Social Work, MSW
Now more than ever, the world needs social workers.
About Our Master of Social Work
Our Master of Social Work (MSW) program is now in candidacy and has completed benchmark one of the accreditation process. Benchmark two is under review and we anticipate full accreditation in March 2027. Valparaiso University has planned the start dates of its MSW program options in a way that all MSW students have the opportunity to graduate from an accredited program. The following program options are all now available, starting during the summer term each year:
- Part-time, online option (with limited in-person summer residency)
- Full-time, in-person option (for non-BSW graduates)
- Full-time, in-person Advanced Standing option (for BSW graduates) – beginning Summer 2026
General Information
Valpo social work is esteemed for its commitment to producing servant leaders. The Valpo MSW equips graduates to enter the workforce as Advanced Generalist practitioners. Within this specialization, students select a pathway that uniquely prepares them to practice in a variety of settings, including:
- Policy and advocacy
- Community mental health
- Public safety
- Healthcare
- Schools
- Nonprofit management
Valpo MSW Curriculum Map
Part-time, 60 credits (Online, limited in-person summer coursework)
Curriculum progression may vary by student start date.
| Year 1 Summer Semester, In-person | 5 credits* | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 500 | Generalist Valpo Bridge | 2 credits |
| SOCW 640 | Advanced Communication Skills | 3 credits |
| Year 1 Fall, Online | 9 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 510 | Social Welfare Policy: History & Programs | 3 credits |
| SOCW 520 | Human Behavior & Social Environment | 3 credits |
| SOCW 560 | DEI: A Framework for Social Justice | 3 credits |
| Year 1 Spring, Online | 9 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 556 | Generalist Practice with Individuals | 3 credits |
| SOCW 557 | Generalist Practice with Orgs. and Communities | 3 credits |
| SOCW 691-698 | Elective Course I | 3 credits |
| Year 2 Summer Semester, In-person | 3 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 620 | Advanced Practice & Theory | 3 credits |
| Year 2 Fall Semester, Online | 10 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 555 | Generalist Practice with Groups & Families | 3 credits |
| SOCW 691-698 | Elective Course II | 3 credits |
| SOCW 691-698 | Elective Course III | 3 credits |
| SOCW 690 | Topics Course | 1 credit |
| Year 2 Spring Semester, Online | 6 credits* | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 576 | Foundation Practicum Seminar I | 2 credits |
| SOCW 586 | Foundation Practicum Experience I | 4 credits |
| Year 3 Summer, In-person | 5 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 610 | Leadership for Ethical & Equitable Policy | 3 credits |
| SOCW 600 | Advanced Valpo Bridge | 2 credits |
| Year 3 Fall, Online | 5 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 675 | Specialization Practicum Seminar I | 2 credits |
| SOCW 685 | Specialization Practicum Experience I | 3 credits |
| Year 3 Spring, Online | 8 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 676 | Specialization Practicum Seminar II | 1 credit |
| SOCW 686 | Specialization Practicum Experience II | 2 credits |
| SOCW 666 | Advanced Research for Practice | 3 credits |
| SOCW 689 | Workforce Development | 2 credits |
*Research methods note = Students must take a statistics class prior to this course, and could take an online statistics class over the summer or during the year to fulfill this requirement.
Valpo MSW Curriculum Map
Full Time, 60 credits (In-person w/ limited online coursework)
| Year 1 Summer Semester | 5 credits* | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 500 | Generalist Valpo Bridge | 2 credits |
| SOCW 640 | Advanced Communication Skills | 3 credits |
| Year 1 Fall Semester | 12 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 510 | Social Welfare Policy: History & Programs | 3 credits |
| SOCW 520 | Human Behavior & Social Environment | 3 credits |
| SOCW 555 | Generalist Practice with Groups & Families | 3 credits |
| SOCW 560 | DEI: A Framework for Social Justice | 3 credits |
| Year 1 Spring Semester | 12 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 556 | Generalist Practice with Individuals | 3 credits |
| SOCW 557 | Generalist Practice with Orgs. & Communities | 3 credits |
| SOCW 576 | Foundation Practicum Seminar | 2 credits |
| SOCW 586 | Foundation Practicum Experience | 4 credits |
| Year 2 Summer Semester | 8 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 600 | Advanced Valpo Bridge | 2 credits |
| SOCW 610 | Leadership for Ethical & Equitable Policy | 3 credits |
| SOCW 620 | Advanced Practice & Theory | 3 credits |
| Year 2 Fall Semester | 12 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 675 | Specialization Practicum Seminar I | 2 credits |
| SOCW 685 | Specialization Practicum Experience I | 3 credits |
| SOCW 691-698 | Elective Course I | 3 credits |
| SOCW 691-698 | Elective Course II | 3 credits |
| SOCW 690 | Topics Course | 1 credit |
| Year 2 Spring Semester | 11 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 676 | Specialization Practicum Seminar II | 1 credit |
| SOCW 686 | Specialization Practicum Experience II | 2 credits |
| SOCW 666 | Advanced Research for Practice | 3 credits |
| SOCW 689 | Workforce Development | 2 credits |
| SOCW 691-698 | Elective Course III | 3 credits |
*Research methods note = Students must take a statistics class prior to this course, and could take an online statistics class over the summer or during the year to fulfill this requirement.
Coming Summer 2026
Valpo MSW Curriculum Map
Full Time, 35 credits (Advanced Standing, In-person w/ limited online coursework)
| Year 1 Summer Semester | 11 credits* | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 600 | Advanced Valpo Bridge | 2 credits |
| SOCW 610 | Leadership for Ethical & Equitable Policy | 3 credits |
| SOCW 620 | Advanced Practice & Theory | 3 credits |
| SOCW 640 | Advanced Communication Skills | 3 credits |
| Year 1 Fall Semester | 12 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 675 | Specialization Practicum Seminar I | 2 credits |
| SOCW 685 | Specialization Practicum Experience I | 3 credits |
| SOCW 691-698 | Elective Course I | 3 credits |
| SOCW 691-698 | Elective Course II | 3 credits |
| SOCW 690 | Topics Course | 1 credit |
| Year 1 Spring Semester | 12 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 676 | Specialization Practicum Seminar II | 1 credit |
| SOCW 686 | Specialization Practicum Experience II | 3 credits |
| SOCW 666 | Advanced Research for Practice | 3 credits |
| SOCW 689 | Workforce Development | 2 credits |
| SOCW 691-698 | Elective Course III | 3 credits |
*Research methods note = Students must take a statistics class prior to this course, and could take an online statistics class over the summer or during the year to fulfill this requirement.
Admission to the Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate program is decided by the following criteria for a summer start date each year:
- A completed graduate studies application form.
- Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work. Applicant must have maintained a 3.0 grade point average in all previous coursework.
- Submission of the following:
- Your resume
- Two recommendation letters from professors or employers
- A statement of purpose that describes why you are applying to Valpo, your interest in the degree program, and how it affects your personal and professional development. This can be 1–2 pages and should speak directly to the graduate program of interest.
- Submission of all required documents for domestic or international citizenship (see requirements)
A comprehensive MSW student fee each semester covers costs for required classroom activities and co-curricular events, as well as field education. For the 2026-2027 academic year, this fee is set at $250 per semester. Learn more about graduate student fees.
MSW Academic Pathways
Valpo MSW students graduate with an Advanced Generalist specialization, extending the knowledge, value, and skills of generalist practice through specialized coursework and transformative practicum experiences. By enhancing their conceptual understanding, reinforcing theories, and further developing their practice skills, Advanced Generalist students lead and serve in multiple capacities with diverse populations.
Within the Advanced Generalist specialization, Valpo MSW students select a pathway to further define their studies and gain expertise in their areas of interest. Pathways include:
- Direct Practice
- Macro Practice
- Individualized
This pathway provides students the knowledge, skills, and values to lead and serve in clinical roles. This pathway is ideal for students seeking to provide services to individuals, families, or groups in a broad range of settings with diverse populations. Building on the MSW intensive skills courses, students in this pathway should take SOCW 691 – Psychopathology for Social Workers and two other elective courses of their choosing. Additionally, students are encouraged to engage in a direct practice-focused practicum experience that uniquely prepares them for the workforce and readies them for the clinical licensure process. Graduates often practice in areas including community mental health, schools, hospitals, criminal legal system, private practice, and more.
The Macro Practice Pathway provides students the knowledge, skills, and values to lead and serve in broader systems and society. This pathway is ideal for students seeking to advance social justice and the well-being of diverse populations in systems and communities at large. Building on the MSW intensive skills courses, students in this pathway should take SOCW 695- Program Planning, Development, & Evaluation and two other elective courses of their choosing. Additionally, students are encouraged to engage in a macro-focused practicum experience that uniquely prepares them for the workforce. Students are prepared to serve in a wide range of settings, including in community development agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, government, and more.
This pathway provides students a customized approach to meet their interests, guided by values and ethics of the social work profession. Building on the MSW intensive skills courses, students in this pathway complete three elective courses, each of their choosing. Faculty and students work together to identify elective coursework and a practicum experience that prepares them for the workforce. Students in this pathway are prepared to lead and serve at a wide range of social work settings with diverse populations.
Public Safety Social Work Certificate
Valpo’s Public Safety Social Work Certificate prepares MSW students or graduates to practice social work within the context of police departments, fire departments, and emergency services.
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Program Rankings and Highlights
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Meet Our Faculty
Professors. Mentors. Friends. At Valparaiso University, you will work on real-life problems alongside faculty leaders with decades of experience and a true desire to do what’s best for you.
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