Social Work, M.S.W.

We prepare students to engage in social change by engaging in problem-solving efforts and offering direct and macro-level interventions involving individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. Our graduate students gain advanced levels of knowledge and skills to equip them to become leaders in the delivery of services across multiple systems on local, national and global levels.

M.S.W. Program Structure:

Classes meet once a week:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays: 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
•  Saturdays: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Field practicum/internship:
  • 16 hours a week during the first year
  • 24 hours a week during the second year
• Some online classes are available.

The mission of the graduate (M.S.W.) program at NCCU is to prepare advanced generalist practitioners who can enhance the well-being of populations across multiple systems. The programs’ curriculum and experiential learning provide leadership opportunities that promote positive social change.

Goals:​

1. To prepare graduate students to become competent and ethical social work professionals to advocate for all individuals on the micro, mezzo and macro levels.
2. To provide graduate students with leadership skills needed when serving as practitioners, researchers, administrators and policy-makers.​
3. To produce graduate students who will contribute to the social work profession through scientific inquiry and evaluation of best practices.

The Council on Social Work Education Accredited (CSWE) is a national accrediting body for social work programs across the United States.  Beyond following accreditation standards for NCCU, NCCU’s Department of Social Work is required to uphold standards from CSWE.  We received our accreditation in 1998 and plan to continue providing excellent programming to maintain accreditation.

Directory of Accredited Programs

Advanced standing is an intensive one-year option for students with an undergraduate degree in social work (B.S.W.) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The 35-credit-hour program includes six credit hours of summer coursework, 16 credit hours in the fall and 13 credit hours in the spring. The fall and spring credit hours include the field practicum and seminar credit hours. Successfully completing the summer bridge courses, advanced-standing students progress to the second year in the fall.

Advanced Standing Admissions

The requirements for all applicants are as follows:

• The criteria for admission to the master’s program must include an earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association.
• Online graduate admission application
• $50 non-refundable application fee
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from the student's B.S.W. field instructor (If the field instructor is not accessible, a recommendation from the field director may be substituted.)
• Undergraduate degree in social work (B.S.W.)
• Official transcripts of all schools attended (if you earned your degree from a non-U.S. school, please see the international applicant requirements)
• A narrative statement discussing your interest in pursuing an accelerated M.S.W. degree, short-term and long-term career goals and populations and practice settings of interest
• A writing sample
• A professional resume showing practicum experience, community experience, volunteer experience and student or professional organizations
• The B.S.W. field instructor's evaluation
• Supplemental social work application
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
• A minimum major GPA of 3.25
• The GRE is not required

Application deadline: February 1

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

The Social Work M.S.W. program is a two-year, full-time program that places special emphasis on preparing students to be advanced generalist practice leaders who deliver competent services on local, national and global levels.

The requirements for all applicants are as follows:

• The criteria for admission to the master’s program must include an earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association.
• Online graduate admission application
• $50 non-refundable application fee
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts of all schools attended (if you earned your degree from a non-U.S. school, please see the international applicant requirements)
• Personal narrative
• Writing sample
• Resume
• Supplemental social work application
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• A minimum major GPA of 3.00
• The GRE is not required

Application deadline: March 1

Additional Requirements for International Students

The field practicum is an integral component of the student’s social work development and learning experience within the NCCU Department of Social Work.  Students develop and hone essential social work competencies and practice skills through the field practicum experience.  The social work practicum provides the student with an opportunity to engage in an advanced generalist social work practice with the individual, family, group, organization and community systems under the supervision of a social work degreed professional (i.e., an individual with a B.S.W., an M.S.W., a D.S.W. or a Ph.D. in Social Work). The two components of the field include the classroom and field experience.

The field practicum may be completed in a variety of practice settings within the field of social work (i.e., medical and health, aging, school social work, children and youth, child welfare, public welfare, corrections and criminal justice, mental health and development disabilities, community and neighborhood services, policy, etc.).

First-Year (Foundation Year) Required Hours:  Students complete 224 hours of field work per semester (2 days a week).

Second-Year M.S.W. Field Hour (Concentration) Requirements: Students complete 336 hours of field work per semester (3 days a week).

Graduate Contact Form

Email: [email protected]