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 Nazareth University MSW Program’s goals are to:

1. 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
2. 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
3. Valuing cultural humility, engage with diversity and difference to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and address bias and oppression

The MSW Program’s commitment is to prepare social workers for advanced practice within an interprofessional and collaborative context. Nazareth offers an interprofessional approach to education and practice valuing the allied health professional programs, of which Social Work is a vital component. Students are taught skills specific to engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation in order to facilitate individual, family, group, organizational, and community change that improves the lives and well-being of people. Valuing cultural humility, social work students promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging while fighting for social justice including anti-racist and anti-oppressive efforts. Through interdisciplinary and interprofessional practice, social work students serve as ethical and competent changemakers.

Program Options

• 36-Credit
  • This program option is for students who have an undergraduate degree in social work from an accredited program. Advanced standing is awarded only to those with a(n): 1) Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited baccalaureate social work degree; 2) Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) accredited baccalaureate social work degree (from the Canadian social work accreditor, recognized through an MOU with CSWE and CASWE); or 3) Internationally earned ISWDRES-evaluated degree comparable to a baccalaureate social work.
• 60-Credit
  • This program option is for students who have an undergraduate degree in a major other than social work.

Practicum Placements

Students enrolled in the program will complete a minimum of 500 hours of practicum in the Advanced Standing 36-credit program or 900 hours of practicum in the 60-credit program.

Licensure and Credential Information

The MSW degree is a New York State licensure-qualifying program, fulfilling the educational component required to become a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Accreditation Information

The Nazareth University MSW Program is registered with the New York State Education Department and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Additional Information

For further information, call (585) 389-2753 or
e-mail: socialwk@naz.edu
Website address: https://www.naz.edu/msw

MSW Program Director
Rebecca Rouland, PhD, LMSW
(585) 389-2750
rroulan3@naz.edu

Director of Field Education
Michael Rood, LMSW
(585) 389-2754
mrood5@naz.edu

 

Application Process

Applicants to the MSW program are assessed and accepted based on a variety of factors informed by the submission of the following materials:

1. Online application, submitted via https://www2.naz.edu/admissions/grad/how-apply/social-work
2. Personal statement
3. Resume
4. Transcripts (from all institutions attended)
5. Letters of recommendation (minimum of two)
6. Optional materials (such as a writing statement)

A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) is typically required for admission.  If an applicant is accepted with a cumulative GPA lower than the 3.0 standard, the applicant is admitted provisionally consistent with University policy. See Admissions  (Classification of Students)

Expedited Admission

Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at Nazareth University who have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher, satisfactory field evaluations, and recommendation of the BSW faculty are invited to apply to the 36-credit MSW program following an expedited process. 

Graduates of other undergraduate programs at Nazareth University who have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher, satisfactory evaluations, and recommendation of the faculty from their major are invited to apply to the 60-credit MSW program following an expedited process.

This expedited process requires only the completion of the fast application and review of undergraduate transcript.

 

General Program Requirements