Master of Social Work — Traditional Program

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.