Master of Social Work

 

LIBERAL ARTS REQUIREMENT ELIMINATED-For all current and incoming students, the MU MSW Program has voted to eliminate the requirement for students to complete coursework in liberal arts (economics, government, human biology, statistics, sociology/anthropology, psychology).

The Millersville & Shippensburg MSW Program

Millersville and Shippensburg universities are jointly offering a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program. It is designed for students who want to either further their education in social work or join the social work profession. The program was developed to support both the full-time student and the working professional. State-of-the-art technology permits students to acquire social work knowledge, skills, and values through multiple educational methods, including traditional campus classes, teleconferencing and web-based activities. Because this is a joint program, students benefit from the quality faculty and resources of both universities.

Now Offering Two Methods of Delivery!

Program options: Regular Standing and Advanced Standing

Traditional On-Campus Master of Social Work

Our traditional on-campus MSW is designed for the working professional and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Field placements are available across the central Pennsylvania area.

Request Info, On-campus MSW

Online Master of Social Work

Our same great MSW program, taught by the same faculty. Courses may meet synchronously or asynchronously. Field placements will be available near the student's physical location.

Request Info, Online MSW

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 the helping fields.

Review Application Process Apply Now

PROGRAM MISSION AND GOALS

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.

The MU-SU MSW Program goals are:

  1. To prepare students for competent advanced generalist practice through the acquisition and demonstration of social work practice behaviors consistent with CSWE educational policy and accreditation standards.
  2. To prepare students with the specialized knowledge and skills for social work practice with client systems to resolve problems and facilitate change with in the boundaries of ethical practice and with attention to the profession's commitment to social justice and human rights.
  3. To encourage students' commitment to continued professional development and lifelong learning by providing opportunities for community engagement and real life learning experiences.

“I really enjoy research so learning about program evaluation has helped me to lead internal research efforts at CASA. The MSW program actually opened my eyes to macro social work and I realized how much I love it and that it's really the work I've always wanted to do but didn't know it.”

- Laura Golomb | Master of Social Work Graduate

PROGRAM COMPETENCIES

  1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
  2. Engage diversity and difference in practice.
  3. Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
  4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
  5. Engage in policy practice.
  6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
  8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Contact Information
    Program Coordinator:

    Dr. Laura Brierton Granruth
    Office: Stayer Hall, Room 312
    Phone: 717-871-7161
    Email: Laura.granruth@millersville.edu

    Department Chair:

    Dr. Karen Rice
    Office: Stayer Hall, Room 307 
    Phone: 717-871-5297
    Email: Karen.Rice@millersville.edu

    School Of Social Work

    Stayer Hall, Room 301
    P.O. Box 1002 
    Millersville, PA 17551

    Secretary: Ms. Christine Kolenda
    Email: christine.kolenda@millersville.edu
    Phone: 717- 871-7170

  • Accreditation

    The joint MSW program was designed according to the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) accreditation guidelines. At the January 2007 meeting of the Accreditation Commission of CSWE, the MU-SU MSW program was awarded candidacy, which is the first major action in the accreditation process. In February 2008, a second year of candidacy was granted and the self-study process, which takes two years to complete, was begun. February 2010, the Master of Social Work program operated jointly by Millersville and Shippensburg Universities, earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) from Fall 2006 until February 2014, retroactively including students who entered the program in Fall 2006. In 2014, CSWE reaffirmed our accreditation through 2022. As of June 2022, our accreditation has been reaffirmed through February of 2030. The program achieves its goals through implementation of the core competencies and practice behaviors as outlined by the program's accrediting body, the Council on Social Work Education.