The mission of Northern Arizona University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Program, synonymous with the mission of the NAU Social Work Department and grounded in the history, purpose, and values of the profession, is to educate competent generalist and advanced generalist social workers for practice with diverse populations and multi-level social systems in local, regional and global contexts.
Our generalist and advanced generalist foci are grounded in social work knowledge, values, and skills; geared to practice with rural and Indigenous populations of the Southwest; and, focused on addressing poverty, structural racism, and oppression; providing leadership in promoting human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice; and service with vulnerable and underserved populations locally, regionally, and globally.
Healthcare Emphasis
This emphasis prepares students for culturally responsive social work healthcare practice within an interdisciplinary team, leadership and advocacy skills in health and wellness administration, program development and evaluation, and an understanding of the impact of health disparities and healthcare policy on client well-being.
This program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
The Northern Arizona University Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is committed to a social work practice model with diverse individuals and rural client well-being. The Program incorporates theoretical perspectives or approaches that make-up a strengths-based framework which is used to elaborate on the Program’s mission and to develop the Program’s goals. Developing a strengths-based framework must include knowledge of culturally competent practice. Embracing the need to give voice to marginalized communities, NAU’s MSW curriculum addresses ways for students to learn and practice ways of working with diverse groups of clients that best enable members of those communities to achieve their goals.
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 39 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Emphasis or Coursework Required | An emphasis or coursework is required for this degree. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
| Licensure | This program may lead to licensure. |
Purpose Statement
The Master of Social Work–Advanced Standing degree allows students who completed their Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited program to combine their passion for helping others with the instruction and hands-on practice they need to make a lasting impact. Students learn to bring about social change, in a degree program that aligns with students’ passion for advocacy and service. The MSW program offers coursework in topics such as social policy, clinical practice, research, cultural competence, social justice, and administration. The Master of Social Work program offers quality, student-centered instruction, as well as guided field education. The field placement provides an opportunity for students to earn valuable experience working with individuals, groups, and marginalized communities under the guidance of a seasoned practitioner. Students will develop advanced knowledge of current social work theory, preparing them to practice with diverse populations who require professional support and services, while gaining the skills to make positive changes in their community. Aging populations, children, veterans, and military personnel, those impacted by domestic violence, clients with mental health needs, those facing homelessness, and disenfranchised families all need advocates to support them, provide access to community resources, and promote social institutions that are more just and responsive to human needs. Field education, along with clinical and macro-level MSW coursework, allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to the population they want to serve as a social worker.
Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills that will make them valuable agents for positive change. An MSW degree is versatile, allowing graduates to work in many different settings with a variety of individuals and communities. In many states, a Master of Social Work degree is required to gain third-party reimbursement from insurance companies or government agencies. An MSW offers the flexibility to practice at elevated levels within human service environments, earning a degree that opens new and exciting career opportunities. The Master of Social Work degree is considered the terminal degree for professional social work practice and licensure. Graduates will have a flexibility that they will not find with other degrees in the human service field.
Healthcare Emphasis
Healthcare social workers are employed in dynamic, diverse, interdisciplinary settings where they can help improve health and quality of life for individuals, groups, and communities while being mindful of the principles of health equity.
The NAU Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (MSW) online program with an emphasis in healthcare prepares social workers to work to improve health and wellness for groups and communities, advocate for policy reform across healthcare delivery systems, and promote well-being for the most marginalized individuals.
The emphasis prepares students for culturally responsive social work healthcare practice within an interdisciplinary team, leadership and advocacy skills in health and wellness administration, program development and evaluation, and an understanding of the impact of health disparities and healthcare policy on client well-being.
As a student in the online NAU Advanced Standing MSW program with a Healthcare emphasis, you will learn a variety of practice skills, theories, and evidence-based modalities. Your new knowledge will enable you to advocate for culturally responsive healthcare services and incorporate problem-solving and integrative, strength-based approaches to your Social Work practice, with an understanding of healthcare trends, the mind-body connection, interdisciplinary collaboration, and social justice in health.
Student Learning Outcomes
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Advanced Generalist social workers apply knowledge of social services, policies, and programs relevant to the specialization, to advocate with and/or on behalf of clients for access to services. Advanced Generalist practitioners develop skills in ethical practice by identifying complex ethical issues that arise at particular phases of social work practice and in particular settings. They develop a plan for continuing professional education and development and collaborate with and articulate the mission of Social Work to others (e.g., interdisciplinary team members, volunteers, the broader community, the news media, and political leaders). Advanced Generalist practitioners evaluate ethical dilemmas related to problems and issues in the specialization and weigh values, principles of ethical decision-making, and the NASW code of ethics to address ethical dilemmas related to practice in the specialization area.
Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
Advanced Generalist social workers demonstrate that understanding with respect to varying populations and issues. Advanced Generalist practitioners have an increased understanding of how diversity shapes human experience and identity. They explain how forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination may marginalize, alienate, or create privilege and power. Advanced Generalist social workers demonstrate an understanding of how culture and values affect diverse conceptualizations and constructions of social problems and solutions in the specialization. They demonstrate knowledge and skills to practice without discrimination and with respect, towards people of diverse backgrounds and they actively engage diverse clients, groups, or organizations to promote solutions based on diverse conceptualizations of social problems in the specialization.
Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Advanced Generalist social workers appraise how mechanisms of oppression and discrimination impact various groups and outcomes relevant to the specialization. Advanced Generalist practitioners establish their professional identity through leadership by applying and developing strategies of advocacy and social change that promote social, economic, and environmental justice, eliminate barriers to services, and advance human rights.
Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
Advanced Generalist social workers demonstrate the ability to evaluate practice in the specialization area. Advanced Generalist practitioners engage in critical thinking through the application and evaluation of research-informed practices. They translate practice knowledge to contribute to scientific inquiry and critically evaluate and utilize theoretical and empirical research relevant to the problems and/or populations addressed in the specialization.
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
Advanced Generalist social workers evaluate, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance outcomes relevant to the specialization. Advanced Generalist Practitioners contribute to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge of social policy at the local, state, and federal levels. They demonstrate collaboration with clients, colleagues, and other constituencies for policy action in the specialization.
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Advanced Generalist social workers employ diverse strategies to engage with individuals,
families, groups, organizations, and communities related to the area of specialization. Advanced Generalist Practitioners communicate with clients and mobilize resources appropriate to unique practice settings to implement relevant services, programs, advocacy, and/or policies.
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Advanced Generalist social workers assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to determine a range of potentially effective and appropriate interventions to improve practice outcomes related to the specialization. Advanced Generalist Practitioners assume differential roles appropriate to the practice situations at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Advanced Generalist social workers demonstrate the ability to intervene at different levels (with and/or on behalf of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities) to achieve the desired practice outcomes related to the specialization. Advanced Generalist Practitioners demonstrate the ability to use inter-professional collaboration to achieve beneficial outcomes for relevant services, programs, advocacy, and/or policies at the micro, mezzo, or macro level to achieve client and constituency goals.
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Advanced Generalist social workers apply research skills to analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions in the specialization. Advanced Generalist Practitioners demonstrate the ability to evaluate processes and outcomes to advance practice, policy, and service delivery effectiveness. They communicate and disseminate evaluation results to a variety of audiences.
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
This Master’s degree requires 39 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 39 units:
Social Work Core Coursework (27 units)
Emphasis or Coursework Requirement - Select one: 12 units
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.