Social Work Master's Degree Programs
Deepen Your Impact with Graduate-Level Social Work
This MSW program blends advanced theory, field training, and faith-based ethics to prepare you for leadership in clinical, policy, or community settings. Grow professionally and serve purposefully at every level.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Campbellsville University, including both the traditional and Advanced Standing Track options, is designed to provide advanced skills and knowledge needed for impactful social work practice. This online, asynchronous program provides flexibility as well as opportunity to gain hands-on training, expert faculty support, and a strong sense of community. With a focus on real-world application, the MSW program prepares you to address complex social issues, advocate for change, and pursue meaningful careers in clinical social work, community organization, and beyond.
Announcement: MSW Faith in Action SWK Scholarship
The Faith in Action Social Work Scholarship supports graduate students dedicated to compassionate service and addressing challenges affecting individuals, families, and communities. Reflecting the Carver School of Social Work’s mission, this scholarship empowers future social workers to lead with faith, ethical practice, and social responsibility to create lasting positive change.
- Current student in the Carver School of Social Work MSW Program
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Demonstrates commitment to integrating faith and ethical practices consistent with CSSW’s mission
- $500 to $1,000
- Funds will be distributed until exhausted
- Completed Application Form
- One essay (500–750 words, double-spaced) addressing the essay prompts below
- Optional: One letter of recommendation (from a professor, employer, or community leader) — recommended to strengthen your application
Title: Faith and Social Work: A Call to Serve
Length: 500–750 words, double-spaced
Please address the following in your essay:
- Faith and Values: How have your faith and values shaped your decision to pursue social work and your commitment to serving others?
- Service Experience: Describe one or more meaningful service or volunteer experiences. What did you learn about working with vulnerable individuals or communities?
- Vision for the Future: What populations or social issues do you hope to focus on? How will you integrate compassion, ethical practice, and faith-based principles into your work? What personal strengths will help you succeed as a social worker promoting justice and positive change?
- Concluding Comments: Why should the committee select you as a recipient of the Faith in Action Scholarship?
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Academic performance
- Commitment to service
- Alignment with faith-based values
- Strength and clarity of essay responses
If you have any questions about the Faith in Action Social Work Scholarship or the application process, please contact Dr. Helen Mudd at hkmudd@campbellsville.edu.
Program Overview
The Carver School Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is grounded in Christian servant leadership, academic excellence, and personal growth inspired by a person-in-environment framework, a trauma-informed focus, evidence-based research and practice, and global community engagement. The purpose of the MSW Program is to develop advanced generalist social workers who are committed to intersectionality, inclusivity, the profession’s core values and ethics, life-long learning, and a strengths-based perspective in their practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The Carver School Master of Social Work (MSW) Program advances integrity, critical thinking, advocacy, human rights, human relationships, and the pursuit of comprehensive justice.
Program Highlights
- Social Work Skill Development: Build critical social work skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, social justice, advocacy, leadership, and service to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Gain expertise in areas such as human behavior and the social environment, culture, ethics, advocacy, clinical, direct practice, organizational practice, and program evaluation.
- Real-World Application: Engage in hands-on projects, case studies, and internships that allow for application of theories to real-world client situations.
- Global Perspective: Learn to lead in a global context by understanding cross-cultural issues, challenges, and dynamics.
- Flexible Learning Options: Learning is completed online and asynchronously. Students may also choose from full-time or part-time formats that allow a balance of education with career, making it accessible to working professionals.
- Advanced Standing Option: Students who completed a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program may be eligible for the advanced standing program.
- Career Advancement: MSW graduates often advance into leadership positions based on their skills and training, with emphasis on critical thinking, ethical leadership, clinical and interpersonal skills, and program evaluation.
“I began working as a mental health associate at my area’s community mental health center following graduation from Campbellsville University Carver School of Social Work in December 2022 with a Bachelor’s of Social Work. Since obtaining my Master’s degree, I have been able to continue the work I do with children impacted by parental substance use and mothers who are in recovery from substance use disorders. I have now moved into a therapist position after obtaining my CSW license.”
Ashley Shell, MSW Graduate December 2024
Program Resources
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Handbook provides essential information about the MSW program, including policies, procedures, and academic expectations to guide students through their graduate studies.
The MSW Field Manual outlines guidelines and requirements for field placements, ensuring students gain the necessary hands-on experience to excel in advanced social work practice.
The MSW Application provides the steps and requirements for applying to the MSW program, both in-person and online, streamlining the application process for prospective students.
The MSW Course Requirements document details the courses necessary for successful completion of the program, ensuring students understand the academic expectations and curriculum structure.
MSW foundation and advanced level field practicum is a 450-hour internship. A student will demonstrate social work skills and behaviors in a practicum placement as well as participate in a set of two sequential 16-week courses or one 32 week semester. In the courses, students illustrate through written assignments the progression of their learning by integrating practicum activities and the 9 social work core competencies. Here is an overview of the MSW field practicum(s):
- A 450-hour internship with specific learning contract activities focused on social work core competencies
- Students are expected to practice social work skills and behaviors at a Field Agency approximately 15 hours per week or 30 hours per week depending on the path chosen.
- The internship is taken over the span of two 16-week semesters (15 hours per week) OR over one 16 week semester (30 hours per week).
- Students are placed at a Field Agency meeting the qualifications by the Council on Social Work Education
- Students practice under the supervision of an approved MSW Field Agency Instructor. Licensure requirements vary if students choose and advanced area of focus.
- Students utilize a Field Learning Contract and practice social work skills and behaviors throughout the internship.
- The courses focus on the Field Learning Contract and written assignments illustrating mastery of the social work competencies
- Students are guided by a Carver School Field Course Instructor throughout the field courses
- Field Agency Instructors evaluates the student on the level of progress and proficiency of demonstrated skills and behaviors utilizing the Field Learning Contract.
Field Practicum Requirements Resources:
The Instructions for Accessing Your IPT Account provide step-by-step guidance on how to log in and navigate the Individual Practicum Tracking (IPT) system, ensuring students can efficiently track and manage their field placement progress and documentation.
The IPT tracks all students in field placement and allows the Carver School field education office and agencies to communicate easily with each other and with student participants. The Carver School Organization ID is cssw. All field instructors and students will be supplied a unique User Name and Password before they can log in; this will be sent by the field team.
All social work students at Campbellsville University’s Carver School of Social Work are required to carry student liability insurance throughout their field education experience. The university requires obtaining coverage through Preferra, which offers affordable student liability insurance tailored specifically for social work interns. This coverage protects students from legal claims related to their professional duties during field placements, helping ensure peace of mind and ethical practice.
Proof of active insurance must be submitted before beginning any field placement.
Let's Connect!
For more information, contact Dr. Dianna Cooper, LCSW(IN), LCAC (IN), MSW Program Director & Professor, directly at 270-789-5596 or via email at drcooper@campbellsville.edu. Online students can connect with their Admissions Counselor by completing the form on your program page. You can also take a virtual tour, visit our campuses, or explore your department of interest to experience Campbellsville University firsthand.
Dianna Cooper-Bolinskey
Professor of Social Work/MSW Director
Kalon Moody
MSW Director of Field Education and Assistant Professor of Social Work
