Social Work

The Penn State World Campus Master of Social Work program involves online coursework and in-person supervised fieldwork.  Students concentrate in clinical social work and specialize in one of two areas: 1) children and families across the lifespan; or 2) mental health and substance use.

The MSW program prepares students for advanced clinical social work practice is a range of settings.  The master’s program is designed to address the wide range of skills and functions required of a professional social worker.  Upon successful program completion, students can sit for licensure to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania and other states. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies.

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA.  We seek students passionate about helping their communities and striving for economic and social justice.  Applicants must exhibit potential and professional capabilities essential for effective functioning in the graduate school environment.  Applicants must also have personal qualifications essential for effective social work practice, including sensitivity and responsiveness in relationships, concern for the needs of others, adaptability, good judgement, critical thinking, creativity, integrity, and skill in oral and written communications.

An applicant must meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree with a broad liberal arts foundation from an accredited college or university
• A minimum average of a B (3.0 GPA on a 4 point scale) in all undergraduate work
• No admissions test (e.g., GRE) are required for admission.  

Consistent with the Council for Social Work Education’s Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards, the Penn State World Campus MSW program does not grant course credit, transfer credit, or exemptions for prior life, volunteer, or employment experience.

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required for international applicants. See GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

Advanced Standing

Students who have received a social work degree (BSW) within the past five years and have a minimum 3.25 GPA  from a Council for Social Work Education accredited undergraduate program are eligible for advanced standing.  Students who are granted advanced standing during the admissions process can receive credit for the generalist courses offered during Year 1 of full-time study.  The number of advanced credits granted depends on the comparability of the student’s undergraduate courses to the Penn State World Campus MSW program’s courses and on the grades earned in those undergraduate course (i.e., must be a B grade or higher).

In addition, students entering with advanced standing can receive six (6) field education credits.  The six credits of field education are granted based on the number of hours of field experience completed at the undergraduate level, provided that the undergraduate social work practicum totals a minimum of 400 hours and the student achieved at least a B grade.

Application Components

• A completed Graduate School online application form with the application fee
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Resume or CV
• Goal Statement
• Letters of Reference

Degree Requirements

Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-700 Professional Degree Policies.

Students must receive a minimum of a B grade in all courses and field work. Required courses are:

¹

MSW 800A, MSW 800B, MSW 800C may be taken in series to fulfill this requirement on a part-time basis.

²

MSW 801A, MSW 801B, MSW 801C may be taken in series to fulfill this requirement on a part-time basis.

³

MSW 802A, MSW 802B, MSW 802C may be taken in series to fulfill this requirement on a part-time basis.

⁴

MSW 894A, MSW 894B, MSW 894C may be taken in series to fulfill this requirement on a part-time basis.

MSW 894 represents the capstone project necessary for graduation.  Students identify an issue or problem in the field site agency, analyze the issue, and develop a solution/recommendation.  Students will present their capstone project in an oral presentation as well as submit an executive summary.

Minor

A graduate minor is available in any approved graduate major or dual-title program. The default requirements for a graduate minor are stated in Graduate Council policy GCAC-218 Minors.

Student Aid

World Campus students in graduate degree programs may be eligible for financial aid. Refer to the Tuition and Financial Aid section of the World Campus website for more information.

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

Social Work (MSW) Course List

Learning Outcomes

1. KNOW: Demonstrate knowledge of clinical social work practice theories and techniques and apply them to clinical social work practice.
2. APPLY/CREATE: Apply trauma-informed intervention techniques to clinical social work practice.
3. THINK: Demonstrate knowledge of DSM criteria and apply that knowledge to diagnosis and treatment.
4. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: Understand and apply the ethical standards of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to professional practice.
5. COMMUNICATE: Identify the unique strengths and challenges of working in rural versus urban environments and apply to clinical social work practice.

Contact