--- title: Master of Social Work | Southern Adventist University description: Students in Southern's Master of Social Work (MSW) program thoughtfully combine a passion for justice with a faith-based approach to social work. --- # Master of Social Work    Request More Information #### Quick Links - [Program Overview](https://adc.e.southern.edu/master-of-social-work#overview) - [Admissions](https://adc.e.southern.edu/master-of-social-work#admission) - [Course Guides](https://adc.e.southern.edu/master-of-social-work#resources) - [Field Practicum](https://adc.e.southern.edu/master-of-social-work#field-practicum) - [Contact Us](https://adc.e.southern.edu/master-of-social-work#rmi-form) #### Graduates of our Master of Social Work (MSW) program are equipped to provide client support, counseling, and advocacy through evidence-based practice. - You will be qualified for employment and leadership—in schools, orphanages, hospitals, prisons, hospice settings, government positions, community organizations, and more. - As a graduate of a faith-based program, you’ll be positioned to bring a unique influence to the shaping of social policy. - Our distinctive generalist program means students develop a broad spectrum of competencies. You are prepared with advanced practice knowledge and skills for succeeding in clinical and administrative settings. - Opportunities for leadership are embedded in the instruction of theory and practical skills. - School social-work certification:  A course is available for those seeking school social-work certification. #### The School of Social Work now offers two participation options for select courses based on their learning purposes and content. Students may choose to attend these courses in person on campus or synchronously via Zoom every other Sunday during the semester. All other course requirements for both groups of students are completed online. All students, whether full-time or part-time, Foundation or Advanced Placement, can choose to complete the program fully online.  ## Master of Social Work Program Details ![A female social worker, holding a notebook and speaking to an elderly couple seated across from her in a well-lit living room.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/MSW%201.png?width=832&height=490&name=MSW%201.png) Designed to meet the needs of the broadest spectrum of students, official classes meet twice a month on Sundays with the option of joining virtually or in person. In between class sessions, all students complete course assignments online.  - **Advanced placement:** With a bachelor's degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) -accredited institution, qualifying students can typically complete the master’s program in 12 months (three semesters) on a full-time basis. - **Foundation placement:** With a bachelor’s degree in another discipline (or from a non-accredited BSW program), full-time students typically can complete the program in six semesters. ### MSW Areas of Emphasis  - Mental Health Practice in Social Work - School Social Work - Crisis and Emergency Management  ### Visit the [School of Social Work's Graduate Catalog](https://www.southern.edu/catalog/graduate.html#/departments/2409) ![A smiling teenager sits between two supportive adults on a couch, while another person takes notes in the foreground.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/MSW%202.png?width=832&height=490&name=MSW%202.png) ### **Social Work Information Session:**   We invite prospective students to join us for an Information Session, where faculty members and admission representatives will welcome you and be ready to answer your questions. For more information, please **[Register for an Information Session »](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/portal/msw-infosession)** ## Applying to Southern’s MSW  ![A woman wearing glasses stands by a window holding a pen and writing on a clipboard. She is dressed in a black cardigan over a beige top.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/MSW%203.png?width=832&height=490&name=MSW%203.png "A woman wearing glasses stands by a window holding a pen and writing on a clipboard. She is dressed in a black cardigan over a beige top.") ### Eligibility and Prerequisites - **Bachelor's degree**: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited program, with coursework indicating a strong liberal arts background. (Advanced placement requires a Bachelor's of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program.) - **GPA requirement:** Possess a preferred GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.00 scale) in social work courses for Advanced placement and 2.75 for Foundation placement. [![Apply Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9251334/b7a42262-b45d-4db3-8fb9-9835989c1acd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9251334/b7a42262-b45d-4db3-8fb9-9835989c1acd) ### Application deadlines All application steps are to be fully completed by the dates listed. Scroll Horizontally -> #### Term #### U.S. Residents #### International Fall April 1 March 1 Winter October 1 August 1 ### How to Apply Submit a graduate application (with non-refundable fee of $40)  Transcripts Submit official college and university transcripts. Many institutions subscribe to the convenient transcript-request service at[National Student Clearinghouse](https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/select?_afrRedirect=2193722579232643), or you may also contact your institution directly. Have transcripts sent to the Graduate and Professional Studies office ([gradtranscripts@southern.edu](mailto:gradtranscripts@southern.edu)). If you earned your prerequisite degree at Southern, you do not need to complete this step. Recommendations Submit two recommendation forms from a college professor, work supervisor, or social-work field instructor. This should be done as part of the online application process. Personal Statement Submit a personal statement describing your motivation for graduate school in social work. It should be submitted through your [Application Status Page.](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/apply/status) Resume Submit your current resumé through your [Application Status Page](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/apply/status). International Applicants  Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are considered international students and must meet [additional requirements for admission.](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-international-requirements.html) [![International Student Admission Requirements](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9251334/a30f584f-4331-470b-88bf-c287b06825df.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9251334/a30f584f-4331-470b-88bf-c287b06825df) International students who will be coming to Southern's campus need some additional information about travel documents and living on campus. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the International Student Services Coordinator at 423.236.2845 or [internationals@southern.edu](mailto:internationals@southern.edu). MSW Accreditation Assessment The Master of Social Work program utilizes multiple measures to assess student competency in advanced generalist social work practice. [View the outcome data for the 2021 MSW graduates »](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/docs/forms/SSW.assessment-of-student-learning-outcomes.pdf)  [![Apply Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9251334/b7a42262-b45d-4db3-8fb9-9835989c1acd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9251334/b7a42262-b45d-4db3-8fb9-9835989c1acd) ## Explore MSW Careers, Resources, and Stories  ## Resources for Getting Your MSW at Southern ## Master of Social Work Choose your area of interest. - Foundation Courses - Emphasis Courses - Advanced Standing Courses ## Master of Social Work Course Guides ### MSW Foundation Courses [See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MSW/2023.MSW.Foundation%20courses.pdf) ![MSW Foundation Courses IMG](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MSW/MSW%20Foundation%20Courses%20IMG.png) ## Master of Social Work Course Guides ### MSW Emphasis Courses [See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MSW/MSW%20Emphasis%20Courses%20IMG.png) ![MSW Emphasis Courses IMG](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MSW/MSW%20Emphasis%20Courses%20IMG.png) ## Master of Social Work Course Guides ### MSW Advanced Standing Courses [See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MSW/2023.MSW.Advanced%20standing%20courses.pdf) ![MSW Advanced Courses IMG](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MSW/MSW%20Advanced%20Courses%20IMG.png) ## Field Practicum Overview “The intent of field education is to connect the theoretical and conceptual contribution of the classroom with the practical world of the practice setting. Field education is systematically designed, supervised, coordinated, and evaluated on the basis of criteria by which students demonstrate the achievement of program competencies” (CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, 2008).  Through participation in the social service delivery for the generalist social work practice system, the student comprehends agency structures, functions and programs. Field education instruction is an integral component of social work education; it is the culminating application and analysis portion of the curriculum. Field education teaching is conducted by professional practitioners with an accredited master’s degree in social work, selected by the agency, and approved by the School of Social Work. A fieldwork requirement for obtaining an MSW is consistent with CSWE educational standards. Foundation year students are required to complete 400 hours, and advanced placement students must complete 500 hours. You will work with the Director of Field Education to identify a practicum opportunity that meets our program learning outcomes. Field Sites Field placements offer practice opportunities in a number of the following ways: working with individuals, families, groups, organizations (including faith-based organizations), congregations, neighborhoods and communities; participating in direct practice, in program development and/or implementation, in program and practice evaluation and in assessing and even formulating social policy. In conjunction with the Director of Field Education, MSW students work together to find an agency that works with the population that interests the student. The School of Social Work's field director must approve your field site. For more information, contact Candy Dolcy, Director of Field Education, at [candydolcy@southern.edu](mailto:candydolcy@southern.edu) or by calling 423-236-2630. The Field Manual This field education manual assists MSW students, program faculty, field instructors, and field placement setting personnel in understanding the objectives and requirements for the field education component of the Master of Social Work program at Southern Adventist University. It summarizes the MSW program's current educational policies and procedures and provides guidelines and instructions for field placement assignments.  [View the Manual](https://www.southern.edu/academics/socialwork/docs/MSWFieldManual_2024-2025.pdf) ## Faculty ![ headshot](https://www.southern.edu/apps/api/people/imageserver.php?user=&w=300) [tel:](tel:) [mailto:](mailto:) ![ headshot](https://www.southern.edu/apps/api/people/imageserver.php?user=&w=300) [tel:](tel:) [mailto:](mailto:) ![ headshot](https://www.southern.edu/apps/api/people/imageserver.php?user=&w=300) [tel:](tel:) [mailto:](mailto:) ![ headshot](https://www.southern.edu/apps/api/people/imageserver.php?user=&w=300) [tel:](tel:) [mailto:](mailto:) ![ headshot](https://www.southern.edu/apps/api/people/imageserver.php?user=&w=300) [tel:](tel:) [mailto:](mailto:) ![ headshot](https://www.southern.edu/apps/api/people/imageserver.php?user=&w=300) [tel:](tel:) [mailto:](mailto:) ![ headshot](https://www.southern.edu/apps/api/people/imageserver.php?user=&w=300) [tel:](tel:) [mailto:](mailto:) ![ headshot](https://www.southern.edu/apps/api/people/imageserver.php?user=&w=300) [tel:](tel:) [mailto:](mailto:) ![ headshot](https://www.southern.edu/apps/api/people/imageserver.php?user=&w=300) [tel:](tel:) [mailto:](mailto:)   ## Request More Information Want to learn more about the education programs at Southern? Just fill out the form to receive additional program resources and insights. ![](https://www.southern.edu/apps/api/people/imageserver.php?user=&w=300) [mailto:](mailto:) TOP - Graduate Calendar - [View entire Academic Calendar](https://www.southern.edu/catalog/graduate.html#/academic-calendar) - Help and Resources - [KEY ADMISSIONS RESOURCES](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-find-an-answer.html) - [After you're accepted](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/resources.html) - [Calendar](https://www.southern.edu/calendar.html) - [Catalog](https://www.southern.edu/catalog/graduate.html) - [Course Schedule](https://myaccess.southern.edu/apps/CourseSchedule/Default.aspx) - [Finances](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-finances.html) - [International Student Admission](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-international-requirements.html) - [Registration](https://www.southern.edu/administration/register/) - [Student Handbook](https://www.southern.edu/handbook/graduate.html) - [University Accreditation](https://www.southern.edu/about/history-and-mission/accreditation.html) - Welcome to Southern - [Chattanooga area](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-chattanoogaarea.html) - [Housing](https://www.southern.edu/administration/residencelife/nontraditional.html) - [Map and directions](https://www.southern.edu/about/maps-and-directions/index.html) - [Visit Southern](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/register/campusvisit) - Areas of study - [Business](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-business-administration.html) - [Computing](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-science-in-computer-science.html) - [Counseling](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-science-in-counseling.html) - [Education](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-science-in-education.html) - [Nursing](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-science-in-nursing.html) - [Outdoor Ed](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-science-in-education-outdoor-ed.html) - [Religion](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-ministry.html) - [Social Work](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-social-work.html) #### Send a message Use this form to contact Graduate and Professional Studies. 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