Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW)
The Master of Social Work program at Southern Utah University prepares advanced professional social workers who promote human and community well-being through ethical, evidence-informed, and culturally responsive practice. Grounded in the person-in-environment framework, graduates develop the skills to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Department: Family Life & Human Development
College: Education & Human Development
Admissions Requirements
3.0+
Minimum GPA
3
Letters of Recommendation
1
Statement of Intent
Bachelor's
from Accredited University
Transcripts
Official Transcripts from all institutions attended
Bachelor's Degree Requirement
MSW Programs require a Bachelor's degree in any field.
MSW Advanced Standing Program: BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, within 10 years of anticipated start date
Statement of Intent Requirements
The statement of intent is an opportunity for applicants to tell their story. Who you are, what your professional goals are at this time, and why you are interested in pursuing an MSW degree at Southern Utah University. The statement of purpose should be at least 3 pages, utilizing APA formatting guidelines, and provide complete answers to the following prompts.
- Why are you pursuing an MSW degree at this time?
- Describe how your past academic or professional/volunteer experiences prepare you for a career in social work. How do your experiences align with social work values and ethics?
- Describe your thoughts on a social, economic, or environmental justice issue and how you hope to use your social work degree to address these issues.
- Describe your strengths and challenges, especially as it pertains to social work practice with diverse populations. Include your philosophy toward working with people with values, lifestyles, cultures, and/or religions different from yours.
- Address any academic or other issues that may not be reflected accurately on your application documents. (This is where a GPA below 3.0 or other outstanding issues should be addressed.)
- Advanced Standing applicants must complete this prompt in addition: Describe any major lessons from your social work experience (including your generalist practicum placement, as well as any post-BSW degree experience) that inform your identified practice interests for your specialist practice placement.
Advanced Generalist Specialization for the MSW
An Advanced Generalist specialization prepares students to enter nearly any human services career upon graduation. Advanced generalist practitioners are able to competently engage in independent and culturally responsive application of advanced social work knowledge, theories, skills, values, and ethics into the planned change process at all levels of practice. The skill level of advanced generalist practitioners is seen in the ability of graduates to engage effectively in interdisciplinary collaboration for advocacy, policy, practice, and advancing social justice efforts. Advanced generalist practice includes the complexity of the problem and context of service provision, enhanced technical abilities, and more sophisticated direct and indirect skills.
Career Outlook
Utah’s population growth has expanded the need for social workers across multiple practice areas. Nationally, employment for social workers is projected to grow 11% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, child, family, and school social workers receive a four-out-of-five-star rating for growth and demand statewide, while social and community service managers receive a full five-star outlook. In southern Utah, the projected annual increase in employment for these fields is 5%—the highest in the state.
MSW Practicum Education
The purpose of field education is for the social work student to practice application of theory and other classroom knowledge in the field under the direct supervision of a field instructor who is an experienced social worker while demonstrating proficiency in the CSWE Social Work Competencies in preparation for generalist practice and professional licensure as a social worker.
Upon admission to the program, Generalist practice (first year traditional MSW) and Advanced Standing students are expected to promptly complete the Practicum Application form (Appendix A) and submit it to the Director of Field Education by the deadline, which varies depending on program enrollment and starting semester. Students will not be given a placement assignment until this form is completed and turned in. Students will be expected to look through the provided catalog of available field placements and select their top three interest areas, as well as provide a resume so students can be matched based on previous experience as well as considering areas for growth and continued learning. Advanced Standing students should include information about their field practicum placement to allow for a varied experience in their MSW placement. The Director of Field Education will then assign practicum students to practicum sites based on both student and practicum site preference and needs. Practicum site assignments will be based on student interest, agency/organization need, and availability of field instructor(s). Students will be notified of their practicum site placement as soon as possible to allow students to get in touch with their field instructor/on-site supervisor and benign any required onboarding.
| Term | Hours Per Week On-site | Hours Per Week in SW Supervision | Weeks per semester | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall of Generalist Year | 15 | 1 | 14 | 222 |
| Spring of Generalist Year | 15 | 1 | 14 | 222 |
Total Practicum Experience Hours for Generalist: 444
| Term | Hours Per Week On-site | Hours Per Week in SW Supervision | Weeks per semester | Total Hours per Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer or Fall of Specialist Year | 19 | 1 | 14 | 280 |
| Fall or Spring of Specialist Year | 19 | 1 | 14 | 280 |
Total Practicum Experience Hours for Specialist/Advanced Standing : 560
Student Opportunities
- Social Work Society
- Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work
- Social Work Programs Advisory Board
Regional Expertise
SUU offers the first on-the-ground MSW program in the Southwest Utah region, serving the unique needs of students and agencies in this rural setting.
Handbooks & Manuals
Admitted students are expected to review the handbook and manuals in full.
- MSW Program Handbook
- Social Work Programs Field Manual
CSWE Accreditation
Southern Utah University’s MSW program is in pre-candidacy for 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 at least meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a rigorous peer-review process. An accredited program has been seen to have sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals, and then BOA has verified that the program is in compliance with all accreditation standards and policies.
Accreditation applies to all program options, including locations and delivery methods. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students upon graduation from the program.
Review our program’s accreditation status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. Find more information at the CSWE website.
Program Outcome Reports
All Council on Social Work Education accredited programs measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of the CSWE. These competencies are dimensions of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training. A measurement benchmark is set by the social work programs for each competency. An assessment score at or above that benchmark is considered by the program to represent mastery of that particular competency.
Report to come after year 1 is complete.