Master of Social Work, MSW

Mission: The mission of Newman University’s Master of Social Work Program (MSW) is inextricably linked to Newman University mission. The mission of the MSW program is to empower graduates to transform society. The goal of transformation goes well beyond an academic understanding of human behavior in the social environment but also implies an emphasis on student’s knowledge of self. Self-knowledge includes many of the skills that are also at the heart of Trauma Competent Practice: self-awareness, empathy, compassion, affect tolerance, self-modulation, attunement, presence, and non-judgment through self awareness. Therefore, we believe to truly transform others, one must in tandem transform themselves.

School Distinctive: The MSW program prepares students for advance clinical and school social work practices. Graduates gain specialized knowledge as well as skills based on trauma and school social work curriculum that is evidence based practices. Our graduates are prepared to be effective and efficient social workers in the field of social work. This allows our students to be at the forefront of the social work profession and to become leaders within their society. The MSW program has small class sizes to cultivate the learning experiences in the classroom and in field. In addition, faculty have a wide range of expertise that is brought into the classroom to enhance student learning. Lastly, the MSW course scheduled are tailored to accommodate working professionals.

The MSW program offers both a traditional and advanced standing option. The traditional Master of Social Work program requires 62 semester hours. The full-time option requires two years to complete the 62 credit hours of coursework and field work. The part-time option requires four years to complete. A combination of full and part-time is also available, requiring three years for completion.

Advanced standing admission is available for students with undergraduate degrees in social work from a CSWE accredited program. Both full-time and part-time options are available. Full-time advanced standing students can complete the required 34 credit hours in one year; part-time students can complete in two years.

Accreditation: Newman University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The MSW Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of the MSW program are eligible for licensure as professional social workers through the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) in Kansas and through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) in Colorado.

Admission Requirements:

1. A completed application to the Graduate Studies Program must include:
   1. Bachelor’s degree from a nationally accredited college or University. A criminal background check. Advanced standing ONLY - must hold a degree from a baccalaureate social work program accredited by CSWE.
   2. Official transcripts from the bachelor degree granting institution and any official transcripts of graduate work. Transcripts must be submitted electronically from the accredited institution or school to Newman University’s Office of Admissions through a secure, nationally recognized online platform.
   3. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate or previous graduate studies.
   4. Three professional and/or academic recommendations, using the MSW recommendation form.
   5. A personal statement/essay.

Program Objectives:

Program Goal #1: To graduate social worker students who are grounded in the liberal arts and the ethical values of the NASW Code of Ethics.

Program Goal #2: To prepare advanced generalist social work students clinically in order for them to use Trauma-Competent Practices.

Program Goal #3: To graduate social workers to analyze social welfare policies, recognize deficits in current policies, advocate for social change, and support diversity and social and economic justice at all systemic levels of practice.

Program Goal #4: To prepare highly skilled and culturally competent clinical social workers who actively seek to create change, promote social and economic justice, improve the delivery of services, and enhance resiliency and well-being at all systemic levels of practice.

Program Goal #5: To graduate social workers to assume leadership positions in an increasingly global society, participate in interdisciplinary activities that will support, influence, and improve the delivery of human services for diverse and vulnerable populations at all levels of practice

Recommended Program Preparation:

Study in liberal arts. For purposes of admission, liberal arts include the following disciplines: English, speech, philosophy, history and the humanities, social sciences, math and the natural sciences.

Progression Requirements:

A grade of C (70%) is considered a minimum passing grade for courses at the graduate level. Any grade below this minimum passing standard is considered to be a failing grade for program progression and for financial aid purposes. Completion of the required curriculum with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation; a grade of D or lower will not count toward meeting graduation requirements.

Degree Requirements:

Below is a table showing the courses required for the Master of Social Work program.

Graduation Requirements: A grade of C (70%) is considered a minimum passing grade for courses at the graduate level. Any grade below this minimum standard is considered to be a failing grade for program progression.

Licensure Disclosure: Graduates in Kansas are eligible for state licensure as an LSW through the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) and graduates in Colorado as an LSW through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). In both states, graduates are eligible for licensure as clinical social workers after two years of supervised post-MSW practice.

State Authorization: Graduates should check their home state requirements for licensure.