Social Work, MSW

Now more than ever, the world needs Social Workers.

Why Master of Social Work at Valpo?

Join Valpo’s new MSW program, preparing passionate leaders to serve and practice at the forefront of social change.

Valparaiso University’s social work program has a legacy of excellence that dates back to our bachelor of social work accreditation in the 1970s. Our new MSW program provides regional and national markets with ethical, inclusive, and motivated social work professionals serving in mental health settings, schools, the criminal justice field, and beyond.

High-quality, flexible programs of study are at the core of our MSW program. The Valpo MSW degree offers both a traditional, full-time program and a mixed-hybrid online program to provide access for non-traditional, motivated MSW students. While never compromising our mission or commitment to the transformational educational experience needed for excellent social work practice, students will appreciate the multiple pathways to graduation.

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About Our Social Work Masters

Our MSW program was recently designated as “pre-candidacy”, meaning that we successfully completed the first step in the accreditation process. Valparaiso University planned the start dates of its MSW program options in a way that all MSW students have the opportunity to graduate from an accredited program. Beginning in Fall 2024, our part-time, online option (with limited in-person summer residency) was launched. The full time, in-person option for non-BSW graduates is coming Summer 2025. Applications for this option in the 2025-2026 school year are now open. The full time, in-person Advanced Standing option for BSW graduates is coming Summer 2026.

General Information

What can you do with a Valpo MSW?

Valpo social work is esteemed for its commitment to producing servant leaders. The Valpo MSW equips graduates to enter the workforce as Advanced Generalist practitioners. Within this specialization, students select a pathway that uniquely prepares them to practice in a variety of settings, including:

Policy and advocacy
Community mental health
Public safety
Healthcare
Schools
Nonprofit management

Learn more about our Direct Practice, Macro Practice, Individualized Pathways, and Public Safety Social Work Certificate here.

Part-Time

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

Curriculum progression may vary by student start date.

Year 1 Summer Semester, In-person \| 5 credits*
SOCW 500	Generalist Valpo Bridge	2 credits
SOCW 640	Advanced Communication Skills	3 credits

Year 1 Fall, Online \| 9 credits
SOCW 510	Social Welfare Policy: History & Programs	3 credits
SOCW 520	Human Behavior & Social Environment	3 credits
SOCW 560	DEI: A Framework for Social Justice	3 credits

Year 1 Spring, Online \| 9 credits
SOCW 556	Generalist Practice with Individuals	3 credits
SOCW 557	Generalist Practice with Orgs. and Communities	3 credits
SOCW 691-698	Elective Course I	3 credits

Year 2 Summer Semester, In-person \| 3 credits
SOCW 620	Advanced Practice & Theory	3 credits

Year 2 Fall Semester, Online \| 10 credits
SOCW 555	Generalist Practice with Groups & Families	3 credits
SOCW 691-698	Elective Course II	3 credits
SOCW 691-698	Elective Course III	3 credits
SOCW 690	Topics Course	1 credit

Year 2 Spring Semester, Online \| 6 credits*
SOCW 576	Foundation Practicum Seminar I	2 credits
SOCW 586	Foundation Practicum Experience I	4 credits

Year 3 Summer, In-person \| 5 credits
SOCW 610	Leadership for Ethical & Equitable Policy	3 credits
SOCW 600	Advanced Valpo Bridge	2 credits

Year 3 Fall, Online \| 5 credits
SOCW 675	Specialization Practicum Seminar I	2 credits
SOCW 685	Specialization Practicum Experience I	3 credits

Year 3 Spring, Online \| 8 credits
SOCW 676	Specialization Practicum Seminar II	1 credit
SOCW 686	Specialization Practicum Experience II	2 credits
SOCW 666	Advanced Research for Practice	3 credits
SOCW 689	Workforce Development	2 credits

*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.

Full-Time

Coming Summer 2025 – Now taking Applications

Valpo MSW Curriculum Map
Full Time, 60 credits (In-person w/ limited online coursework)

Year 1 Summer Semester \| 5 credits*
SOCW 500	Generalist Valpo Bridge	2 credits
SOCW 640	Advanced Communication Skills	3 credits

Year 1 Fall Semester \| 12 credits
SOCW 510	Social Welfare Policy: History & Programs	3 credits
SOCW 520	Human Behavior & Social Environment	3 credits
SOCW 555	Generalist Practice with Groups & Families	3 credits
SOCW 560	DEI: A Framework for Social Justice	3 credits

Year 1 Spring Semester \| 12 credits
SOCW 556	Generalist Practice with Individuals	3 credits
SOCW 557	Generalist Practice with Orgs. & Communities	3 credits
SOCW 576	Foundation Practicum Seminar	2 credits
SOCW 586	Foundation Practicum Experience	4 credits

Year 2 Summer Semester \| 8 credits
SOCW 600	Advanced Valpo Bridge	2 credits
SOCW 610	Leadership for Ethical & Equitable Policy	3 credits
SOCW 620	Advanced Practice & Theory	3 credits

Year 2 Fall Semester \| 12 credits
SOCW 675	Specialization Practicum Seminar I	2 credits
SOCW 685	Specialization Practicum Experience I	3 credits
SOCW 691-698	Elective Course I	3 credits
SOCW 691-698	Elective Course II	3 credits
SOCW 690	Topics Course	1 credit

Year 2 Spring Semester \| 11 credits
SOCW 676	Specialization Practicum Seminar II	1 credit
SOCW 686	Specialization Practicum Experience II	2 credits
SOCW 666	Advanced Research for Practice	3 credits
SOCW 689	Workforce Development	2 credits
SOCW 691-698	Elective Course III	3 credits

*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.

Advanced Standing

Coming Summer 2026

Valpo MSW Curriculum Map
Full Time, 35 credits (Advanced Standing, In-person w/ limited online coursework)

Year 1 Summer Semester \| 11 credits*
SOCW 600	Advanced Valpo Bridge	2 credits
SOCW 610	Leadership for Ethical & Equitable Policy	3 credits
SOCW 620	Advanced Practice & Theory	3 credits
SOCW 640	Advanced Communication Skills	3 credits

Year 1 Fall Semester \| 12 credits
SOCW 675	Specialization Practicum Seminar I	2 credits
SOCW 685	Specialization Practicum Experience I	3 credits
SOCW 691-698	Elective Course I	3 credits
SOCW 691-698	Elective Course II	3 credits
SOCW 690	Topics Course	1 credit

Year 1 Spring Semester \| 12 credits
SOCW 676	Specialization Practicum Seminar II	1 credit
SOCW 686	Specialization Practicum Experience II	3 credits
SOCW 666	Advanced Research for Practice	3 credits
SOCW 689	Workforce Development	2 credits
SOCW 691-698	Elective Course III	3 credits

*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.

social work

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