Transform lives, transform your career: MSW in Direct Practice 

You will be transformed through a trauma-informed lens in this evidence-based Master in Social Work program that includes interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration.

The Direct Practice concentration is grounded in the person-in-the-environment framework.The program is trauma-focused, where each person is accepted for who they are in their environment.

Direct practice specialization applies critical thinking and ethical principles in a clinical setting with individuals, small groups and families. 

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A Carlow students sits at her desk with her laptop. Her hands are folded and she is smiling at the camera.
Credits required:

45-60 credits

Cost per credit:

$929/credit

Time to degree:

As few as 24 months

Delivery:

On campus, some online

MSW: Direct Practice curriculum

view plan of study

You will learn a range of prevention and intervention methods and study how to assess a person through his or her past and present environments and build on resiliency and strengths. 

Bachelor’s in Social Work students from Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited programs will qualify for application for advanced standing, able to earn their MSW at Carlow by taking 45 credits.

Quick facts

  • Take classes on campus or online
  • Take classes part time or full time 
  • Learn from world-class faculty who are actively practicing and publishing in the discipline
Jeffrey Nash (Class of ’21, social work) speaks to the class during the “social work with groups” class led by Dr. Earl Smith, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (Rebecca Droke/Carlow University)

Career opportunities for MSW: Direct Practice graduates

Graduates find employment in health and behavioral health care settings, hospitals, human services, family services, crisis services and substance treatment centers and clinical private practice.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of social workers to grow 13% between 2019 and 2029, resulting in 713,200 new jobs.

Sitting at a table, a hand is holding a pen over accreditation papers.

Accreditation

Carlow University’s Master of Social Work program is proud to announce that it has received Initial Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation following the June 2020 program review. CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation and ensuring that social work programs meet them. CSWE administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and program reviews.

Please note that Social Work programs cannot accept life experience or work experience for credit.

Resources

Admission requirements and application process

You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
  • Personal essay that describes your academic objectives
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success.

Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall, Spring & Summer

Brandy Patterson Testimonial
Olivia Miller, ’21, biology major and runner on the track & field/cross country team.

Be supported at Carlow

What stood out for MSW graduate Brandy Patterson ’20 was how supportive Carlow’s faculty and staff were, especially in the Social Work Program. “I always felt like I was able to reach out to whomever I needed at the time to get the help that I needed. If I were to give a yelp review for the Masters of Social Work program I would say it is very supportive and flexible which is great for adult students. You will never feel alone or lost in this program.”

MSW faculty

Contact Admissions

If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit.

admissions@carlow.edu
+1 (412) 578-6059

Advocate for social and economic justice with a MSW in Macro Practice 

You will earn to advocate for human rights and social and economic justice through the macro practice approach in the Master of Social Work program. You will acquire knowledge of best practices with large systems and frameworks for achieving change. 

The MSW macro program at Carlow University offers an evidence-based social work program that includes interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration, a crucial component in real world practice.  Our social work education is experiential, practice-oriented, trauma-focused and self-reflective. 

Bachelor’s in Social Work students from Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited programs will qualify for application for advanced standing, able to earn a MSW at Carlow by taking 45 credits.

Apply
Request information
Share
A Carlow students smiles at the camera during class. She is surrounded by other classmates.
Credits required:

45-60 credits credits

Cost per credit:

$929/credit

Time to degree:

As few as 24 months

Delivery:

On campus, some online

Social work macro practice curriculum

view plan of study

You will learn critical thinking, ethical principles and best practices in problem solving and leadership in large groups, communities and organizations.

Quick facts

  • Take classes on campus or online
  • Take class part time or full time
  • Learn from world-class faculty who are actively practicing and publishing in the discipline 
A student in the master’s of social work program stands outside an office window with miniblinds.

Career opportunities for MSW Macro Practice graduates

Graduates find employment as community advocates, social work researchers, human service and nonprofit administrators and policy makers, in law schools, and in public service.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of social workers to grow 13% between 2019 and 2029, resulting in 713,200 new jobs.

Sitting at a table, a hand is holding a pen over accreditation papers.

Accreditation

Carlow University’s Master of Social Work program is proud to announce that it has received Initial Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation following the June 2020 program review. CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation and ensuring that social work programs meet them. CSWE administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and program reviews.

Please note that Social Work programs cannot accept life experience or work experience for credit.

Resources

Admission requirements and application process

You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
  • Personal essay that describes your academic objectives
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation that address your leadership potential and ability to succeed in graduate-level work

Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall, Spring & Summer

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success.

Purple shamrock
Olivia Miller, ’21, biology major and runner on the track & field/cross country team.

Where dreams come true

MSW graduate Latrese Zak ’20 said Carlow helped one of her dreams come true. “If I could do it all over again, honestly I’d choose Carlow. I’ve never met such patient professors who challenged me; not every grade was an A. Attending such a place gave me hope. If I could obtain an education and learn to write papers, the sky is limitless and so are my opportunities for advancement with my Carlow education.” 

MSW faculty

Contact Admissions

If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit.

admissions@carlow.edu
+1 (412) 578-6059

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