School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work Why Social Work? Social workers help people manage and overcome some of life s most difficult challenges, such as poverty, addiction, discrimination, physical and mental illness, and abuse. They provide individual, family, and group therapy; facilitate crisis prevention and intervention; advocate and participate in political action; and collaborate with communities to develop necessary social and economic resources. Social workers are especially committed to advancing social justice and increasing opportunities for vulnerable populations. Settings in which social workers practice include: Mental health agencies Schools Counseling centers Child welfare agencies Adoption/foster agencies Hospitals International social work agencies Violence prevention/victim assistance Older adult services Probation and parole agencies Political advocacy Employee assistance programs Mission Statement The Master of Social Work program in the Department of Social Work at Azusa Pacific University seeks to develop competent advanced social work practitioners who can integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of social work to advance social justice and provide services to assist individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Grounded in the profession s Code of Ethics and sensitivity to diversity, the MSW program is committed to excellence in its teaching and scholarship, the integration of faith and learning, the development of professional leadership, and the strengthening of communities in local, national, and international contexts. Why APU? Founded in 1899 as the Training School for Christian Workers, Azusa Pacific remains dedicated to its core mission preparing men and women for Christian service. APU s MSW program offers the advanced training necessary for professional social work practice, including preparation for the licensure most states require. Program distinctives include: A wide range of internship opportunities in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties Diverse faculty with extensive experience in a variety of social work settings Strong clinical training and interdisciplinary knowledge base Full- and part-time Advanced Standing options Professional leadership development Faith integration relevant to social work practice Small class sizes Program Goals The following outcomes reflect the mission statement and purposes of social work education congruent with accreditation standards: Graduates will exhibit competence in generalist and advanced social work practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, including appropriate uses of supervision, consultation, and discernment, to seek necessary organizational change. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge, built on a liberal arts foundation, of the history of the social work profession and empirically supported theoretical frameworks that provide understanding of individual development and behavior across the life span and interactions among and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities. Graduates will demonstrate critical thinking skills, skills related to the effective integration of research in practice, and adequate preparation for leadership, advanced study, and lifelong learning. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge and skills to partner with communities to advocate for the development of policies and programs that seek to advance human rights and well-being, promote social and economic justice, empower clients, and respect diversity. Graduates will practice according to the values and ethics of the profession and understand the ethical integration of Christian faith in practice, including nondiscrimination in the areas of age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Faculty will engage in ongoing scholarship reflecting the goals and needs of professional social work practice. Application Deadlines Early Admission: January 15 Regular Admission: March 1 Advanced Standing: January 15 Learn More: apu.edu/msw Audrey Tuey, MSW 13 // Assessment and Referral Specialist, Canyon Ridge Hospital The decision to pursue my MSW degree at APU was probably the best decision I could have made for my education and career. Not only did APU offer exceptional academic and internship experiences, but it provided me with many opportunities to learn about myself and continue my personal growth. The support that I received from my cohort and the professors helped me to be confident in my internship and led me to the job I currently have. Looking back, I now understand why God wanted me to be at APU.
Coursework All full-time and part-time students take 30 units of required foundation-level coursework/internship, then progress to concentration-specific curriculum. Advanced Standing students take 6 units of bridge coursework in August, then move to concentration-specific courses/internship (30 units). Foundation Level 30 units SOCW 511 Introduction to the Social Work Profession 2 SOCW 512 Social Welfare Policy and Policy Practice 3 SOCW 513 Micro-theory and Human Development 3 SOCW 514 Practice I: Interviewing and Assessment 3 SOCW 515 Field Seminar I 1 SOCW 516 Field I 3 SOCW 521 Introductory Research Methods 2 SOCW 522 Diversity and Social Justice 3 SOCW 523 Macro-theory and Practice with Communities and Organizations 3 SOCW 524 Practice II: Intervention and Evaluation 3 SOCW 525 Field Seminar II 1 SOCW 526 Field II 3 Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families Concentration 30 units SOCW 534 Field Seminar III 1 SOCW 536 Adv. Clinical Practice I: Adult Mental Health 3 SOCW 537 Children and Adolescents 3 SOCW 538 Clinical Practice with Groups 2 SOCW 539 Field III: Clinical Practice 3 SOCW 541 Capstone Leadership Project 3 SOCW 544 Field Seminar IV 1 SOCW 546 Advanced Clinical Practice II 3 SOCW 547 Social Welfare Policy and Health/Mental Health Care 2 SOCW 548 Field IV: Clinical Practice 3 Community Practice and Partnerships Concentration 30 units SOCW 531 Human Rights and Sustainable Development 2 SOCW 532 Advanced Community Practice 3 SOCW 533 Organizational Behavior and Management 3 SOCW 534 Field Seminar III 1 SOCW 535 Field III: Community Practice 3 SOCW 541 Capstone Leadership Project 3 SOCW 542 International Social Work Policy and Practice 2 SOCW 543 Fundraising, Grant Writing, and Fiscal Decision Making 3 SOCW 544 Field Seminar IV 1 SOCW 545 Field IV: Community Practice 3 Concentrations Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families This concentration prepares students for clinically oriented practice with individuals and families in contexts such as mental health clinics, managed care facilities, shelters, group homes, child welfare, hospice, schools, correctional institutions, and other settings where personal helping relationships are developed. Specific emphasis is placed on advanced clinical practice skills with children, adolescents, adults, families, and older adults, group therapy skills, and policies specific to health and mental health concerns. Community Practice and Partnerships This concentration prepares students to provide leadership in a variety of local and global contexts such as nonprofit agencies, government programs, and policy and advocacy organizations. Drawing on the significant cultural diversity characterizing the Los Angeles area, and the expertise of faculty, the curriculum prepares students to be proactive leaders and to collaborate with communities to improve the complex local, national, and international social problems they encounter. Topics in the curriculum include organizational behavior and management, local and global social policy, fundraising and grant writing, program development, and human rights issues. Accreditation Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), signifying the highest standards of academic excellence.
Program Options Azusa Pacific University offers a traditional MSW program and an Advanced Standing option, both of which are available in full- and part-time formats. The Advanced Standing option allows outstanding Bachelor of Social Work graduates to complete the Master of Social Work program at an accelerated rate, requiring fewer units than the traditional MSW program but more internship hours per week. Internship hours are on weekdays, during traditional work hours. Traditional Full time Two years (60 units) Classes: two days per week Internship: 16 hours per week Part time Four years (60 units) Classes: one evening per week and some Saturday courses Internship: 16 hours per week in years two and four Advanced Standing Full time Nine months (36 units) Internship: 20 hours per week For graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs only Part time Two years (36 units) Classes: one evening per week and some Saturday courses Internship: 20 hours per week in second year For graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs only
Take the Next Step Make a difference every day with skillful, comprehensive, compassionate care for people in need. Take the next step toward earning your degree today. Admission Requirements University graduate and program-specific admission requirements must be met before an application is complete. 1. Hold a bachelor s degree from a regionally accredited university or college (or an equivalent degree from a college or university in another country) with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. A limited number of applicants with a grade-point average of 2.5 2.99 and relevant work experience may be admitted provisionally at the program s discretion. 2. Completed Application for Graduate Admission (available at apu.edu/apply/grad/; use program code SOCW01 when applying SOCW02 for Advanced Standing). 3. Completed MSW Application Form, including résumé (available at apu.edu/msw/admission/). 4. A $45 nonrefundable application fee. 5. Transcript(s) of all undergraduate coursework. 6. Completion of a statistics course with a grade of C or higher (3 units). If this course has not been taken at the time of MSW application, proof of course registration (at any accredited college/university) must be submitted to the MSW director of student services by April 1, with proof of progression given by June 15 prior to the fall semester of the foundation year. Proof of completion is due by September 1. If admitted to the MSW program, you will be on a provisional status until proof of completion, at which time provisional status will be removed. 7. For Advanced Standing applicants, a working knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is strongly recommended. Abnormal Psychology is a suggested prerequisite unless knowledge has been gained through use of the DSM in the workplace. 8. Willingness to participate in an admission interview. 9. Three reference letters (forms available at apu.edu/msw/admission/) specifically discussing professional and/or academic interests and aptitude for MSW education. References should be limited to individuals familiar with academic and/or professional abilities. 10. Submission of a personal statement. Personal statements should be 6 8 pages long (double spaced), and include attention to each of the following: Motivation for pursuing MSW education, including relevant background experiences and professional goals. Professional and volunteer experiences related to social work. Expectations regarding attending a Christian university for an MSW program, and approach to faith integration in scholarship and service. Although no admissions requirements exist regarding faith orientation, Christian and other religious perspectives may be presented and discussed in classes. Discussion of a social problem of interest to you, including your perceptions of the causes of, and potential solutions to, the problem. Discussion of an ethical challenge you have encountered in professional, field, or volunteer work and how you resolved it. Application Checklist Completed Application for Graduate Admission Completed MSW Application Form $45 nonrefundable application fee Official college or university transcripts Three reference letters (use MSW reference forms) Personal statement Résumé All materials should be submitted to: Graduate Center: Admissions Azusa Pacific University PO Box 7000 Azusa, CA 91702-7000 Located at: 568 E. Foothill Blvd. Azusa, CA 91702-7000 (626) 815-4570 Fax: (626) 815-4571 graduatecenter@apu.edu apu.edu/graduatecenter International (non-u.s. citizen) applicants, please visit apu.edu/international/enrollment/requirements/graduate/. Contact Information For more information about APU s Master of Social Work program: Call: Click: Email: Karen Maynard, M.A., MSW director of student services (877) MSW-9995 apu.edu/msw kmaynard@apu.edu 15171
Jesse J. Montes, MSW 10, LCSW // Metropolitan State Hospital, California Department of Mental Health My experience at Azusa Pacific University was wonderful. APU faculty really cared about providing students with a high-quality education and internship. The knowledge and skills I gained at APU have been invaluable to me in my current profession as a clinical social worker. I appreciate my education at APU and recommend the program to others. Ruben Lara, MSW 13, LMSW // Intensive In-Home Therapist, KVC Health Systems, Topeka, KS APU has developed a strong MSW program that pushed me to my full potential in the field of social work at both micro and macro levels. The faculty provided a genuine sense of guidance and support that I will never forget. I have grown as a social worker and developed confidence behind my clinical skills, which allowed me to obtain my current employment prior to graduation. Victoria Curtin, MSW 10 // HUD-VASH Social Worker, Department of Veterans Affairs APU s MSW program provided me such a great opportunity to grow not only as a social worker, but as an individual. The small class sizes and experienced faculty allowed me to receive an education that prepared me to handle the real-life situations of a social worker.