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Social Work, MSW

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The Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students can pursue the regular track of 60 credits or the advanced standing* track. An online track is an option. The Master of Social Work program is  jointly offered with Millersville University.

You will learn how to become an advanced generalist social work practitioner to work in the areas of :

  • Aging/healthcare
  • Child welfare
  • Family services
  • Addictions
  • Mental health/clinical practices
  • Homelessness
  • Disabilities
  • Plus more

Core classes, electives and internships will provide you with the necessary skills, values, and knowledge to practice social work in a variety of settings and roles. Through the use of competencies, you will be able to advocate and facilitate change within the boundaries of social justice and human rights. 

Few occupations can match the wide-range of settings and opportunities available as a degree in Social Work does. Social workers can be found in hospitals and nursing homes, school settings, police departments and court rooms as well as a number of other work settings. They are educators, therapists and researchers. Taking on roles such as case managers, supervisors, and administrators to provide education and advocacy services to individuals, families and communities. Social workers utilize their skill set at all levels of government and have been elected political leaders and legislators.

Peace Corp Fellows Program

Shippensburg University’s Social Work and Gerontology Department is proud to partner with the Peace Corps to offer the Coverdell Fellows Program. The program is a graduate fellowship for returned Peace Corps Volunteers wishing to pursue a Master of Social Work. More Info

Accreditation and Student Resources

decorativeThe Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs offered by the Ship’s Social Work and Gerontology Department are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

The mission of the Millersville University and Shippensburg University Collaborative MSW Program is to promote human and community well-being by providing an advanced generalist social work education that prepares students to be contemporary practitioners and advocates for individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations utilizing the person in environment perspective. We prepare students to be competent, globally responsive evidence-informed practitioners, committed to social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and human rights, which are rooted in the values of the social work profession.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the application and transcript(s), Social Work applicants must have/provide:

Please write a four-to-five page statement that describes the following:

  • Events and experiences that led you to apply for a master's degree in social work as a profession
  • Your experiences with issues of diversity; and/or human rights; and/or social justice in practice and/or life
  • The reasons why you should be admitted to the program
  • How the MU-SU MSW Advanced Generalist program (if enrolling in Advanced Standing) will further your career goals

Your statement must be typewritten, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and a font size of 12 points. All transfer students should include the reason they are choosing to transfer from their previous institution.

Use the following headings:

  • Introduction
  • Significant Events and Experiences
  • My Future Career Goals
  • My Experience with Diversity and/or Human Rights; and/or Social Justice
  • Conclusion

  • For recent graduates of an undergraduate program in social work, one of the three recommendations must be from a field supervisor and at least one recommendation must be from faculty who taught the applicant.
  • For recent graduates of other undergraduate programs, at least one of the three recommendations must be from faculty who taught the applicant and at least one of the three recommendations must be from a person who has supervised the applicant in a volunteering or social service/work position
  • Applicants who have graduated more than 10 years ago may submit three references from supervisors at work or volunteering positions.

Students may apply for regular or advanced standing admission.

Students may apply for advanced standing admission if they graduated from a CSWE-accredited social work program within the past 10 years and have an overall GPA of 2.8 or better and a social work GPA of 3.25 or better. They must also submit a reference from the BSW program director. If you are seeking Advanced Standing, please submit the Advanced Standing Form.

Regular standing admission is for students who completed a baccalaureate degree with a major other than social work as well as students who graduated from a CSWE-accredited social work program within the past eight years but did not meet the QPA requirements for advanced standing.

The Social Work program starts Summer or Fall each year. While we do rolling admissions, please ensure your application is submitted with all supplemental materials by the end of March prior to the summer term starts or by the end of July for fall admission. Once the application is complete, the Department of Social Work and Gerontology will begin the review process and make a prompt decision.

Course work for Social Work, MSW

The program is designed for students who have no previous social work education and for those who want to build upon their baccalaureate social work education.  Students may enroll in the face-to-face or online program. Classes are designed for working professionals with workplace internship options. 

Courses in the face-to-face program are offered evenings. Some electives are offered online asynchronously and/or with synchronous meetings. Students will take all courses on the campus where they are enrolled, while benefiting from the quality faculty and resources of both universities.

Courses in the online program are offered synchronously in the evenings or asynchronously.  Courses are taught by faculty from both universities.

Course descriptions are available in the graduate catalog.

  • SOWK 501 - Principles and Philosophies of Social Work 
  • SOWK 505 - Understanding Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations 
  • SOWK 510 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I 
  • SOWK 511 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II 
  • SOWK 515 - Social Welfare Policy 
  • SOWK 520 - Micro/Mezzo Social Work Practice 
  • SOWK 521 - Macro Social Work Practice 
  • SOWK 525 - Research Methods 
  • SOWK 530 - Field Practicum I 
  • SOWK 531 - Field Practicum II 

  • SOWK 601 - Integrative Seminar

  • SOWK 610 - Advanced Micro Practice and Assessment 
  • SOWK 615 - Advanced Social Welfare Policy 
  • SOWK 620 - Advanced Practice with Groups and Families 
  • SOWK 621 - Advanced Macro Social Work Practice 
  • SOWK 625 - Advanced Research Methods 
  • SOWK 630 - Advanced Field Practicum I 
  • SOWK 631 - Advanced Field Practicum II 

Regular Admit students take 9 elective credits.  Advanced Standing students take 12 elective credits.

  • SOWK 602 - Behavioral Health Care Settings 
  • SOWK 603 - Gender Issues 
  • SOWK 604 - Health Care Settings 
  • SOWK 605 - Child Welfare Settings 
  • SOWK 606 - School Settings 
  • SOWK 607 - Emergency Mental Health and Trauma 
  • SOWK 608 - Social Work Administration and Supervision 
  • SOWK 609 - Introduction to Art Therapy 
  • SOWK 611 - Children and Youth at Risk 
  • SOWK 613 - Mediation in Social Work Practice 
  • SOWK 614 - Social Work Surveys Development and Measurement 
  • SOWK 616 - Leadership Dynamics in Social Work Practice 
  • SOWK 617 - Social Work Practice in the Field of Addictions 
  • SOWK 619 - Global Perspectives in Social Work 
  • SOWK 622 - Military Social Work 
  • SOWK 623 - Narrative Therapy in Social Work Practice 
  • SOWK 624 - From Hobohemia to Housing First: A Critical Reflection of Homelessness in the United States 
  • SOWK 626 - Traumatic Bereavement: Assessment and Intervention 
  • SOWK 627 - Social Work, Sport & Mental Health 
  • SOWK 640 - Selected Topics in Social Work 

Electives for students pursing both the MSW & MPA. Advanced Standing students will also take one Social Work elective from the list above.

  • POLI 501 - Organizational Theory and Behavior 
  • POLI 503 - Public Budgeting and Financial Management 
  • POLI 605 - Capstone Seminar: Applied Public Management 

Electives for students pursing both the MSW & Behavior Specialist certificate. Advanced Standing students will also take one Social Work elective from the list above.

  • PSYC 518 - Introduction to Behavior Analysis 
  • PSYC 539 - Community Psychology 
  • PSYC 543 - Behavioral Treatment & Systems Support 

Electives for students pursing both the MSW & School Social Work certificate.

  • EDLD 510 - Special Education Law 
  • EDLD 521 - Legal and Ethical Issues that Impact on Student Learning 
  • SPEE 423 - Effective Instructional Strategies for Students with Exceptionalities 
  • SPEE 526 - Topics in Spec Ed for School Counselors and other School Professionals: Working w/ Stud with Except 
  • SPEE 550 - Instruction for Students with High Incidence Disabilities
  • SPEE 571 - Instruction for Students with Social, Emotional, and Behavior Disorders 
  • ESL 450 - Foundations of English Language Learner 
  • ESL 520 - Literacy and Linguistically Diverse Cultures and Communities 
  • READ 413 - Teaching Reading to English Language Learners 

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Contact the Social Work and Gerontology Department

382 Shippen Hall 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17257 Phone: 717-477-1717 Fax: (717) 477-4051