. This option is recommended for students who have taken a similar course, but NOT eligible for exemption by prior coursework review. If a student passes an exemption exam, they will earn credit for that course and do not need to take the corresponding class;and does not need to be supplemented with additional coursework to meet the minimum 49 credit requirement.

• Exemption exams are offered before the start of each semester. Two hours are allotted for each exam and exams are proctored virtually. Exams are free. Exemption exams are only offered to admitted students and students may only take each exam once.
• Exemption exams are offered for the following generalist courses:
  • Soc Work 708 The Field of Social Work
  • Soc Work 709 Social Policy
  • Soc Work 612 Psychopathology in Generalist Social Work Practice
  • Soc Work 650 Methods of Social Work Research
  • Soc Work 710 Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice in Social Work
  • Soc Work 711 Human Behavior and the Environment