Course Listings

Master of Social Work

Professor J. Harder, MSW Program Director
Assistant Professor L. Neufeld Weaver, MSW Field Education Director (Bluffton University, Goshen College Affiliated faculty)
Assistant Professor C. Cotter
Assistant Professor A. Lopez (Bluffton University)

Introduction

Goshen College’s Master of Social Work program, conducted in partnership with Bluffton University, equips students with advanced knowledge and skills to meet the mental health needs of our communities.

The mission of the MSW program is: “Shaped by Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition and the social work profession’s core values of social justice, service, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, and the dignity and worth of every person, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program’s mission is to prepare students for specialized practice in mental health with an emphasis on anti-racism and anti-oppressive practices, and integration of spirituality.”

The MSW program consists of 57 credit hours that can be completed in 2 to 4 years. Admission at the advanced standing level is offered to students with a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program within the last 10 years and with earned grades of B- or higher in their social work courses. Students admitted at the advanced standing level have the generalist courses (the 500-level courses) waived for them and only take the specialized practice courses (the 600-level courses) to earn the MSW degree in 1 to 2 years. Through offering advanced standing, BSW graduates do not repeat generalist content.

Students whose BSW degree was from a CSWE-accredited program but the degree was awarded more than 10 years ago may request admission at the advanced standing level through documenting how they have stayed current with the social work profession (e.g. through employment or volunteering in a social work position) on a special request form. The MSW program may grant these students advanced standing or it may admit students at the foundation level and waive some generalist courses based on a review of the student’s transcript, references, resume, and/or an interview.

The MSW program may admit students at the foundation level when students earned lower than a B- in social work courses as part of their BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program. Based on a review of students’ transcripts, references, resumes, and/or interviews, the MSW program may waive some generalist courses for these students so they do not repeat generalist content.

Instructors record micro lectures that students watch at their convenience. Each course has a weekly 1-hour live Zoom class where we discuss the course materials for that week, engage in activities, and do Q&A about upcoming assignments. Zoom classes are held in the evenings.

Students complete field education hours in a social service organization that is local for the student. The MSW Field Director arranges field education placements in conversation with students. Students complete their field hours over two consecutive semesters or in one semester.

The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Accreditation of a social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals, and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all accreditation standards. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program. Review our program’s accredited status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs (https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/directory). For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation ([email protected]). The program also has approvals from the state and from the Higher Learning Commission.

Admission Information

Complete online application.
Request official transcripts to be mailed to Goshen College from all colleges and universities attended.
GPA of at least 3.0 on 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
Two professional references.
Personal statement.
Resume.

Tuition Information

Master of Social Work (per credit hour)$53530-57 credit hour program

Career Opportunities

Our MSW program specializes in mental health, preparing students for a variety of roles such as counselor/therapist, program manager, and community or policy advocate. Social workers are employed in a wide variety of settings including community mental health, hospitals, schools, and social service agencies and provide services to people across the lifespan.