COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Learn more about the Master of Social Work.

About the Program

The School of Social Work is dedicated to the pursuit of societal transformations that eliminate social, political and economic injustices for systemically and structurally oppressed and marginalized populations and advance the quality of life for all through:

• education emphasizing the discovery of knowledge, use of critical inquiry, and application of professional ethics to effect social change among social workers in front-line, supervisory, managerial and leadership positions;
• research and scholarship that advances applied knowledge and generates evidence-based strategies to resolve problems between people and their social environments at the local, state, national and global levels;
• public service that aids in the dissemination of knowledge and evidence-based strategies;
• collaborations and partnerships with communities, agencies and organizations in response to the needs of constituents; and
• trauma-informed modalities used to support mental, physical, physiological, social and overall wellness of individuals and communities.

Flexible programming is offered for the MSW and includes:

Regular Entry — Applicants with a bachelor's degree may apply for the 60-credit MSW degree, which has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE):

• Full-time students pursue a degree (15 credits per term) for 2 years, excluding summers. Admission for full-time study is in the Fall term only.
• Part-time students pursue their degree (6 then 9 credits per term) over a 3-year period, including summers. Admission for part-time study is in the Fall and Spring terms.

Advanced Standing — Applicants must have earned a BSW degree within the last 5 years from a CSWE-accredited school of social work and be selected for advanced standing status:

• Full-time students begin in Summer I and finish in 12 months, taking 4.5 credits during the Summer term and 15 credits, per term, in the Fall and Spring terms.
• Part-time students begin in Summer I and finish in 18 months, taking 6 or 9 credits in their first Fall, Spring, Summer and final Fall terms. Admission is in the Summer term only.

Students who are accepted for Advanced Standing have 25.5 credits from the BSW program applied to the MSW program. They fulfill the requirements for the 60-credit MSW program by completing 34.5 credits in Temple University's CSWE-accredited MSW program. 

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 5 years

Campus Location: Main (full- and part-time) and Online (part-time only). Most courses are offered in an in-person format for campus-based students, although to increase choice, some courses are offered only in an online format. 

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Course times are structured to offer a broad range of flexible options for students, many of whom are employed while engaged in their program of study at Temple. Students who are employed full-time are strongly advised to pursue the part-time program.

Interdisciplinary Study: The College of Public Health offers a dual master's degree in Social Work and Public Health. The MSW can be undertaken with any of these MPH programs:

• Applied Biostatistics
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Policy and Management
• Nutrition
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Interested applicants complete one application that is reviewed by both Social Work and Public Health faculty for admissions consideration.

In partnership with the Beasley School of Law, the School of Social Work offers a dual degree JD-MSW program. Interested applicants apply to the JD and MSW programs separately. In each application, students note their interest in the dual degree JD-MSW program. The first year of coursework is composed entirely of JD courses. The second through fourth years of coursework include a mixture of JD and MSW classes.

Interested applicants can find additional information at https://www.temple.edu/academics/dual-degree-programs.

The School of Social Work is currently working to provide additional dual degree options for students.

Study Abroad: Students are permitted to complete up to 6 credits in elective courses abroad. They should consult with their advisor about the timing of degree requirements.

Ranking: The School of Social Work at Temple University’s College of Public Health is ranked No. 46 among the nation’s schools and programs of social work in the 2023 edition of U.S. News & World Report, climbing 13 spots since the previous ranking. With 298 schools and programs ranked, Temple University's School of Social Work is in the top 20% nationwide.

Accreditation: The MSW degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Areas of Specialization: Faculty are engaged in a number of research and service projects pertaining to child welfare, family and community violence, gender identity and sexual orientation, HIV-AIDS, homelessness, intimate partner violence (IPV), involvement of fathers in families, mental and physical health, obesity, older adults, people with disabilities, political social work, poverty, racial equity and inclusion, organizational change theories, multiracial identity development, rural community engagement, social capital development, and substance use and recovery.

Job Prospects: Graduates of the MSW program find employment in public and private social service agencies, as well as in profit and nonprofit organizations. Their work encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, including community organizing, counseling, management, program design and implementation, supervision and training. Graduates are also employed in many different fields of practice, such as adoption support, aging, child protection, community organizing, criminal justice, developmental disabilities, employment-based social work, HIV/AIDS, hospice care, medical social work, mental health counseling, political social work, school social work and substance use.

Licensure/Certification: States vary in their requirements for a license to practice social work, with many also offering different levels of licensing. Certain jobs in the field of social work require licensing. Graduates should contact their local chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and their advisor for information on the specific requirements for licensing in their state.

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) administers a licensure examination that is required to practice as a licensed social worker with an MSW in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. For more information about state licensure, visit https://www.aswb.org/licenses/how-to-get-a-license/.

Because Temple University’s Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), completion of Temple University’s MSW program qualifies students to sit for the ASWB licensure examination.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Students must apply for admission to the MSW program and be offered the non-matriculated student option. This option is for students who are ultimately seeking the MSW but do not fully meet the admissions requirements.

Financing Opportunities: The School of Social Work awards some aid each year to assist meritorious applicants and continuing students in meeting the cost of their educational program. Awards include partial scholarships and stipends provided by local public and voluntary agencies. Awards are made on the basis of academic merit and the overall promise shown by an applicant for contributing to the School and to the profession. Additional considerations include interest in particular areas of practice and the School's commitment to maintaining diversity in the student body. Some awards are granted at program admission, while others are designed to support our advanced year, continuing students.

Awards made by the School of Social Work ordinarily meet only part of the student's total educational expenses. All students are, therefore, expected to make use of other resources as well as federal grant, loan and work-study assistance to help meet the cost of their education. Temple University's Office of Student Financial Services provides assistance with the federal grant/loan/work-study application process.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall Regular Entry Admission: March 1
Early application is encouraged. The School of Social Work has a limited number of scholarships to award, and these scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis.

Spring Regular Entry Admission: November 1

Summer Advanced Standing Admission: April 1
Early application is encouraged. The School of Social Work has a limited number of scholarships to award, and these scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis. Students who are completing BSW coursework are encouraged to apply in January after their Fall grades have posted to their transcript.

All applicants to the MSW program must apply via the Sophas Express System at https://sophasexpress.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/. Admission to Temple's MSW program is competitive, so applicants are advised to apply early and to ensure that all supporting documents are received by the Sophas Express System before the deadline.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3, with submission made at SOPHAS Express

From Whom: For regular entry, letters of recommendation should be obtained from faculty and professionals familiar with the applicant's academic competence and/or professional work experience. Applicants who have graduated from college within the last five years should submit at least one reference from a professor or an official of the degree-granting institution. Those with employment experience in the social services or a related field should submit at least one reference from a supervisor or administrator at their place of employment.

If seeking advanced standing, applicants should obtain three references, one of which should be prepared by the BSW Program Director, Senior Practice Seminar Course Instructor, Field Instructor or Field Coordinator. The letter should indicate the applicant's readiness for advanced standing.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Social Work education draws heavily from the rich and broad foundation provided by a liberal arts curriculum. All applicants are expected to have completed an undergraduate course of study reflecting this liberal arts foundation.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of an accredited baccalaureate degree. The minimum acceptable undergraduate GPA for regular entry applicants is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 3.5 in the last 2 years of study (i.e., 60 credits of the bachelor's degree). In addition, an applicant who has completed at least 9 credits of graduate coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 may be considered for admission.

A bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) is required for Advanced Standing applicants. Applicants for advanced standing must have achieved an undergraduate GPA of 3.25 in all undergraduate coursework and at least 3.25 in their junior/senior years. For detailed information, visit https://cph.temple.edu/ssa/degrees-offered-master-social-work/msw-admissions.

Statement of Goals: A statement of professional plans and goals is an important component of the admissions application in Social Work. It provides an opportunity for applicants to show their motivation for pursuing graduate study in the field of Social Work, relevant personal and professional experiences, and knowledge of diversity and social justice. This essay is evaluated on the basis of the applicant's ability to reflect on and summarize significant and relevant experiences, to conceptualize and think critically, and to write proficiently. Please respond to the specific question prompts listed on SOPHAS Express. All applicants should submit their essay at SOPHAS Express.

Standardized Test Scores:
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

• TOEFL iBT: 79
• IELTS Academic: 6.5
• PTE Academic: 53
• Duolingo: 110

Resume: Current professional resume required.

Laptop: All incoming students in the College of Public Health are required to have a laptop. Academic programs in the college are technology intensive. They incorporate statistical and database analyses; utilize specialized tools for athletic training, kinesiology and physical therapy; stream audio and video for communication sciences; facilitate online interactive counseling for social work; and foster clinical experiences and online assessments. The laptop requirement enables the College of Public Health to improve opportunities for active learning and provide greater access to specialized software and required tools in and out of the classroom, better preparing students for the workforce. Learn more about device specifications and suggested vendors. Students can use excess financial aid (i.e., funds that are reimbursed after all tuition and fees are paid) to meet student needs, including the purchase of a laptop. Scholarships may also provide funding.

Advanced Standing: Applicants from a BSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) may be eligible for advanced standing. This enables students, after a required summer critical thinking course that begins in June, to start the second year of study at the advanced curriculum level. To be considered for advanced standing, students must, in addition to meeting minimum requirements, have:

• earned the BSW no more than five years prior to applying;
• achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.25, in addition to a 3.25 GPA in their junior and senior years; and
• received no more than one "C" grade in Social Work courses; that is, all other Social Work grades must be "B" or better.

Applicants for advanced standing must also submit:

• Three references, preferably one from the Senior Practice Seminar Course Instructor, one from the applicant's Field Instructor for the senior practicum, and the third from the BSW Program Director or another academic source.
• A copy of the Field Instructor’s evaluation form from the undergraduate placement.

Students who have completed their foundation year at another graduate school of social work may also be eligible to transfer in their foundation year credits if they meet the criteria.

Clearance Requirements: Students attending Temple University College of Public Health are required to submit to Temple University Student Health Services proof of immunizations and proof of immunity for MMR, Varicella and hepatitis B, proof of being fully vaccinated to COVID-19, TB screening, and a physical exam prior to matriculation. Annually, an influenza vaccine is required, some affiliates may also require annual TB screening and urine drug screenings.  Students who are in fully on-line programs with no in person class or practicum experience can request a waiver for the above health requirements.  
Prematriculation Requirements | Student Health Services | Student Health Services (temple.edu)

All students who attend programs, which have a clinical / practicum / field education experience, will be required to purchase access to EXXAT - APPROVE compliance module.  This module to order, store and maintain compliance documents, required for participation in a learning experience at an affiliate site.

Students who attend CPH programs which have a clinical / practicum / field education experience which are completed at affiliate sites both on and off the Temple University campus, are required to comply with minimum standard compliance metrics which include the above health requirements in addition to a national criminal background check, Act 33/34clearances in the state of Pennsylvania, FBI fingerprinting through DHS or DoE.  FBI fingerprints is a national check, which can be performed through any of the 50 states.

The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student, thus resulting in their inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent the individual from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice depending on the field of study.   

In addition to the above, students who attend the Master of Social Work program are required to show proof of health insurance annually, and background checks are required to be completed annually.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 60, including 30 in foundation coursework and 30 in advanced-level study

Required Courses:
Students are exposed to multiple methods of intervention through foundation coursework. The courses are generalist in nature, allowing students to become familiar with the breadth of social work. Courses cover content in social justice, social welfare policy, research methods, human behavior in the social environment, and social work practice.

Students then select from a range of advanced-level coursework that allows them to examine in greater depth a practice modality, i.e., a concentration. Each concentration requires 9 credits of practice/program evaluation courses and an advanced field placement. Two concentrations are offered:

• Clinical Practice
• Macro Practice

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Foundation Courses 1
HRPR 5001	Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions 2	0
SSWG 5003	Foundations in Social Work Research	3
SSWG 5005	Social Welfare Policies and Services I	3
SSWG 5006	Social Welfare Policies and Services II	3
SSWG 5007	Deconstructing White Supremacy in Social Work	3
SSWG 5101	Theory-Informed Direct Practice I: Individuals, Families, and Groups	3
SSWG 5102	Theory-Informed Direct Practice II: Individuals, Families, and Groups	3
SSWG 5103	Theory-Informed Macro Practice I: Groups, Organizations, and Communities	3
SSWG 5104	Theory-Informed Macro Practice II: Groups, Organizations, and Communities	3
SSWG 5187	Foundation Field Practicum I	3
SSWG 5188	Foundation Field Practicum II	3
Advanced Courses 3
SSWG 8505	Advanced Social Justice: Anti-Oppressive Social Work	3
Select one advanced policy course from the following: 4		3
SSWG 8307	Health/Mental Health Policy
SSWG 8407	Policy on Families and Children
SSWG 8607	Advanced Policy - Gender and Sexuality
Select courses for one concentration from the following:		9
Clinical Practice Concentration, which requires these three 3-credit courses:
SSWG 8101	Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups I
SSWG 8102	Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups II
SSWG 8205	Evaluation of Clinical Practice
Macro Concentration, which requires these two 3-credit courses and a choice of three 1-credit practice courses:
SSWG 8107	Macro Practice in Organizational, Community and Policy Arenas
SSWG 8207	Social Work Research for Macro Practice
Choose three of the following 1-credit Macro practice courses:
SSWG 8108
SSWG 8109	Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
SSWG 8111	Advocacy in Social Work
SSWG 8112	Coalitions and Partnerships
SSWG 8113	Resource and Grant Development for Human Services
SSWG 8114	Supervision, Staff Management, and Staff Development in Human Service Organizations
SSWG 8115	Leadership in Human Service and Social Change Organizations
SSWG 8116	Community Organizing: In the US and Internationally
Electives 5		9
Field Practica
SSWG 8187	Advanced Field Practicum I	3
SSWG 8188	Advanced Field Practicum II	3
Total Credit Hours		60

¹

During the first week of the term of their initial entry into the MSW program, all incoming regular entry students have the opportunity to complete a test-out exam for the following courses: SSWG 5003, SSWG 5005, and SSWG 5006. Students who earn a score of 80% or higher on a test-out exam are not required to complete the associated required course, but are required to successfully complete 3 credits of electives in place of each required course. That is to say, all regular entry MSW students are required to successfully complete 60 credits of coursework, even if they test out of any required course(s), to earn the degree.

²

This common College Core course is required of all incoming graduate students in the College of Public Health. It is available completely online and designed such that students can complete the modules at their own pace over the course of their degree program.

³

Unless transfer credits fulfill them, 30 credits of advanced-level courses are required. A portion of these 30 credits are earned in the advanced field practicum experiences described under "Internship" below.

⁴

With advanced review and approval from the MSW Program Director, students may take an advanced policy course outside of the School of Social Work.

⁵

With advanced review and approval from the MSW Program Director, students may take electives outside of the School of Social Work and/or independent study courses to fulfill the electives requirement.

Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses: B-

Contacts

Department Contacts: