Best Social Work Masters Programs in Washington

We ensure the same level of support to all incoming students, and our admissions decisions are based in part on the number of students for whom we can ensure support during their first 4 years in the program. We work with students to seek sources of funding both within the University and from outside sources. The support typically involves teaching or research assistantships or fellowships for the 9-month regular school year and includes tuition waiver and health benefits in addition to a salary (one-half time 20 hours per week). We also help students pursue individual training and dissertation fellowships and grants, and special awards for later years in the program. Because the PhD program is a full-time program for the first 4 years, students are not generally permitted to accept employment or other funding support that puts their FTE at greater than 50% during the 9-month academic year.

The nature of our program and curriculum structure requires full-time, in-residence status thus we have no part-time program. The course work in the first year is intensive and prescribed. After the first year, students select a number of interdisciplinary courses from across campus.

It is not necessary to have already met this prerequisite to program. The prerequisite can be satisfied any time prior to entering the University.

Although the required master degree does not have to be an MSW (many of our students' master degrees are in other related areas), a thorough understanding of the social welfare field and the needs and priorities of the profession are essential. Thus, obtaining an MSW and this experience can be valuable for those who ultimately seek academic positions following graduation.

Doctoral programs in social work in the USA often prefer that incoming students have practice experience. This is partly related to a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requirement that those teaching certain MSW practice courses have an MSW degree and 2 years of practice experience (see CSWE EPAS 3.3.1). Although we do not make this a requirement for entrance into our program, it is a plus. We want our incoming students to have some degree of field experience, whether as a practicing social worker, related professional, volunteer, or through training as a student, pre or postmaster . We look for applicants who have a grasp of the theory and practice aspects of the social work profession and of the main issues and questions that social work researchers need to address.

Our program emphasizes knowledge building through training in research, scholarship, and teaching. Although some research roles provide an opportunity to build practice experience, our program is not designed to teach advanced practice skills and is not appropriate for persons seeking advanced clinical training.

Successful applicants usually have had at least some research experience and involvement in publications. This, the scholarly and professional statement, and academic letters of reference, demonstrate that the applicant understands and enjoys the process of doing research, and has potential for contributing to social welfare research.

The program can be completed in 4 to 5 years of full-time enrollment. The median is 5 years. However, length to degree varies considerably among graduates: of 105 students who graduated from 1995 to now, 62% finished within 5 years.

Our graduates generally fare well in the employment market, with the majority going to university posts and many of the remaining entering a wide variety of research or administrative positions in government and private sector social welfare agencies. Our graduates are on the faculties of top schools of social work nationwide. (See our alumni page.).

Juris Doctor Master of Science in Taxation.

The combined Juris Doctor Master of Social Work program is offered in association with Eastern Washington University. in social work (Determined by EWU).

Admission to the program is highly selective and is limited to four students per year.

The EWU School of Social Work will accept 12 semester hours of Gonzaga Law School credits toward its requirements for the MSW. During the third and fourth years of study, students will enroll in a colloquium that focuses on the intersection of the law and social work.

Also required during years three and four is practicum experience in legal and social work settings.

Before being considered for admission to the JD MSW program, candidates must apply and be admitted to both Gonzaga School of Law and the Eastern Washington University School of Social Work.

It is conceivable that a candidate for the dual-degree program will be admitted to either the Law School or the School of Social Work, but not both, or will be admitted separately to both schools, but not to the dual-degree program. In that case, the student must decide whether to attend the Law School, the School of Social Work, or both, but will not be able to complete both degrees under the auspices of the dual-degree program.

Candidates for admission to the dual-degree program must indicate on their applications to the respective schools that they are applying for admission to the dual-degree program.

Candidates for the JD MSW Dual Degree must comply with the admissions deadlines of the respective schools. Candidates who have been admitted to both Gonzaga School of Law and the Eastern Washington University School of Social Work will be notified of their acceptance into the dual-degree program on or before May 1st.

Students will pay tuition at the normal rate charged by Gonzaga Law School for law school classes, and at the normal rate charged by Eastern Washington University for classes at the School of Social Work. Financial aid for dual-degree program students will be administered by Gonzaga University.

Typically, students in the dual-degree program will spend their first year of study entirely at the law school or the School of Social Work. Students must take and complete the entire first year of the law school curriculum as an intact unit therefore, students who spend their first year of study at the School of Social Work will then spend their entire second year at the Law School. Students will split their time between the law school and the School of Social Work during their third and fourth years of the program.

Or higher in the classes. The School of Social Work will accept 12 semester credits from the Law School. The Law School transcript will not contain the grades or names of courses taken at the School of Social Work, and the transcript from the School of Social Work will not contain the grades or names of courses taken at the Law School. Each transcript will merely reflect that credit was given for classes taken at the other institution.

Students and alumni of the dual-degree program will have the same career services resources available to them that are available to students and alumni of the Law School and the School of Social Work.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at PLU has an emphasis on healthcare and behavioral health, with significant content on anti-racist practices, diversity, equity and inclusion. The program will be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, which allows you to pursue licensure in Washington state.

Low-residency model. Courses will be offered on a hybrid schedule. Portions of each class will be offered online (either synchronously or asynchronously), and in-person classes will be offered in late afternoons and evenings.

Clinically-oriented. The program prepares students for careers in a variety of settings related to physical and behavioral health in clinical social work, healthcare, schools, community organizations, policy development, and administration. The curriculum includes at least 900 hours of practicum work.

Global focus. The program includes a comparative global focus on health and behavioral health, with the opportunity to include a January Term study away course to learn and compare local and international health models.

Licensure Preparation. Students will be prepared to become a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.

Advocacy and Social Justice. The program prepares skilled, ethical, professional service-oriented leaders and change agents who work toward just, equitable, and empowerment-based service provision, policies, and systems on local and global levels.

Students have opportunities to practice a wide variety of skills in a wide variety of settings under the supervision of an MSW-trained social worker. Field hour requirements:.

Advanced Standing Program (1-year program), 640 hours (320 hours each for two semesters).

Regular Program (2-year program), 960 hours (320 hours each for three semesters).

Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology.

Our mission is to train competent and ethical professionals who: embody integrity, value all people, serve their communities, and pursue social justice. Our program is designed for working students with one day a week classes. This allows you to work while you earn a degree and still manage the demands of life.

The BSW and MSW programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Learn our online Doctor of Social Work program.

The Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology offers a Master of Social Work degree that is offered on two campuses: College Place, WA Billings, MT.

Advanced Standing: Must hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE accredited program with a graduation date within the past 5 years. A cumulative GPA of 3.0+ is also required. 4 quarters long.

Advanced standing 1 year option for BSW graduates.

Must hold Bachelor of Social Work degree from an accredited program with a graduation date within the past 5 years and GPA of 3.0+.

May 1 All admission documents must be in to guarantee a slot (if eligible).

WWU social work graduate program.

Our M.S.W. scholarship page details funding opportunities like the Ballmer and School Social Work scholarships. Explore make your Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) education affordable!

Advanced standing track (for BSW graduates from an accredited school with a 3.0+ GPA).

View course descriptions in the Walla Walla University Graduate Bulletin.

Photo of MSW curriculum plan.

Master of Social Work Child Welfare Training Grant (available only at Billings, MT extension program).

In addition to the main campus in College Place, Washington, the Master of Social Work degree is offered on the Billings, Montana campus.

The Walla Walla University Master in Social Work (MSW) program in Montana offers the same graduate curriculum that is offered on the main campus in College Place, Washington. The focus of the program is advanced clinical practice. Students may take electives in areas such as addictions, aging, child welfare, children and families, mental health, medical social work, and school social work.

An MSW can be earned in six quarters. A four quarter advanced standing program is also available to BSW graduates who have graduated from a CSWE accredited institution.