Bethel University MSW

Social Work Program

Master of Social Work

With a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, you’ll be empowered to work toward systemic change that impacts the health and wellbeing of others, honoring their dignity and worth.

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At a Glance

Delivery

Online

Finish in as few as

12-21 months*

Estimated tuition

$27,300-43,680*
*depends on your prior degree

Learn more about the cost of attendance.

Discover what’s next. In Bethel's Master of Social Work (MSW) program, you’ll prepare for advanced professional social work practice and licensure. You’ll become an advocate for hope in the areas of social, economic, racial, and environmental justice, working toward system change that betters the lives of individuals, families, and communities. And you’ll integrate authentic faith and theology of justice into your learning and field work.

Program Details

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program's mission is to prepare graduate students for advanced, justice-informed, ethical and professional social work practice and licensure, emphasizing the commitment to the social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry. 

Grounded in ecological systems theory, the program fosters an emergent social imaginary which engages clients and constituencies as experts in their own experiences. Integrating an exploration of the intersectionality of diversity and the theology of justice, students learn to practice advanced justice-informed social work in local and global contexts through scholarship, service, justice, and leadership.

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Meet Your Counselor

Kya Nelson

At Bethel, we're committed to helping you get the most out of your education. Your enrollment counselor is here to help you balance your program with your personal life and career goals.

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Program Highlights

Integrated Christian perspective


Through our online master's in social work program, you’ll develop a working theology of justice that informs your professional practice.

Strong research emphasis


You’ll combine evidence-based practices informed by scholarly research with creative strategies to foster sustainable change.

Advanced Standing option


You’ll complete your master's degree in social work in 15 months if you have a BSW from a CSWE accredited institution. If you have a bachelor’s degree other than a BSW, complete the full MSW in 24 months.

Distinctive emphases


You’ll study ecological systems theory, focusing on the advancement of human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

Bethel’s Master in Social Work Program Receives CSWE Accreditation

Bethel’s MSW program secures prestigious CSWE accreditation, signaling a top-notch education and unlocking fresh avenues for students’ professional paths.

March 14, 2024 | 4 p.m.

Social Work Students Take First Place in National Conference

Four senior social work students presented at a national conference for their discipline and two of the four received first-place honors for their work.

May 22, 2019 | 1:30 p.m.

Closing the Gap

Hilda Davis ’20 doesn’t just want to see people be well, but to ensure they have the option to choose wellness. Through her involvement both on campus and off, she’s provided time and resources to support initiatives that focus on community health.

May 06, 2019 | 9 a.m.

APR 24 2024

Launching Your Private Practice: A Comprehensive Guide for Therapists

8:30 a.m. Brushaber Commons (BC) Room 468

This learning experience will provide information to Bethel students, faculty, staff, and the general public about beginning a private psychotherapy practice.

APR 25 2024

MSW Advanced Standing Program Information Session

6 p.m. CT

Join us to learn more about our graduate program in Social Work for Advanced Standing Students!

Discover what’s next.

In Bethel's master of social work program, you’ll grow into a compassionate, ethical leader who is empowered to advocate for systemic change. In the natural intersection of faith and justice, you’ll study the theology of justice and intentionally integrate it into learning and social work practice. Our academically rigorous online program provides opportunities for you to collaborate with faculty on research for presentation locally and nationally.

Top 20

online social work master's program nationwide

- University HQ

1994

Bethel Seminary becomes the first seminary in the U.S. to start offering classes online

100%

Spanish, Spanish Ed, TEFL, and TESOL majors who study abroad

Career Outcomes

Wondering what you can do with an MSW?

The Master of Social Work program will prepare you to sit for the professional licensure exam. Program structure allows students to complete the clinical clock hour requirements established by the Board of Social Work. You’ll be prepared to advocate for hope and justice in a broad range of social work professions.

Employers

Our graduates can work at places like:

  • Public schools
  • Hospice
  • Domestic violence shelters
  • Adoption agencies
  • Child/adult protection
  • Health systems
  • Mental health clinics
  • Trauma centers
  • Agencies supporting refugees, the homeless, and youth
  • Nonprofit and for-profit agencies

Skills

Learn how to:

  • Address complex social issues such as poverty, systemic violence, human neglect, trafficking, child welfare, trauma, mental health, environmental racism, and social systems reform
  • Explore concepts of theology, race, and equity to address injustice
  • Apply critical concepts related to trauma and mental health to social work practice
  • Apply your training in micro to macro contexts
  • Seek justice in innovative ways
  • Apply research and evidence-based practice to impact sustainable change
  • Integrate inclusive and bias-free language in your scholarly work and professional practice

Careers

Our graduates work as:

  • Substance use and recovery treatment counselors
  • Mental health counselors
  • Marriage and family therapists
  • Medical social workers
  • School social workers
  • Foster care social workers
  • Child and family therapists
  • Social and community service managers
  • Social work teachers
  • Policy analysts
  • School and career counselors
  • Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
  • CBT, DBT, SE therapists
  • Health educators
  • Hospice workers
  • Domestic violence advocates
  • Child protection workers
  • Adult protection workers
Kresge Courtyard

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You're called to accomplish incredible things. Take the next step in your career and fill out our simple, straightforward application today.

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