Skip navigation | Text-only | Español
The Social Work Internship Program (SWIP)

Phase II of the Army-Fayetteville State University Master of Social Work Program is a two year internship at military installations under the supervision of independently licensed social workers.  At the completion of the two years, the graduate will have accumulated enough hours to challenge the independent clinician level exam, and meet the requirements to practice social work in the capacity the military requires.

The SWIP is a formal training program designed to give social work interns an introduction to military social work.  This training will expose the future active duty social worker to key areas of practice in the social work career field.  It is a great opportunity for interns to refine, reinforce, and apply concepts and skills learned during their Master in Social Work program. The intern benefits from an experience that teaches him/her about social work, military culture, as well as preparation to obtain independent clinical licensure. This training experience gives interns:

  • An opportunity to train in a controlled environment in multiple practice areas. 
  • A formal, structured and monitored supervision to prepare for independent licensure.
  • Exposure to a standardized training curriculum.
  • Protection from assignment to the Professional Filler System (PROFIS), Report of Survey Officer, back-fill assignments, field exercises and other administrative duties.
  • Formal LCSW licensure exam preparation.
  • Specific training needed in preparation for deployment.
  • In-depth exposure to community agencies that support Soldiers and Families.
  • An educational platform for learning ethical decision making.
  • Exposure to the management and administrative skills required to manage behavioral health clinics/services/departments.
  • An opportunity to develop an initial career plan.
  • An opportunity to practice in multidisciplinary settings.
  • Allows for the training expertise and instructional resources of AMEDD C & S.
More Information

The additional duty service obligation (ADSO) required in exchange for graduate training is governed by Department of Defense Instruction (DoDi) 6000.13 , Army Regulation (AR) 351-3 and 350-100.
The didactic portion of training (Phase I, earning the MSW degree) incurs an ADSO that is 3 times the length of schooling for the first year, and 1x for any additional time, i.e. 14 months of school= 38 months ADSO.

The residency portion of training (Phase II, earning enough supervised clinical hours for an independent practice license) incurs an ADSO at a 1 for 1 rate. i.e. 24 months of residency= 24 months of ADSO.

Estimated ADSO for this program is 62 months (5 years and 2 months), beginning at the completion of Phase II.

AR 351-3 para 2-7B(2) and DoDi 6.6.2.2 state that no portion of the ADSO will be paid back during any period of LTHET; the residency is part of the program.