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 online Master of Social Work program is pursuing CSWE accreditation. 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 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.
Students may apply for and be admitted to either a face-to-face MSW program on a given campus or the online MSW program. Admissions requirements may vary between programs as outlined below. Once admitted, students are required to remain in the program into which they were accepted. In select circumstances, students may petition to transition between a face-to-face program and the online program, or between face-to-face programs on different campuses.
Admission. Applicants for both Regular Standing and Advanced Standing and for face-to-face or online programs 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).
- What motivates you to seek a Master of Social Work degree?
- Why is Walla Walla University a good fit for you personally and professionally?
- What career goals and experiences will contribute to your success as a graduate student and professional social worker?
- What are your academic and practice interests?
- 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:
-
Collaboration with others.
-
Leadership ability.
-
Ability to empathize with others, especially those who are different from you.
-
Communication and language skills (oral, written, bilingual, etc.).
-
Awareness of your personal biases and privileges.
-
Perseverance in overcoming obstacles (economic, discrimination, criminal justice, etc.).
2. Notable accomplishments that demonstrate your potential in the WWU MSW program including:
- Paid and/or practicum social work practice experience.
- Professional paid experiences or military service.
- Community involvement and voluntary service.
- 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, 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.
- Technology Assessment (Online Only)
Describe current technology equipment and skills that will support online learning (1 page)
1. Include equipment you have including internet reliability:
a) Computer or laptop, microphone, webcam, speaker or headphones
b) Do you have a reliable high-speed internet connection?
2. Technical Skills:
a) Ability to navigate online learning management system to navigate course materials, submit assignments, and participate in online discussions.
b) How do you troubleshoot common technology issues?
c) How familiar are you with video conferencing tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, screensharing, muting/unmuting, etc.?
3. General readiness:
a) How comfortable are you with troubleshooting technology-related problems on your own?
b) Do you have a backup plan in case of technical issues (e.g., power outages, device malfunctions)?
Program-Specific Criteria for Admissions
- There are no additional criteria for acceptance as a Regular Standing MSW student.
- Regular Standing MSW students in the online program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent.
- Advanced Standing MSW students in a face-to-face program must 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, and have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Advanced standing MSW students in the online program must 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, and have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.
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 73 quarter credits including 34 credits of generalist course work and 39 credits of advanced clinical courses. Within the first-year generalist course work, Regular Standing students complete 280 clock hours of supervised practicum (4 credits) in a generalist social work practice setting. Second year Regular Standing field education requires 630 clock hours of supervised practicum (9 credits) in a practice setting that fosters the development of advanced clinical practice skills. Advanced Standing students complete 45 credits of advanced clinical course work including 630 hours of supervised practicum (12 credits) in a clinical field education setting. No academic credit may be awarded for life or past work experience.
Core Courses: First Year Regular Standing
Field Education - Generalist
Core Courses: Second Year Regular Standing
| SOWK 541 | Clinical Practice with Individuals | 4 |
| SOWK 542 | Assessment and Diagnosis for Social Workers | 3 |
| SOWK 544 | Policy, Justice, and Social Change | 3 |
| SOWK 545 | Clinical Practice with Families | 4 |
| SOWK 573 | Clinical Practice with Groups | 4 |
| SOWK 582 | Clinical Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 586 | Intersectional Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 588 | Social Work, Religion, and Spirituality | 3 |
Field Education - Clinical
Electives
| Electives | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 73 |
Core Courses - Advanced Standing
| SOWK 541 | Clinical Practice with Individuals | 4 |
| SOWK 542 | Assessment and Diagnosis for Social Workers | 3 |
| SOWK 544 | Policy, Justice, and Social Change | 3 |
| SOWK 545 | Clinical Practice with Families | 4 |
| SOWK 573 | Clinical Practice with Groups | 4 |
| SOWK 582 | Clinical Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 586 | Intersectional Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 588 | Social Work, Religion, and Spirituality | 3 |
Field Education: Clinical
Electives
| *Electives | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 45 |
Electives*
Not all electives are offered every year or at every program site.
| SOWK 527 | Substance Use Disorders and Recovery | 3 |
| SOWK 531 | Death and Dying | 3 |
| SOWK 536 | Clinical Treatment of Trauma | 3 |
| SOWK 549 | Attachment Theory Through the Life Span | 3 |
| SOWK 551 | Family Violence | 3 |
| SOWK 552 | Clinical Treatment of Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| SOWK 555 | School Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 556 | Play Therapy | 3 |
| SOWK 557 | Solution-Focused Brief Interventions | 3 |
| SOWK 558 | Cognitive Behavior Therapy | 3 |
| SOWK 567 | Resilience and Sustainability for Social Workers | 3 |
| SOWK 570 | Social Work Practice in a Medical Setting | 3 |
| SOWK 572 | Clinical Treatment in Mental Health | 3 |
| SOWK 575 | Practice with Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| SOWK 578 | Clinical Approaches to the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders | 3 |
| SOWK 580 | Services to Families with Children | 3 |
| SOWK 581 | Substance Use Disorders and the Family | 3 |
| SOWK 583 | Topics in Geriatric Mental Health | 3; 6 |
| SOWK 584 | Topics in Social Work Leadership and Administration | 3; 4 |
| SOWK 585 | Topics in Clinical Social Work | 3; 9 |
| SOWK 596 | Social Work Practice Seminar | 3; 6 |