Masters of Social Work
The Clinical MSW Program at FHSU takes advantage of the flexibility and outreach aspects of online education while maintaining a strong hands-on clinical training emphasis. Since the program coursework is completed entirely online, it is accessible from wherever students might live. Keep in mind though, "online" doesn't mean "alone". In fact, there is likely more interaction between students and faculty in the FHSU model of clinical education and training than in more traditional models of graduate education. The courses infuse synchronous face-to-face learning with full-time social work faculty and other students, utilizing zoom and other audio-video interaction. Students work together using collaborative technologies such as Go-React and Yellow dig Engage.
In addition to the clinical coursework and hands-on clinical intensive training, students will complete a practicum experience at an agency in their home community. Practicum experiences provide students the opportunity for hands-on, supervised training in the field and the program coordinates weekly learning experiences with the field instructor that corresponds to what is being taught in the practice classes.
The Masters of Social Work program offers two pathways to obtain an MSW degree. The Regular MSW Pathway consists of academic coursework for four regular semesters, one summer semester, and field practicum experiences across four regular semesters. The Advanced Standing MSW Pathway is only available to students with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited social work program. This pathway can be completed in one calendar year of academic coursework and two semesters of field practicum experience. Both degree pathways will provide students the clinical training and educational requirements necessary to obtain licensure as a clinical social worker.
Masters of Social Work Program
Application Details
- Applicants may apply to the MSW Program at any time.
- Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee for the upcoming academic year on a monthly basis beginning in November and ending in April.
- Priority deadline is January 15th and the final deadline is April 15th.
- Applicants who wish to be admitted through a guaranteed admission program must submit their applications prior to the January 15th priority deadline.
- Complete the Graduate School application.
- An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in the baccalaureate program.
- Submission of a professional resume.
- Submission of three references:
- At least one reference must be able to make informed statements of the applicant’s preparedness for a graduate social work education program and the applicant’s potential contributions to the field of social work.
- Family members may not serve as references.
- A personal narrative statement written in APA format that includes the following:
- A detailed discussion of why the applicant has chosen social work, including personal, family, and environmental influences.
- A detailed discussion of the applicant’s experiences working with people in a human services related capacity.
- If the applicant has not been working in a human services field, the applicant should discuss other experiences related to working with people in a helping capacity.
- A self-reflection of the applicant’s degree of preparedness to engage in graduate-level social work education including both internal and external factors related to the applicant.
- The applicant’s preference to attend the full-time or the part-time MSW plan of study.
- How the applicant plans to use the MSW degree once they graduate.
- Complete the Graduate School application.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited social work program.
- An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in the baccalaureate program.
- Submission of a professional resume.
- Submission of three references.
- At least one reference must be able to make informed statements of the applicant’s preparedness for a graduate social work education program and the applicant’s potential contributions to the field of social work.
- Family members may not serve as references.
- A personal narrative statement written in APA format that includes the following:
- A detailed discussion of why the applicant has chosen social work, including personal, family, and environmental influences.
- A detailed discussion of the applicant’s experiences working with people in a human services related capacity.
- If the applicant has not been working in a human services field, the applicant should discuss other experiences related to working with people in a helping capacity.
- A self-reflection of the applicant’s degree of preparedness to engage in graduate-level social work education including both internal and external factors related to the applicant.
- The applicant’s preference to attend the full-time or the part-time MSW plan of study.
- How the applicant plans to use the MSW degree once they graduate.
MSW Assessment of Learning Outcomes 2022-2023
The Masters of Social Work Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Professional Licensure Disclosure – Fort Hays State University
For students considering an academic program, whether online or campus-based, as a pathway to professional credentialing in any field:
Fort Hays State University recommends that you contact the appropriate state credentialing board in the state in which you reside or wish to be employed, prior to beginning a course of study, to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s credentialing requirements.
socialwork/Academic-Programs/masters-of-social-work/state-licensure.pdf