Social Work, MSW

Degree Requirements

Admissions

Admission & Program Policies

Please refer to the MSW Student Handbook for current admission requirements and program policies.

Transfer Credit Policy

Pacific’s MSW Program welcomes transfer students. We appreciate the diversity of experience and perspective that transfer students bring to the program and the classroom. We are committed to making your transition to the Pacific as smooth as possible.  Students who have completed approved graduate-level courses related to social work in another institution or another unit of the Pacific University may be allowed to transfer these credits provided we consider following points:  

For 2 year MSW Program: (64 credit program)

1. The maximum amount of transfer credit is 32 credit hours.
2. At least 8 credit hours of Field Education were completed at the Pacific University and remaining field Education hours credit from other graduate social work programs will be considered for transfer. 
3. Transfer credits were not used toward transfer for another degree unless the student pursues an approved dual degree
4. The credits were earned within five years of the student’s MSW start date.
5. Received B or above grades in each of the courses that are required to be transferred. Courses that have grades in narrative evaluation or as pass/fail(satisfactory/unsatisfactory) will also be considered for transfer credit.
6. Letter of good standing from other institutions where the proposed transfer credits are completed
7. Our program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience

For 1 year Advanced Standing (33 credit program)

1. The maximum amount of transfer credit is 16 credit hours
2. A preparatory course: SOCWK600 will be required.
3. A student transferring with advanced standing must complete the advanced field practicum and advanced field courses at the Pacific University.
4. The transfer credits were not used toward transfer for another degree unless the student pursues an approved dual degree
5. The credits were earned within seven years of the student’s MSW start date. Also, for students whose transfer credits were earned 5-7 years or prior, recent social work practice work experience will be advantageous.
6. The student received B or above grades in each of the courses that are required to be transferred. Courses that have grades in narrative evaluation or as pass/fail (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) will also be considered for transfer credit.
7. A letter of good standing from other institutions where the proposed transfer credits are completed will be required.
8. Our program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.

Program Details

Program Length

The MSW is a full-time, two-year program (64 credits). Advanced Standing students typically complete only the second year’s curriculum, but individual backgrounds may require additional coursework; a minimum of 33 credits is required.

Program Learning Outcomes

Our Student Learning outcomes are set forth from the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (2015) of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Specifically, the master of social work program at Pacific seeks to:

• Competency 1–Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
• Competency 2 –Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
• Competency 3 –Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
• Competency 4 –Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
• Competency 5 –Engage in Policy Practice
• Competency 6 –Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 7 –Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 8 –Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 9 –Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities​