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Advance Your Passion for Social Service
The Master of Science in Social Work program propels your passion for social service and community engagement to the next level. Enhance your knowledge of professional leadership, ethics, human rights and justice, and the biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of an individual’s well-being.
NOTE: The Advanced Standing degree is designed for those whose bachelor’s is in social work. If you have a bachelor’s in any other degree field, please see our Online Master of Science in Social Work for our Standard degree plan.
Online Option
Interested in completing your coursework online? You can start serving your community today in social work, all while staying in your city.
About the Program

The mission of the ACU’s Master of Science in Social Work program is to prepare students for professional leadership and ethical advanced generalist social work practice with an evidence-based emphasis. To further this mission, students will effectively address the biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual dimensions of human well-being and promote diversity, equity, inclusion and justice across system levels in domestic and international community contexts.
Program Structure
All The Details On Your Degree
ACU’s School of Social Work is passionate about developing and equipping the next generation of social workers and practitioners, no matter where they choose to serve. As part of this vision, this degree will help you obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the needs of your clients, especially those in vulnerable, oppressed or at-risk populations.
Dual Degree Option
In cooperation with the Graduate School of Theology, the School of Social Work has developed plans whereby students can pursue the M.S. in Social Work degree concurrently with the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree.
Required Hours
Program length: 12 months
Credit hours: 33
2024/2025 tuition per credit hour: $1,356
Example Coursework
- Spirituality in Diverse Populations
- Assessment & Evaluation of Social Work Practice
- Clinical Assessment & Differential Diagnosis
Application Deadlines
Summer Priority Review: February 16 (Preferred consideration for Graduate Assistantships, Scholarships, and Field Placements.)
Summer Standard Review: May 1 (deadline may extend if space is available)
Spring: Please contact the Office of Graduate Programs (gradinfo@acu.edu or 325-674-2656)
Common Job Titles
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Nonprofit or Social Services Director
Medical/Healthcare Social Worker
School Social Worker
Substance Abuse Social Worker
Child Welfare Advocate
Sex/Human Trafficking Advocate
Sexual Assault Counselor
Immigration Policy Advocate
Military/Veterans Affairs Social Worker
For more info on the most common types of social work, click here.
Meet The Program Director
Dr. Rachel Slaymaker, Master of Science in Social Work
Dr. Rachel Slaymaker is a professor and program director for the Master of Science in Social Work (Advanced Standing). She received a BS in Angelo State University, an MSSW from the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership at ACU
Two Degree Plan Options
Advanced Standing Degree Plan
If you have completed a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), you may qualify to be in our Advanced Standing degree plan. This plan offers students the opportunity to complete their master’s degree in just over a year (33 credit hours), with the opportunity to become a part-time student (if necessary). During the program, you will complete the coursework as well as be required to complete a 500-hour practicum placement.
- 1 Year 4 Months Full-Time (Part-Time Available)
- 33 Credit Hours
- 1 500-Hour Practicum Placement
Standard Degree Plan
If you have completed a bachelor’s degree in another field of study (not social work), you may qualify for our Standard degree plan. This plan offers students the opportunity to complete their master’s degree in just over two years (60 credit hours), with the opportunity to become a part-time student (if necessary). During the program, you will complete the coursework as well as have two practicum placements, where you will integrate your skills in social work.
- 2 Years 4 Months Full-Time (Part-Time Available)
- 60 Credit Hours
- 2 Practicum Placements
Field Education and Practicum
In social work education, internships are called field practicum. Field practicum experience is required by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) and is considered the “signature pedagogy” in social work higher education. The intensive field practicum experience allows students to obtain licensure immediately after graduating with a social work degree. Advanced Standing degree plan students complete 500 hours of field practicum.
Students who complete the MSSW program have the ability to:
- Function as effective and ethical professionals who incorporate best evidence in practice;
- Promote social justice for vulnerable persons everywhere through service and leadership roles;
- Advance social work knowledge through research and other scholarly activities
Students who complete M.S. in Social Work will be qualified to fill various social service and nonprofit leadership roles in various environments, including hospitals, nonprofit organizations and education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports have indicated a 7% slight growth in employment opportunities from 2022-2032.
To be accepted into the MSSW Program under the Advanced Standing degree plan, students must have a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution. Applicants who completed the BSW more than five years ago are eligible for Advanced Standing only if they are employed in the field of social services or hold a current social work licensure.
Students interested in applying for the ACU MSSW Advanced Standing Degree are required to submit the following documents:
- Complete the online application;
- Pay the $65 application fee;
- An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; If undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, the GRE or MAT entrance exam may be required. Our GRE code is 6001;
- Three letters of recommendation (may be submitted through the online application); two of the three references represent people who can speak to the student’s abilities as an
emerging social worker. Of the two academic references, at least one must be a program director, practicum director or practicum instructor/supervisor. - A personal statement addressing your motivation for graduate studies and entering the social work profession, including reflections on the four themes of the ACU School of Social Work:
- human rights and justice;
- cultural and spiritual humility;
- holistic practice;
- and empowerment.
- A field final BSW/BSSW practicum assessment evaluation. must be submitted by students who have graduated from a CSWE-accredited BSW/BSSW program and are applying for Advanced Standing status (1 year program).
- If the student’s practicum experience is still in progress, they may submit a midterm practicum evaluation for admission decision review. If admitted, the final practicum evaluation is required prior to enrolling in classes or applying to the Practicum Program.
- A video conference interview with the program director may be requested.
ACU’s MSSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation. Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Board of Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
For details on learning outcomes for the MSSW program, click here.