MSW FAQS
1. Do you only offer an online MSW program? Yes, NAU will offer an online MSW program starting fall 2018 and will begin offering an in-person MSW program in fall 2019.
2. Do you offer an Advanced Standing Program?
We do not offer this program option yet, but we expect to within the next few years.
3. How many credit hours is the degree?
The MSW is 60 credit hours or two years full-time.
4. Can I go part-time?
Yes, this option is available. However, since this is a professional degree program, we do recommend that students complete the degree as full-time students, allowing them to integrate their field experiences into their course work.
5. Is an internship required?
Yes, two 450 clock hour field placements are required, one each year in the program.
6. Can I complete my field placements in my home community?
Yes, you can and we will expect that you work with the Field Education faculty in identifying appropriate agencies within your community. Once students are admitted to the program, they will receive more information about the field placement process.
7. Do I need to come to campus in Flagstaff for any requirements?
No, there is no campus visit required. All course work can be completed online.
8. Will the MSW program accept transfer credits from another accredited university?
Yes, please refer to the NAU Graduate College guidelines for transfer credits.
9. I am currently completing my BSW or have my BSW degree. Am I eligible to start the MSW program in fall 2018? Yes, this is OK. Please note, however, that we do not yet have an Advanced Standing program, so it would be a 60 credit hour degree program.
10. Will a BSW internship or other human service-related internship experience count towards the required 250 volunteer and/or relevant human service work experience? Yes, as long as it was volunteer or internship work within the human services field.
11. If I have a BSW degree, can some courses in the 60 credit program be waived?
Possibly, but NAU policy requires that you still complete 60 units. If you have a BSW degree and are permitted to be waived out of some credits, we recommend that you consider taking additional graduate credits in your behavioral science cognate area and possibly receive a graduate certificate (when available) in that area of study.
12. How many students are admitted into the program each year?
Since this is our first round of applications and our first year of the program, we do not have firm data on this, at this time. We encourage you to apply, if you are interested in the program. We are aiming for a cohort of 20-25.
13. Can I turn the application in sooner than February?
Yes, the application is currently available. First apply to the Graduate College at NAU and then you can submit the MSW application, also via the NAU Graduate College application system.
14. Where do I send my letters of recommendation? Is there an electronic option?
Yes, this is all handled through the Graduate College application process. Complete the graduate application and the MSW application through the NAU Graduate College system and the letter of recommendation information is contained there. Contact information for references will need to be provided and the system will contact the referees.
15. I am currently residing in Arizona, but I am planning on moving out of state. Given that the MSW program is online, if I move to another state while in the program will this affect my eligibility?
The NAU Online MSW Program is open to students anywhere in the United States, with the exceptionof American Samoa, DC, KY, NY, NC, PR, Virgin Islands.
16. Is your MSW program accredited? We are currently pursuing accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education, the same body that accredits our BSW Program. Our program is scheduled to enter candidacy status in October 2018. We have submitted our Benchmark I documents and we are having our first CSWE site visit in spring of 2018. The MSW program is on track to be accredited by fall of 2020, with retroactive status for students entering the program as early as fall 2018.
17. Will I be able to get licensed? Yes, once the program is fully accredited in October 2020, all graduates will be eligible for licensure.