Master of Social Work — Advanced Standing Program

The Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program offers a 32-semester-hour course of study, and 500+ 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.

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.

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 Advanced Standing program is conducted by formal application. Applicants seeking admission to the Advanced Standing program must hold an undergraduate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and have completed prerequisites. Completion of the undergraduate degree no more than five years prior to application. No other degrees or life experience can be substituted for this requirement. 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. Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
3. Two references:
   • One from either the undergraduate program director or field faculty. (If they are no longer available or would not be able to write a knowledgeable reference on your behalf, you may seek a reference from another faculty member within your BSW program.)
   • One professional
4. Professional resume including experience related to social work (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.
7. A copy of the field education evaluation from the baccalaureate social work field experience(s) documenting satisfactory generalist practice experience and skills.

For the MSW Advanced Standing Program students may transfer a maximum of 9 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 32 credit hours required for the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program, a minimum of 23 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 in the Advanced Standing Program students must:

• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 32 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 one "C" grades (73-79) in the program.
• Complete a 560-hour supervised Advanced Generalist practicum in an agency setting approved by the College of Social Work.
• Completion of all degree requirements within four (4) years of matriculation.