Social Work, Master of Social Work

The Northern Arizona University MSW Program is committed to a social work practice model with diverse individuals and rural client well-being.  The Program incorporates theoretical perspectives or approaches that make-up a strengths-based framework which is used to elaborate on the Program’s mission and to develop the Program’s goals.  Developing a strengths-based framework must include knowledge of culturally competent practice.  Embracing the need to give voice to marginalized communities, NAU’s MSW curriculum addresses ways for students to learn and practice ways of working with diverse groups of clients that best enable members of those communities to achieve their goals.

NAU MSW program is CSWE accredited.

If you have a Bachelor of Social Work degree within the last 5 years and a 3.3 GPA then you may qualify for the MSW, Advanced standing program.

Applications for August 2021 are currently closed

Applications for August 2022 start open August 1, 2021

Application deadline is February 1, 2022

Eligibility requirements for admission

• An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited university
• An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4-point scale
• A course in human biology (a minimum of one 3-credit hour course) completed by the end of the first year in the MSW program
• A course in basic or applied statistics (a minimum of one 3-credit hour course) completed by the end of the first year in the MSW program
• A minimum of 250 volunteer and/or relevant paid human service work experience, Learn more about this requirement
• Agency placements are limited for students desiring Flagstaff placement
• No GRE is required for admission in the MSW program

Master of Social Work Program Overview

• Cohorts begin each August
• Requires two internships for a total of 900 hours field education internship
• Program offered fully online
• Field education internship is completed within the local community
• $600 program fee assessed each term of the program

Program Details

• MSW Plan of Study: View the course layout & timeline for the MSW 2-year program
• Behavioral Science Cognates: Listing of course options to fulfill the program requirements listed on Plan of Study
• 900 total hours of Field Education Internship, 225 hours per semester
• Students are required to be available for field placement during normal business hours of Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. All field placement hours must be completed on site.
• The MSW is a two-year program. A new cohort begins each August.

Submit an application to NAU’s Graduate College

A complete application will include:

• • • Professional Resume
    • 250 volunteer hours and/or relevant paid human service work experience documented with time and description of role, Learn more about this requirement
    • Personal Statement, typed/5-6 pages/double-spaced, addressing the following three questions:
      • Describe any experiences that have influenced your selection of social work as your professional career.
      • Discuss your understanding of the following concepts: structural racism, advocacy, human rights, and social, economic, and environmental justice.
      • Explain your reasons for selecting the NAU MSW program and discuss how you plan to be fully engaged in all of the academic requirements of the MSW program, including field practicum and graduate level coursework.
    • Prerequisite Statement, if needed include in addition to your personal statement, acknowledging a plan to complete the 3 credit human biology course and/or 3 credit statistics course prior to the end of the first year in the MSW program.
    • Email address for three references
      • Professional (paid or volunteer) or Academic
    • Transcripts from all institutions attended with human biology and statistics courses marked that show proof of fulfilling the MSW prerequisite. Unofficial transcripts are to be uploaded for the MSW application. Official transcripts are to be submitted to the NAU Grad College directly.

Application Deadlines

• • Application opens October 1
  • Agency placements are limited for students desiring Flagstaff placement
  • Application deadline is February 1
  • Apply Now

Tuition & Fees

• Current graduate tuition rates
• $600 MSW program fee assessed each semester in the program

Graduation

Program of Study link

Child Welfare Training Project

The Child Welfare Training Project at Northern Arizona University is a competitive field placement for students pursuing a Master or Bachelor in Social Work. Successful applicants are awarded up to two years of in-state tuition, and any required MSW, as well as a monthly stipend of $500.

On successful completion, CWTP graduates receive immediate, full-time, professional placement with Arizona Department of Child Safety, as Child Safety Specialists.

Who should apply?

• Those who want a career protecting children and families.
• Those who are an accepted BSW student or BSW applicant, with a GPA of 2.5 or better, or accepted MSW student or MSW applicant, with a GPA of 3.0 or better, attending NAU’s Flagstaff Mountain Campus.
• Those who meet all eligibility requirements.

Field Education for Master of Social Work

Supported professional experience for NAU students earning degrees in Social Work

The Social Work Field Education Program is your opportunity to gain real-world experience in a supported context and build your resume working with local organizations. You will apply what you learn in the classroom and move one big step closer to a career in social work. This firsthand experience will help you discover, develop, and enhance your social work skills.

Social Work Field Education experience and training involves participating in the life of the agency, attending regularly scheduled meetings, and other activities involving or sponsored by the field placement site. Students are required to be present at their field placement site during the during normal business hours of Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm when the professional staff are working and available to the student. All field placement hours must be completed on site.

Program Overview

• 2-year program requires two different internships for a total of 900 hours (450 per year).
• Students in the online programs are allowed to complete their internship within their local community.
• Additional requirements needed for internship at place of employment

How does Field Education relate to my other classes

• Each semester is set up with a total of 15 credits that includes a 3 credit Field Foundation class that is a 16-week class.
• 2-Year MSW Plan of Study

Requirements

• Be prepared as most placements will ask for an interview.
• Information regarding background clearance for all students and instructions for Arizona students to obtain their Level One Fingerprint Clearance card can be found here. Social Work Student Background Check and AZ Fingerprint Clearance Card Instructions
• Students are required to be available for field placement during normal business hours of Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. All field placement hours must be completed on site.
• The Field Instructor, who will serve as the mentor and instructor at the student’s field education placement, must be a MSW with at least two years post-graduate experience.
• Placement at current place of employment is not a guarantee and requires an additional Employment Based Field Placement application.

Field Education partnerships:

Field placement sites offer students exposure to, and work within, the micro, mezzo, and macro practice fields. Some common types of field placement sites are: