College of Social and Behavioral Health:

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Walden University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation. Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process.  An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. 

The Walden University Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as licensed social workers in many states. However, the requirements for licensure as a social worker vary greatly from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of social work has its own academic requirements and issues its own license to practice as a social worker in that state. Additionally, students should be advised that the Walden MSW program is not designed or intended to prepare graduates for licensure as a school social worker; however, graduates might be eligible for licensure as a school social worker in their particular state of residence.

While Walden enrollment specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for social work licensure or certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization, or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

• 92–97 total quarter credits (depending upon Focus Area)
• Foundation course (3 credits)
• Core courses (65 credits)
• Electives (10 credits required; 15 credits for Focus Area and optional certificate)
• Two Field Experience Preparation courses (0 credit)
• Field Experience (12 credits)
• Two Social Work Skills Labs (1 credits each). These labs include online course content integrated with a 3-day, face-to-face or virtual synchronous requirement.
  • 3 weeks online
  • 3 days face-to-face or virtual synchronous sessions
  • 2 weeks online

Note: The following (tracks) are available for the MSW program:

• Traditional option (up to two courses/term)—This track is similar to most traditional master’s-level programs in which students either complete one or two courses per quarter.
• Traditional Fast Track option (Intensive course load)—This track requires students to complete three courses in the first quarter, while completing two courses in the remaining quarters.
• Advanced Standing (requires BSW)—This track is for students who enter the program with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Advanced Standing Minimum Degree Requirements

• 52–57 total quarter credits
• Core courses (35 credits)
• Electives (10–15 credits)
• One Field Experience Preparation course (0 credit)  
• Field Experience (6 credits)
• One Social Work Skills Lab (1 credits) 

Foundation Course (3 credits)

Core Courses (65 credits)

Elective/Focus Area Courses (10–15 credits)

Students are required to select two electives from the Focus Areas or electives and may select an optional third elective for an embedded certificate from the same Focus Area. Please see the course list on each Focus Area.

Electives

Field Experience Courses (12 credits)

Skills Lab Requirements (2 credits)

Complete after completing SOCW 6002; required before entering SOCW 6500 - Social Work Field Education I. (Exception: Advanced Standing students can skip Social Work Skills Lab I.)

Complete after SOCW 6510 and prior to enrolling in SOCW 6520 - Social Work Field Education III. (Exception: Advanced Standing students must complete Social Work Skills Lab II after SOCW 6111.)

Course Sequence: Traditional

Students must complete Social Work Skills Lab I prior to taking SOCW 6500 (field education course).

Students must complete Social Work Skills Lab II prior to taking SOCW 6520 (field education course).

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

Traditional Fast Track

Students must complete Social Work Skills Lab I prior to taking SOCW 6500 (field education course).

Students must complete Social Work Skills Lab II prior to taking SOCW 6520 (field education course).

More than two courses may be taken in a term as long as the prerequisites are met.

Course Sequence: Advanced Standing

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

Students can choose to focus their studies by selecting two elective courses from the same focus area. An optional certificate, along with the MSW, can be added to the MSW program if students select three courses from a specific focus area. (Note: Optional certificates add 5 credits to the program.)

The five optional certificates align with the focus areas:

• Graduate Certificate in Social Work: Addictions
• Graduate Certificate in Social Work: Child and Family
• Graduate Certificate in Social Work: Healthcare
• Graduate Certificate in Social Work: Military
• Graduate Certificate in Social Work: Trauma

Field Experience Preparation  

Walden is committed to providing students with resources and support in preparation of field experience(s). To help ease anxiety in the field experience process, Walden offers a 0-credit Field Experience Preparation course, a structured experience that guides students through the application process and currently available readiness resources. The course is designed to complement other pre-requisite courses needed in preparation for field experience(s). The goal is that students submit their field experience application by the end of the course. Of course, there may be reasons why a field experience needs to be postponed, or the readiness course may not be needed if a field experience opportunity has already been secured. In this instance, students may opt-out of the course.  By opting out of the Field Experience Preparation course without having submitted a complete field experience application you are notifying Walden that you have chosen to delay the beginning of your field experience indefinitely, it is your responsibility to notify Walden when you plan to begin the field experience component of your program. In some instances, opting out of the Field Experience Preparation course indicates the foundational components of the field experience process have been satisfied and submission of the field experience application is pending. While the course is not yet available for Tempo students, the same readiness resources are available to Tempo students seeking field experience.   

These previous MSW concentrations are no longer accepting new students. Current students in these concentrations must complete their programs of study in accordance with Walden’s Time-to-Degree Completion policies.