Campbellsville University MSW Program

Campbellsville University, 118 years old, started as Russell Creek Academy through the Russell Creek Association of Baptists. This private university sits on a 95-acre campus in Campbellsville, Kentucky. Students’ attention has been drawn to its unique combination of academic excellence and Christian values for more than a century.

The university now educates 6,853 undergraduate and 5,598 graduate students, with a total enrollment of 12,451 learners. A student-faculty ratio of 21:1 allows students to receive tailored attention throughout their educational experience. The student population shows diversity with 39.9% male and 60.1% female students from different backgrounds.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 edition of Best Colleges ranks Campbellsville University #82 among Regional Universities South. The university also stands at #12 for Top Performers on Social Mobility, showing its success in creating opportunities for students whatever their socioeconomic background.

The Carver School of Social Work’s story began in 1974 with its Bachelor of Science in Social Work program. The program took a brief pause but rejuvenated in 1994 as community needs and institutional backing grew. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) granted accreditation in 2001. This success paved the way for the Master of Social Work (MSW) program in 2008, which earned CSWE accreditation in 2012.

The MSW program now runs fully online to accommodate working professionals. A 2024 reaffirmation strengthens the program’s position until its next review in 2032.

The Carver School of Social Work stands by these essential elements:

• Licensed professionals with real-life expertise teach as faculty
• Students gain practical skills through internships and field placements
• A faith-based environment supports learning
• Students choose from online, on-campus, and hybrid formats

The university demonstrates its value with a 40% four-year graduation rate. Graduates earn a median salary of $34,639 six years after finishing their studies. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, the university promotes academic excellence, liberal arts education, and Christian servant leadership.

The university reaches beyond its main campus through education centers in Kentucky cities like Harrodsburg, Louisville, and Somerset. Additional learning sites operate in Elizabethtown, Owensboro, and Costa Mesa, California.

Programs offered

Campbellsville University’s Carver School of Social Work provides detailed graduate education options that match each student’s unique needs. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is their flagship offering with two distinct tracks designed for different educational backgrounds.

The Traditional MSW Track serves students who are new to social work with a 60-credit curriculum that spans two years. Students start with foundation courses (30 credit hours) that cover essential topics like history, practice, values, ethics, research, assessment, advocacy, diversity, policy analysis, and evaluation. The program requires 900 hours of field education so students can build real-world experience.

Students who earned their BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the past seven years can choose the Advanced Standing MSW Track. This efficient path needs only 30 credit hours and takes just 12 months to complete. Students still get valuable hands-on training through 450 hours of field practicum.

Working professionals benefit from both programs’ fully online, asynchronous coursework. Students can start their education when it works best for them with three entry points each year—August, January, and May.

Students can customize their MSW with these specialized Areas of Focus (AOF):

• Clinical: Leads to graduate-level licensure in clinical social work and includes courses in psychopharmacology, change theory, and practice theories
• Substance Use Disorder: Gives you specialized knowledge in addiction treatment, perfect for substance abuse counseling careers
• Faith Based: Shows you how to blend spirituality with professional social work practice ethically
• Forensic: Builds skills needed for social work careers in corrections and offender populations

The program’s flexibility lets students combine focus areas, such as Clinical/Substance Use Disorder or Clinical/Faith-Based options. Each AOF matches specific elective courses with practicum experiences under qualified supervisors to build focused expertise.

Campbellsville University’s steadfast dedication to Christian servant leadership shines through as they prepare graduates for advanced social work practice. Their approach combines evidence-based methods, practical experience, and strong emphasis on social justice and human rights.

About the online program

Campbellsville University’s online MSW program blends academic excellence with flexibility. You can advance your social work career while keeping your current commitments. The program runs fully online and asynchronously to fit your schedule – perfect if you work full-time and want to boost your qualifications.

The program’s curriculum stands out with its foundation in ethical and Christian ideals and trauma-informed practice. You’ll prepare for leadership roles through a complete approach that takes a closer look at advanced theory and practical skills. The program helps you become skilled at working with individuals, families, communities, and groups. You’ll learn to tackle societal changes, multicultural issues, and religious considerations.

Expert practitioners serve as faculty members and bring their field experience right into your lessons. This practical emphasis means you’ll gain both theoretical knowledge and skills you can apply to actual scenarios.

Field education plays a vital role in the program. The Council on Social Work Education requires MSW students to complete 900 total hours of field practice before graduation. Traditional track students must complete 450 hours at the foundations level. Advanced Standing students need 450 additional hours since they finished their practicum during BSW studies. While you need to secure your placement, these experiences are a great way to get hands-on training in supervised social work settings.

A Campbellsville University MSW degree opens doors to various career paths:

• Therapy and counseling
• Community mental health
• Child protection
• Criminal justice system
• Public advocacy
• Home health
• Veterans Affairs
• Addiction and substance abuse counseling

Military personnel and veterans will find additional support through Campbellsville University’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon program.

Small class sizes encourage meaningful connections with professors who champion your success and value your experience. This tailored approach, combined with the program’s faith-based foundation, creates a supportive learning environment that balances professional growth with Christian servant leadership principles.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a vital quality indicator for social work education programs. The Master of Social Work program at Campbellsville University has accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation ensures the program meets the highest academic standards and gives students a strong foundation in social work theory and practice.

Campbellsville University started its MSW program in 2008. The program earned its first CSWE accreditation in 2012. The MSW program received reaffirmation in 2024 and will need its next reaffirmation in 2032. This ongoing accreditation cycle shows the university’s steadfast dedication to excellence in social work education.

CSWE accreditation brings several important benefits to your educational path:

• The curriculum meets professional social work standards consistently
• You can get licensed in any state
• Credit transfers between institutions become simpler
• Job prospects improve with organizations requiring accredited degrees
• You qualify to enter doctoral programs with advanced standing

This recognition goes beyond just the MSW program. According to Dr. Darlene Eastridge, Dean of the Carver School of Social Work, accreditation “provides a level of assurance that the program is delivering a curriculum consistent with professional social work standards”. This recognition proves that Campbellsville University delivers quality social work education at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

CSWE accreditation matters even more to students in the Advanced Standing MSW track. The Advanced Standing curriculum helps you prepare for graduate-level social work licensure. You can provide direct client services under proper supervision. Students need a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution to enter this accelerated program.

Campbellsville University also has institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This regional accreditation lets the university award certificates and degrees at associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels.

These recognized credentials help you succeed in social work settings of all types. You can work in therapy and counseling, community mental health, child protection, criminal justice, public advocacy, and home health.

Admission Requirements

The Advanced Standing MSW program at Campbellsville University has specific requirements and documents you need to submit. You must have a baccalaureate social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program with a 3.0 GPA. This background will give a solid foundation for graduate-level coursework.

Your application needs several components submitted by specific dates. The process starts with an online graduate application. You’ll then need to complete the Carver School MSW graduate program application form through Adobe Sign. The university also needs your conferred degree transcripts from every accredited institution you attended.

Your application package must include three letters of recommendation. These should come from people who can speak about:

• Your academic background and readiness for graduate study
• Your values and moral character
• Your potential as a social worker

The university doesn’t accept recommendations from current or previous relatives. This rule helps get an objective view of your abilities and character.

Your GPA shouldn’t stop you from applying. Students with less than a 3.0 undergraduate GPA can still apply. You’ll need to submit a personal statement that explains what affected your grades and how you plan to succeed in the MSW program.

Here are the application deadlines:

• Fall Term: June 15
• Spring Term: November 15
• Summer Term: March 15

Field placement has separate deadlines:

• Fall Term: July 1
• Spring Term: December 1
• Summer Term: April 1

Advanced standing students should apply early, especially if they want to complete the degree in two semesters. The MSW Director of Field Education will help you arrange your placement before the field deadline.

After acceptance, your acceptance letter will tell you who your academic advisor is. This advisor will help guide your progress and support you with course decisions.

The admissions team might ask for more information during the process. Regular communication with them will help make your enrollment in this accelerated MSW program smooth and successful.

Tuition

Your career advancement and ability to help communities in need starts with a social work education. The online Master of Social Work program at Campbellsville University offers clear, competitive pricing that helps you plan your educational costs.

The Advanced Standing MSW program costs $624 per credit hour. This accelerated track needs 30 credit hours to complete, bringing your total tuition to $18,720. The 12-month pathway offers great value compared to traditional two-year MSW programs that usually need twice the credits.

Campbellsville University’s reputation for affordable education speaks through its rankings. The university ranks #1 in Kentucky, #42 among private colleges nationwide, and #104 in the country overall for lowest student debt rates. The average debt for 2018 graduates was $21,912, showing the university’s commitment to keeping education costs down.

Several financial aid options make this program more accessible. You can start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find scholarships, grants, loans, and payment plans that fit your needs. Many financial aid options don’t rely just on proven need.

Military service members and veterans get additional financial perks at Campbellsville University. Active-duty military members could pay reduced undergraduate tuition rates of $250 per credit hour. Veterans can also use the Yellow Ribbon Program, which might cover most or all their tuition costs.

Transfer credits offer another way to save money. The MSW program lets you transfer up to six credits from other schools, which could lower your total costs.

The Student Accounts Office helps you manage your finances throughout your studies. Reaching out early during application helps you see all possible funding options. Many students find their advanced social work education more affordable than they first thought.

An MSW degree, especially through an accelerated Advanced Standing program, opens doors to better career opportunities and higher earning potential in social work. The long-term benefits often outweigh the upfront costs.

Additional Information

Campbellsville University’s MSW program equips you with resources that go well beyond the classroom. Social work graduates can build careers in healthcare, academia, and administrative roles. Many positions need specialty certifications along with your degree.

Social work professors at colleges and universities earn $67,500 on average each year. Higher education institutions pay around $68,480. State and local government roles pay approximately $47,140 per year. Religious organizations provide international humanitarian work opportunities with yearly salaries around $35,910.

The faith-based social work concentration helps you blend spirituality with professional practice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects about 63,800 job openings yearly for social workers. The median wage in 2022 was $55,350. Leading organizations like Catholic Charities, Lutheran Services in America, and UNICEF actively seek qualified social work professionals.

You’ll have access to these complete support resources during your studies:

• The MSW Handbook with policies and academic expectations
• A detailed Field Manual for placement guidelines
• Student Practicum Agreement documentation

MSW students must complete a 450-hour internship that shows their social work skills in a placement setting. Students work on specific activities that focus on social work core competencies. An approved MSW Field Agency Instructor supervises this experience. Every student needs liability insurance through Preferra during their field education.

Campbellsville provides essential student services:

• Disability accommodations that ensure equal educational opportunities
• Military-specific services that help active duty, veterans, and family members
• Physical student IDs available to online students
• Professional counseling services that help with stress, anxiety, relationships, and other concerns

Your journey as a Campbellsville MSW student combines Christian servant leadership with advanced practice training through evidence-based methods and trauma-informed approaches.