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MU-SU Master of Social Work Program

Whether you're a professional with years of experience looking to upgrade your skill set, or a recent graduate ready to take the next step in your education, the Social Work Master’s program at Shippensburg University combines theoretical background and practical experience. Students learn the latest skills required for success in the diverse and rewarding field of social work.

Jointly offered with Millersville University, the Social Work Master’s Degree program offers the resources of both schools and gives students a wide range of options for pursuing their individual education goals and preparing to enter the work force. You'll benefit from small class sizes and one-on-one interaction with experienced faculty. Additionally, all core classes are offered in the evening to accommodate with students employed during the day.

Social Work is a rewarding, growing field that presents skilled graduates with various professional options. With the number of people aged 65 and older in Pennsylvania expected to surpass 23% of the population by 2030, there will be a large need for practitioners who can deliver a wide range of services in public and private nursing homes, community living facilities, government agencies and other work settings. Graduates of a social work master’s program may also find work in education, policy making, communications and others fields

New! Advance your social work education with an online MSW taught by the same faculty who teach in the face-to-face program. Classes are designed for working professionals. Workplace internship options! Classes may meet asynchronously or synchronously one evening per week. Learn more under 'Why choose a Master of Social Work degree at Ship.'

Why Choose Social Work?

Few occupations can match social work, which offers a wide-range of opportunities and settings. Social workers can be found in public agencies, private businesses, hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, private practices, police departments, courts, and numerous other exciting work settings. Social workers assist individuals, families, and communities. They can be managers, supervisors, and administrators. They work at all levels of government. They are also educators. Social workers are therapists and researchers. And many are also elected political leaders and legislators.

Why Choose a Master of Social Work Degree at Ship?

A bachelor's degree in social work will allow you to secure an entry-level position in the social work field. A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is required to perform most clinical (i.e. therapy) and macro (i.e. administrator) work. Shippensburg University's MSW is a CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) accredited Advanced Generalist program. An Advanced Generalist MSW permits graduates to work in a variety of human service programs and agencies in an advanced clinical and/or administrative capacity. Many other social work programs require an individual to choose a concentration, which normally means choosing between the clinical or macro track. Here are some reasons our students decided to choose Shippensburg University to pursue their MSW:

The flexibility of the social work degree provides graduates with many options as they pursue their careers in the helping fields. Also, our program seeks to be accommodating to the non-traditional students and individuals working full time; all of our required MSW classes are offered in the evening. Other reasons the MU-SU MSW program is attractive to students include affordable price, generalist approach, year round program and many other reasons.

The majority of students feel positively about the class sizes in the MU-SU MSW program. Students find that the class sizes are big enough for group conversations, but small enough for one-on-one interactions and collaborations. In addition to the interactions students have with one another, their interactions with faculty and adjunct professors are, in general, positive. A majority of students find the faculty to be open, friendly, helpful and good in their communication with students. Additionally, the internship experience that is a part of the program provides real world experience that is necessary, appealing and an opportunity to create positive interactions between the university and the workplace.

The Department of Social Work and Gerontology at Shippensburg University has been approved to offer an online Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The first cohort will be for students admitted to the Part-Time Advanced Standing program. You may start classes in the summer or fall of 2022. To qualify for Advanced Standing, the applicants need to have completed their bachelor’s degree in social work in the last eight years (spring 2015 and later) with an overall grade point average which is 3.0 or higher and a grade point average in social work courses which is 3.25 or higher. If interested, indicate this choice in your application documents. To learn more about the online program, please write to socialwork@ship.edu.