Empowering People. Changing Lives.
The nationally accredited MSW program at SAU will give you maximum career flexibility and the skills you need to be an effective advocate for children, adults, and diverse communities. Through our empowerment-based approach, you will learn how to work with—not on—people, their relationships, and their impinging social and political environment.
Whether you want to work with the elderly, lead a non-profit, or work in a school, take the first step in becoming one of the more than 800 MSW alumni making a difference for individuals, families, and society.
Why Earn Your MSW at SAU?
St. Ambrose offers MSW students the opportunity to learn from internationally known Empowerment Scholars in the classroom and in social work agency settings—gaining valuable social work experience right away. Here, you’ll train on the cutting edge of social work practice while staying rooted in knowledge, skills, and processes for anti-oppressive practices that focus on empowerment, social justice, and clinical skills.
Graduate in as little as 12 months
Our Master of Social Work program works on your schedule with a 1-year advance standing option, 2 year full-time option and 3 year online, part-time option.
Request more info800+
MSW alumni now making a difference in their communities
300
partner agencies and organizations available for field placement
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the program cost?
We know graduate school is a personal, professional, and financial commitment. However, there are several ways to reduce and finance the cost of your education; learn more on the Graduate Admissions page. Tuition for the 2023-24 academic year is $782/credit hour, and there are some additional costs. You may be eligible for some scholarships offered through our department. Or, consider working with our faculty as a graduate assistant. See the MSW Financial Aid page for more details.
Full-Time Degree Options
This program calls for two academic years of study (18 months, exclusive of summers) and the completion of 60 credit hours. Students ordinarily spend two consecutive days per week on campus taking classroom courses and 12-16 hours per week in social work agencies or settings gaining social work experience under supervision. These combined experiences help the student synthesize and integrate social work theory and practice. Practicum education accounts for 14 academic credit hours, and classroom experience accounts for 46 academic credit hours of the MSW degree. Usually, practicum placements can be developed for students in agencies within the region they live or work. Practicum placements are 12-16 clock hours per week.
Part-Time Degree Options
St. Ambrose University School of Social Work has a part-time program offered in hybrid, making it possible for the highly motivated student to obtain the MSW degree on a part-time basis over three years, including summer sessions.
When progressing through the part-time program, students take courses either online or on Saturdays. Practicum placement requirements take place concurrently with the required social work theory and practice courses in the second and third year during fall and spring semesters (9 credits), and can likely be taken in your area.
Most part-time courses follow a hybrid format, which means they meet online and on-campus throughout the semester. Schedules vary based on the ratio of online to on-campus classes. Some elective courses are taught fully online.
Some students find that a four-year schedule is necessary due to personal responsibilities, but the MSW program encourages students to graduate within the three-year time frame. Students must fulfill all degree requirements within four years from date of initial enrollment.