Frequently asked questions

NAU students are eligible to apply to the BSW as soon as they have met the eligibility requirements, including freshman.

Applicants must have:

• at least 24 units, including SW 220, with a grade of B or better
• a minimum grade point average of 2.25
• or special permission from the admission committee

New students may join the BSW program at the beginning of spring, summer, or fall semester.

Both in-person and online students must first be accepted to NAU before they can apply for the social work program. The application to the BSW program is an additional application to the NAU application.

Step-by-Step BSW Application Process

Yes! A BSW degree can be earned without needing to come to the Flagstaff campus if you are an online student. Students in the online programs are allowed to complete their internship within their local community.

Students are also able to attend classes on the Flagstaff campus of NAU in the in-person program.

Yes! The BSW online and in-person programs are set up to go at your own pace.

Application deadlines:

• To start in the spring semester: October 1
• To start in the fall or summer semester: February 1
• Additional deadline for new Online Campus and Transfer students to start in the fall semester: June 1

Applications are submitted online: Apply Here

This is an additional application to the NAU admission application. Students applying to the BSW program must first be accepted to NAU.

Log into the account you created when you applied to check on your status.

Contact socialwork@nau.edu and ask for your BSW application to be re-opened. The Social Work office will re-open your application and then you can make all the necessary updates needed. When you have completed your updates, remember to re-submit your application and then it will be available for the admission committee to review.

Yes! You will complete 450 hours of a field education internship prior to graduation. Students in the online program are able to complete their internship within their local community.

Yes! The 2-year online MSW program begins in August. The 1-year online MSW, Advanced Standing program begins in May and January of each year.

Yes! The Advanced Standing is completed in one year. Students who qualify for advanced standing must have:

• Completed their BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution within the last 5 years
• Have a 3.3 GPA

You may apply for the MSW program prior to completing your bachelor’s degree if your bachelor graduation date is prior to you beginning your MSW program. If you are accepted it will be a conditional admittance based upon completing your degree prior to the start of the MSW program while maintaining a GPA that meets the admission criteria.

Part-time attendance is not possible at this time.

Yes, although this is limited because of our CSWE accreditation, please refer to the NAU Graduate College guidelines for transfer credits.

Those accepted into either MSW program will be placed in a cohort of 25 students or fewer.

For information on licensure requirements and process visit the SocialWorkLicensure.Org for information. For the state you plan to obtain a license, contact the State Board of Behavioral Health, or equivalent.

For a state by state breakdown of licensure requirements and process. 

The 2-year MSW program is 60 credit hours. The 1-year MSW, Advanced Standing program is 39 credit hours.

No, campus visits are not required. All coursework can be completed online. Students are able to complete their field placement internship within their local community.

Yes, students need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a 3.0 GPA, and 250 volunteer hours in a human service field to be eligible to apply. Students without a BSW qualify for the MSW program. Students with a BSW within the last 5 years from a CSWE accredited university qualify for the MSW, Advanced Standing program. See our eligibility and requirements page for details.

A student in the 2-Year MSW program requires two different internships for a total of 900 hours (450 a year). Each year a different internship at a different position/location is required.

A student in the 1-Year MSW, Advanced Standing program requires one internship for a total of 450 hours.

Yes, you can. We will expect you to work with the Field Education faculty in identifying appropriate agencies within your community. Once students are admitted to the program, they will receive more information about the field placement process.

Begin your MSW Application Here

1-Year Online MSW, Advanced Standing with January start

• Application opens August 1
• Cohort is limited to 25 students
• Only students with field placements outside of Flagstaff will be considered for admittance
• Final application deadline is November 1

1-Year Online MSW, Advanced Standing with May start

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

2-Year Online MSW with August start

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

As you complete the MSW application you will be asked to supply names and emails of your references. Your references will be contacted by email with a reference form to complete and submit.

NAU does not require graduate entrance exams for applicants to the MSW program.

Your professional resume should include an overview of your professional and volunteer experience, education, and skills.

References should be able to speak to your professional and academic competencies. Some examples of appropriate references are a professor, employer. or volunteer supervisor. For students who completed a BSW or other internship, we would highly recommend a reference from your field education liaison/supervisor.

Students applying for the MSW Program must have completed a minimum of 250 hours of volunteer/paid work experience in a human service field.  These hours could include face-to-face or remote contact with individuals/families/communities in need.  Populations served may include: children and youth, people of color, individuals navigating mental or physical disabilities, homeless, LGBTQIA, immigrants/refugees, or other populations that are impacted by health or social disparities.  Please be specific about your duties/activities, including the dates and hours of your experiences in your application to the MSW Program.

What would qualify as volunteer and/or relevant paid human service experience?

Micro level practice experience:

• Social service experience with individuals, families, and/or small groups to support self determination, enhancing overall functioning, and quality of life.
• Including delivering food to impoverished families, connecting children/families to community resources, providing case management, crisis intervention services, outreach efforts, etc.

Mezzo level practice experience:

• Working with groups or organizations, such as community behavioral health agencies, hospitals, schools, churches, shelters, or other businesses to aid with institutional change.
• Including organization at the community level, facilitating support groups, assisting with program evaluation, etc.

Macro level practice experience:

• Working at a policy level within organizations or communities to promote social and economic justice, advocating for human rights, or empowering marginalized communities.
• Including advocacy work, conducting research, leadership roles within profit/nonprofit or governmental agencies.

Organizations to consider completing your human service experiences include:

Students who have not completed all prerequisites may be admitted conditionally. On the application, you will be asked to include a statement explaining how you plan to complete these requirements before beginning, or during, the first year of your MSW program. Students have until the end of the first year of their MSW program to complete the statistics and/or human biology requirement. If you have questions regarding if a course will fulfill this requirement, contact Anne.Medill@nau.edu with the institution name, course name, and course description for review.

Students with a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited institution have already completed this requirement. At NAU its would be fulfilled with SW 310 and SOC 365.

The fee for MSW applicants is $65.00. The application fee is non-refundable.

Tuition information is located at the NAU Graduate College website. This may fluctuate each academic year.

MSW program fee is $600 each semester. This is used to support and enhance the applied nature of our program.

Yes, we are accredited through CSWE, Council on Social Work Education.

Licensure requirements and processes vary by state.  For a state by state guide to licensure CLICK HERE or visit www.SocialWorkLicensure.Org