Social Work Information Session, November 19 at 1 p.m. We invite prospective students to join us in Daniells Hall, Room 203, where faculty members and admission representatives will welcome you and
be ready to answer your questions. For more information, please Register for an Information Session »
Graduates of our MSW program are equipped to provide client support, counseling, and
advocacy through evidence-based practice.
You will be qualified for employment—and leadership—in schools, orphanages, hospitals,
prisons, hospice settings, government positions, community organizations, and more.
As a graduate of a faith-based program, you’ll be positioned to bring a unique influence
to the shaping of social policy.
Our distinctive generalist program means students develop a broad spectrum of competencies.
You are prepared with advanced-practice knowledge and skills for succeeding in clinical
and administrative settings.
Opportunities for leadership are embedded in instruction of theory and practical skills.
School social-work certification: A course is available for those seeking school social-work certification.
How the program works
Classes meet twice each month on Sundays and incorporate an online component for completing
the coursework. Students may enter the program with or without a social-work background.
Full-time and part-time enrollment is available.
Advanced placement: With a bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution within
the past ten years, qualifying students can typically complete the master’s program
in 12 months (three semesters) on a full-time basis.
Foundation placement: With a bachelor’s degree in another discipline (or from a non-accredited BSW program),
full-time students typically can complete the program in six semesters.
Eligibility
Bachelor's degree: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited program, with coursework indicating a strong
liberal-arts background. (Advanced placement requires a bachelor of social work degree
obtained in the last ten years from a CSWE-accredited program.)
GPA requirement: Possess a preferred GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in social work courses.
(Advanced placement requires that undergraduate transcripts indicate no more than
one grade of C (none below C) in a core social work class.)
Graduate application: Submit a graduate application (with non-refundable fee of $25). Apply now
Transcripts: Submit official college and university transcripts. Many institutions subscribe to
the convenient transcript-request service at National Student Clearinghouse, or you may also contact your institution directly. Have your transcripts sent to
Melodie Lopez in the Graduate Studies office (malopez@southern.edu). If you earned your prerequisite degree at Southern, you do not need to complete
this step.
Recommendations: Submit two recommendation forms from a college professor, work supervisor, or social-work
field instructor. This may be done as part of the online application process, or Download form
Personal statement: Submit a personal statement describing your motivation for graduate school in social
work. Email to grad@southern.edu. Download guidelines
Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are considered
international students and must meet additional requirements for admission.
Applicants from non-English institutions must submit certified English translations
and evaluations of official university records, including demonstration of the equivalency
of a bachelor's degree. Transcript evaluations must be submitted directly to Southern from one of the following
agencies:
Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate English proficiency. Unless an applicant is a native English speaker or received the college/university
degree from an English-medium institution, s/he must have a minimum TOEFL score of
100. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Learn more at ets.org/toefl »
Submit Declaration of Finances. International students must have financial resources sufficient to support themselves
for the calendar year, in addition to an international-student deposit of $3,000 (USD).
Download Form
To be issued an I-20 Form, students must also provide a letter from financial sponsors
(including their name and address), as well as copies of bank statements for the last
three months showing the balance history for the student's account or the financial
sponsor's account.
International students who will be coming to Southern's campus need some additional
information about travel documents and living on campus.
View more information for international applicants
Form I-20: After all qualifying documentation is received, Southern Adventist University issues
a letter of acceptance and the Form I-20. The letter and form must be presented to
the U.S. consular officer when applying for a student visa. Only students approved
by the Immigration and Naturalization Service for attendance at Southern may enroll.
On campus: International students are encouraged to arrive on campus two weeks prior to the beginning
of classes. They should contact the international student adviser as soon as they
arrive. Graduate Studies must be notified if there is any change in the arrival date
after admission has been granted. Individuals with student visas are required to be
enrolled in a full course study (a minimum of nine graduate credit hours) during the
school year.
Employment: International students with an F-1 Student Visa may work on campus, provided that
employment is available and provided that the student is enrolled in a full course
of study and is making progress to the completion of a degree. On-campus employment
is limited to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and 40 hours per week
during university vacation days.
When you are ready to travel: International students should not leave their homeland until they have in their possession:
An admission letter of acceptance from Southern Adventist University
Form I-20 issued by Southern Adventist University
A valid passport
A valid F-1 Student Visa to travel to the United States
Sufficient funds for the first year at Southern Adventist University
Graduate assistantship
If you are interested in a graduate assistantship, please contact the graduate counselor
for more information.
Emphases are offered based on student interest. A minimum of six students is required
for an emphasis to be offered.
Select an emphasis:
Child and Family Advocacy and Treatment
The Child and Family Advocacy and Treatment emphasis provides advanced theoretical knowledge and skill building in child and family social work practice.
Entrepreneurship in Social Services
The International Social Work emphasis provides advanced theoretical knowledge and skill building in international social work practice.
The Mental Health Practice in Social Work emphasis provides advanced theoretical knowledge and skill building in mental health social work practice
and psychopharmacology.
The Military Social Work and Veteran Services emphasis provides advanced theoretical knowledge, skill building, and best-practice models in military
social work and social work in veterans services.
Spiritual Care in Nontraditional Settings
The Trauma and Emergency Management emphasis provides advanced theoretical knowledge and skill building in trauma and emergency management
social work practice.
FOUNDATION CORE
Credits
SOCW 509
Social Work Practice With Individuals and Families
3
SOCW 511
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I: Biological and Psychological Development
3
SOCW 512
Human Behavior and the Social Environment II: Sociological and Spiritual Development
3
SOCW 513
Foundation Portfolio Seminar I
1
SOCW 514
Social Work Practice With Groups, Organizations, and Communities
3
SOCW 516
Foundation Portfolio Seminar II
1
SOCW 533
Social Welfare Issues and Policies
3
SOCW 541
Integration of Faith and Foundation Practice: Seminar I
1
SOCW 542
Integration of Faith and Foundation Practice: Seminar II
1
SOCW 547
Foundation Practicum (may be taken in increments of 1-6 hours)
I welcome your email or call with questions about our master's degree in social work at Southern. It willbe a pleasure to assist you. I look forward to working with you.
