Social Work, MSW

The Master of Social Work degree allows educational opportunities for professionals who wish to engage in advanced clinical and community practice in a variety of settings.

The MSW is a two-year degree. The first-year concentrates on generalist practice. Students gain understanding of the values and ethics of the social work profession, diversity, and social policy, as well as competence in basic practice skills with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities. The second year focuses on developing the knowledge, values and skills associated with advanced practice in an area of concentration. The concentration is called Advanced Generalist which incorporates both clinical and community practice. Within the concentration are three specific focus areas: gerontology (older adults), healthcare (includes physical, behavioral, and public health), and children and families. Students may select a specific focus area or choose to take a variety of electives without a specific focus. Students will gain an understanding of the intergenerational nature of social issues and family dynamics as well as the advanced clinical skills to work with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities.

Information regarding Licensure / Endorsement / Accreditation:  The MSW program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students in the Social Work program are expected to be able to:

• Demonstrate competence in all phases of the helping process in social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Analyze the impact of social policy on client well-being and service delivery systems.
• Advocate for human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
• Integrate research, policy and theory into social work practice.

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in social work is NOT required for admission. Students who have completed their undergraduate social work degree more than seven (7) years previously are not eligible for Advanced Standing.  Entrance into the MSW Program is a competitive process, therefore meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Courses begin in fall semester for all students except those seeking Full Time Advanced Standing who will begin coursework in summer semester. 

The deadline to apply for Fall semester is March 1st. Summer Advanced Standing deadline is January 15. Since application reviews may begin immediately after the deadline, we recommend submitting your application and providing all required documents before the deadline.

Documents required:

• Two Letters of Recommendation - From individuals with knowledge of the applicant’s qualifications and ability to successfully complete graduate study. For Advanced Standing students, one reference needs to come from the undergraduate field instructor or field director. If the field instructor is not available, a letter from the applicant’s current employment supervisor is required.
• Statement of Purpose - a 3-5-page typewritten essay that addresses the following questions: (1) Describe your previous/current social work or human service experience (employment, volunteer, internship, etc.) and how this has motivated you to pursue an MSW?  (2) What skills or assets do you bring to the MSW Program, and what do you hope to gain from the Program? (3) Identify a social justice issue that you are passionate about and describe why this is important to you and what you would like to see changed, and (4) The Social Work Profession values diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is defined as “the intersectionality of multiple factors including but not limited to age, caste, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, generational status, immigration status, legal status, marital status, political ideology, race, nationality, religion/spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status”.  Discuss how your experiences and personal strengths will affect your future practice as an advanced level practitioner.   
• A minimum 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited institution. For Advanced Standing, a minimum 3.2 GPA in the major required coursework is also required.
• Applicant must have an undergraduate Research Methods and Statistics courses on the transcript or the applicant must take these classes in the first semester prior to the research courses offered in spring semester.

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements