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
Meet the needs of your community with empathy
Bluffton University’s Master of Social Work program has been granted accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board of Accreditation.
This recognition affirms the program’s commitment to academic excellence, ethical practice and preparation of graduates who serve with competence and compassion. Accreditation ensures the MSW program meets rigorous national standards and provides students with a degree that supports licensure and professional advancement.
This online 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.
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 an accredited 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. Students with a BSW may start in August, January or April.
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. Find the "MSW Student Handbook" here.
# 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. Find the "MSW Field Education Manual" here.
- 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
The MSW program is 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 meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals, and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all accreditation standards. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program. Review our program's accreditation status in CSWE's Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE's Department of Social Work Accreditation.
Our program assessment outcome data are available here.
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
Brycen Boyle
Adult and graduate studies graduate assistant
boyleb@bluffton.edu
Request more information online.