Master of Social Work — Traditional Program

Purpose

The Master of Social Work program offers a 62-semester-hour course of study, and minimum of 1008 hours of practicum. Upon completion of the prescribed curriculum, the student should be able to demonstrate mastery of the theories, methods, techniques, and values of the social work profession as prescribed by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). It is the program's goal that students graduate with the ability to conduct themselves ethically as advanced practice social workers, working with diverse and vulnerable populations in a variety of settings. The program offers opportunities for the student to integrate their spirituality and faith within the program's curriculum and understand how this impacts them both personally and professionally.

Within the context of a Christian university, this program is dedicated to providing a community environment where each individual is viewed as unique and valuable with varied gifts and abilities to use in service to others.

Mission Statement

The mission of George Fox University’s College of Social Work Masters Program is to prepare graduates for worldwide leadership and service as social work professionals who integrate the values, knowledge, and skills of social work with the highest competence and ethical integrity within public and private human service organizations, faith communities, and religiously affiliated agencies.

Degree Outcomes

Students completing the MSW program will be able at an advanced level to:

  • Exhibit competence in generalist and advanced social work practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Demonstrate critical thinking skills in applying knowledge and ethical principles to social work practice and in evaluating scientific inquiry including practice-based research.
  • Consider and apply the values and ethics of the profession in every aspect
    of practice and understand the ethical integration of spirituality and faith in practice, including nondiscrimination in the areas of age, class, culture, color, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
  • Enhance the well-being of people and communities locally, regionally, nationally, and around the world.
  • Apply an ecological systems perspective, empirically supported theoretical frameworks, and evidence-based social work practice methods to all levels of practice.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the GFU Master of Social Work program is conducted by formal application. Applicants seeking admission must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and have completed prerequisites. Qualified students will be admitted regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, age, or disability. The applicant's packet will be considered complete when the following parts have been received: 

  1. A completed online application and application fee.
  2. An official transcript from each junior college, college, or university in which baccalaureate coursework was taken.  
  3. Two references:
    • Applicants who are fewer than five years from completing a bachelor's degree: One academic reference and one professional reference.

    • Applicants who are five years or more from completing a bachelor's degree: Two professional references. 

  4. Professional resume including Social Work-related experience (employment, volunteer, internship and/or other). 
  5. A two page / 500 word statement of purpose which addresses your readiness for graduate work, what influenced your decision to pursue a MSW and your professional goals. 
  6. Sample of scholarly writing from your undergraduate program. Examples include an academic research paper, literature review, report, etc. If scholarly writing is not available, please contact the admissions counselor for an alternate option.
Applicants are evaluated based on the admissions criteria specified in the MSW Student Handbook.

Transfer Credit

For the traditional MSW Program, students may transfer a maximum of 15 semester credits from another CSWE accredited social work program. The MSW Program Director will make decisions about acceptance of transfer of credit upon admission to the program. Practicum credits and practicum hours will not be transferred. Students must have earned a grade of B or better for a course to be considered for transfer. The coursework must have been done within five years prior to the award of the master's degree from George Fox University. The complete transfer credit policy is outlined in the MSW Student Handbook.

Residence Requirements

Of the 62 credit hours required for the traditional Master of Social Work program, a minimum of 47 credit hours must be taken at George Fox University. All work leading to the degree must meet the requirements stated in the program transfer policy.

Leave of Absence

If a student must take a leave of absence from the program due to an illness, accident, or other substantial reason that impair their ability to continue coursework or field internship they must submit a written request explaining reasons for requesting a leave. All incomplete coursework or fieldwork must be completed within two years from the date of his or her original start. If they are unable to complete the program in that time frame, they will be dismissed from the program.

The program must approve leaves of absence for the Master of Social Work program.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with the Master of Social Work degree students must:

  • Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 62 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Maintenance of a minimum average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all academic courses taken and a minimum grade of C (73) for all academic courses taken.
  • Earn a grade of B (83) or higher in all Practicum Seminar courses.
  • Earn no more than two "C" grades (73-79) in the program.
  • Complete a 448-hour supervised Generalist practicum and a 560-hour supervised Advanced Generalist practicum in an agency setting approved by the College of Social Work.
  • Completion of all degree requirements within six (6) years of matriculation.

Curriculum Plan

Complete the following:

This course introduces students to diverse populations and helps them understand the different constraints and motivations of people from backgrounds different from their own, providing important lessons for social work practice. The course is designed to increase student's awareness, knowledge, and understanding of issues related to diversity and difference and the implications for social work practice.
This course introduces MSW students to human rights and social justice framework in the context of social work history, values, ethics, and practice. Related concepts of oppression, power, privilege, and inequality will also be covered. This course will examine how oppression and privilege affect service delivery at micro and macro levels, and how a human rights framework integrated with cultural humility ameliorates social injustice and promotes culturally responsive services. This course will promote students’ career-long process of fostering cultural humility and applying an understanding of human rights, social justice and oppression to their practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and Society.
This course seeks to apply a basic bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework (theory and knowledge) to serve as a guide in understanding how human behavior is shaped, created, and organized across the lifespan. Social systems, human development theories, and strengths approaches are critically examined to foster understanding of individual, family, group, organizational, and community behaviors and the impact of the larger environment on these systems.
This course will move the student from the conceptual understanding of research methods to the application of research methods in practice. Students will apply scientific methods for building knowledge for social work practice, use ethical standards for scientific inquiry, choose qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, research designs for developing knowledge and systematically evaluating social work practice and human service programs, and the critical review and utilization of research findings. This course will review the basics of statistical thinking, tools, and techniques students need to select, calculate, and interpret appropriate statistics applicable to common data analysis situations related to social work practice and policy.
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the complexities of social welfare policy issues by examining key contemporary policy issues and options in income security, health care and human capital investment, etc. It also provides skills of policy analysis for assessing the impact of policy on disadvantaged individuals and communities, and comparative social welfare policies.
This course provides students with a comprehensive exploration of social work values and ethics, with additional emphasis on their intersection with religious and spiritual values. Course content includes an examination of ethical issues as they apply to social work theory, research, policy, and practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities along with an exploration of the historical and contemporary relationships between social work ethics and religious belief. Students will acquire and practice the skills of ethical decision-making including values clarification, application of ethical theory, utilization of codes of ethics, and models of ethical analysis.
This course is designed to provide an opportunity for social work students to apply academic learning to professional social work practice under the supervision of a qualified and experienced social work practitioner. SWKG 576 bridges classroom learning and the practice of social work through faculty coordination of the practicum experience and facilitation of the seminar sessions. SWKG 576, is a required course for all students in the traditional MSW program. It consists of a minimum of 224 hours of applied learning in an agency setting including a 2-hour integrative seminar that meets weekly. All students participating in the MSW Field Education Program must meet the entry-level competence required by their practicum agency. Academic coursework will provide an increasing knowledge and skill base from which students serve individuals of all ages, families, groups, organizations, and communities in various agency settings. Co- or Prerequisites: SWKG 533 Human Behavior in the Social Environment; SWKG 591 Social Work Practice I. Additional course fee required.
This course follows the successful completion of SWKG 576, Generalist Practicum Seminar I, and is a required course for all students in the traditional MSW program. SWKG 577 bridges classroom learning and the practice of social work through faculty coordination of the practicum experience and facilitation of the seminar sessions. SWKG 577 is a required course for all students in the traditional MSW program. It consists of a minimum of 224 hours of applied learning in an agency setting including a 2-hour integrative seminar that meets weekly. All students participating in the MSW Field Education Program must meet the entry-level competence required by their practicum agency. Academic coursework will provide an increasing knowledge and skill base from which students serve individuals of all ages, families, groups, organizations, and communities in various agency settings. Prerequisite: SWKG 576 Generalist Practicum Seminar I
Students apply the steps of the Generalist Intervention Model (engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and termination/transition) to create care management plans for individuals, families, and groups. Attention is paid to knowledge, skills, and values associated with planned change. Students discover and analyze developmental theories and apply these to the various life stages with special attention being given to human diversity and populations at risk. Students examine biological, psychological, spiritual, and social aspects of the human experience and explore how individuals and families are impacted by the various systems within which they live and work. Students apply knowledge and values of human behavior and the social environment in order to increase their capacity as a generalist social worker. Students strengthen personal and professional awareness as they perform and evaluate helping skills in the beginning, middle, and endings/transitions of planned change. This course is one of the two students take that will inform their capacity to intervene at micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. Co- or Prerequisite: SWKG 533 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
This course is designed to teach students the values, knowledge, and skills for working in and through groups, communities, and organizations to (1) create structures and processes that foster social and economic justice, (2) reduce the vulnerability to distress and deprivation of at-risk populations, and (3) enhance the resources and strengths of persons, families, networks, groups, and communities. It emphasizes organizations, communities, and policies as the target of change. Various perspectives, models of change and values and ethical issues are reviewed and critically analyzed. The course includes attention to faith communities and religious organizations as contexts for professional practice. Prerequisites: SWKG 591 Social Work Practice I
This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Generalist curriculum of the MSW program. The seminar links the Generalist curriculum to the Advanced Generalist curriculum of practicum and learning. SWKG 596 will focus on Advanced Generalist practice skills in preparation for Advanced Generalist practicum placement. Co- or Prerequisite: SWKG 577 Generalist Practicum Seminar II

Complete the following:

This course provides an overview of the DSM-5 and an in-depth study of the most common diagnoses. Students will gain an understanding of how to use the DSM-5 manual and the diagnostic language in order to participate in assessment, diagnosis, development, and implementation of client service plans. Based on the DSM-5, students will learn to make accurate and complete bio-psycho-social-spiritual assessments of children, adolescents, adults and families. Students will learn etiology, symptom classification and diagnostic formulation for various mental health diagnoses. Students will apply the diagnostic, assessment, and intervention knowledge to practical case examples. This course will be taken in concurrently with SWKG 605, Micro Practice/Adv Practice with Individuals and Families.
This course provides an overview of theories and models of social work intervention with individuals, children and families. Students learn the philosophy and theoretical constructs of a variety of methods, as well as how and when to apply those methods. Students develop knowledge and use of skills for the application of research-informed models of direct social work with individuals and families. Advanced practice skills are emphasized with particular attention to engagement and intervention. This course is focused on practical application and is experiential.
This course provides an overview of theories and models of social work intervention, with particular attention to small system dynamics (groups, small communities and agencies.) Students learn the philosophy and theoretical constructs of a variety of methods, as well as how and when to apply those methods. Students develop knowledge and use of skills for the application of research-informed models of direct social work with groups, small communities and agencies. Advanced practice skills are emphasized with particular attention to engagement and intervention. This course is focused on practical application and is experiential.
Building on the generalist practice foundations, this course introduces the specialized theories and skills for practicing at the community level. Conceptualizing community as both a target and avenue for change, this course focuses on promoting human flourishing through progressive changes for social, economic, and environmental justice, human rights advancement, peace and reconciliation. It addresses theories, skills, and values in relation to various community practice models with specific attention to diversity, systems of oppression, populations at risk. Students will also critically review the roles of religion and spirituality in community change.
This course introduces the importance of research to improve social work practice, emphasizes the compatibility and reciprocity between practice and research, and acquaints students with strategies to evaluate the quality of evidence and research. Students are expected to use the process of evidence-based practice to identify, appraise, and select a best practice and demonstrate competencies in using research to inform practice. This course presents a detailed explanation of the concepts and procedures of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, provides step-by-step guidance on how to actually perform them, and help students to apply these in practice. This course, the first of a two-course sequence, develops skills in becoming critical evaluators and consumers of evidence and research reported in scientific literature.
The course introduces students to the practitioner-researcher role. Professionals need to have an understanding of the basic experimental designs available for addressing practice questions about human behavior in social work settings. This course prepares students to conduct practice evaluation in micro, mezzo, and macro settings. The content of the course focuses on formulations, applications, and interpretations of single-case design research and program evaluation. This course, the second of a two-course sequence, develops skills in becoming effective producers of basic social work research. Prerequisite: SWKG 647
This course is designed to provide an opportunity for social work students to apply academic learning to Advanced Generalist professional social work practice, under the supervision of a qualified and experienced social work practitioner. SWKG 676 bridges classroom learning and the practice of social work through faculty coordination of the practicum experience and facilitation of the seminar sessions. SWKG 676 is a required course for all students in the MSW program who have successfully completed the Generalist curriculum. SWKG 676 consists of a minimum of 280 hours of applied learning in an agency practicum setting and a 2-hour integrative seminar that meets weekly. Academic coursework will provide an increasing knowledge and skill base from which students serve individuals of all ages, families, groups, organizations, and communities in various agency settings. Additional course fee required.
This course is designed to provide an opportunity for social work students to apply academic learning to Advanced Generalist professional social work practice, under the supervision of a qualified and experienced social work practitioner. SWKG 677 bridges classroom learning and the practice of social work through faculty coordination of the practicum experience and facilitation of the seminar sessions. SWKG 677 is a required course for all students in the MSW program who have successfully completed SWKG 676 and who are in the final semester of the program. SWKG 677 consists of a minimum of 280 hours of applied learning in an agency practicum setting and a 2-hour integrative seminar that meets weekly. Academic coursework will provide an increasing knowledge and skill base from which students serve individuals of all ages, families, groups, organizations, and communities in various agency settings. Prerequisite: SWKG 676 Advanced Generalist Practicum Seminar I
These courses are developed to provide social workers with in-depth knowledge on specific topics of interests in fields of practice. Examples of possible courses include: Children's Issues; Gerontology; School Social Work; Substance Abuse; Death, Dying, and Grief; Rationality, Arts and Spirituality Integrated Practice; Poverty; Neurobiology and Trauma.
These courses are developed to provide social workers with in-depth knowledge on specific topics of interests in fields of practice. Examples of possible courses include: Children's Issues; Gerontology; School Social Work; Substance Abuse; Death, Dying, and Grief; Rationality, Arts and Spirituality Integrated Practice; Poverty; Neurobiology and Trauma.
These courses are developed to provide social workers with in-depth knowledge on specific topics of interests in fields of practice. Examples of possible courses include: Children's Issues; Gerontology; School Social Work; Substance Abuse; Death, Dying, and Grief; Rationality, Arts and Spirituality Integrated Practice; Poverty; Neurobiology and Trauma.
This course prepares students to perform leadership and supervisory functions in public, nonprofit, and faith-based human service organizations. Specific attention is given to various theories of leadership, coaching, human resources, organizational development, resource management, and efforts to link human service organizations in an integrated community-wide service delivery system. Students analyze and evaluate selected leadership practices, and programs in their advanced internship agency and design strategies to maximize both their learning and performance in this and other settings. Students appraise their own personal values to assure continual professional development by critically assessing one’s leadership styles and skills to develop one’s approach to leadership. The course emphasizes the College of Social Work themes of integrating faith and practice, the strengths perspective, and building communities with an emphasis on servant leadership practices.
Optional School Social Work Licensure Preparation Program

Students have the option to complete an optional School Social Work Licensure Preparation Program. The required coursework is built into the MSW program. Students should complete the specific SWKG 685 courses below for the Elective requirement for the MSW degree.

  • SWKG 685 School Social Work Elective: Children's Issues
  • SWKG 685 Social Work Elective: School Scoial Work

Additional requirements can be viewed on the School Social Work Licensure Preparation Program catalog page.