The Advanced Standing MSW concentration is available to students possessing a Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) from an institution accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). This track emphasizes a strong commitment to service, integrity, and scientific inquiry, all within the framework of justice-informed practices. Successful completion of the program prepares individuals for licensure, ensuring they are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the field with a focus on justice and ethical standards.

Total Credits

36

Finish in as Few as

12 months

Courses

• Introduction to Advanced Justice-Informed Social Work Practice (SOWK703)

  An exploration of key critical and philosophical theories of justice and application to advanced social work practice. Special attention is given to concepts of human rights and autonomy, anti-oppressive and distributive justice frameworks, and social justice as an ethic of social work practice.

  2 credits

• Justice-Informed Clinical Intervention and Mental Health Diagnosis (SOWK707)

  Development of justice-informed assessment and diagnostic skills and clinical applications based on the DSM IV-TR. Formulate working engagement, assessment and intervention skills necessary for diagnosing clusters of mental health symptoms using recovery-oriented, evidence-based practices. Examination of clinical work through case consultation, review, and presentation.

  4 credits

• Justice-Informed Clinical Practice in Response to Crisis, Trauma, and Marginalization (SOWK709)

  Investigate the nature of trauma/crisis, differential diagnosis, current practice trends and related theories and interventions associated with conceptualizing trauma-informed practice.

  4 credits

• Researching Evidence-Based Models for Practice Intervention (SOWK713)

  Examination of diverse scholarship and literature related to evidenced-based models for practice interventions with a justice-informed perspective. Development of systematic review of literature to advance justice-informed social work practice and prepare for professional presentation.

  4 credits

• Theodicy, Theologies of Liberation, and Social Work Praxis (SOWK717)

  Investigate the problem of suffering in the world, the impacts of neoliberalism, liberation theologies as a response to systemic oppression, and a reflective exploration of how theology shapes approaches to justice across socio-cultural contexts. Through the synthesis of contemporary writings, social theory, and diverse voices, the decolonization of social work practice is considered.

  4 credits

• Advanced Field Seminar III (SOWK725)

  Continuation of the field experience in a community-based practice setting. Application and integration of advanced justice-informed knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes for ethical generalist social work practice with an emphasis diversity, human rights, and justice under supervision of a qualified field instructor.

  2 credits

• Advanced Social Policy, Community Health, and Environmental Justice (SOWK733)

  Evaluation of a critical, decolonizing, anti-oppressive and ecological framework in social work practice. Analysis of complex ethical issues facing local and global communities from an environmental and community health perspective. Identification of key issues about health, social determinants for health, and disparities in health across marginalized communities. Analysis of connections among social disparities, faith perspectives, power, health and ethics related to assumptions and actions in social work practice.

  4 credits

• Advanced Field Seminar IV (SOWK735)

  Continuation of the field experience in a community-based practice setting. Application and integration of advanced, justice-informed knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes for ethical generalist social work practice with an emphasis on diversity, human rights, and justice, under the supervision of a qualified field instructor. Students practice a minimum of 250 hours in field.

  2 credits

• Advanced Clinical Practice and Evidence-Based Interventions (SOWK737)

  Assessment of diverse factors when making ethical, justice-informed practice decisions to attend to complex personal and systemic injustice factors which impact well-being. Application of evidenced-based, justice-informed social work theories and modalities including CBT, MI, SFT. Consideration of pyschopharmacological implications in clinical practice. Development of advanced engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation skills with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations with application of justice promoting practices.

  4 credits

• Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Work Supervision (SOWK743)

  Comprehensive overview of best practice standards in social work supervision to support and strengthen advanced justice-informed practice across micro, mezzo and macro settings with special attention on the client-practitioner relationship, reflective supervision, and consideration of justice-informed supervision strategies.

  2 credits

• Directed Study (SOWK760)

  Directed study experience under the guidance of a faculty member.

  1-6 credits

• Capstone Integrative Seminar (SOWK791)

  Integration of research and professional presentation skills to demonstrate readiness to practice professional, justice-informed social work practice at an advanced level. Preparation for professional licensure exam. Reflective integration of faith, social work practice and justice.

  4 credits

Professional Licensure

In Bethel's MSW program, you will gain the skills and knowledge to be well-prepared to earn professional licensure through exams by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

Field Work

Students enrolled in the advanced standing concentration will complete 500 practicum hours and two seminars. The field practicum experience and seminar act as dynamic bridges between theory and practice, offering students a transformative experience beyond the classroom. The 500 fieldwork hours serve as a cornerstone for experiential learning, allowing students to immerse themselves in diverse social work settings. Through these field practicum opportunities, students will have the chance to witness the tangible impact of equitable and inclusive approaches in addressing societal issues.

Program Objectives

Bethel University's Master of Social Work program will equip you to:

• Address social challenges, ranging from poverty, systemic violence, human neglect, trafficking, child welfare, trauma, mental health, and health disparities, to environmental racism and the reformation of social systems.
• Examine and engage with theological, racial, and equity concepts to address issues of social, economic, racial, and environmental injustice.
• Apply critical concepts related to trauma and mental health in social work practice, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and adept response to diverse individual and community needs.
• Apply acquired knowledge across all contexts, from micro to macro levels, demonstrating adaptability and skill in addressing social issues at various scales.
• Champion justice in innovative ways, actively participating in diverse professional field settings to bring about positive societal change.
• Utilize research and evidence-based practices in social work contexts and various community settings.
• Integrate inclusive and bias-free language into scholarly work and professional practice, promoting a culture of respect, diversity, and equity in social work.