Saint Louis University MSW Program Guide

The Saint Louis University School of Social Work has been a symbol of excellence in social work education since 1930. Located in Tegeler Hall on the main Frost Campus in midtown St. Louis, this institution blends innovative technology with practical education through its steadfast dedication to social justice.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the school in the top 13% of social work programs nationally in 2024. The school has managed to keep its accreditation since 1933 and earned Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation in 1952. This recognition shows the school’s excellence in academics and professional growth.

Dean Noelle Fearn, Ph.D. leads the school with the core team of Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Brandy Maynard, Ph.D., and Associate Dean of Research Michael Vaughn, Ph.D. The school has specialized departments in social work, criminology and criminal justice, applied behavior analysis, and gerontology. Distinguished faculty members in these departments have made important contributions to their fields.

The school has grown by a lot since its founding. Today it offers a complete range of programs while keeping its highly ranked social work curriculum. SLU’s School of Social Work’s multi-disciplinary approach helps it meet the needs of communities, families, schools, healthcare systems, and justice-involved individuals.

The school’s teaching approach makes it unique. Small class sizes and interactive methods combine community-based practice with classroom activities. This creates meaningful relationships between students and faculty. The school also houses specialized research centers:

• The Emmett J. and Mary Martha Doerr Center for Social Justice Education and Research
• The Health Criminology Research Consortium

Every new graduate student receives scholarship support thanks to generous alumni and benefactors. This investment shows the school’s mission to prepare social work professionals who excel at addressing health, social, and economic challenges faced by vulnerable populations.

Graduates of SLU’s School of Social Work enter the job market with skills needed to succeed in government, public health, and education. Students get practical knowledge through 450 field experience sites. This hands-on training prepares them to make meaningful contributions to the social work profession.

Programs offered

Saint Louis University’s Master of Social Work program gives professionals the skills they need to serve vulnerable populations. Students pursuing the Clinical and Community and Organization concentrations must complete 48 credit hours. The Applied Behavior Analysis concentration requires 53 credit hours because it offers potential dual credentialing opportunities.

Students can choose from multiple course delivery formats that fit their schedules. Regular semester courses run for 15 weeks with two-hour-and-45-minute classes during fall and spring. Summer sessions offer condensed 10-week courses with three-hour-and-45-minute classes. Students also have the choice between online and in-person learning.

The program features three specialized concentrations:

1. Applied Behavior Analysis – Students learn evidence-based methods to help children, adults, and organizations change behavior. This path helps students become eligible for board certification as behavior analysts.
2. Clinical Concentration – Students learn to work with individuals, families, groups, and larger systems through assessment, intervention, and outcomes in clinical settings. They develop strengths-based, culturally competent practices that work in a variety of family systems and developmental stages.
3. Community and Organization Concentration – Students learn advanced practices to address social problems at community, organizational, and societal levels. This concentration helps students imagine community practice at macro, mezzo, and micro levels.

Students who have earned their Bachelor of Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program can receive up to 15 credits of advanced standing toward their M.S.W..

The program’s core component is field education. Students develop their skills under M.S.W. field instructors’ mentorship in various social work settings throughout the community. Students can specialize through coursework or practicum experiences in:

• Community mental health practice
• Criminal justice
• Gerontology
• Health practice
• Nonprofit administration
• Trauma-informed practice
• Veteran services

Graduates find rewarding careers in applied behavior analysis, healthcare, mental health, education, child welfare, family services, criminal justice, gerontology, policy advocacy, administration, and community development.

SLU’s MSW program stands out because it balances manageable class loads with hands-on field work. This combination helps students build successful careers after graduation.

About the online program

Saint Louis University’s online Master of Social Work program puts flexibility first. Students across the United States can now access this virtual program. It delivers the same academic standards and faculty expertise as campus-based learning. The program welcomes students from all walks of life – working professionals, career changers, caregivers, and military-affiliated individuals who need flexible distance education.

You can study at your own pace with different course formats. The program lets you pick between regular 15-week classes during fall and spring or quick 10-week summer sessions. This setup works well whether you want to take fewer classes while working or speed things up with extra credits each semester.

The online MSW program takes just 18 to 24 months to finish – perfect for busy students. You’ll work with faculty and classmates through a strong learning platform that supports both real-time and self-paced interactions. The program’s biggest strength lies in its courses. The same full-time faculty who teach on campus develop and lead online classes, which ensures consistent quality, teaching methods, and mission delivery.

SLU’s online MSW program makes financial planning simple. Your tuition stays the same throughout the program without hidden fees. This helps you plan your education costs confidently. The university’s alumni and benefactors will provide some scholarship support to all new students in 2024. Besides scholarships, graduate student loans, assistantships, and fellowships are available.

The program combines manageable coursework with hands-on field experience to prepare you for success after graduation. While everything happens online, the curriculum stays true to social justice principles and gives you practical skills for licensure and career growth. SLU’s online MSW program offers a solid path to becoming a licensed social worker without sacrificing quality or professional preparation.

Accreditation

Quality assurance at any social work program starts with accreditation. Saint Louis University’s MSW program stands out with one of the longest accreditation histories in the United States. The program has managed to keep its Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation since 1952. This seven-decade legacy shows the program’s steadfast dedication to the highest educational standards.

The university’s dedication to accredited social work education goes beyond the MSW program. The baccalaureate program has managed to keep continuous accreditation since 1972[121]. This complete accreditation record shows Saint Louis University’s excellence in social work education at every level.

The program’s national reputation speaks volumes. U.S. News & World Report ranked SLU’s School of Social Work 43rd among 319 programs nationwide in 2024. This places it among the top social work education institutions in the country.

CSWE accreditation plays a vital role in your professional growth. CSWE develops standards that define competent preparation of professional social workers. Your degree will meet nationally recognized standards needed for licensure and job opportunities. The program evaluates how well you become skilled at all nine competencies required by CSWE’s 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Program quality monitoring never stops. Annual Program Outcomes reports track assessment measures that match CSWE standards. Each competency has a measurement standard. Scores at or above this standard show mastery of critical aspects of social work practice.

On top of that, the Applied Behavior Analysis program holds status as a Verified Course Sequence (VCS). This prepares graduates to take the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) exam. You get an extra professional path if you choose this concentration.

The Council on Social Work Education contact details:

• 1701 Duke Street, Suite 200
• Alexandria, VA 22314-3457
• Phone: 703-683-8080[121]

Saint Louis University’s MSW program will give you an education that meets recognized professional standards. You’ll benefit from better job prospects, licensure eligibility, and the confidence that comes with graduating from a program with decades of proven excellence.

Admission Requirements

Saint Louis University’s MSW program has specific admission requirements that help ensure student success. You need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Students with GPAs below this threshold might still get conditional admission.

The application package needs several important documents:

• A completed application form
• Official transcripts from all previous institutions
• A professional résumé that shows your relevant experience
• A professional statement about your goals and interest in social work

International students must meet extra requirements. The MSW program requires a TOEFL score of 92 or higher. Academic records from non-U.S. institutions need English translation. These should have complete details about courses, lab work, grading scales, and honors received. Students must submit credential evaluation reports from WES, TEC, Spantran, or Scholaro.

The program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Fall enrollment closes on August 1, and spring enrollment ends December 1. We review all applicants for merit-based scholarships automatically. Students who want graduate assistantships need to submit a separate GA application by March 1.

The admissions team looks at each candidate’s complete profile. They assess academic achievement, undergraduate education quality, professional statement, work experience, graduate degrees, personal drive, leadership skills, and service background. Your undergraduate GPA works among other criteria in the evaluation process.

After admission, you’ll start your MSW journey with foundation courses. These courses cover Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups, Social Policy, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, and Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations.

Tuition

Understanding Saint Louis University’s MSW program costs will help you plan your social work education investment. The School of Social Work graduate programs use a flat-rate tuition model, and rates can change.

The MSW program has two tracks with different costs. Students with BSW degrees can take the Advanced Standing track, which costs $32,000 for tuition and university fees. The Foundation track costs $50,000 total. These complete figures will help you plan your educational expenses.

SLU gives students several ways to get financial help. Graduate assistantships come with great benefits – you get tuition coverage for one academic year, monthly stipends, and optional health insurance. Part-time graduate intern positions are also available. You can work eight hours weekly for $5,000 or 16 hours for $10,000 in tuition remittance during the academic year.

Top students might qualify for the Doerr Fellows program that pays full tuition for up to two years. This program is a chance to focus on your studies without financial stress.

New and returning degree-seeking students in the School of Social Work can apply for these financial aid options. This all-encompassing approach makes financial support available throughout your academic studies.

The school shows its steadfast dedication to affordable education through many scholarships. The university’s broad financial aid efforts helped 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students get some form of financial aid in fiscal year 2023.

The program’s costs reflect its high quality and national recognition. Your investment covers a complete education with field experiences and career preparation that sets you up for success in social work.

Additional Information

Saint Louis University gives MSW students a complete support system that boosts their academic experience and future career prospects. SLU students can access tailored resources during their studies and after they graduate.

The School of Social Work equips students with program-specific handbooks that explain policies and procedures. MSW students receive the M.S.W. Handbook and the M.S.W. Field Manual. These documents help students understand program requirements and expectations.

Student organizations build community spirit and professional growth. The Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) lets students voice their program concerns and promotes their needs. Students can build valuable connections through this organization as they prepare for their careers.

The School of Social Work focuses on practical training. Students apply their classroom knowledge in real-life settings under faculty supervision. Each student pairs with a field liaison who helps them choose from over 450 training sites. This individual guidance matches field experience with career goals.

SLU graduates continue to benefit from alumni resources:

• SLU Career Services access for job listings and career counseling
• Continuing education courses and certifications
• Options to mentor current students or join alumni boards

Most social work jobs need post-graduation licenses. Requirements differ by state and organization. The school guides students through the licensing process based on their career goals and location.

Your MSW at Saint Louis University combines academic training with practical resources. This preparation builds a strong foundation for a lasting career in social work. The school’s steadfast dedication to student success goes beyond classroom walls.