Online Master of Social Work (Online MSW)

Social Work Practice I – Individuals

Practice I introduces students in the social work online program to knowledge and skills for generalist practice with individuals. Students practice key skills that include engagement, interviewing, assessment, contracting, intervention, recording, and the use of consultation and supervision in the context of social work values and ethics and affirming working relationships.

Social Work Practice II – Families and Groups

This online social work course is the second in a three-part sequence designed to provide foundational generalist social work practice skills. MSW students are expected to build on skills related to developing professional relationships with clients and relevant others, conducting psychosocial assessments, and implementing empirically based clinical practice. The focus of this course is on selecting and implementing appropriate interventions for working with families and groups.

Social Work Practice III – Organizations and Communities

This is the third generalist practice course within the foundation year of the online MSW degree program. Practice III introduces students to theories and skills required for social work practice in organization and community settings. Using organizations and communities as settings for social work practice and targets of change, and based on social work values and ethics, students learn strategies and skills for assessment and intervention. Conceptual models of macro change are examined, including social planning, community organizing, social action, and community and organization development and change.

Admissions Requirements

Master of Social Work

• Completed Application for Admission
• Application fee
• Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution
• Undergraduate prerequisite coursework with a minimum of three (3) semester credit hours in college-level statistics with a grade of C or better (a letter grade of C- or lower will not be accepted*)
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Work or Volunteer Experience Summary
• Personal statement
• Two (2) letters of recommendation from:
  1. A field supervisor or manager from a prior field education placement site.
  2. A current employer, professional contact, or previous supervisor at an internship/field education placement.
• Faculty interview (May be group or individual)
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

*Students who have not satisfied the college-level statistics requirement as part of their undergraduate coursework may be granted acceptance to the program with the requirement they satisfy the statistics requirement as part of their course of study at Pacific Oaks College.

Master of Social Work: Advanced Standing

Admission to the MSW Advanced Standing program is only done in Fall 1 and Spring 1 terms.

• Completed Application for Admission
• Application fee
• Bachelor of Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program (or in candidacy process) awarded in the last five years with an overall 3.0 GPA
• Official transcript from the BSW degree granting institution
• Two letters of recommendation
  1. One must be from a field supervisor or manager from a prior field education placement site. This can also be the Final Field Evaluation from BSW Field placement.
  2. The second can be from a current employer, professional contact, or previous supervisor at an internship/field education placement.
• Resume
• Two writing samples:
  1. Academic paper from a BSW capstone or upper-division course
  2. Applied work sample, which can include redacted progress notes, program evaluations, etc.
• Interview (may be group or individual)