Master of Social Work

The Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology offers a Master of Social Work degree with a clinical focus that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program’s clinical focus emphasizes direct practice with individuals, groups, couples and families. A competency-based model of education is used that evaluates student learning outcomes based upon CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Social work competence is defined as the student’s ability to integrate and apply knowledge, values, and skills in professional settings for the well-being of clients. Self-awareness, critical thinking, and reflection are utilized to aid the learning process.

Students are admitted to the MSW program in either the Regular Standing 2-year cohort or in the 4-quarter Advanced Standing program. The 2-year Regular Standing program is designed to prepare students for generalist practice in the first year and clinical practice in the second year of study. The Advanced Standing program is restricted to students with a minimum 3.0 GPA and BSW degree that prepared them for generalist practice at a CSWE accredited social work program. Additionally, students must meet the admissions criteria (see below) for Advanced Standing—which deemed them ready to participate in a clinically focused MSW program.

Admission. Applicants for both Regular Standing and Advanced Standing must first meet the minimum expectations set forth in the Graduate Bulletin under the section titled “Admission Requirements.” Additionally, all applicants must provide a current resume, an admissions essay, and a professional writing sample reflecting the following criteria:

The admissions essay should provide a clear picture of who you are by addressing the two main areas with their stated components outlined below.

Statement of Purpose

Succinctly address the areas described below (1 page).

  1. What motivates you to seek a Master of Social Work degree?
  2. Why is Walla Walla University a good fit for you personally and professionally?
  3. What career goals and experiences will contribute to your success as a graduate student and professional social worker?
  4. What are your academic and practice interests?
  5. What professional contributions do you hope to make to the field of social work?

Personal Statement

Describe and discuss the four categories outlined below to support your application to the MSW program (2 pages). 

1. Characteristics that demonstrate your potential in the WWU MSW program including:

  1. Collaboration with others.

  2. Leadership ability.

  3. Ability to empathize with others, especially those who are different from you.

  4. Communication and language skills (oral, written, bilingual, etc.).

  5. Awareness of your personal biases and privileges.

  6. Perseverance in overcoming obstacles (economic, discrimination, criminal justice, etc.).

2. Notable accomplishments that demonstrate your potential in the WWU MSW program including:

  1. Paid and/or practicum social work practice experience.
  2. Professional paid experiences or military service.
  3. Community involvement and voluntary service.
  4. Educational accomplishments and areas of focused study.

3. Strengths and assets

4. Areas needing improvement and/or areas of concern. Areas of concern include gaps in employment, involvement with the criminal justice system, GPA that does not meet minimum admission standards (3.0, Advance Standing; 2.75, Regular Standing), or any other special circumstances. If any of those circumstances exist, support your request to be conditionally admitted. 

Professional writing sample. The ability to conceptualize and communicate effectively through writing is required for success in graduate education. Your social problem analysis affords you the opportunity to demonstrate your professional writing abilities and critical thinking skills.

Social Problem Analysis. Analyze and address a social problem of significant concern with the assumption that you have available resources at your disposal. Paper should be 2-3 pages that meet APA 7th ed. requirements. At least 2-3 scholarly sources to support your discussion must be cited and appropriate headings and professional writing style integrated. Please address the five aspects outlined below with precision and thoughtfulness.

  • Identify and describe a social problem of significant concern.
    • Discuss what makes it a social problem.
    • Compare competing perspectives on the issue.
    • Describe groups most impacted.
  • Discuss contributing and preventative factors.
    • Examine factors that contribute to and maintain the problem.
    • Evaluate prevention efforts to reduce or eliminate the problem.
  • Develop and critique solution(s) to the social problem.
    • Pay attention to challenges that may impact the proposed solution(s).
  • Explain why society should be concerned about this social problem.
    • Reflect on potential consequences/costs if ignored vs. benefits if addressed.
  • Describe the role you envision yourself playing as a social worker in addressing this social problem.

There are no additional criteria for acceptance as a Regular Standing MSW student.

Those considered for Advanced Standing must meet the following minimum criteria:

  1. Hold a recent (within the past 5 years) BSW degree from a CSWE accredited undergraduate social work program, a program recognized through the CSWE International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.
  2. Have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent if international.

Transfer Students. A student who wishes to transfer from another school and/or MSW program into the MSW program at WWU must provide a letter of good standing from their current school. Classroom courses and/or supervised field practicum completed in other CSWE accredited graduate schools of social work may be accepted for credit toward the MSW degree when such courses and supervised field practicum are considered equivalent to work offered in the WWU Social Work program. Students accepted must complete at least 40 graduate credits while in residence at Walla Walla University for the MSW degree.

Course Waivers/Transfers. Waivers of academic requirements based on coursework completed in another degree program are considered through a petition process on a case-by-case basis. Only courses on the student’s official transcript taken in a CSWE accredited program will be considered for waiver of required coursework. Coursework taken in any other accredited program will only be considered for transfer in as elective credit provided the coursework has not been used toward another academic degree.

Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Students enrolled in the 2-year Regular Standing program must complete 79 quarter credits including 37 credits of generalist course work and 42 credits of advanced clinical courses. Within the first-year generalist course work, Regular Standing students complete 300 clock hours of supervised field education (6 credits) in a generalist social work practice setting. Second year Regular Standing field education requires 600 clock hours of supervised practicum (12 credits) in a practice setting that fosters the development of advanced clinical practice skills. Advanced Standing students complete 49 credits of advanced clinical course work including 600 hours of supervised field education (12 credits) in a clinical field education setting. No academic credit may be awarded for life or work experience.

Core Courses: First Year Regular Standing

SOWK 505Research I

3

SOWK 506Research II

1

SOWK 507Research III

1

SOWK 510Privilege and Oppression

3

SOWK 514Historical Development of Social Welfare

3

SOWK 515Comparative Theories

3

SOWK 517Practice with Individuals

4

SOWK 518Practice with Small Groups

3

SOWK 519Practice with Couples and Families

3

SOWK 520Practice with Communities and Organizations

2

SOWK 524Human Behavior and Social Environment I

3

SOWK 525Human Behavior and Social Environment II

2

SOWK 595Colloquium: Generalist Field

0

Field Education - Generalist

SOWK 529Field Education: Generalist

2-4; 6

Core Courses: Second Year Regular Standing

SOWK 540Advanced Clinical Evaluation

3

SOWK 541Advanced Practice with Individuals

4

SOWK 542Psychopathology

3

SOWK 544Policy Analysis and Advocacy

3

SOWK 545Advanced Practice with Couples and Families

4

SOWK 573Advanced Practice with Groups

4

SOWK 588Social Work, Religion, and Spirituality

3

Field Education - Clinical

SOWK 530Field Education: Clinical

2-5; 12

Electives

*Electives

6

Total Credit Hours:79

Core Courses - Advanced Standing

SOWK 540Advanced Clinical Evaluation

3

SOWK 541Advanced Practice with Individuals

4

SOWK 542Psychopathology

3

SOWK 544Policy Analysis and Advocacy

3

SOWK 545Advanced Practice with Couples and Families

4

SOWK 573Advanced Practice with Groups

4

SOWK 588Social Work, Religion, and Spirituality

3

Field Education: Clinical

SOWK 530Field Education: Clinical

2-5; 12

Electives

*Electives

13

Total Credit Hours:49

Electives*

Not all electives are offered every year or at every program site.

SOWK 527Introduction to Substance Abuse and Disorders and Interventions

3

SOWK 531Death and Dying

3

SOWK 536Clinical Treatment of Trauma

3

SOWK 549Attachment Theory Through the Life Span

3

SOWK 551Family Violence

3

SOWK 552Clinical Treatment of Children and Adolescents

3

SOWK 555School Social Work

3

SOWK 556Play Therapy

3

SOWK 557Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

3

SOWK 558Cognitive Behavior Therapy

3

SOWK 567Self-care for Social Workers

2

SOWK 570Social Work Practice in a Medical Setting

2

SOWK 572Clinical Treatment in Mental Health

3

SOWK 575Clinical Practice with Crisis Intervention

3

SOWK 578Clinical Approaches to the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

3

SOWK 580Services to Families with Children

3

SOWK 581Substance Use Disorders and the Family

3

SOWK 583Topics in Geriatric Mental Health

2; 6

SOWK 584Topics in Social Work Leadership and Administration

2; 4

SOWK 585Topics in Clinical Social Work

3; 9

SOWK 596Social Work Practice Seminar

2; 6