Social Work, MSW

The Valparaiso University Social Work MSW program educates culturally-responsive, strengths-based, system-focused specialized practitioners who seek truth, pursue research-informed practice, celebrate diversity, promote well-being and equity, value human rights, and act for social justice as they lead and serve in an increasingly diverse society.

Admission to the master of social work (MSW) program is decided by the following criteria:

1. A completed Valparaiso University graduate application.
2. Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work. Applicants must have maintained a 3.0 GPA in all previous coursework.
3. Current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
4. One letter of recommendation.
5. A 1-2 page reflective essay.

Application Deadline
The full-time program begins during the summer term each year, and the part-time program begins during the fall term. The intent to enroll/deposit deadline is April 1.

Valpo MSW Curriculum Map
Part-time, 60 credits (limited in-person summer coursework)

Curriculum progression may vary by student start date.

*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 (limited in-person summer coursework)

*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, 35 credits (Advanced Standing, limited in-person summer coursework)

*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.

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.

We invite you to explore our guiding documents:

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.