MSW Program Overview

The mission of the Nazareth University Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is to educate social work students to be ethical and competent advanced practitioners who, through collaborative and interprofessional practice following a person-in-environment and ecological systems approach, advance individual, community, societal, and global well-being and human rights; promote social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; and serve as leaders and changemakers.  

The MSW Program’s mission statement is also supported by three core goals:

• Through the cultivation of knowledge, values, and skills specific to the social work profession, develop ethical, professional, and competent advanced practitioners who promote critical thinking and evidence-based practice processes

• Advance collaboration, leadership, and interprofessional practice skills within a person-in-environment and ecological systems approach to improve the effectiveness of practitioners, advance individual, community, society, and global well-being across system levels, and serve as changemakers

• Valuing cultural humility, engage with diversity and difference to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and address bias and oppression 

Additionally, graduates of Nazareth University’s MSW Program will be able to demonstrate the following competencies of CSWE within an area of Specialized Practice specifically focused on interprofessional and collaborative practice.  The advanced competencies of the Nazareth University MSW program include:

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Advanced practice social workers use theoretical concepts, evidence-based practice knowledge, and social work skills to inform decisions related to ethical tensions and challenges. They apply the value base of the profession, its ethical standards, as well as relevant laws and regulations to practice while using a self-reflective stance and initiating use of collaboration, consultation, and supervision. The advanced practice social worker uses practice interventions to enhance the well‐being of individuals, families, groups and communities in an ethical manner.  Social Workers:

• 1.1 manage personal and professional values to inform practice with client systems;

• 1.2 make ethical decisions informed by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics; relevant regulations, policies, and laws; and models for ethical decision making;

• 1.3 demonstrate professionalism in appearance, behavior, punctuality, time management, attendance, and oral, written, and electronic communication;

• 1.4 effectively engage in collaboration, consultation, and supervision with supervisors, peers, and interprofessional team members to guide professional judgments.

Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Advanced practice social workers understand that every person has fundamental human rights and advocates for these rights as well as social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.  Social workers assess the role of power and privilege and take action to address systemic and structural barriers affecting human rights and justice.  Through inclusion of clients and collaborating with partners, social workers plan and develop interventions, programs, policies, and laws that are just.  Social workers:

• 2.1 identify and use knowledge of relationship dynamics, including power differentials, to advocate at multiple system levels for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and human rights;   

• 2.2 engage in practices to promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and human rights.

Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice 

Advanced practice social workers apply knowledge of diversity and difference in understanding the intersectionality of power, privilege, oppression, discrimination, marginalization, disparities, and their impact on human experiences.  Social workers practice using a cultural humility framework, incorporating critical reflection, self-awareness, self-regulation, and discovery, to build positive relationships while also addressing power imbalances.  Social workers understand how various dimensions of diversity, equity, and belonging impact health, well-being, and the human experience as well as the social work practice process. Social workers:

• 3.1 understand diversity and difference, including the intersectionality of power, privilege, oppression, discrimination, marginalization, and disparities, and their impact on human experiences;

• 3.2 demonstrate cultural humility incorporating critical reflection, self-awareness, self-regulation, and discovery;

• 3.3 demonstrate anti-racist and anti-oppressive social work practice by applying concepts of diversity, equity, and belonging throughout the social work practice process including engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.       

Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

Advanced practice social workers use ethical, culturally informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive approaches to contribute to the knowledge base, including conducting research and program evaluation, and make practice decisions.  Aligned with an evidence-based practice approach, advanced practice social workers access, critique, and synthesize salient empirical evidence to inform practice. 

• 4.1 access, analyze, critique, and synthesize evidence to inform social work practice, programs, and policies from an evidence-based practice approach;

• 4.2 use ethical, culturally informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive approaches to contribute to the knowledge base of the social work profession    

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

Advanced practice social workers use advocacy methods to analyze, formulate, and implement policies that advance health, well-being, and the human experience.  Advanced social workers approach policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and evaluation within practice settings through rights-based, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist approaches.

• 5.1 apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance health, well-being, and the human experience; 

• 5.2 approach policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and evaluation within practice settings through rights-based, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist approaches.   

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 

Advanced practice social workers engage client systems by understanding and applying a range of appropriate theories, such as human behavior; perspectives, such as person-in-environment; and frameworks, such as interprofessional.  To foster engagement, social workers apply the principles of relationship building while recognizing the dynamic, interactive, and reciprocal process of engagement with diverse populations including bias, power, and privilege. 

• 6.1 apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, interprofessional, and other theoretical perspectives and frameworks to engage with client systems;

• 6.2 manage the dynamics and contextual factors, including bias, power, and privilege, that influence relationship building with client systems through empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills   

Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Advanced practice social workers have the knowledge and skills, including in theoretical perspectives and frameworks, to conduct comprehensive assessments that include an understanding of intersectionality issues as they impact the client experience.  Social workers select appropriate methods and processes for assessment based on client need and specific context. Social workers consider multiple sources of data and actively collaborate with others in the assessment process.  Social workers are self reflective and understand how bias, power, privilege, and their personal values and experiences may affect their assessment and decision making.  Social workers:

• 7.1 apply relevant theoretical perspectives, knowledge, and skills to conduct comprehensive assessments;

• 7.2 engage in self-reflection and cultural humility to understand how bias, power, privilege, and personal values and experiences affect assessment processes;

• 7.3 consider multiple sources of data including active collaboration with others to gather necessary information;

• 7.4 develop mutually agreed upon goals and intervention strategies based on continuous assessment   

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Advanced practice social workers use theoretical and empirical knowledge to develop and implement an assessment-based intervention plan that is culturally responsive and client-centered.  Advanced social workers identify, critique, and implement evidence-based techniques, strategies, and to achieve goals.  Social workers:  

• 8.1 apply critical thinking and understanding of theoretical and empirical knowledge in identifying interventions;

• 8.2 develop and implement an intervention plan that is culturally responsive and client centered   

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Advanced practice social workers evaluate processes and outcomes to promote service, practice, and policy effectiveness.  In evaluating practice, social workers apply evidence-based practice principles, relevant theoretical perspectives, and an anti-racist and anti-oppressive approach.  Evaluation results and plan are disseminated to relevant systems, collaborators, and stakeholders. Social workers:

• 9.1 evaluate the social work processes and outcomes to promote effectiveness;

• 9.2 approach evaluation from an evidence-based, anti-racist and anti-oppressive approach informed by relevant theoretical perspectives;

• 9.3 disseminate evaluation findings and plan to relevant systems, collaborators, and stakeholders.  

Applicants to the MSW Program must submit an application, official transcripts documenting undergraduate institution(s) and GPA, personal statement, resume, and at least two letters of recommendation. All admission decisions are informed by the identified factors. While there is no minimum GPA to apply, it is expected that students are able to complete graduate level work which is usually reflected by a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. All applications are reviewed using a standardized application assessment rubric and, when necessary, a full review by the MSW Program Director in consultation with other Department of Social Work faculty members takes place.

Criteria for admission:

Criteria for admission into the MSW program requires an earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting organization.  To document that this criteria has been met, students must submit an official transcript from the degree awarding institution. To apply to the MSW program, prospective students must also submit a resume, professional statement, and two letters of recommendation as detailed below.

• Resume: Must include information about degree(s), employment experience, and specialized skills, training, and/or certification(s).

• Professional Statement: Must articulate the professional readiness to undertake graduate social work education at this time including, but not limited to, academic preparation, relevant work history, level of self-awareness, professional goals, and any additional related information.

• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation must be provided showcasing skills and concerns specific to graduate study.

The above requirements are scaled on a three point scale including below standard, at standard, and above standard. Further, students are required to submit official transcripts from any undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate institution attended.  Transcripts are used to determine if there are any course waivers or transfers that are applicable as well as undergraduate grade point average (GPA).  While there is no minimum GPA required to apply to the MSW program, in general students are expected to have a 3.00 or higher GPA. Those who do not meet this standard but are accepted are considered provisional. Nazareth's provisional acceptance requires a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher when you complete one semester or 12 credits, whichever comes first.  If an applicant is accepted with an undergraduate GPA below 3.00, they are accepted provisionally (see “Admission decision types” below).

Standard Admittance

Standard admittance follows the admissions process as described above.  Applicants must submit an application form including demographic information through the Nazareth University Graduate Admissions’ website.  The system also prompts applicants to upload a resume and personal statement.  The admissions management system (Slate) contacts the names of recommenders via e-mail so each letter of recommendation can be submitted electronically through the system.  Applicants must also request official transcripts from all institutions attended.

Expedited Admittance

If a prospective student attended Nazareth University as an undergraduate student and had a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and recommendation of undergraduate faculty (advisor and department chair), the individual is invited to apply for expedited admittance.  Through this process, the prospective student completes a fast application which requests basic information including demographics.  The institutional transcript must also be submitted.  The resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation are waived.  If a student completed their undergraduate degree in social work from Nazareth University, the individual can apply to the 36-credit program through expedited admittance.  If the student completed their undergraduate degree in a major outside of social work from Nazareth University, the individual can apply to the 60-credit program through expedited admittance.

Transfer Admittance

Students who have attended other institutions for graduate study can apply to the MSW Program through the standard admittance process.  The only difference is a student who completed graduate coursework elsewhere can request to transfer in up to six credits if planning to enroll in the 36-credit program or up to nine credits if planning to enroll in the 60-credit program. 

The institutional graduate policy on transfer credit is as follows: 

“In order for transfer credit to be reviewed/approved, students must submit a transfer credit approval form to their program director; the form is available on the Office of Registration and Records website. This form is used for either graduate level credits previously taken and/or credits to be taken in the near future. Grades earned in transfer are not included in the grade point average. Nazareth University reserves the right to accept or refuse any transfer credit. Additional policies and procedures regarding transfer credit are as follows: 

• A maximum number of graduate credit hours earned at another accredited institution may be applied to the Nazareth University degree:

o   Six (6) credit hours for degree programs up to 36 credit hours

o   Nine (9) credit hours for degree programs greater than 36 credit hours

• Transfer credits must be appropriate to the student’s degree program.

• A minimum grade of B (3.0) or higher must be earned for each course. Courses graded on S/U or P/F basis are not transferable.

• Transfer credits must be earned not more than five years prior to matriculation.

• A printed catalog description must accompany the request for approval form.

• The official transcript is required before awarding transfer credit.

Students must be matriculated in a Nazareth University Graduate Studies program before transfer credit will be considered and posted on the Nazareth University transcript.

Students having completed graduate level coursework elsewhere prior to application to Nazareth University, must complete the request for approval of transfer credit form following matriculation. There is no guarantee that previous credits earned at another institution will be accepted in transfer and applied to the Nazareth University Graduate Studies program.

Matriculated students who wish to take a graduate level course at another institution to be applied toward their degree program at Nazareth University must obtain prior approval to do so. The procedures as printed are adhered to in requesting approval prior to the student’s registering for the course. The Office of Registration and Records and program director review all requests regarding transfer credit. Allow approximately four weeks for processing.”

(Nazareth University Catalog, 2023, paras. 90-94) 

Admission Requirements and Standards 

Admission to the MSW Program is offered conditionally and is contingent upon continued academic integrity, professional behavior, and adherence to the ethical standards of the social work profession.

The Department of Social Work expects that all application materials reflect the applicant's own work, values, and readiness for a graduate-level, professional program. The Department reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission at any point, prior to or after course registration, if there is evidence of:

• Academic dishonesty or misrepresentation in application materials;

• Failure to meet academic or professional standards as outlined in the Department's policies and the NASW Code of Ethics;

• Behavior that raises concerns about the applicant’s readiness for professional practice.

Applicants are responsible for independently managing their application process and must affirm the following:

• All components of my application, including my personal statement and supplemental materials, represent my own original work and reflect my individual perspectives and experiences.

• I may use personal tools or resources to support my application process (e.g.,artificial intelligence, assistive technology, writing software, organizational coaching), as long as these do not replace or alter the essential intellectual content or authenticity of the work submitted.

• I am committed to professionalism and behavior consistent with the values and ethical standards outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics.

• I understand that my offer of admission may be rescinded if I fail to maintain the academic, professional, or ethical standards required for participation in the MSW Program.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree

The MSW degree from Nazareth University provides the clinical course work necessary to subsequently become licensed to practice social work in New York State. Further information regarding social work licensure in New York can be found here. 

An overview of the graduate social work curriculum can be found in the Nazareth course catalog, which is updated on an annual basis. The curriculum promotes an advanced understanding of interprofessional and collaborative practice. In addition, graduate social work students may pursue specializations. 

Students are required to earn a grade of C or better in all required social work courses (those courses with a SWK prefix) in order to continue in the graduate program. Students must also earn a B- or higher in the following courses, which are designated as clinical content courses, to continue in the program: SWK 501: Social Work Practice I, 502: Social Work Practice II, 508: Diagnostic Process, 601: Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families, 602: Social Work Assessment and Brief Interventions, 604: Social Work Practice in Healthcare, 605: Cultural Humility, 654: Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health, and 680: Clinical Interventions: Advanced Practice with Groups.  

If a student does not achieve the minimum necessary grade (B- for clinical content courses or C for all SWK courses), the student is not permitted to take any courses in the MSW program until the course where the minimum grade was not achieved, or its equivalent, is repeated and the minimum grade standard earned.  In these circumstances when a course needs to be repeated, a student may be permitted to register for up to one additional course if needed for financial aid eligibility.  Given course sequencing, it may be one, two, or three semesters before the needed course is again offered.  If a student will have a gap while waiting for the needed course to be offered again, a leave of absence can be processed consistent with institutional policy.  When a course must be repeated, independent studies or tutorials of the course are not typically permitted. 

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to continue in the MSW Program. In those instances when a student is in academic difficulty, these academic warning and probation policies of the University are followed.

The purpose of the MSW student organization is to promote communication between MSW students, faculty, staff, and administration. The organization's members promote student-faculty communication, attend department meetings as invited student representatives, and plan community-building, advocacy, and service events.