Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing)

The mission of the Master of Social Work Program at Governors State University is to prepare students to practice with a social justice ethos. Our social justice ethos is our guiding principle of challenging barriers and promoting access to political, social, and economic freedoms and rights. Students specialize in child and family practice and school social work practice. Students demonstrate proficiency in social work knowledge, values, and skill-based competencies to improve the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Through policy and program development, students learn to promote and advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with client populations. The Advanced Standing MSW Program, which is comprised of 32 credit hours, is for students who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. Students can achieve their MSW degree in as little as one year (full-time). A two-year part-time option is also available. Based on the chosen practice specialization, students complete 16-20 hours of field education per week in both the Fall and Spring semesters.

In addition to meeting the university admission criteria, the following are required of applicants:A bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.50 on a 4.0 scaleA liberal arts foundation that includes coursework in the following areas:behavioral/social sciences (equivalent of nine credit-hours);science/mathematical reasoning, which must include human biology and statistics (equivalent of six credit-hours); andhumanities/fine arts (equivalent of six credit hours).Submission of supplementary application packet which includes:official transcripts of all previous college work;M.S.W. application form;prerequisite Evaluation form with required catalog descriptions, if not GSU course work;three letters of recommendation; andessay responses.Prospective students for the Advanced Standing Degree program must satisfy the above requirements in addition to having a 3.0 G.P.A. in baccalaureate social work course work.