Social Work MSW - Regular Standing
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
The Master of Social Work offered by the WVU School of Social Work prepares you to be a well-rounded advanced practitioner who can respond to the complex realities of practice in a variety of roles and settings. The specialization in advanced integrated practice builds on generalist practice and prepares you to integrate micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills across service sectors and within interdisciplinary teams to effectively address social and human problems pertinent to a wide range of professional practice areas, with a particular emphasis on effective models of rural service delivery.
Cost:
$705 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
19 Courses / 60 Credits
Duration:
Three years
Dates:
Next Start: August 20, 2025 Admission Term: Fall
Learning Format:
Online asynchronous, field placement
Program Overview
The mission of the MSW program is to provide students with skills in direct practice with individuals, families, and groups, as well as program and agency administration, community development, and macro-level practice. In addition, students are trained in how to utilize these skills to foster successful interprofessional practice in a wide variety of settings. Specifically, graduates of the MSW program will be prepared to:
- Formulate and implement integrated service delivery models appropriate to advanced
practice with diverse client populations at multi-system levels.
- Design and conduct brief and/or on-going assessment and intervention methods consistent
with integrated systems and context of practice.
- Construct an integrated evidence-informed theoretical framework appropriate to
the level and context of practice situations.
- Organize collaboration with other professions to coordinate intervention efforts
suitable to the practice situation.
- Design and conduct collaborative, practice-based evaluation methods and apply findings
to improve practice, policy, and/or service delivery effectiveness.
Curriculum
The MSW Program offers social work education for the 21st century, incorporating digital literacy in both the on campus and online programs.
This curriculum prepares WVU MSW graduates to be well-rounded advanced practitioners who can respond to the complex realities of practice in a variety of roles and settings.The advanced integrated practice curriculum provides an integrative approach to social work where students are prepared for both direct practice and administrative roles.
Students without a bachelor’s degree in social work are eligible to pursue the regular standing degree plan option if they have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. The Regular Standing degree plan option can be pursued through our online program on a part-time basis only. Students who pursue the Regular Standing degree plan option through the online program begin the program in the fall semester and complete the degree the summer after their third year in classes.
Students with a BSW degree from an accredited program within the last eight years should go to the Social Work MSW – Advanced Standing page.
- SOWK 513: Research Methods, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 520: Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 540: Generalist Practice 1: Individuals, Families, and Groups, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 530: Professional Identity and Social Justice, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 531: Social Welfare Policy and Programs, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 541: Generalist Practice 2: Rural Community Macro Practice, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 581: Generalist Field Experience, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 616: Evaluation Research in Social Work, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 633: Social Policy Analysis, Advocacy, and Deliberation, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 643: Assessment and Diagnosis, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 649: Practice with Individuals, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 650: Practice with Families and Groups, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 654: Organizational Administration and Leadership, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 656: Financial Management and Grant Writing, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 682: Advanced Field Experience, 3-5 credit hours
- SOWK 626: Child Mental Health: Promotion, Prevention, and Treatment, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 627: Clinical Practice in Integrated Healthcare, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 675: Addiction and Social Work Practice, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 680: Child Welfare Continuum, 3 credit hours
- GERO 645: Fundamentals of Gerontology, 3 credit hours
- GERO 681: Rural Gerontology, 3 credit hours
Video: Why Get a MSW?
Listen to two WVU MSW students, Chloe Mikorski & Hunter Tenney, talk about their experience getting their MSW as well as the overall benefits of the program.
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
Regular Standing
- Domestic applicants: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- At least a 2.75 overall GPA required, though a 3.0 GPA is preferred
- GPA from a previous master’s degree can be substituted for an undergraduate GPA
- Students with an overall GPA below 2.75 may be considered for provisional admission
based on a review of the applicant's transcript(s) and the strengths of the other
elements on the application.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- November 1 is the early decision deadline. Applications submitted by November 1 will receive an early decision notification and accepted applicants are eligible for scholarships provided through the School of Social Work.
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February 1 is the priority deadline. Applications submitted by February 1 will
be eligible for scholarships provided through the School of Social Work.
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April 15 is the final deadline. Applications submitted between February 1 and
April 15 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
NOTE: Current WVU BSW students are eligible for an abbreviated application process. Please contact socialwork@mail.wvu.edu for more information
- Complete the Online Application
- $60 application fee
- Submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework to the WVU Office of Graduate Admissions at WVU Hub, P.O. Box 6004, Morgantown, WV 26506.
- NOTE: Official transcripts for applicants who attended West Virginia University will be uploaded by WVU Graduate Admissions upon submission of the graduate application
- Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded by applicants in their application for the purposes of review for admission
- However, official transcripts are required before a formal acceptance to the MSW program is offered.
- Submit a current resume including employment and volunteer experience, including start and end dates.
- Academic**(see note for advanced-standing applicants below)
- Social Work/Human Service Experience (volunteer or paid)
- Employer
***The recommendation suggestions above are preferable, however, for applicants that have been out of school for many years or who have been working in the field, a combination of 3 professional recommendations that address your ability to handle the rigors of graduate studies and your experience and skills in the helping field are acceptable. For students right out of undergraduate studies with little work experience; a combination of 3 professional recommendations that include 2 academic references and a social work/human service experience recommendation are appropriate. Questions? Contact us at socialwork@mail.wvu.edu.
If you use recommenders other than the suggested academic, social work/human service experience, and employer, discuss your reasons why in the Addendum section of the admission essay.
Admission Essay
All applicants must submit an Admission Essay. Please see detailed guidelines for the essay on the WVU School of Social Work Admissions Requirements.
For more information, contact Master of Social Work Admissions & Recruitment at socialwork@mail.wvu.edu or phone (304) 293-3280.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Connect with an Admissions Coach
Jessica Carr Online Admissions Coach
(304) 293-6841 jessica.carr1@mail.wvu.edu
Explore Profile Schedule Chat
Careers and Employment
The demand for professional social workers has been steadily rising, with indicators that this trend will persist, both in terms of increased numbers and the expansion of specialized programs. The curriculum of the WVU MSW program is carefully crafted to equip students for these growing career opportunities:
Career Paths
- Individual, Family, and Group Treatment Specialist
- Community Organizer
- Social Researcher
- Social Work Educator
- Mental Health Clinic Administrator
- Hospital Administrator
- Correctional Institution Administrator
- Court Administrator
- Child Welfare
- School Social Work
- Medical Social Work
- Nursing Home Social Work
- Non-profit Director
- Public Administration