Slippery Rock University MSW
Slippery Rock University’s Social Work Department is perfect for students who want to become change agents in their communities. The department, part of the College of Health Professions, has programs that prepare students for careers in government agencies, nonprofits, hospitals, and businesses of all types.
Social work at SRU aims to enhance people’s quality of life through professional practice backed by strong academics. The department sees social work as a profession that uses knowledge about people and society to help individuals, groups, or communities meet their needs, solve problems, promote social justice, and give people the ability to help themselves. This vision shapes both undergraduate and graduate programs at the university.
The Social Work program readies students to practice with cultural competence when working with individuals, groups, families, communities, and organizations. Faculty members bring their decades of clinical, group, administrative, and policy experience to enhance learning through internships, service-learning, and real-life settings.
SRU’s unique approach nurtures students’ desire to help others. The program combines this with challenging academic courses that help turn passion into best practices. Graduates show competency in research, policy, social justice, diversity, community organizing, group work, and practice behaviors. These skills help them tackle problems effectively in individual, group, family, community, government, and organizational settings.
The department focuses on six program goals:
- To graduate students competent in generalist social work practice
- To prepare students for graduate-level social work education
- To contribute to students’ intellectual, ethical, and emotional development
- To sensitize students to the human condition and develop respect for dignity, diversity, and freedom
- To provide clear introduction to social work career responsibilities and rewards
- To help meet human resource needs for baccalaureate social workers in communities of all types
The program’s success shows in its placement rate—nearly all Social Work graduates find employment after graduation or head to graduate school. Students get many internship opportunities that often lead to jobs. SRU Social Work students have landed internships and positions at top organizations like Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh, Butler County Children and Youth Services, and the Victim Outreach Intervention Center.
Students who want to explore the field without choosing it as a major can take an 18-credit minor in Social Work. This minor has significant coursework in areas like Child Welfare and Crisis Intervention. These skills prove valuable in many career paths.
If you’re set on becoming a social worker, note that Pennsylvania requires a master’s degree for licensure, but some states license social workers with just a bachelor’s degree. Requirements differ by state, so check with the licensing board where you plan to practice.
Programs offered
Slippery Rock University’s strong program portfolio creates multiple paths for aspiring social workers at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
The Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) program at SRU has accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education. Students learn to become generalist social work practitioners in various fields. These include child welfare, juvenile and adult corrections, public assistance, health and mental health, aging services, domestic violence, and chemical dependency. BSW graduates gain competencies through hands-on learning that leads straight to job opportunities. On top of that, this accreditation lets graduates get advanced standing in most master’s degree social work programs.
SRU’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program stands out with its unique features. Students learn specialized practice in ‘Advanced Clinical Practice with Children, Adults and Families’. A major advantage is that students earn a Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) along with their MSW degree.
Students can complete their MSW through several options:
- Traditional 60-credit program in two years (full-time)
- Advanced Standing 39-credit program for BSW graduates (one calendar year)
- Part-time, individualized plans that work for professionals
- Online or hybrid formats to match different learning priorities
Students get in-person field placements near their location, which helps them gain experience that matches their career goals. The detailed curriculum builds professional skills through courses in human behavior, social welfare systems, clinical practice, research methods, and field education.
Students can improve their expertise through elective specializations. Clinical electives cover crisis intervention, grief and loss, forensic social work, and animal-assisted interventions. They can also earn specialized certificates like the Animal-Assisted Social Work (AASW) Certificate, which needs just one in-person visit.
The online MSW program follows a well-laid-out sequence. It covers foundational knowledge and advanced clinical skills. Courses include Human Behavior & the Social Environment, Clinical Social Work & the DSM, Clinical Practice with Children & Families, and specialized topics like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma-Informed Care.
SRU creates tailored educational paths that match a variety of professional goals, whether you’re starting your social work career or moving up in your current role.
About the online program
Launching fully online in Fall 2024, Slippery Rock University’s online Master of Social Work program will give students unmatched access to clinical social work education. Students get the same high standards as on-campus learning with better flexibility through well-planned course delivery.
The online MSW program blends self-paced and live learning experiences. Students can complete most coursework on their schedule, though some classes need live virtual sessions. The program fits different schedules by offering multiple day/time choices for these required live elements.
Flexibility is the core of this online MSW design. Students can finish the 60-credit traditional track in just two years of full-time study. BSW degree holders can complete the advanced standing option with 39 credits in just one year. Students with work commitments can choose tailored part-time plans that lead to their degree.
Field placements remain crucial to build hands-on skills in the online format. The program helps arrange in-person field experiences close to your location. This brings practical social work training right to your community. These placements match the requirements of the in-person program to maintain quality standards.
The online curriculum matches the in-person program and prepares professionals who:
- Become skilled at core clinical competencies
- Find, use, and assess evidence-based interventions effectively
- Take leadership roles in their practice settings
- Support social, economic, and environmental justice in different communities
One major benefit of studying online is the automatic Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) built into your required courses. On top of that, online students can earn the Animal-Assisted Social Work Certificate, though it needs some in-person hands-on work.
The admissions process keeps the same standards for both learning formats. Online and in-person applicants face similar requirements. This means all students start equally prepared, whatever learning mode they choose.
The online MSW program shows SRU’s dedication to meeting growing social work workforce needs. It offers quality education that creates culturally aware practitioners ready to help diverse populations. Students learn to use their academic knowledge for effective interventions in practice settings of all types.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a key quality indicator for social work education programs in the United States. Slippery Rock University’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Master of Social Work programs have earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This national accrediting agency verifies that both programs meet high academic standards and prepare students well for their professional careers.
CSWE accreditation shows that the BSW program meets strict educational standards. The program has a complete curriculum that covers social welfare issues, social work practice skills, and research methods. Students also get a strong liberal arts foundation with emphasis on psychology, biology, economics, politics, sociology, organization, and diverse ethnic groups. This well-laid-out approach gives graduates the theoretical knowledge and practical skills employers need.
The MSW program’s CSWE accreditation confirms that it “meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process”. The Board of Accreditation has confirmed SRU’s MSW program meets all Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. This certification covers all program locations and delivery methods, so campus-based and online students receive equally high-quality education.
Benefits for students are significant. BSW graduates from SRU can qualify for advanced standing in most social work master’s programs, including SRU’s own MSW program. Students can save about a year’s worth of time and money when pursuing their graduate degree.
Slippery Rock University also holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education[151]. This institutional recognition shows the university’s dedication to educational excellence and continuous improvement through external review.
Programs must show they have enough resources to achieve their mission and goals during the accreditation process. This requirement tells prospective students that SRU has invested in quality faculty, facilities, and support systems needed for excellent education.
SRU graduates are in high demand because of these rigorous accreditations. The program addresses the growing need for trained social workers while meeting CSWE’s strict standards. Students can be confident that a BSW or MSW from Slippery Rock University gives them credentials that professionals across the field respect and recognize.
Admission Requirements
The Slippery Rock University MSW program looks for candidates who share our mission. We want students with strong academic backgrounds and relevant experience. Our admissions process helps us find the right fit.
You need to start with a completed online graduate application and pay a non-refundable $25 application fee. Several additional documents will make your application complete.
Required application materials include:
- Resume highlighting relevant professional and volunteer experiences
- Two electronic recommendation forms from academic or professional references
- Personal statement (1½-2 pages) describing yourself, qualities that will make you a good social worker, education and experiences related to social work, motivation to pursue an MSW, and how your background matches social work profession values
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
Your previous institutions must send transcripts directly via electronic transcript e-share or by mail. SRU students and alumni should ask the graduate admissions office to receive their official SRU transcripts.
The Fall 2026 semester has two key deadlines. You can submit your application by December 1, 2025, for early consideration. The regular deadline falls on March 1, 2026. We review applications received by the regular deadline based on available space, so early submission gives you an advantage.
Students must find an approved field placement site and complete all related documents by July 1, 2026, after acceptance. This step plays a vital role in your program progression.
Successful applicants often show excellent academic performance. They have volunteer or work experience in health or social services and strong recommendation letters. These elements show your academic ability and professional fit for social work practice.
Students who want their graduate transcripts reviewed for transfer credit should submit the transfer of credit form with official graduate transcripts. SRU reviews these requests based on its transfer credit policy.
Tuition
Slippery Rock University’s MSW education costs vary based on your residency status and enrollment type.
Full-time graduate students taking 9 credits per semester have different tuition rates. Pennsylvania residents pay $4,806 in tuition per semester ($9,612 annually). Non-resident students’ tuition costs $7,209 per semester ($14,418 annually). These amounts represent just one part of your educational investment.
The base tuition includes these mandatory fees:
- Technology Fee: $261 per semester for residents and $369 for non-residents
- Other Fees: $1,497 per semester for residents and $1,857 for non-residents
We calculated the total tuition and fees at $6,564 per semester ($13,128 annually) for Pennsylvania residents and $9,435 per semester ($18,870 annually) for non-residents.
Students taking part-time courses or additional credits pay $518 for in-state and $777 for out-of-state per credit.
Your budget should include these additional expenses:
- Housing (Double Studio): $3,684 per semester
- Meals (Weekly 14 plan): $1,766 per semester
- Books: Approximately $750 per semester
The estimated total semester cost reaches $12,764 for Pennsylvania residents and $15,635 for non-residents with housing, meals, and books included.
SRU provides multiple resources to help manage these costs and maintains competitive pricing compared to many private institutions while delivering high-quality education.
Graduate assistantships are a great way to get financial support, with details available through the Graduate Admissions website. The Financial Aid Office provides complete brochures about various aid options available at www.sru.edu/FinAid.
The university updates cost information regularly and maintains transparency about all fees to help you make informed decisions about your graduate education.
Additional Information
Slippery Rock University’s MSW program offers unique elements that improve your educational journey beyond regular coursework.
The faculty leads by example through innovative research. Associate Professor Yvonne Eaton-Stull collaborated with Assistant Professors Christopher Streidl and Denna Hays on groundbreaking research. Their work, published in Research on Social Work Practice journal, dissects animal-assisted dialectical behavior therapy with incarcerated individuals. MSW graduates Mary Bauer and Sherry Rigel joined as co-authors, which shows how students participate in scholarly work. Professor Eaton-Stull’s latest publication is about how environmental sustainability disrupts human-animal interactions.
SRU’s Care Network provides detailed student support services. Students connect with resources through a simple referral system that addresses concerns of all types. The core team can submit referrals while you retain control of your privacy, except when safety or legal issues arise.
The Dean’s office guides and advocates for everyone in the campus community. They provide case management services with an integrated approach to student growth. Students get behavioral intervention, critical incident response, and personalized support.
SRU prioritizes clinical excellence and student support to create an environment where academic success and personal growth prepare outstanding social work practitioners.