Quinnipiac University MSW
Quinnipiac University’s Master of Social Work program will help you become a leader in social work. The program focuses on health and mental health through a person-in-environment framework. Students learn to respect human dignity and stay dedicated to social justice. This prepares them for professional practice in ever-changing settings.
What makes the MSW program at Quinnipiac special is its hands-on approach to interprofessional education and healthcare teams. You can customize your degree based on your interests while learning about collaborative healthcare models. The program builds professional expertise through real-world practice experience.
This university gives you essential knowledge and practical skills to make a real difference in patients’ lives. You’ll learn to treat mental and emotional disorders, help with addiction recovery, and much more. You will provide counseling, handle crisis situations, and connect patients with social welfare and community resources. This creates a vital link between patients and their caregivers.
The MSW program’s values match the NASW Code of Ethics for Social Workers:
- Service
- Social justice
- Dignity and worth of the person
- Importance of human relationships
- Integrity
- Competence
The program focuses on five main goals:
- Prepare students to be competent, ethical social workers in health and mental health settings
- Prepare students to involve in anti-racist and anti-oppressive clinical and organizational practice
- Prepare students to support equity and social justice at all levels
- Prepare students to merge social work views within interprofessional collaborations
- Promote lifelong learning and professional development
Your studies include 900 hours of professional development through field placements. You’ll work in substance abuse treatment centers, mental health clinics, schools, and elder care communities. Monthly seminars help you connect your academic learning with field experience.
The MSW program offers complete preparation for various career paths, whether you choose to study on-campus or online. After graduation, you’ll be ready to lead in the field. Your career could range from private clinical practice to working in community-based settings.
The MSW degree meets all academic requirements needed to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). This opens doors to advanced professional opportunities.
Programs offered
Quinnipiac University gives you multiple ways to earn your Master of Social Work degree. The programs fit different academic backgrounds and career goals. Students can choose between on-campus and online formats that work with their professional and personal schedules.
The traditional MSW program is the essence of the university’s social work education. You can take this detailed 60-credit curriculum online or on-campus. The program gives you essential tools to counsel, handle crises, and connect patients with social welfare and community resources. Students complete the program in two years full-time or four years part-time.
The Advanced Standing MSW option needs just 30 credits over one or two years. This path is available to students who have a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. You’ll build advanced skills quickly while getting credit for your existing social work knowledge.
The university’s dual-degree options expand your career opportunities:
- The Accelerated Dual-Degree BS in Health Science Studies/MSW (3+2) begins in the School of Health Sciences
- The Accelerated Dual-Degree Bachelor’s/MSW (3+2) starts with undergraduate study in the College of Arts & Sciences
- The Dual-Degree 4+2 program option for undergraduate students at Quinnipiac
- The Dual-Degree JD/MSW program for students interested in earning both a law degree and MSW
These dual-degree paths create opportunities in a variety of careers. You can work with individuals, groups, communities, and organizations in health and mental health fields. The curriculum encourages hands-on practice skills through experiential learning and internships.
The specialized practice curriculum focuses on health and mental health across all program formats. Students learn to address major challenges in today’s health systems. The program covers human behavior theory, policy, research, anti-racist practice, and specialized electives.
The traditional MSW’s structure has 30 credits in the generalist curriculum and 30 credits in specialized practice. Students participate in two field placements that apply classroom learning to real-life settings. You’ll complete at least 1,000 hours of professional preparation in the field.
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA minimum and earn a grade of C or better in all courses. These standards ensure graduates are ready to meet Connecticut’s licensure requirements for both Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
About the online program
Quinnipiac’s online MSW program offers a flexible path to social work leadership. Students get quality education and hands-on experience that matches the standards of traditional on-campus programs. The program prepares graduates for success in the field through its unique educational approach.
The program stands out because it weaves interprofessional education into its curriculum. Students learn to work as part of health and mental health care teams – a vital skill in today’s collaborative healthcare settings. This team-based focus runs through practice courses in both generalist and specialized years.
Students apply their knowledge through extensive field experience in the online format. Two field placements let them practice their classroom skills in real settings. Graduates complete at least 1,000 hours of professional preparation in the field. Monthly seminars help students connect academic concepts with their fieldwork experiences.
The program requires 60 total credits – 30 in generalist curriculum and 30 in specialized practice curriculum with a health and mental health concentration. Students can choose their preferred pace:
- Full-time: Complete the program in two years
- Part-time: Spread coursework over four years
- Advanced Standing: If you hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, finish in just one to two years (30 credits)
The Center for Interprofessional Healthcare Education coordinates activities that build a sense of community in the online format. These shared experiences help students work well across disciplines.
The degree meets academic requirements for both Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure in Connecticut. The program maintains high professional standards by not accepting credit for prior life or work experience. This ensures graduates receive detailed, standardized training that meets professional expectations.
Accreditation
A properly accredited MSW degree will meet the strict educational standards needed for professional practice. Quinnipiac University’s MSW program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE is the only recognized accrediting organization for social work education in the United States. This accreditation covers both on-campus and online programs to maintain the same quality standards.
CSWE gave Quinnipiac’s MSW program its original full accreditation in February 2014. The program later earned reaccreditation for eight years through February 2022. During this process, Quinnipiac showed it met CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
CSWE accreditation is more than just a mark of excellence – it shapes your career path. Most states, including Connecticut, require graduates to have a CSWE-accredited degree before they can become licensed. Quinnipiac University’s MSW prepares you to become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). After you complete supervised experience, you can become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Accreditation benefits go beyond licensing eligibility. A CSWE-accredited MSW from Quinnipiac helps advance your career in healthcare settings of all types. The program’s accreditation status confirms that your education meets industry standards.
The detailed accreditation process looks at everything from curriculum design to faculty qualifications and field education options. This full picture verifies that the program prepares you well for professional practice using social work’s ethical principles and evidence-based methods.
Looking at MSW programs, especially online ones? Make CSWE accreditation your priority. Quinnipiac University’s online MSW has this vital credential, so employers and licensing boards nationwide will recognize your degree.
Accreditation
Quinnipiac University’s MSW program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This prestigious recognition covers both campus-based and online formats. Students get the same high-quality education whatever path they choose.
The program earned its accreditation through February 2020. CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation reviewed the program and voted to award this crucial credential. This achievement showed that Quinnipiac met the strict educational standards set by the field’s main accrediting organization.
CSWE accreditation is a mark of quality. The peer-review process ensures programs meet comparable outcomes while letting each institution keep its unique character. CSWE confirms that programs arrange their objectives to match what social workers need in practice.
Your career opportunities depend heavily on CSWE accreditation. Most states only license social workers who graduate from CSWE-accredited programs. Quinnipiac’s MSW degree lets graduates take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam. This opens many doors to professional credentials after graduation.
Accreditation protects students from degree mills that make false claims about program quality. The Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes CSWE’s Board of Accreditation. This gives extra confidence that Quinnipiac’s program goes through thorough quality checks.
CSWE accreditation shows Quinnipiac’s steadfast dedication to excellence in social work education. Graduates learn to think critically and solve problems. The program teaches them to promote justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity. These core skills matter deeply to employers and licensing bodies in professional social work.
Admission Requirements
Quinnipiac University’s MSW program maintains selective admission standards with specific academic requirements. The path you choose – traditional or advanced standing – determines your admission process.
The Traditional MSW program requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- A preferred minimum GPA of 3.0
- At least 20 semester credits in liberal arts
The Advanced Standing MSW program sets specific prerequisites. Students must:
- Have a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program before starting in early July
- Earn grades of B or better in all BSW courses
Both programs share common application requirements. Your application package needs:
- A completed application form
- A current resume
- An autobiographical statement that explains why you chose the MSW program
- Official transcripts from all previous college study
- Two letters of recommendation
Advanced Standing applicants need recommendation letters from:
- BSW program director or professor
- Field supervisor
Students applying to Advanced Standing must also provide their Bachelor of Social Work field evaluation.
The Quinnipiac MSW stands apart from other programs as it doesn’t require standardized test scores. The program doesn’t give credit for life or work experience, whatever your professional background might be.
Advanced Standing applicants might receive conditional admission when their GPA or BSW course grades don’t meet requirements. The admissions committee reviews each case individually. Conditionally admitted students must achieve at least a 3.0 GPA in their first term to continue as fully accepted students.
The review process begins only after receiving all required materials. You must submit all documents before the stated deadline. Your materials should go directly to graduate admissions, as the university cannot track items sent to other offices or staff.
Tuition
The cost of your MSW education plays a significant role when planning your academic trip. Quinnipiac University’s MSW program offers three pathways to complete the required 60 credits.
The 2025-26 academic year sets tuition at $765 per credit hour. Students in the Two-Year Full-Time pathway typically pay $25,280 annually for fall and spring semesters. The Three-Year Extended format costs $16,100 each for the first two years, followed by $20,690 in the third year.
The Advanced Standing MSW program is different because it requires only 30 credits. Qualified candidates can choose between two options. The one-year full-time program costs $25,280, while the two-year part-time format runs $10,170 for year one and $16,100 for year two.
Your university billing statement will show these direct costs. You should also plan for additional expenses:
- Applicable program fees
- Books and supplies
- Personal expenses
- Transportation costs
Keep in mind that these rates may change yearly. Each graduate program has its own specific fees.
Several financial aid options can help you manage these costs. The university provides various assistance programs with priority deadlines: March 31 for summer, June 1 for fall, and November 1 for spring terms. Military members can access benefits through mutually beneficial alliances with the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration.
Quinnipiac’s steadfast dedication to making education accessible shows through its scholarships, grants, loans, and payment plans as you invest in your professional future.
Additional Information
Quinnipiac University provides comprehensive support systems for MSW students that go beyond academics. The CARE Team helps students deal with physical, emotional and financial challenges through early intervention. Mental health resources are available free of charge through Counseling Services’ partnership with Hartford HealthCare.
The Learning Commons supports students with disabilities and ensures they have equal access to education. Professors bring both academic expertise and hands-on field experience to the classroom, showing their dedication to student success.
Students must meet strict academic requirements. The program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and professional conduct that aligns with program standards and the NASW Code of Ethics. Each semester includes regular performance evaluations.
Social worker jobs are expected to grow 13% between 2019-2029, which is substantially faster than other careers. MSW graduates can work in emergency rooms, rehabilitation centers, youth facilities, mental health clinics, schools, and elder care communities. The degree prepares you to help veterans with PTSD, neglected children, people with chronic illnesses, and those recovering from addiction.
MSW graduates share a common goal: to promote social welfare, help people overcome challenges, and support social and economic justice.