Spalding University MSW Program
Spalding University’s prestigious heritage dates back to 1814. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth established Nazareth Academy near Bardstown, Kentucky. Henry Clay presided over the first public examination ceremony in 1825 and presented the awards. The university bears the name of Catherine Spalding, who founded the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. She obtained the charter from the Kentucky legislature in 1829 and became known as the founder of social work in Louisville.
Spalding’s history reflects its steadfast dedication to service. Faculty and staff members served as nursing sisters for both Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln issued a special letter to protect the sisters at Nazareth. Six out of 39 sisters who served during this period lost their lives.
The institution grew through several important milestones. It opened as Nazareth College in Louisville in 1920, becoming Kentucky’s first four-year Catholic college for women. The college merged with Nazareth Junior College in 1940, briefly separated in 1961, and came together again as Spalding College in 1969. The institution became Spalding University in 1984 to reflect its expanded academic programs.
Spalding University continues to serve the Louisville community and beyond with state-of-the-art educational services. The 2022 Carnegie Classification recognizes Spalding as a “Master’s Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs”. The university offers select associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, along with various master’s and doctoral programs.
The university’s MSW program showcases its commitment to academic excellence and social justice. The School of Social Work has acclaimed programs at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels that prepare practitioners for positive change. The Master of Social Work program has built a strong reputation and has been accredited for over a decade by the Council on Social Work Education.
Spalding University’s social work programs stand out because of their comprehensive approach. Students learn to think critically while developing a global view. This educational foundation helps graduates become skilled at advanced generalist practice and gives them the competencies to build versatile, meaningful careers in the field.
Programs offered
Spalding University’s Master of Social Work program provides multiple pathways that align with your educational background and career goals. Two distinct program tracks accommodate different student profiles.
The Regular Standing Program delivers a detailed 60-credit hour curriculum that works well if you have bachelor’s degrees in fields other than social work. Students receive foundational knowledge before moving to specialized content. The Advanced Standing Program creates a faster 31-credit hour path exclusively for students with BSW or BSSW degrees from CSWE-accredited institutions.
Whatever track you choose, Spalding’s MSW curriculum shapes practitioners who embrace an all-encompassing approach to social work practice. This unique concentration prepares you to become an advanced practitioner focused on both human and community well-being throughout your career—whatever your job title, agency setting, or preferred practice method.
The program’s structure adapts to your life through flexible scheduling options. You can complete your degree full-time or part-time based on your commitments. Both paths follow a well-laid-out series of classes that support knowledge building. Part-time students must meet with the MSW Director to create their personal academic plan and get approval from the Chair.
The MSW curriculum comes in a hybrid format. Students attend face-to-face classes on Thursday and Friday evenings for 50% of instruction time. Online and experiential learning opportunities make up the other 50%, with instructor guidance.
Your professional development includes required field placements at social service agencies in your community. These placements come with supervision from approved MSW field agency supervisors and faculty-led seminars that blend practical experience with classroom learning.
Graduates become eligible to take licensure examinations in Kentucky and other states at the first graduate level (CSW). Two years of supervised post-master’s experience qualifies you to pursue the Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) credential—opening doors to advanced practice opportunities.
The program’s integrative framework helps you develop competencies that build a versatile and meaningful social work career while addressing both individual and community needs.
About the online program
Spalding University’s MSW program stands out with its hybrid learning approach that blends traditional classroom experiences with modern online education. Students attend face-to-face classes on Thursday and Friday evenings, which make up 50% of instruction time. The other half consists of online and hands-on learning activities that instructors carefully design and guide.
This hybrid format brings great advantages to your educational experience. The program structure recognizes adult learners’ busy lives and provides academic excellence with enough flexibility to manage both work and personal life. Program administrators emphasize that “Our classes are rigorous and flexible, designed to meet the demands of your life”.
Small class sizes are a key feature of the Spalding University social work experience. Students benefit from:
- Professors who know you personally
- Strong relationships with cohort members
- Individual attention that helps your professional growth
Students in Spalding University’s MSW program participate in active and hands-on learning opportunities online that enhance their in-person sessions. This combined approach creates a detailed educational experience that builds critical thinking skills and practical abilities.
The program prepares you for many career opportunities. Graduates can take state examinations, earn certifications, and obtain licensure. You can also take courses toward drug and alcohol counseling certification to expand your practice options.
Your studies will include a curriculum that promotes global viewpoints and prepares you for advanced generalist practice. This approach helps you develop versatile skills useful in social work settings of all types and specializations.
Online elements play a crucial role by offering flexible distance learning options that work around your schedule while maintaining high educational standards. Social workers can advance their education without moving or leaving their current jobs.
Field education and curriculum
Spalding University MSW Programs takes a unique integrative approach to social work education. Field education is the core of your learning experience that gives you hands-on opportunities to use theoretical knowledge in real-life settings. MSW students complete 900 hours of supervised field education in social service agencies throughout their community. Approved MSW field agency supervisors guide these placements to help your practice line up with professional standards.
Your classroom studies follow an innovative block scheduling model alongside your fieldwork. This setup lets you focus on fewer courses at once and helps you connect more deeply with the material. Students meet one day per week, either in person or through the hybrid format described earlier.
Spalding University social work curriculum builds on core competencies from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Your studies will help you develop significant skills in:
- Ethical and professional behavior
- Diversity and difference in practice
- Research-informed practice
- Policy practice
- Assessment and intervention techniques
Spalding University MSW program helps students become skilled at critical thinking needed for advanced practice. Faculty members use evidence-based approaches and encourage students to think about different points of view and cultural contexts that shape social work practice.
Students get great opportunities for interprofessional collaboration. Spalding’s wide range of academic programs lets MSW students work on cross-disciplinary projects with peers from psychology, nursing, education, and other fields. This shared experience prepares you for today’s multidisciplinary social work environments.
Louisville’s urban setting adds another advantage to studying at Spalding. Students can access field placements in healthcare systems, community organizations, schools, and government agencies. This variety helps match your field experiences with your professional interests and career goals.
Your MSW degree will give you both theoretical knowledge and practical experience to tackle complex social challenges through direct practice, policy advocacy, and program development.
Accreditation
Strong credentials form the foundation of serious social work education. Spalding University MSW Programs hold full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), America’s leading accrediting body for social work education. This recognition covers both the Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Master of Social Work programs. Students can trust that their education meets professional standards.
CSWE’s accreditation involves a detailed peer-review system. The process ensures comparable outcomes while giving institutions room to be unique. This certification proves that Spalding’s curriculum matches industry best practices and prepares graduates well for their careers.
Choosing a CSWE-accredited program like Spalding University social work brings clear benefits. Students need accredited degrees to take licensure exams in most states. Employers and academic institutions value these degrees more. The accreditation confirms that students learn all the core skills needed to practice effectively.
Spalding keeps its program outcomes transparent. The university updates this information every two years to meet accreditation standards. Their latest update came on October 1, 2023, showing they continue to meet CSWE requirements.
Accredited programs do more than just provide credentials. CSWE-accredited schools take extra responsibility to shape respectful, responsible social workers who serve communities of all types. Students learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also discover how to advocate for justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity—values that define great social work.
The Spalding University MSW program’s accreditation status shows that your education investment meets quality standards and prepares you well for professional success.
Admission Requirements
Getting into Spalding University’s MSW program requires a complete review that looks at every part of your application. You’ll need to get application procedures from the University’s Admissions Office or the School of Social Work office. The program sets specific academic standards but thinks over individual circumstances.
The regular MSW program at Spalding looks for students with a cumulative GPA of 2.80 or higher on a 4.00 scale. All the same, your application might still work if your GPA falls below this mark, especially if you showed major improvements in your upper-level grades.
Students in the advanced standing program face slightly tougher academic standards. Your social work courses must show a 3.00 GPA while keeping an overall GPA of 2.80. BSW students who don’t quite hit these marks might qualify for a modified study plan instead.
A complete application package needs:
- Completed application forms
- Three professional/academic references
- A personal essay that shows both content knowledge and writing skills
The final step brings you face-to-face with an MSW faculty member for an interview. This chat helps the program learn about you beyond your paperwork.
Note that you can’t take any social work practice courses before the MSW program accepts you – except for electives. So planning your application timeline matters a lot.
The program’s decision doesn’t hang on just one thing. Your academic record, professional recommendations, writing skills, and interview performance all play their parts. We take this all-encompassing approach to pick students who show the best chance of success.
Meeting all basic requirements won’t automatically open the door to the Spalding University MSW program. The program’s competitive nature means your application should be thorough and well-laid-out, showing your strengths and steadfast dedication to social work principles.
Tuition
Students need to plan their advanced education costs carefully. The Spalding University MSW program tuition stands at $770 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year. The complete MSW program needs 58 credit hours, which helps you calculate the total program cost.
Graduate students pay a $100 fee each semester for health and counseling services. MSW students must also budget for a $5 per credit hour technology fee. The university charges an annual $150 Student Services Fee that supports health and wellness services.
Spalding University ranks among Kentucky’s most affordable private schools. The university gives out more than $4 million in scholarships and financial aid yearly. Almost all first-time, full-time students – 99% to be exact – get some type of financial help. This makes Spalding University social work programs available to students from different backgrounds.
The Spalding University MSW program has secured impressive external funding. A $1.20 million federal grant provides 50% tuition scholarships to many students. Another $1.15 million federal grant helps students who complete practicums in primary care settings that serve vulnerable and medically underserved populations.
External reviews show Spalding’s MSW tuition costs about $21,900 per year. Public universities charge around $13,800 annually for their MSW programs. But thanks to extensive financial aid options, many students end up paying much less than the published rates.
Additional Information
Spalding University MSW Programs complement academic excellence with comprehensive student support services to improve your learning trip. The university makes substantial investments in staff, space, and resources that make wide-ranging student support services available to all students, whatever their program’s delivery mode.
Students can access the Math Lab, Reading Lab, and Writing Center at the Student Success Center on the second floor of Spalding Library. The university also provides TutorMe, a 24/7 online tutoring program. These resources are a great way to get help with graduate-level writing and research tasks.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) provides free, confidential services that include individual therapy, group therapy, and psychological assessment. These services encourage your mental well-being throughout your academic trip.
The Spalding University social work program tracks student achievement through internal report cards and institutional reports to various accrediting bodies. This steadfast dedication to excellence shows why 80% of new Master of Social Work graduates in the US found jobs or received job offers right after graduation.
The Spalding University MSW program has secured federal grants of $2.35 million to provide tuition scholarships and stipend support. Students who complete practicums in primary care settings serving vulnerable populations can receive substantial financial assistance while getting unique experience.