The MSSW degree is respected nationally and prepares graduates for advanced practice in a variety of areas and settings, including family and child services, addictions, mental health, social service administration, poverty programs and gerontology.
Students leave our program as competent and creative social workers, ready for advanced practice. The MSSW program of study combines classroom study and supervised internships in social service agencies and includes either a thesis or research project suitable for dissemination.
In short, we are looking for students who have a passion for social justice and who are interested in faith-based social work and in celebrating God's gift of diversity. Our program emphasis is in evidence-based practice, which means that you will learn to use technology to identify interventions that work with the clients you serve. You will have plenty of opportunity to apply your classroom knowledge in supervised field placements in social service agencies in Abilene, in Texas and in such far flung places as Beijing and Buenos Aires.
There are two programs of study leading toward the MSSW—Standard and Advanced Standing. The standard program requires two years of full-time study. The first year introduces students to important ideas and concepts that are at the heart of what it means to be a social worker and to engage in generalist practice. During the second year students concentrate on evidence-based practice with children and families in agency and community settings.
The Advanced Standing program is for students who have completed a BSSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Following a summer seminar, advanced standing students move directly into the second year of study in evidence-based practice with children and families in agency and community settings.
Applications are now being accepted. All prospective students must first be admitted to the ACU Graduate School. You may visit their web site for information about requirements, deadlines and fees.
For more information regarding the MSSW program, please contact us. Thank you,
Paul Ammons
Director, School of Social Work
