Master’s in Social Work
Prepare to Advocate for Individuals and Families With a Master’s Degree in Social Work
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Grand Canyon University (GCU) is designed to teach students the skills to apply social work principles, values and ethics when helping individuals, families and communities overcome various social and behavioral health issues. This program focuses on an advanced generalist social work practice to help shape the social work practitioner to provide a wide range of services and engage with multiple populations of any type and size.
Students are taught to actively:
- Engage in social justice issues affecting diverse individuals, families, communities and organizations
- Employ evidence-based practice, strategies and interventions
- Develop research, analysis, critical and creative thinking, decision-making and leadership skills.
Developing these skills gives social work professionals the opportunity to diagnose and treat issues, as well as provide access to resources to help improve the lives of at-risk populations. If you are passionate about people and seek a career path that engages in social and economic justice for vulnerable populations, consider a future in social work.
Benefits of GCU's Master's Degree in Social Work
GCU incorporates its Christian worldview and values into its programs, which teaches Master of Social Work students to perform ethical work and apply servant leadership practices. Based on Christian principles, the curriculum helps empower students to lead with kindness, compassion and justice for making a difference in the lives of others.
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MSW Program Mission
To promote innovative and responsible leadership in the social work profession by educating students to become agents of social change with the goal of social and economic justice on a local, national and international level. Students will be taught to address the needs of diverse populations through service, advocacy, empowerment, theory analysis, program and practice evaluation, multidisciplinary collaboration and integration of social work values.
Course Topics in the Master of Social Work Program
By earning a master’s in social work, students can position themselves to potentially pursue advancement within the social justice profession. As a student, you are taught to become a professional, practitioner and advocate who can work alongside those who are struggling and help them live a more fulfilling life.
Develop Skills for Helping Others Manage Crisis Situations
Diverse human experiences can help shape underserved populations that may include abuse, addiction, oppression, marginalization, alienation, racism, socioeconomic disadvantages and other hardships such as disability, addiction, trauma and mental illness. Social workers help support those who suffer from issues such as these, while battling inequalities and injustices that individuals face. This is a role for pursuing social justice and driving reform, as well as providing therapy, counseling, case and clinical management services, and other resources to help meet the needs of others.
To prepare for crisis situations and helping people overcome hardships, the master’s in social work teaches competencies in these domains:
- Ethical and professional behavior
- Diversity and difference in practice
- Human rights and social, economic and environmental justice
- Practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engaging, assessing, intervening and evaluating practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
Career Paths for Graduates With a Master’s Degree in Social Work
Graduates with a master’s degree in social work may work directly with clients or participate in program development or human services management.
Social workers may work in settings such as:
- Advocacy groups
- Clinics
- Community organizations
- Correctional facilities
- Government departments
- Hospitals
- Mental health agencies
- Military bases
- Nonprofits
- Nursing homes
- Private practices
- Schools
Master of Social Work FAQs
If you are interested in pursuing an advanced social work degree, please continue reading our answers to these commonly asked questions.
If you are seeking a career that has positive job growth and can offer a sense of purpose, you may want to consider a career in social work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 53,800 new jobs estimated to open for social workers from 2022 to 2032.1 As of May 2023, the median annual wage for social workers was $58,380.2
The online MSW program at GCU requires a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited school with a minimum GPA of 3.0. MSW program students are not permitted to repeat what has been completed in their bachelor’s program; therefore, applicants cannot hold a Bachelor of Social Work, specifically, since the program coursework has overlap.
A Master of Arts (MA) in Social Work and an MSW program can both lead to becoming practitioners in a variety of settings; however, they are different in their approach. An MA in Social Work is an interdisciplinary degree that blends the study of psychology, sociology, social work theory, policies and legislation. A Master of Social Work teaches you to work directly with people who are underserved and dealing with behavioral, mental, medical and social challenges.
GCU’s Master of Social Work program requires 62 credits to completion. The online coursework is generally eight weeks long and the four supervised practicums are each 16 weeks. Contact a university counselor by filling out the form on this page, and they can help provide an estimated time to completion based on your prior education and preferred modality.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers, retrieved on May 7, 2024.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Social Workers as of May 2023, retrieved on May 7, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as social workers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed as an orientation for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. There is an emphasis on developing and strengthening skills for success as a graduate student of social work. Students are provided an overview of the social work profession while exploring career interests and utilization of the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course examines human behavior in the social environment by critically analyzing biopsychosocial development. Using an integrative, multidimensional perspective students examine multiple theories of human behavior. The course emphasizes a social work perspective and key frameworks for social work with an emphasis on person-in-environment and systems theory as they describe diverse human behavior. Prerequisite: UNV-510.
Course Description
This course explores the history and progression of the social welfare system, services, and policies and their effects on the social work profession. Emphasis is placed on an analysis of how these systems impact vulnerable populations, specifically relating to poverty, age, race, sex, and mental health. Students learn to identify strengths and weaknesses of social welfare policies while considering diversity and social justice. Prerequisite: SWK-516.
Course Description
This course exposes students to the foundations of social work practice in approved community agencies with professional supervision. The course consists of both online classroom course work and field experience hours. The course provides experiential integration and application of concepts, cognitive and affective processes, and professional social work skills. Practicum/field experience hours: 240. Co-Requisites: SWK-525 and SWK-530.
Course Description
This course is based on a generalist social work perspective and prepares students for beginning practice with individuals and systems. This course focuses on conceptualizing social work practice, integrating knowledge and theory with practice. Students will develop beginning level practice skills that are culturally responsive and ethical. Special attention is given to human diversity and populations at risk. Prerequisite: SWK-520.
Course Description
This course explores the foundation of knowledge needed to successfully engage diverse populations and advance social justice in social work practice. Emphasis is placed on systems of power and oppression and the cultural aspects of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Prerequisite: SWK-525.
Course Description
This course provides a continuation of foundations of social work practice in approved community agencies with professional supervision. Experiential integration and application of concepts, cognitive and affective processes, and professional social work skills from concurrent social work courses are practiced. Practicum/field experience hours: 240. Prerequisite: SWK-535. Co-Requisites: SWK-541 and SWK-545.
Course Description
This course examines human behavior in the social environment by critically analyzing biopsychosocial development from conception through late adulthood and death. This includes a focus on groups, communities, and organizations and their effect on human behavior. The course emphasizes a social work perspective and key frameworks for social work with an emphasis on person-in-environment and systems theory as they describe diverse human behavior. Prerequisite: SWK-535.
Course Description
This course is based on a generalist social work perspective and provides students with fundamental social work competencies to influence change at the group, community, and organizational levels. Emphasis is given to facilitative and constraining effects of the social context surrounding macro practice. Special attention is given to human diversity and populations-at-risk. Prerequisite: SWK-541.
Course Description
This course introduces students to the scientific method and research design process used to evaluate and inform the social work profession. Methods of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis are explored. Prerequisite: SWK-550.
Course Description
This course prepares students with the practical skills essential for identifying and understanding various mental health conditions. The course utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria, enabling students to identify and determine the nature of the disorders by their signs and symptoms, recognizing how cultural factors influence interpretation of symptoms. Prerequisite: SWK-555 or BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program.
Course Description
This course is based on client advocacy as an ethical responsibility in the field of social work. This course explores the individual, family, group, community, organizational, and political advocacy efforts and processes that are necessary in influencing social problems and achieving social justice. Prerequisite: SWK-600.
Course Description
This course covers advanced social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations in approved community agencies with professional supervision. Continued integration and application of concepts, cognitive and affective processes, and professional social work skills from concurrent social work courses is practiced. Practicum/field experience hours: 240. Prerequisite: SWK-550. Co-Requisites: SWK-610 and SWK-625.
Course Description
This advanced practice course builds on students' foundational knowledge in working with individuals and families. The course focuses on specific theories and models for individual and family treatment planning, and interventions fostering an inclusive and equitable approach that promotes effective and culturally competent mental health care. Prerequisite: SWK-601.
Course Description
This course prepares students to understand and utilize evidenced-based practices at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. Students engage in process, tools and intervention of evidence-based models. Students practice ethical and culturally informed delivery of evidence-based programs, policies, and services at all levels of social work practice. Prerequisite: SWK-620 or SWK-621.
Course Description
This course covers advanced social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations in approved community agencies with professional supervision. Continued integration and application of concepts, cognitive and affective processes, and professional social work skills from concurrent social work courses is practiced. Practicum/field experience hours: 240. Prerequisite: SWK-620.
Course Description
The purpose of this advanced practice course is to build on foundational learning and develop skills in working with groups. This course explores theory and practice of group dynamics with an emphasis on the development of effective group work skills, analysis of processes and interactions, and values and ethics with a multi-social-cultural perspective. Prerequisite: SWK-625.
Course Description
The purpose of this advanced practice course is to build on foundational learning and develop skills when working with organizations and communities. The course focuses on using micro and macro skills to impact both organizations and communities while highlighting the importance of evaluation and ethics. Prerequisite: SWK-640.
Course Description
This course introduces students to the theory and practice of agency- or community-based evaluation and evaluation capacity building. Topics to be explored include standards and guiding principles for evaluation work, evaluation approaches and models, and evaluation methodology. as Political and ethical influences of conducting, using, and communicating research and evaluation findings in applied settings are discussed. Prerequisite: SWK-635 or SWK-636.
Course Description
This is the final course in the Master of Social Work and Master of Social Work Advanced Standing programs. It requires students to integrate their learning from prior courses and apply their knowledge and skills in a final Capstone project. Knowledge demonstrated includes assessment, application of theory, practice skills, ethics, and cultural sensitivity. Prerequisite: SWK-645.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.