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Social Work (3+2 Program)

EARN A MASTER'S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK IN 5 YEARS WITH GRAND VIEW'S 3+2 PROGRAM

Since fall of 2022, Grand View University has been offering a 3+2 program to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) in just five total years of schooling. Program participants begin taking graduate level courses while still working on their undergraduate degree. After obtaining a bachelor's degree, 3+2 program participants will complete the MSW program the following spring. As a first year student, you can identify your interest in being in the 3+2 program, although you will not apply to the program until the spring of your junior year.

Degree Level:

Undergraduate Programs, Graduate Programs

Program Type:

Major

Format:

Full Time

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Why Grand View?

Grand View is located in Iowa’s largest metro area, offering more access to clinicals, learning experiences and jobs.
Experienced faculty committed to your academic and career success.
Intensive advising from full-time faculty to support student growth and career development.
A rigorous academic program and preparation that will prepare you for a rewarding career as a social worker.
Students may transfer in up to 12 credits of graduate level coursework.
Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree may take up to 12 credits in the MSW program as non-degree seeking students without being accepted.

Student Testimonial

Joe Wernau

“I have had nothing but positive experiences in my time at Grand View and I can’t imagine a better academic program set of instructors. While I am excited to be over half way done with my MSW program, I know I will miss Grand View when I finish.

I plan to pursue a career in macro social work, through policy, program development/coordination, or as an outreach coordinator. The graduate degree will open a lot more doors to me on my career path.”

Program Details

3+2 Program Advantages

Save tuition dollars while still earning your Master's degree (the tuition for the first year of your MSW is at the Bachelor's rate)
Complete the degree in one year after the BSW without having to take graduate coursework at an accelerated pace
Receive a higher salary in most cases
Develop social work leadership skills
Develop skills in your desired specialty area (clinical social work, administration and leadership, or school social work)
Deepen understanding and practice of social justice in practice and policy
Develop skills in program evaluation through practical application of research methods
Learn how to apply strategies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice settings

Application Requirements

Must be at junior status before applying and apply in the term in which you will complete 90 credits. (Check with your advisor if you are unsure when you will reach 90 credits).
A Grand View cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
Request two letters of recommendation: one should speak to your academic strengths, professionalism, and capacity to complete a graduate degree program; and the other must be from an undergraduate instructor. You will request these when you complete the graduate application. Recommendations may not be from Grand View BSW or MSW full-time faculty.
You must demonstrate proficiency in writing through submission of an essay.
You must be a member in good standing of the Social Work program and not on a plan for improvement.

Applicants who do not meet all of the requirements may still be considered for admission to the program on a case-by-case basis. In these instances, the applicant will be interviewed by the department’s Admission Committee.

Students considering this program need to plan carefully as the program requires students to take full loads and perhaps courses in the summer. They are encouraged to begin working with a Social Work Department advisor as early as possible.

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Program Timeline

First Year & Sophomore Year	Take undergraduate courses as normal Let your advisor know you intend to participate in the 3+2 program
Junior year	Continue with undergraduate courses Apply to 3+2 program upon completion of 90 credits (talk with your advisor if you are unsure when you will reach 90 credits) Complete BSW field education (spring)
Senior year/Year 1 of graduate school	Begin taking Year 1 of graduate school alongside undergraduate courses
End of senior year	Graduate with bachelor's degree (BSW)
Year 2 of graduate school	Complete year 2 MSW courses (may include summer courses depending on specialty area), including field placement (fall/spring)
End of year 2 of graduate school	Graduate with master's degree (MSW)

Master in Social Work Catalyst Scholarship

The Master's in Social Work Catalyst Scholarship is intended to support the education of a graduate student in the Masters of Social Work who shows promise as a strong catalyst for change. This scholarship gives preference to students whose personal characteristics reflect historically underrepresented populations in the profession, such as (but not limited to) diversity in race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, language, socioeconomic status, national origin, age, faith, or culture.

Apply for the Catalyst Scholarship today

Master of Social Work Accreditation

The Master of Social Work program at Grand View University has been granted candidacy through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation. Programs in candidacy are evaluated, through a national peer review process, as working toward meeting each of the standards for assessment of program quality. The process assures students that the Grand View MSW program meets rigorous standards that enable them to:

Gain the knowledge, skills, and values of the profession in order to think critically
Solve complex problems for individuals, families, organizations, and communities
Advocate for justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion

Students who graduate from a program in candidacy are able to sit for the state licensure exam upon graduation.

All Council on Social Work Education programs measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their master of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education. These competencies are dimensions of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training. A measurement benchmark is set by the social work programs for each competency. An assessment score at or above that benchmark is considered by the program to represent master of that particular competency.