About the Program
The Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree program at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will prepare competent, professional, and ethical advanced generalist social workers who are committed to anti-oppressive social work practice by advocating for social, economic and environmental justice for all vulnerable populations. The PNW MSW program aims to prepare social work students to work in micro, mezzo, and macro settings with individuals, groups, organizations and communities in alignment with the values of the social work profession, which include service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. The program is designed to meet the competencies identified by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
The MSW program has two options, traditional or advanced standing. Applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree in social work (Bachelor’s degree in Social Work) within the past five years with a GPA of 3.0 or above will be eligible for the 1-year Advanced Standing program. This program will require the completion of 36 credit hours and start in the summer semester. This program is designed to be completed in one calendar year of full-time study. The traditional program is designed for graduates with any bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. This program requires students to complete 57 credit hours and is designed to be completed in two years (full-time) or three-four years (part-time).
After completion of the PNW MSW degree, graduates are eligible for state licensure (LSW), and after two years of supervised work in the professional world, they are eligible for independent clinical licensure (LCSW) in the state of Indiana with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Admission Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to registration as a graduate student
- 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) from undergraduate institution
- Transcript(s) for every institution of higher education attended
- 3 Letters of Recommendation (at least two from an academic mentor/instructor/advisor)
- Personal History Statement
- Academic Statement of Purpose
Applicants near, but not at, undergraduate of 3.0 GPA may be considered for admission on condition of continued registration.
International applicants for the MSW will also need to provide proof of English proficiency and any additional admission documents (diploma, etc.) which may be needed, per Graduate School policies.
Admission documents by country: Documents Required by Country - The Graduate School - Purdue University
Proficiency requirements: English Proficiency Requirements - The Graduate School - Purdue University
Criminal background checks are not part of the application process but will be required prior to enrollment in the programs and may have an associated fee that will be the student’s responsibility. Note: criminal history does not automatically exclude an applicant from consideration for admission into the MSW program.
The associated fee is the student’s responsibility, and students may not be placed into clinical positions before submitting a background check.
Plans of Study
Full time Traditional 2 Year MSW Program:
First Year: 27 hours
Second year: 30 hours
(For students with a Bachelor’s degree not in Social Work)
MSW- Traditional - 2 Year - Program of Study: 57 credit hours
Fall Year 1: 15 Hours
- Ethics, Professionalism and Self-Care
- Anti-Oppressive Social Work
- Human Behavior and Social Environment
- Social work Practice with Individuals, Groups and Families
- Social Work Research Methods 15 hours
Spring Year 1: 12 Hours
- Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy
- Elective
- Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities
- Social Work Practicum & Integrative Seminar I (seminar: 1 credit hour)
Fall Year 2: 15 Hours
- Psychopathology and SW Assessment I
- SW Practice with Addictions
- Clinical Interventions in Social Work
- Applied Social Work Research & Evaluation
- Social Work Practicum & Integrative Seminar II (seminar:1 credit hour)
Spring Year 2: 15 Hours
- Psychopathology and SW Assessment II
- Advanced Social Policy Analysis & Advocacy
- Program Development, Management & Leadership of Social Service Organizations
- Social Work Capstone
- Social Work Practicum & Integrative Seminar III (seminar: 1 credit hour)
Advanced Standing: 1 year MSW program 1 year: 36 hours (for students with a BS degree in Social Work)
Fall 1: 12 Hours
- Psychopathology and SW Assessment I
- SW Practice with Addictions
- Clinical Interventions in Social Work
- Social Work Practicum & Integrative Seminar II (seminar: 1 credit hour)
Summer 1: 9 Hours
- Advanced Generalist Anti-Oppressive Social Work
- Applied Social Work Research & Evaluation
- Program Development, Management & Leadership of Social Service Organizations
Spring 1: 15 Hours
- Psychopathology and SW Assessment II
- Advanced Social Policy Analysis
- Elective
- Social Work Capstone
- Social Work Practicum & Integrative Seminar III (seminar: 1 credit hour)
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