Description of Program
Our CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program will prepare you for diverse career opportunities within a variety of social service settings. Using a curriculum that aligns with competencies from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), you’ll gain knowledge, skills, and experience that you can transfer directly into the workplace. This program consists of two tracks to accommodate those with an undergraduate degree in social work and those that are new to the field.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that the program meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer-review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Click here for potential career opportunities within the MSW.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are derived from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) nine core competencies
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
- Advance human rights and social economic, and environmental justice
- Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice.
- Engage in practice informed research and research informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Basis for Admissions
Admission to an NU master’s program requires a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited academic institution or an international institution that is determined to be equivalent through an approved evaluation service.
Admission into MSW — Advanced Standing track requires a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program within the past five years (with some approved exceptions)
The MSW program will allow for transfer of up to six credit hours for the Advanced Standing track and 12 credits for the Generalist track. Transfer credits for the Generalist track must be completed at a regionally accredited institution and must be awarded a “B”/3.0 or higher grade. For the Advanced Standing track, students may apply for transfer of up to six credit hours of graduate credit hours from a CSWE-accredited MSW program (grades must be “B” or higher) under the following guidelines.
- Coursework which would be over five years old at the completion of the degree program (as defined by the student’s plan of study) may not be used
- Acceptance of transfer credits will depend upon how they fit within the MSW requirements and the student’s overall plan of study
- Only applicants from CSWE-accredited graduate social work programs will be considered for admission as transfer students for the Advanced Standing track
Additional State requirements may need to be met for Basis for Admissions into a program:
Degree Requirements
Admission to a University master’s program requires a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited academic institution or an international institution that is determined to be equivalent through an approved evaluation service. Admission into MSW-Advanced Standing requires a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE accredited program.
Time to Completion
Advanced Standing track - 36 Credits
The University allows 5 years to complete all Master’s programs of 36 credits or less.
The median time to completion for this program is 24 months.
Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most University students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.
Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 12 months.
Generalist track - 60 Credits
The University allows 6 years to complete all Master’s programs of 36 credits or more.
The median time to completion for this program is 48 months.
Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most University students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.
Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 24 months.
Practicum Information
MSW practicum courses require approval from the MSW Field Education Director prior to enrollment in the practicum courses. Students wishing to enroll in a practicum course should begin the approval process with their Academic and Finance Advisor at least three to four months prior to their anticipated practicum enrollment date. MSW students must complete two practicum courses (3 credits each) for the Advanced Standing track and four practicum courses (3 credits each) for the Generalist track. Prior to enrolling in the first practicum course, students must complete the Practicum Preparation Process (PPP) and receive approval. As part of the PPP, students, with the support of the Field Education Director, will be required to secure a local practicum placement as well as a local supervisor. In order to finish the practicum requirements and continue on to the practicum, students must meet bi-weekly in the practicum seminar. Students are required to complete a minimum of 400 hours total Generalist Practicum I and II combined (200 hours during MSW-6009 and 200 hours during MSW-6010). Students are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours total for Advanced Practicum I and II combined (250 hours during MSW-6901 and 250 hours during MSW-6902). Students who have significantly fewer hours than that will be asked to meet with the Field Education Director and may be required to complete a practicum extension course. Students must also receive satisfactory evaluations from their local site supervisor and their University faculty supervisor in order to complete the practicum sequence. Students must complete the required number of hours in order to graduate.
The MSW program faculty and staff support students in securing quality practicum placements guiding students through this process, speaking with potential placement sites that have been identified as a possible fit for the student, providing a national database of potential placements sites, and providing training materials to help student present professionally and appropriately. The MSW program cannot require a potential placement site to accept students; thus, it is the responsibility of the student to present themselves professionally while securing placements site and supervisor. We encourage students to contact the Field Director for any additional individualized support they may need in this process.
The practicum courses for the MSW program are MSW-6009 , MSW-6010 , MSW-6901 , and MSW-6902 . Additional details can be found in the course descriptions.
For Washington state students: For practicum placement it is the responsibility of the student to secure a site for their practicum placement(s). The Field Education Director will provide support in the process, but it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to actively engage in finding, and securing, a practicum site.
Liability Insurance
The University requires that students in practicum courses must purchase liability insurance prior to practicum. Many practicum sites require students to show evidence of liability coverage prior to beginning a practicum. The University requires students participating in practicum to purchase student professional liability insurance, typically available at a lower student rate through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Certification and Licensing
As of November 2021, the University’s MSW program is fully accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the accrediting body for MSW programs in the United States. The practice of social work is regulated in every jurisdiction in North America. Licensure requirements include graduation from a CSWE-accredited program or program in candidacy, and success on the appropriate national examination. Many jurisdictions license new MSW graduates, using the Masters examination. All states offer a clinical social work license, which typically requires two-three years of post-MSW licensure supervised work in a clinical setting, as well as successful passage of the national Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Advanced Clinical Exam. Some state regulatory boards may have requirements for specialized accreditations or other unique course/credit requirements above and beyond the University’s standard MSW degree plan that may affect licensure. Although licensure laws are governed by individual states and can change frequently, the MSW program administration seeks to remain current with various licensing regulations. A student has the responsibility to be familiar with licensing regulations in their jurisdiction.
Program Specific Accreditation Information
The University’s MSW program was granted full accreditation status in November 2021 by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation.
The University is committed to meet or exceed all CSWE Educational Standards and Accreditation Standards. Accreditation is a quality-control process that indicates the educational program meets professional standards, and it applies to all program sites and delivery methods. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Because the University is an online university based in California, it is considered an out-of-state program in all states other than CA. Some states require that programs receive state authorizations before offering certain program to current residents of that state, even if a state licensing board will accept the degree to pursue licensure. The University has pursued and received those state-level approvals. Full initial accreditation by the CSWE is accepted by all states as meeting the minimum standards for licensure.
Washington State students can contact the Washington Department of Health/Health Professions Quality Assurance division to ensure the University’s MSW program will qualify them for licensure as a Social Worker in the state.
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