Collaboration
Shippensburg University jointly offers with Millersville University a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program. An MSW permits graduates to work in a variety of human service programs and agencies in an advanced clinical and/or administrative capacity. The flexibility of the social work degree provides graduates with many options as they pursue their careers in helping fields.
MU-SU MSW Program Mission
The mission of the joint MU-SU MSW Program is to provide accessible social work graduate education in the South-Central region of Pennsylvania. We prepare students to be effective advanced generalist practitioners, committed to the purpose and values of the social work profession.
Advanced Generalist Perspective
The mission of the Millersville University and Shippensburg University Collaborative MSW Program is to promote human and community well-being by providing an advanced generalist social work education that prepares students to be contemporary practitioners and advocates for individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations utilizing the person in environment perspective. We prepare students to be competent, globally responsive evidence-informed practitioners, committed to social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and human rights, which are rooted in the values of the social work profession.
MU-SU Program Goals
The MU-SU program seeks to:
- Prepare graduates for competent advanced generalist practice through the acquisition and demonstration of social work competencies and values consistent with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) educational policy and accreditation standards and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
- Provide graduates with the advanced generalist knowledge values and skills for social work practice across micro, mezzo and macro systems to assess, plan and facilitate change with attention to the profession’s commitment to interprofessional collaboration.
- Develop graduates’ commitment to continued evidence-informed professional development and prepare graduates to practice human rights-based social work that promotes social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
MU-SU Program Core Competencies
Upon completion of the Master of Social Work degree, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Engage in Diversity and Difference in Practice
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Program Structure
The program is designed for students who have no previous social work education and for those who want to build upon their baccalaureate social work education. Students may enroll in the face-to-face or online program. Classes are designed for working professionals with workplace internship options.
Courses in the face-to-face program are offered evenings. Some electives are offered online asynchronously and/or with synchronous meetings. Students will take all courses on the campus where they are enrolled, while benefiting from the quality faculty and resources of both universities.
Courses in the online program are offered synchronously in the evenings or asynchronously. Courses are taught by faculty from both universities.
Accreditation
The MU-SU MSW program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Admissions Classifications
Students may apply for regular or advanced standing admission. Students may apply for advanced standing admission if they graduated from a CSWE-accredited social work program within the past eight years and meet the QPA requirements as described in the admission guidelines. They must also have a reference from the BSW program director. Regular standing admission is for students who completed a baccalaureate degree with a major other than social work. Students who graduated from a CSWE-accredited social work program within the past eight years but did not meet the QPA requirements for advanced standing, will be admitted to the regular program. They may exempt courses as described in the Admission Guidelines.
Admission Guidelines
Campus candidates apply through Shippensburg University. Please refer to the SU Graduate Admissions page for the latest admission guidelines and information.
Exemption from Generalist (First-Year) Courses
Students who graduated with a baccalaureate degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program who are not eligible for advanced standing may be eligible for exemptions from some first-year generalist courses other than practice and field instruction in which they have earned a grade of B or higher within the past 10 years. Exemptions will reduce the total number of credits a student must earn to graduate. The Admissions Committee will notify the applicant of the exemptions.
Personal Qualifications
Applicants must present evidence of a combination of professional and personal experiences, qualities, and values that are considered essential for the practice of social work. A current resume is required. Three professional references are required with a minimum of one from faculty and one from a current or recent agency employer or supervisor. The third reference must be from another faculty or employer/supervisor. No personal references or co-worker references will be accepted.
Applicants will complete a written personal statement. Information is available through the Graduate Admissions website.
The program may request a personal interview or additional information when necessary to make a fully informed admissions decision. It is possible that people with a criminal record will be limited with where they can work in human services. Applicants with criminal records should contact the MSW program director for additional information.
Transfers
Students may transfer credits earned at other regionally accredited institutions prior to admission which are equivalent of the MSW courses. Graduate credits earned more than five years prior to admission do not qualify for transfer. Students may only transfer credits provided they are in good standing in those schools. Courses must be listed on an official transcript with a B or higher. Condensed one-week graduate courses do not qualify for transfer. With advance permission of MU-SU MSW program director and the faculty advisor and as part of a planned program, a student may transfer credits from other graduate programs at MU or SU.
Experience
The program does not grant academic credit for life or work experience.
Degree Requirements
Students enrolling in the regular program must complete 60 credits of graduate study including: 12 credits of field practicum, 9 credits of electives, and 39 credits of required coursework. BSW graduates in the Regular Program may receive exemption for some coursework, as per admission guidelines.
Students enrolled in the advanced standing program must complete 36 credits of graduate study including: 6 credits of field practicum, 12 credits of electives, and 18 credits of required coursework including a summer “bridge” course.
Due to the cohort nature of this program, all courses must be taken in sequence. The Regular Program can be completed in two years, three years or four years. The Advanced Standing Program can be completed in one year or two years. Both programs are year-round and include summer courses.
Courses
Students enroll in either the regular (60 credits) or the advanced (36 credits) program. Students in the regular program take both the required generalist year and the specialization year courses including three elective courses. Students in the advanced program take the required integrative seminar, the specialization year courses, and four elective courses. All courses are three credits each.
Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration Dual Degree Agreement
Students wishing to pursue this option must follow the Dual Graduate Degrees policy.
The MSW program will count the following MPA courses as electives for its students.
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