Online MSW meets needs
When Courtney Duer, a 2017 Bluffton University graduate, chose to major in social work, her goal was to make an impact in her community and the families who live within it. Today, she is doing just that as a therapist and parent skills support person at Westwood Behavioral Health.
Master of Social Work
Help people function to the best
of their abilities in their environment
Bluffton’s online Master of Social Work program is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills to meet the mental health needs of our communities.
This MSW, conducted in partnership with Goshen College, offers a holistic approach to the field of social work. With an emphasis on spiritual and religious integration, the program prepares social work professionals to assist clients of diverse backgrounds.
With individualized attention, complete your master’s degree in as few as 12 months, if you hold a bachelor’s of social work from an accredited program.
We offer an MSW for those with and those without a BSW degree. Coursework is offered online and prepares you to work toward licensure in any state.
100% online classroom
Recorded micro lectures, weekly Zoom classes, in-person field work
Finish faster
Students with a BSW can graduate in 1-2 years
Change lanes
Have a degree in something other than social work? Earn an MSW in 2-4 years.
Prepare
Applications accepted year around. Classes begin in August. Students with a BSW may start in January.
What makes this MSW different?
- Individualized attention: Offered by two private, liberal arts, faith-based colleges
- Integration of spirituality: Religion is a meaningful aspect of diversity
- Anti-racism/anti-oppression: Learn to positively assist clients of diverse backgrounds
Applications are accepted year around. Priority review is given to applications submitted by May 1.
Program overview
The MSW program is 57 credit hours, which can be completed in two to four years.
Students with a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program enter our MSW program at an advanced standing level and complete the degree in one to two years (30 credit hours). (Students who earned the BSW degree more than 10 years ago will be considered for advanced standing based on social work experience.)
Courses are offered through weekly Zoom classes and recorded micro lectures.
# of credit hours:
| Student’s undergraduate degree | Credit hours | Admittance level | Types of courses to take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree other than BSW from any accredited institution | 57 | Foundation | Generalist + Specialized courses |
| BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the last 10 years | 30 | Advanced standing | Specialized courses only |
Field education:
Field education is an important part of MSW education. The MSW field director works
with students to identify suitable field placements. Students complete 900 clock hours
in two field placements. Students entering the program at the advanced standing level
complete 500 clock hours in one field placement.
MSW Field Education Manual >
Accreditation
The Bluffton University and Goshen College Collaborative MSW program has achieved
candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board
of Accreditation (BOA).
Candidacy for an MSW program by the BOA indicates that it has made progress toward
meeting standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation
process. A program that has attained candidacy status has demonstrated a commitment
to meeting the standards set by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards
(EPAS) but has not yet demonstrated full compliance.
Students that are admitted to candidate programs in the fall (or later) of the academic
year in which the program is granted candidacy status will be retroactively recognized
as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial
accreditation. Candidacy is typically a 3-year process and attaining candidacy does
not guarantee that a program will eventually attain initial accreditation.
Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the
competence of students graduating from the program. Review our program’s candidacy
status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.
The Bluffton/Goshen MSW program was awarded candidacy in March 2024.
For more information about the MSW program, contact:
Jeanette Harder, PhD, MSW
MSW Program Director, Professor of Social Work
msw@bluffton.edu, 574-535-7980
Admissions questions, contact
Ethan Stearns
Adult and graduate studies recruiter
stearnse@bluffton.edu
Request more information online.