Catholic University MSW Program

The Catholic University of America stands out in American higher education. Founded in 1887 with papal approval from Pope Leo XIII, it serves as the national university of the Catholic Church in America and remains the country’s oldest Catholic research university. The university’s campus spreads across 173 acres in Washington, D.C., making it the capital city’s largest college campus with 50 major buildings.

The university has earned its place among America’s top research institutions with R1 status – a recognition shared by only five percent of U.S. colleges and universities. Academic excellence shows through its network of 12 schools and colleges, including the well-known National Catholic School of Social Service (NCSSS).

Student life thrives with about 5,500 students – 3,139 undergraduates and 2,032 graduate students. The university keeps its learning environment personal despite its broad academic offerings. A strong faculty of 324 full-time and 350 part-time professors supports student learning, and 94% of full-time faculty have doctoral or terminal degrees.

Students from every background feel welcome here, though the university stays true to its Catholic roots. The student community represents all 50 states and 84 countries, with international students making up 9.7% of the population. This welcoming spirit matches the university’s goal to be “a comprehensive Catholic and American institution of higher learning”.

Money shouldn’t stop anyone from attending – 83% of students get financial aid, and the university gives out $125 million in institutional grants and scholarships. Almost all first-year undergraduates (94%) receive scholarships or grants directly from Catholic University.

Social work students benefit greatly from the Washington D.C. location. The university has also expanded to Rome, Italy and Tucson, Arizona. Students anywhere can access the online MSW program and tap into the university’s expertise.

The National Catholic School of Social Service believes in meeting “people where they are, as they are, preserving human dignity, serving those in need, and seeking justice for all”. This belief, paired with strong academics and Catholic social teaching, creates the perfect setting to develop clinical social work skills.

Programs offered

The National Catholic School of Social Service (NCSSS) provides a complete social work education through several degree paths that match students’ needs and career goals.

NCSSS’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program prepares students to practice social work under supervision in settings of all types. Students can work in public welfare agencies, hospitals, courts, family services, and community organizations. The BSW curriculum has 14 social service courses spread across four years. Working professionals can enroll in the BSW for Professionals program. This 120-credit hour program covers human behavior, social welfare policy, research methods, diversity studies, and social work practice.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is the core of NCSSS’s academic offerings and comes in several formats. The traditional MSW needs 60 credits split between generalist practice (30 credits) and specialized practice (30 credits). Students complete this program in two years (full-time) or up to five years (part-time). MSW students must finish two internships that total 12 credits of field education.

Students can choose between two MSW concentration paths:

1. Clinical Concentration – Emphasizes strengths-based practice in clinical settings and prepares students for licensed independent practice
2. Community, Administration and Policy Practice (CAPP) – Helps students drive structural change at organizational, community, and societal levels

The Online MSW program centers on clinical concentration. This program matches the high standards of on-campus learning while giving distance learners flexibility. The online program offers:

• Traditional standing track (60 credits, about three years) with 1,080 hours of field education across two practicums
• Advanced standing track (30 credits, about 1.5 years) with 600 hours of field education for BSW holders

Both on-campus and online programs prepare you for the Licensed Graduate Social Work exam, your first step toward clinical social work licensure. Partnerships with over 450 agencies give you valuable ground experience, helping you build practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Each program embodies NCSSS’s mission to create specialized practitioners who champion individual and societal well-being as change agents. So whether you choose to study on-campus or online, you’ll get an education that meets today’s social work practice needs.

About the online program

The Catholic University’s online MSW program combines flexibility with excellence. Aspiring clinical social workers can get quality education without location constraints. This fully online program blends traditional education’s rigor with modern convenience. Students never need to be online at specific times thanks to asynchronous learning. You can access courses 24/7 and balance your professional, personal, and educational commitments while preparing for a clinical social work career.

The program’s clinical concentration gives you a complete picture of assessment and diagnosis throughout life. Students learn all aspects of clinical practice with individuals, families, couples, and groups. This ensures they’re ready for the varied challenges today’s social workers face.

The Catholic University of America’s online MSW program’s intimate learning environment makes it unique. Class sizes stay limited to 25 students maximum, which creates valuable opportunities to:

• Get personalized attention from expert faculty
• Build professional working relationships with instructors
• Create valuable professional networks that benefit your career long-term
• Learn course material better through focused discussions

The program uses a practical, applications-oriented curriculum built on Catholic Social Teaching and social work values. Students learn the value of human relationships while preparing to challenge oppression and marginalization. You’ll merge theory, practice, and research through scientific asking that shapes work with all client systems.

Field education plays a vital role in the online MSW experience. Traditional standing students must complete two field placements totaling 1,080 hours. Advanced standing students need to fulfill 600 field hours. The Field Education Office works with you to find suitable agencies that meet these requirements. They even look at student-proposed locations when they match program standards.

Graduates have bright career prospects. The social work sector should grow by 19 percent through 2022. The job market especially values Licensed Clinical Social Workers. The program helps you prepare for the clinical social work licensing exam. You can earn this credential from any location.

The Catholic University of America’s online MSW program began the mission to create specialized practitioners. These professionals promote individual and societal well-being as change agents. The program gives you skills to practice with integrity and cultural humility in our complex social world.

Accreditation

Quality social work education relies on proper accreditation as its foundation. Your degree’s value depends on it. The Catholic University online MSW program holds Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation. CSWE stands as the only accrediting body for social work education in America. A detailed peer review process confirms that the program meets or surpasses quality education standards.

Catholic University’s Master of Social Work program has a rich history. The program is 100 years old, making it one of America’s longest-running accredited social work programs. Both online and on-campus MSW degree formats share the same accreditation status. Students get the same high-quality education regardless of their chosen format.

CSWE renewed the program’s accreditation in 2017 for eight years. The next review comes up in February 2024. Regular evaluations help the program stay current and maintain its high standards.

The Catholic University of America has earned additional credentials. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, has accredited the university. The university also participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). This helps deliver distance education to students across state lines.

A CSWE-accredited MSW from Catholic University brings several key benefits:

• Employment Opportunities: Employers look specifically for CSWE-accredited social work degrees
• Licensing Eligibility: You need a CSWE-accredited degree to take licensing exams in all 50 states and DC
• Advanced Standing Options: CSWE-accredited degrees open doors to advanced standing in all accredited graduate social work programs
• Quality Assurance: Accreditation proves program quality and graduate competence

The program’s excellence shows in its rankings. U.S. News & World Report placed it 60th nationwide in their 2024 graduate school rankings. The Social Work Degree Guide named the National Catholic School of Social Service the top Catholic school of social work in America. These rankings consider factors like accreditation, tuition costs, investment returns, student-to-faculty ratios, and religious coursework.

Admission Requirements

The Catholic University online MSW program follows a competitive admission process that looks at your academic capabilities and potential as a social work practitioner. The university reviews applications with an integrated approach regardless of race, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, or gender.

The online MSW program requires these essential documents:

• A completed Catholic University online application (with no application fee)
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions verifying a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• English proficiency test scores (for international students only)
• A professional resume (recommended)
• One letter of recommendation (recommended)
• A professional goal statement (recommended)

Students with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0 should pay special attention to the recommended documents. Their goal statement needs to address reasons for lower undergraduate performance and outline plans for graduate-level success.

The online MSW program accepts applications until December 7 for spring enrollment. Students should submit their applications early because field placement arrangements play a crucial role in the program, especially for full-time students.

BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs might qualify for advanced standing status. This allows them to start with advanced clinical curriculum directly and apply their BSW credits toward foundation requirements. Advanced standing qualification criteria include:

• BSW from a CSWE-accredited program received within five years of enrollment
• Minimum 3.5 GPA in undergraduate social work courses
• Overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2
• Grade of B or higher in each social work course
• Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate field practicum comparable to NCSSS standards
• Recommendation from the undergraduate program chair supporting advanced standing

International applicants must provide English translations of transcripts and prove English proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS scores. Previous social welfare experience strengthens international student applications significantly.

The program seeks candidates who showcase strong academic abilities, possess essential professional practice qualities, and demonstrate a steadfast dedication to the social work profession.

Tuition

Pursuing a Catholic University online MSW degree is one of the most important investments you can make in your professional future. The program costs $1,200 per credit hour, which shows the university’s commitment to competitive rates among private national research institutions.

Graduate students should expect a full-time estimated cost of $52,190 before financial aid. Catholic University makes this investment more manageable through various financial support options. Students can access scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs that help bridge the gap between education costs and personal contributions.

MSW students can benefit from several scholarship opportunities through the National Catholic School of Social Service (NCSSS). These awards help both new and continuing graduate students with their tuition during fall and spring semesters. The scholarship requirements include:

• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• NCSSS Office of Admissions application submission by March 1
• FAFSA completion

NCSSS received a federal grant worth $640,000 per year to boost its MSW programs’ recruitment and retention. Students can receive scholarships up to $40,000 per year based on financial need. This funding supports sixteen annual scholarships.

Catholic University’s payment plans provide additional flexibility with 3, 4, and 5-month options during fall and spring semesters. Students pay just a $40 service fee at enrollment and can spread their payments throughout the term.

The university’s steadfast dedication to financial accessibility shows in the numbers – almost 90 percent of Catholic University’s students receive financial assistance. This support reinforces the university’s belief that education is “a wise investment” and demonstrates their commitment to make clinical social work excellence financially achievable.

Additional Information

Catholic University offers strong support services beyond the academic curriculum to improve your MSW experience. Student service professionals help you with academic support, health and wellness, and intercultural connections. The Center for Academic and Career Success guides you throughout your educational trip.

The university’s Washington D.C. location connects you with more than 450 agencies that address social issues daily. This creates great networking opportunities. The results speak for themselves—almost all NCSSS students find jobs after graduation, and more than 50% are hired before they complete their studies. Students excel in their licensing exams too, as over 95% pass on their first attempt.

Social work careers continue to thrive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects social worker jobs to grow by 6% annually from 2024-2034. Mental health services (18%) and healthcare (19%) show the strongest growth potential. NCSSS graduates earn an average salary of $69,590, and 80% work directly in social work.

The NCSSS Alumni Association provides ongoing educational and networking events. You’ll also join the Catholic University Alumni Association—a network of 90,000 members that offers programs and resources to support Cardinals throughout their careers. This strong support system sets you up for success in clinical social work.