Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). Built on a foundation of liberal arts, our MSW program is committed to the preparation of professional social work practitioners who take pride in their careers. The program prepares social workers to become effective cross-cultural practitioners by focusing on direct planning, administration, and community practice.

In the first year of the MSW study, students learn from the "generalist model" of social work practice. That is, they study an overview of the profession, and the basic methods of working with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities. They also study subjects that support practice, such as human growth and development and social policy. A special feature of the first year’s curriculum is an interviewing laboratory in which students practice communication skills more intensively.

In the second academic year, students focus on knowledge and skills that help them become effective cross-cultural practitioners. In the program’s definition, cross-cultural social work practice uses the profession’s knowledge and the practitioner’s understanding of cultures to select and implement the methods that have the best chance of success with a specific client or client group. Students may select the culture that is of most interest to them, and focus their studies on this group. Field experience (supervised work in a community agency) is a feature of both years.

We invite focused individuals to join a community that can make a difference. Discover how social work education continues at the forefront of quantifiable practice, public policy, teaching, research and social work leadership in today's global marketplace.

Advanced Standing

It is the policy of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) that students with adequate preparation in a BSW program should not have to repeat material at the MSW level. Advanced standing (admission with exemption from up to one year of the MSW curriculum) will be granted to students who provide evidence of excellent scholastic performance at the BSW level. Decisions will be made individually by the Admissions Committee.

Accreditation

HPU's MSW program is fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation is required by many employers, and for licensure, and cannot be achieved until a program has moved through the steps prescribed by CSWE, including graduating at least one class. Students who entered and graduated from a program in candidacy may be eligible for retroactive accreditation. Achieving this is at the highest priority for the program, but the University cannot guarantee the actions of the accreditation body.

Part Time, Year-Round Curriculum

The mission of HPU's MSW program includes special attention to students who must support themselves during their graduate education. For this reason, the MSW has been designed on a part-time, year-round basis. Students will begin three courses that provide an orientation to the profession of social work. (Advanced-standing students will take a 3-credit class that provides an orientation to graduate study.) Students will then take three courses in each of fall and spring semesters (plus a one-credit interviewing lab in the semester of the student’s choice), and five courses over Summer I and Summer IV.