Master of Social Work at Abilene Christian: Where Faith Meets Professional Care
The School of Social Work at Abilene Christian University combines faith with professional care to create a unique social work education experience. Based in the Hardin Administration Building in Abilene, Texas, the school gives students the skills they need through its undergraduate and graduate programs to help vulnerable populations.
The school’s mission lines up with ACU’s commitment to Christian leadership. Students graduate as ethical professionals who use evidence-based practices. They promote social justice for vulnerable people and contribute to social work knowledge through research and scholarly work.
Rachel Slaymaker leads the School of Social Work as its Director, alongside a core team of experienced faculty members. The professors bring their field experience right into the classroom. The team has experts like Stephanie Hamm (Associate Professor and BSSW Program Director), Katelin East (Assistant Professor and Director of Field Education), and Thomas L. Winter (Professor). Their combined academic excellence and hands-on experience will give a comprehensive education from professionals who know the field’s real challenges.
ACU’s social work education stands out by blending Christian principles with professional training. Students become leaders who serve oppressed and vulnerable people while helping improve their lives. This faith-based foundation enhances professional standards by adding spiritual understanding to client care.
ACU boasts a 79% retention rate, ranking among the top 40% of institutions. The School of Social Work ranks as the 3rd best value Christian College among CSWE-accredited Social Work programs, showing its excellent balance of quality and cost.
The program’s graduates work as change agents in health and mental health programs, disability services, juvenile and adult justice systems, child and family services, gerontological programs, and policy-making positions. They learn to use evidence-based interventions and add to their profession’s knowledge through ethical practice and research.
Alumni like Rosalind “Roz” Evans offer proof of the program’s success: “ACU’s faculty and staff truly live what they are teaching. You’re going to get some top-notch training from professors who have been in the field and have great information to give”. Her words reflect the school’s dedication to providing education and mentorship that recognizes each student’s potential and helps them reach their professional goals.
Programs offered
ACU’s social work education paths help students achieve their career goals through flexible program options. The Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program offers two tracks based on your educational background.
Students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than social work can choose the Standard Program. This track requires 64 credit hours of coursework over two years. Your first year builds core social work knowledge, and the second year teaches evidence-based methods for working with clients. Students can also complete the program part-time over four years.
The Advanced Standing Program works best for students who have earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited school. This fast-track option needs only 38 credit hours—a 6-hour summer seminar plus 32 hours of advanced coursework. Full-time students can earn their master’s degree in just one year, which saves time and money.
Both MSSW tracks help students become versatile social work leaders who blend faith and technology in their practice. Students learn to choose and apply promising interventions, forward-thinking programs, and policies that enable clients to create positive social change.
The program adapts to your schedule with field placements that match your interests, commitments, and career goals. These placements give you hands-on experience in real-life settings.
Students aiming for leadership positions can add a Graduate Certificate in Social Services Administration. This 18-credit certificate fits well with your MSSW studies.
ACU also runs an Online Master of Science in Social Work for remote learners. This option follows the same high standards as the on-campus program while being accessible to more people.
The Council on Social Work Education has fully accredited the MSSW program. Graduates can apply for licensure in Texas and other states. A master’s-level social work license (LMSW) opens doors to advanced roles in counseling, therapy, case management, advocacy, community organization, research, and supervision.
ACU stands out among social work programs. It ranks as the 3rd best value Christian College with CSWE accreditation.
About the online program
ACU’s online Master of Science in Social Work program eliminates distance barriers through a curriculum that blends faith, professional training, and technology skills. The program will open its doors on August 20, 2025. Students seeking graduate-level social work education can apply now, regardless of their location.
Students get the same academic quality and rigor as the on-campus program, with added flexibility for working professionals. The program uses carefully selected digital tools and technologies to deliver complete instruction. You’ll learn about professional leadership, ethics, human rights, justice, and individual wellbeing. The coursework covers biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of human development.
The program follows the same structure as its on-campus counterpart with two paths:
- Advanced Standing Plan: This accelerated 12-month option is available only to students who hold bachelor’s degrees in social work from CSWE-accredited programs.
- Standard Plan: Students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields can take this complete option that provides foundational and advanced coursework.
The curriculum stands out by combining faith-based points of view with modern professional practice. Core courses include:
- Social and Racial Justice in Anti-Oppression Practice
- Social Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Spirituality in Diverse Populations
- Integrated Health and Behavioral Health
- Nonprofit Management
The program goes beyond classroom learning. You’ll complete field practicum hours during your studies, which makes you eligible for licensure right after graduation. Experienced practitioners will guide your practical experience to prepare you for helping vulnerable, oppressed, and at-risk populations through evidence-based interventions.
ACU’s Dallas branch runs the online MSSW program as part of the university’s distance learning initiatives. You’ll get support designed for remote learners while staying connected to ACU’s values and community.
Graduates qualify for leadership roles in social services and nonprofits, including hospitals, community organizations, and educational settings. The career outlook looks promising – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects social work jobs to grow by 7% from 2022 to 2032.
The program’s CSWE accreditation guarantees your degree meets quality standards and prepares you for professional licensure exams.
Accreditation
ACU’s Master of Social Work program’s excellence forms the foundation of its full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The 2007-old program has managed to keep high standards that meet strict national requirements for social work education.
CSWE accreditation means more than just a formal title – it’s a crucial quality marker that shapes your professional experience after you graduate. This credential proves your education meets set standards through peer review. ACU program’s graduates step into their careers with nationally recognized credentials that employers value and trust.
Your professional license eligibility directly depends on this accreditation status. The MSSW program’s CSWE-accredited curriculum meets licensing requirements in many states including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Students can also get licensed in California, Connecticut, Washington, and Wyoming with extra supervision.
CSWE accreditation offers one more big advantage – it applies to every approved program location and teaching method. Students get the same accredited education whether they study on campus or through ACU’s online Christian MSW program.
Abilene Christian University also has institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This broader credential lets ACU award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees, which proves the university’s overall educational quality.
The U.S. Department of Education states that “the goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality”. This system promotes accountability by confirming universities meet established quality standards.
The program ranks as the 3rd best value Christian College among CSWE-accredited Social Work programs, showing its excellent quality-to-cost ratio. This difference explains ACU’s steadfast dedication to delivering exceptional education that combines Christian principles with professional social work training while maintaining academic standards.
Students who choose their Master of Social Work at Abilene Christian ended up benefiting from both institutional and program-specific accreditation. Their degree will carry substantial professional weight, preparing them for immediate practice or further education with confidence in their credential’s value.
Admission Requirements
ACU’s Master of Social Work program looks for candidates who demonstrate readiness for graduate studies. The program assesses your academic credentials, professional capabilities, and how well you line up with their faith-integrated teaching approach.
Students need to submit an online application with a non-refundable processing fee. The program requires official transcripts that show you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Your cumulative undergraduate GPA should reach 3.0 or higher. The program might ask you to take the GRE or MAT entrance exam if your GPA falls short of this benchmark.
Your application package should include a personal statement that explains why you want to pursue graduate studies and join the social work profession. The statement must touch on the program’s four themes: human rights and justice, cultural and spiritual humility, integrated practice, and enablement. The statement should be three to four pages long (double-spaced). The program won’t accept statements shorter than three pages.
The Standard Program welcomes students without social work bachelor’s degrees. These requirements apply:
- A broad liberal arts foundation with two courses from science/math, social/behavioral sciences, humanities/fine arts, and communication/language
- Three recommendation letters, two from academic or professional references
- An undergraduate writing sample spanning at least five pages, preferably with instructor comments
The Advanced Standing Program serves BSW graduates exclusively. Requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school
- Three recommendation letters, with one from a program director, practicum director, or practicum instructor
- Your final BSW/BSSW practicum evaluation
- BSW graduates from more than five years ago qualify only if they work in social services or hold a social work license
ACU reviews applications on a rolling basis and usually sends decisions within two weeks after receiving all materials. Students who apply by February 16 get early review and priority status for scholarships, graduate assistantships, and field practicum placements.
The program director might schedule a video conference interview to learn more about your fit with this Christian-based social work program
Tuition
Getting your Master of Social Work degree is a big financial investment. ACU understands this and offers budget-friendly tuition rates along with financial aid options to help you advance your career.
The Master of Social Work program cost $1,332 per credit hour for the 2022-2023 academic year. Students who qualify for the Advanced Standing Program (non-ACU BSW graduates) pay a lower rate of $700 per credit hour. This makes the accelerated program an excellent value.
You’ll need to plan for some standard fees. These include a $50 application fee, a $295 thesis fee (only if you’re doing a thesis), and a $10 late registration fee per course if needed. A $50 parking permit is required if you need campus parking.
ACU makes paying for your education easier with the Wildcat Pay Plan. You can split your costs into six monthly payments without interest after paying a $50 enrollment fee per semester.
Graduate students have many scholarship options. The Masters Academic Achievement Award gives qualified students up to $35,000 in total scholarship funds. ACU alumni get a 20% tuition discount when they enroll in graduate programs through ACU Online.
Military members, veterans, and their spouses receive a 10% tuition reduction. ACU’s corporate partner employees get a 10% tuition discount and don’t have to pay the application fee.
Complete your first three terms successfully and you’ll get a free course in your fourth term – that’s $1,185 in savings. This offer applies to students who start classes in Fall 2 session beginning October 21, 2025.
Federal programs offer additional financial aid options. ACU’s social work program delivers great value and ranks as the 3rd best among CSWE-accredited Christian College Social Work programs.
Additional Information
Abilene Christian’s Master of Social Work program goes beyond classroom learning with excellent opportunities to grow professionally. Social work jobs look promising, with a 7% employment growth expected from 2023 to 2033—growing faster than most other careers. Graduates can take their licensure tests right after completing the program, though requirements differ by state.
The School of Social Work’s partnership with Federal Work-Study stands out. Students can earn income while getting hands-on experience during their practicum. The program includes a Rwanda Study Abroad opportunity planned for Summer 2026, where students learn about human rights and justice issues directly.
Students stay active through the Student Social Work Association (SSWA). The organization plans events like the Second Chance Dance and Chickasaw Nation Spring Break Trip. They build professional networks through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW) memberships.
Students passionate about research present their work at major events. These include Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meetings and National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Their hard work pays off—many graduates have earned prestigious awards for their contributions.
ACU’s career services help graduates connect with employers looking for social work professionals. This support helps many alumni start rewarding careers serving people from all backgrounds quickly.