Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

The MSW program is committed to developing students’ personal and professional growth, appreciating diversity, using an advanced generalist perspective to make a difference in rural environments, and preparing graduates to be highly competent, effective and well regarded social work practitioners. Our MSW program prepares students to respond professionally and creatively to the increasingly complex matrix of rural human needs and strengths in a changing society. It also provides students with a theoretical and professional practice focused curriculum in social work that promotes an understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity and its importance to competent advanced generalist practice. Built on a professional advanced generalist curriculum model, the program prepares students to work in direct and indirect practice and develops their leadership capacities to prevent and meet needs that affect people in southwestern Pennsylvania, including urban environments, and is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in psychology, social sciences, sociology, liberal arts and other disciplines.

*The 60-credit regular MSW program begins in the fall.   The full-time regular program requires two years (four semesters).  The part-time regular program takes three years; students must register for at least 6 credits each semester, are required to follow the plan for appropriate course sequencing, and must complete degree requirements within six years. The advanced standing program has 36 credits, and is designed for students with bachelor's degrees in social work from CSWE-accredited programs. It takes three semesters of full-time study (fall, spring, fall ). Part-time advanced standing students follow requirements for part-time students and normally finish in two years (four semesters). 

Traditional with some online offerings

Regular Program:

• Minimum overall undergraduate 3.00 GPA (students below a 3.0 GPA may be considered for probationary acceptance.)
• Graduate School Application plus $25 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from institutions attended
• MSW application
• Current resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal professional statement (portfolio)
• Completion of 30 credits of upper level liberal arts work

Advanced Standing Program:

• Minimum overall undergraduate 3.00 GPA
• Graduate School Application plus $25 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from institutions attended
• MSW application
• Current resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal professional statement (portfolio)
• A social work degree from an accredited BSW program within six years of application to the MSW program
• Minimum 3.25 GPA in social work major

Transfer Credit:

A maximum of 12 credits of prior MSW course work and three credits of related graduate course work may be submitted for faculty review. Transfer credits must have been completed within six years of entrance into the program, must have a grade of B or better and must be the equivalent of any courses they replace. No credit is given for life experiences, previous work experiences or non-course credit work.

*May be waived through examination

Norma Thomas, DSW
724-938-1597
thomas@calu.edu

http://www.calu.edu/academics/graduate-programs/social-work/index.htm

School of Graduate Studies and Research
California University of Pennsylvania
Eberly 202B
250 University Ave.
California, PA 15419
724-938-4187
gradschool@calu.edu
www.calu.edu/prospective

Norma Thomas, Program Coordinator; B.A., Pennsylvania State University; M.S.W., Temple University; D.S.W., University of Pennsylvania
Sylvia J. Barksdale, B.A., M.S.W., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Sheri Boyle, Field Coordinator; B.A., University of California-Los Angeles; M.S.W., University of Pennsylvania
Margaret (Peg) Christopher, B.A., Mount St. Mary College; M.S.W., M.Ph., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Gwendolyn D. Perry-Burney, B.S.W., M.S.W., Temple University; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Rosalie Smiley, M.S.W., L.M.S.M, M.P.H., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Pamela C. Twiss, B.A., Point Park College; M.S.W., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh