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).
- 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:
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Collaboration with others.
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Leadership ability.
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Ability to empathize with others, especially those who are different from you.
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Communication and language skills (oral, written, bilingual, etc.).
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Awareness of your personal biases and privileges.
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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 (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:
- 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.
- 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
Field Education - Generalist
| SOWK 529 | Field Education: Generalist | 2-4; 6 |
Core Courses: Second Year Regular Standing
| SOWK 540 | Advanced Clinical Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 541 | Advanced Practice with Individuals | 4 |
| SOWK 542 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| SOWK 544 | Policy Analysis and Advocacy | 3 |
| SOWK 545 | Advanced Practice with Couples and Families | 4 |
| SOWK 573 | Advanced Practice with Groups | 4 |
| SOWK 588 | Social Work, Religion, and Spirituality | 3 |
Field Education - Clinical
| SOWK 530 | Field Education: Clinical | 2-5; 12 |
Electives
| Electives | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 79 |
Core Courses - Advanced Standing
| SOWK 540 | Advanced Clinical Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 541 | Advanced Practice with Individuals | 4 |
| SOWK 542 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| SOWK 544 | Policy Analysis and Advocacy | 3 |
| SOWK 545 | Advanced Practice with Couples and Families | 4 |
| SOWK 573 | Advanced Practice with Groups | 4 |
| SOWK 588 | Social Work, Religion, and Spirituality | 3 |
Field Education: Clinical
| SOWK 530 | Field 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 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 Therapy | 3 |
| SOWK 558 | Cognitive Behavior Therapy | 3 |
| SOWK 567 | Self-care for Social Workers | 2 |
| SOWK 570 | Social Work Practice in a Medical Setting | 2 |
| SOWK 572 | Clinical Treatment in Mental Health | 3 |
| SOWK 575 | Clinical 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 | 2; 6 |
| SOWK 584 | Topics in Social Work Leadership and Administration | 2; 4 |
| SOWK 585 | Topics in Clinical Social Work | 3; 9 |
| SOWK 596 | Social Work Practice Seminar | 2; 6 |