For Dr. Rachel Slaymaker, social work is more than a profession; it is a mission-driven calling rooted in her Christian faith and nearly two decades of practice and academic experience. As the Program Director for Abilene Christian University’s Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), Dr. Slaymaker has dedicated her career to meeting individuals in their time of greatest need and equipping the next generation of social workers to do the same with excellence and compassion.
A Strategic Vision for Online Excellence
Dr. Slaymaker led a pivotal initiative for the School of Social Work: translating ACU’s reputable residential MSSW program, accredited since 2007, into a high-quality online modality. Throughout the process of developing the online curriculum, her focus was on pedagogical integrity—ensuring that the rigor, clinical depth and community-centric feel of the on-campus experience remained intact for digital learners. The online MSSW launched in Summer 2025, expanding access to an exceptional social work education for students who are passionate about the profession and committed to a strong educational experience while balancing full-time jobs and families.
“We are very confident that our online students are receiving the same high-caliber experience as our on-campus students,” Dr. Slaymaker says. The online MSSW experience is marked by an intentional, student-centered approach, including proactive faculty check-ins in certain courses and some synchronous engagement within practicum courses to foster a genuine sense of belonging and community.
Integrating Faith and Practice
Dr. Slaymaker’s commitment to social work education within the context of a Christian institution was forged during her own academic journey. While attending public institutions for her baccalaureate and master’s degrees, she noticed a persistent gap in the curriculum: the exclusion of spirituality at an individual, community or systemic context.
“I felt frustrated in classes where spirituality was briefly mentioned as important in the lives of our clients, but never explored in depth,” she recalls. “There was rarely a focus on how to truly consider a client’s spiritual perspective as a source of strength central to their resilience.” This led her to ACU 18 years ago, where she found other educators and practitioners who shared her passion for intersecting professional social work ethics with the complexities and nuances of the Christian faith.
Her tenure at ACU has been defined by growth and service. She began in a staff position on the Abilene campus, supporting students experiencing mental and behavioral health challenges and developing a brief solution-focused intervention program for those impacted by alcohol or substance use. Her transition from practitioner to adjunct, and eventually to full-time professor and director, has been guided by a desire to see students thrive both professionally and spiritually.
Cultivating “Clinical Confidence” in Students
In the classroom, Dr. Slaymaker draws on her own experiences as a student who valued the immediate application of theory. Consequently, the online MSSW coursework is heavily case-study focused, requiring students to navigate complex, real-world scenarios at every level of their degree plan.
One of her favorite markers of student growth is the comprehensive oral exam in some practice courses. She recalls a specific student who entered the exam with very low confidence, worried she would barely pass the class. Through the dialogue of the exam, Dr. Slaymaker watched the student realize just how much she had mastered, something that is not always evident in a written assignment. “I love that exam because it’s a culmination of not only the content, but the relationship we’ve built as faculty and student,” she says. “Seeing a student develop that level of clinical confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.”
A Message to Aspiring Social Workers
For those considering a career in social work, Dr. Slaymaker encourages a deep dive into the field’s versatility. She emphasizes that social work is a unique career that allows for practice in any setting and with any population.
Her final piece of advice? Develop a “systems-oriented perspective.” “Be prepared to look beyond the individual to see the systemic barriers and environmental influences our clients are navigating,” she says. “At ACU, we aren’t just teaching you a job or preparing you for licensure; we are helping you find your place in a mission that significantly changes lives.”
Interested in earning your master’s in social work? Learn more about the online program here.