Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
The mission of the EKU MSW Program is to prepare students to be social workers who can mobilize the power of interprofessional teams in a manner that promotes social welfare, respect for human rights, and social, economic, and environmental justice. Students learn how to balance the breadth and depth of social work expertise with the expertise of other professionals for culturally inclusive interprofessional practice. This includes the use of critical thinking and scientific inquiry to support interprofessional teamwork congruent with social work values and ethics in response to shared concerns.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is an online program that consists of 7-week long asynchronous courses and practicum hours. The MSW Program builds on a generalist foundation to prepare students to be Interprofessional Ssocial Work practitioners. This concentration enables students to work collaboratively across disciplines, settings, and populations. Students also participate in an Interdisciplinary University Certificate Program. This provides MSW students access to courses that uniquely inform interprofessional social work practice as it relates to in an area of shared concern. Therefore, MSW students learn to integrate social work theory, practice, and research as well as draw from interdisciplinary perspectives to support the wellbeing of individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities through interprofessional social work practice.
The MSW program offers a part- and full-time course of study, employer-based practicum placements, and advanced standing for students with an undergraduate degree in Social Work. The regular program consists of 60 graduate credit hours of generalist courses and concentration courses. Students who are admitted into the regular program start with generalist courses to ensure mastery of the content on the practice of generalist social work. These students and students accepted with advanced standing status proceed with concentration courses to integrate generalist social work theory (i.e., diversity, values and ethics, and human behavior I/II theories), practice (i.e., skills and intervention), and research (i.e., methods, data collection, and analysis) as part of an interprofessional team.
MSW students gain additional experience in interprofessional social work practice by drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives through an approved Interdisciplinary University Certificate Program. Students choose an approved Interdisciplinary University Certificate Program and three elective courses in that certificate’s curriculum. An Interprofessional Practicum and Integrative Capstone project are required as part of this course sequence. In coordination with MSW faculty and staff, MSW students continue formation as interprofessional social workers while taking elective courses with students across disciplines. MSW students gain practicum experience with a population (or area) of interest to transfer classroom skills into the field for collaborative action.
Admission Requirements
All applicants applying for admission to the 60-hour program must have a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency or foreign equivalent with a grade point average of 2.7 out of a possible 4.0 on all undergraduate work and a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0 on all previous graduate work. Up to 12 credit hours can be waived for BSW HBSE or Policy Practice courses from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program if the course was taken within the last five years and the final grade was at least B. All applicants applying for advanced standing status must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher1, must have an undergraduate major in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program and must have graduated within 5 years of entry to the MSW program. Some work experience is preferred. Although GRE scores are not required for program admission, applicants may submit current scores from the GRE General Exam to supplement their application materials. GRE scores are valid for five years from the date of the exam.
- 1
Preference is given to applicants with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or above in their undergraduate work.
Additional items needed for admissions:
- 3 recommendation letters (4 is strongly encouraged)
- if advanced standing, then one recommendation needs to be from previous professor or field supervisor
- if advanced standing, also need to submit BSW final practicum evaluation
- personal statement (making sure to follow all prompts listed in application)
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 44.0701
Requirements for the degree are a variable credit of 48-60 graduate hours for the regular program and 30 graduate hours for students with advanced standing status. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better on all graded courses and maintain a satisfactory performance in field practicum courses. Departmental approval is required for student progression in the program if they do not earn at least a “B” in required courses. Students must also maintain conduct that is congruent with the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Generalist Courses | ||
| SWK 800 | The Social Work Relationship | 3 |
| SWK 810 | Human Behav Social Enviro I | 3 |
| SWK 815 | Human Behav Social Enviro II | 3 |
| SWK 820 | Social Work Practice I | 3 |
| SWK 825 | Social Work Research Methods | 3 |
| SWK 830 | Social Work Practice II | 3 |
| SWK 840 | Social Work Practice III | 3 |
| SWK 845 | Social Policy Analysis and Advocacy | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| SWK 801 | Interprofessional Social Work Practice | 2 |
| SWK 860 | Interprofessional Micro Practice | 3 |
| SWK 870 | Interprofessional Mezzo Practice | 3 |
| SWK 880 | Interprofessional Macro Practice | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Students choose from an approved Interdisciplinary University Certificate Program. Electives are based on each certificate program’s curriculum. Students may request an elective course substitution by contacting the MSW Program Director. | ||
| Choose from one of the following Certifications: | 9 | |
Addictions Intervention Certificate | ||
Mental Health Certificate | ||
Child and Family Services Certificate Program | ||
Social Advocacy and Justice Certificate Program | ||
Leadership and Management Certificate Program | ||
| Experiential Courses | ||
| SWK 850 | Generalist Practicum | 3 |
| SWK 851 | Generalist Practicum II | 3 |
| SWK 890 | Interprofessional Practicum | 3 |
| SWK 891 | Interprofessional Practicum II | 3 |
| Exit Requirements | ||
| Capstone Courses | ||
| SWK 855 | Generalist Capstone | 2 |
| SWK 895 | Interprofessional Capstone | 2 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Certificates
Addictions Intervention Certificate
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | 18 | |
Choose at least three of the following: | ||
| Human Behavior Change | ||
| Nutrition for Chronic Disease | ||
| Psychotherapy and Behavioral Changes I | ||
| Cog/Affect Bases of Behavior | ||
| Alcohol and Drug Assessment | ||
| Alcohol and Drug Treatment | ||
| Stress Management & Self-Care | ||
| Crisis Intervention | ||
| Spirit Sensitivity Help Profes | ||
| Veteran Identity Theory | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| Interprofessional Micro Practice | ||
| Interprofessional Practicum | ||
| Interprofessional Practicum II | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Mental Health Certificate
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | 18 | |
| Choose at least three of the following: | ||
| MH/Substance Abuse Issues in Correctional Settings | ||
| Human Behavior Change | ||
| Nutrition for Chronic Disease | ||
| Early Child Sensorimotor Devel | ||
| Occupation & Sensory Process | ||
| The Autism Spectrum | ||
| Advanced Social Psychology | ||
| Psychotherapy and Behavioral Changes I | ||
| Cog/Affect Bases of Behavior | ||
| Psychotherapy & Beha Change II | ||
| Stress Management & Self-Care | ||
| Social Gerontology | ||
| Crisis Intervention | ||
| Alcohol and Drug Assessment | ||
| Alcohol and Drug Treatment | ||
| Spirit Sensitivity Help Profes | ||
| Veteran Identity Theory | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| Interprofessional Micro Practice | ||
| Interprofessional Practicum | ||
| Interprofessional Practicum II | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Child and Family Services Certificate Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | 18 | |
| Choose at least three of the following: | ||
| Prenatal and Infant Development | ||
| Infant-Toddler Development and Group Care | ||
| Early Childhood Development and Program Planning | ||
| Human Growth and Development | ||
| MH/Substance Abuse Issues in Correctional Settings | ||
| Conditions of Learning | ||
| Leading for Student Success | ||
EDF 855 | ||
| Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching | ||
| Early Child Sensorimotor Devel | ||
| Occupation & Sensory Process | ||
| School-based Practice | ||
| The Autism Spectrum | ||
| Intro Foundations in Beh Analy | ||
| Exceptional Learners General Education Class | ||
| Behavior Disorders | ||
| Moderate and Severe Disabilities Introduction | ||
| Early Childhood Special Education Partnerships | ||
| Alcohol and Drug Assessment | ||
| Alcohol and Drug Treatment | ||
| Stress Management & Self-Care | ||
| Child and Family Services | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| Interprofessional Mezzo Practice | ||
| Interprofessional Practicum | ||
| Interprofessional Practicum II | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Social Advocacy and Justice Certificate Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | 18 | |
| Choose at least three of the following: | ||
| Violence Against Women | ||
| Criminal Justice Research Methods | ||
| Crime and Public Policy | ||
| Human Behavior Change | ||
| Social Policy Analysis and Advocacy | ||
| Stress Management & Self-Care | ||
| Veteran Identity Theory | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| Interprofessional Macro Practice | ||
| Interprofessional Practicum | ||
| Interprofessional Practicum II | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Leadership and Management Certificate Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | 18 | |
| Choose at least three of the following: | ||
| Research and Program Evaluation | ||
| Long-Term Disaster Resilience | ||
| Intergovernmental Relations in Disaster Management | ||
| Leadership in Human Services | ||
| Community Development | ||
| Non-Profit Organizations | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Public Sector Leadership | ||
| Organizational Psychology | ||
| Organization Change and Dev | ||
| Training and Development | ||
| Emergency Prep/Response | ||
| Organizational Continuity | ||
| Stress Management & Self-Care | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| Interprofessional Macro Practice | ||
| Interprofessional Practicum | ||
| Interprofessional Practicum II | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Exit Requirements
Capstone
Students must earn at least a “B” in SWK 855 Generalist Capstone and SWK 895 Interprofessional Capstone. A capstone project is required in SWK 895 Interprofessional Capstone to demonstrate mastery in the integration of social work theory and practice with interdisciplinary knowledge for ethical, culturally based advanced generalist interprofessional social work practice.
Certificate Program Completion
In consultation with a student’s MSW academic advisor, each student is required to complete at least three elective courses, one interprofessional practice course, SWK 890 Interprofessional Practicum, and SWK 891 for a total of 18 credit hours as part of an approved certificate program. The capstone project and field practicum must relate to the topic of the certificate program and demonstrate competency in the practice of interprofessional social work practice.
MSW students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better on all graded courses, a satisfactory performance in field practicum courses, and conduct that is congruent with the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers to be eligible for graduation.