Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Online
Position yourself for career growth through a clinical-based curriculum that equips you with the expertise to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients from a psychological standpoint.
Program Overview
Take a closer look at the Advanced Standing MSW
Meet the demand for clinical practitioners by earning an Advanced Standing Master of Social Work online. The CSWE-accredited program will strengthen your ability to meet your clients’ needs by providing you with the expertise to diagnose and treat patients from a psychological and therapeutic perspective.
Designed for those with a BSW degree, the online Advanced Standing MSW features an advanced clinical practice, trauma-informed curriculum that will nurture professional growth through applied, case-based learning. Courses are led by faculty who are trained in trauma and come from diverse areas of expertise.
You will complete 600 hours of supervised clinical practice, which will prepare you to sit for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) in every state.
In this online program, you will:
- Learn to apply social work knowledge to individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities
- Study the trauma-informed care model, reviewing the neuroscience of trauma with associated outcomes, and explore trauma’s impact on individual lives
- Study the DSM-5, focusing on the diagnostic criteria required to accurately assess psychiatric disorders, as well as critically examine the DSM from a social justice perspective
- Begin to understand the biological, psychological, and sociological variables that influence human behavioral development
- Consider the ethical dilemmas social workers face in promoting family and client well-being and decision-making
- Gain an understanding of multiculturalism and culturally sensitive social work practices
- Analyze social policy and social welfare, how policy affects human rights and social and economic justice, and the marginalization of vulnerable populations
- Explore advanced clinical practice decision-making and learn to be a critical thinker in the use of research, knowledge, and theory for assessment, intervention, and evaluation
- Learn to apply social work knowledge to individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities
- Study the trauma-informed care model, reviewing the neuroscience of trauma with associated outcomes, and explore trauma’s impact on individual lives
- Study the DSM-5, focusing on the diagnostic criteria required to accurately assess psychiatric disorders, as well as critically examine the DSM from a social justice perspective
- Begin to understand the biological, psychological, and sociological variables that influence human behavioral development
- Consider the ethical dilemmas social workers face in promoting family and client well-being and decision-making
- Gain an understanding of multiculturalism and culturally sensitive social work practices
- Analyze social policy and social welfare, how policy affects human rights and social and economic justice, and the marginalization of vulnerable populations
- Explore advanced clinical practice decision-making and learn to be a critical thinker in the use of research, knowledge, and theory for assessment, intervention, and evaluation
Graduates of this online program can transition into such leadership roles as:
- Clinical Social Worker
- Human Rights Researcher or Educator
- Child Welfare Advocate
- Public Welfare Advocate
- Victim Services Advocate
- Clinical Social Worker
- Human Rights Researcher or Educator
- Child Welfare Advocate
- Public Welfare Advocate
- Victim Services Advocate
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a traditional Master of Social Work online for those without a BSW degree. Learn more about our Master of Social Work online.
Accreditation
The Master of Social Work program at Northern Kentucky University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Tuition
Discover our affordable, low-cost tuition
The Advanced Standing Master of Social Work online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total Program with Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS MSW | $617 | $530 | $19,040 |
Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.
Tuition Breakdown:
Nationally Recognized
Ranked among the "Top Public Schools" by U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Calendar
Mark these important dates on your calendar
With multiple start dates, the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work online program is flexible and convenient. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, along with corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2 | 3/11/24 | 2/29/24 | 3/4/24 | 3/8/24 | 3/11/24 |
| Summer 1 | 5/6/24 | 4/24/24 | 4/30/24 | 5/3/24 | 5/6/24 |
| Summer 2 | 6/24/24 | 6/12/24 | 6/18/24 | 6/21/24 | 6/24/24 |
| Fall 1 | 8/19/24 | 8/7/24 | 8/12/24 | 8/16/24 | 8/19/24 |
| Fall 2 | 10/16/24 | 10/3/24 | 10/8/24 | 10/11/24 | 10/16/24 |
Now enrolling:
Admissions
Review the admission requirements for the Advanced Standing MSW
The admission process is the first step toward earning your Advanced Standing Master of Social Work online.
Admission Requirements:
- CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree within the past 10 years
- Statistics course with C or higher
- 3.5 GPA or higher in social work courses
Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) coursework from a regionally accredited institution
- A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program, with a total cumulative undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The BSW must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher education within the last 10 years.
- A statistics course with a C or higher
- A minimum 3.5 GPA in social work courses
- A professional resume tailored to your educational goals, including educational background, employment history, awards, and accomplishments. Resume must list three references from people (former instructors, supervisors, colleagues, etc.) who are qualified to evaluate academic and professional potential in the field of social work.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
Take a closer look at the curriculum for the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
For the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work online, students must complete a total of 30 credit hours, including 6 credit hours of clinical field experiences (600 total hours of supervised clinical practice) and a 3 credit hour elective.
Students must take the following field experiences:
Students must take one of the following elective courses:
