Winthrop University’s MSW Programs

Winthrop University’s Department of Social Work has been a student-centered learning community since 1974. The department’s home in Bancroft Hall, Rock Hill, South Carolina serves as a central hub where faculty, students, and staff come together. Social work values like service, social justice, human dignity, relationships, integrity, and competence form the department’s foundation.

The department’s chair and professor, Dr. Anthony J. Hill, brings his expertise as a licensed clinical social worker and member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW). He earned both his Ph.D. and M.S.W. from Howard University. His research focuses on financial social work and adolescent risk and resilience, which adds valuable depth to the academic programs.

A talented team of professors, associate professors, instructors, and adjunct faculty members brings their real-life experience to students. Dr. Kori Bloomquist (Associate Professor), Dr. Monique Constance-Huggins (Professor and Undergraduate Program Director), and Mrs. Shira Culbreath (Admissions/Recruitment Coordinator and Graduate Program Director) lead this diverse group. Their expertise in various social work specializations helps students receive a complete education that blends academic and practical knowledge.

The department’s Office of Practicum helps arrange graduate and undergraduate internships with local and regional agencies. Students get hands-on experience in actual social work settings through this vital support system.

A partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services through the Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholars Program offers specialized education and tuition support to B.S.W. and M.S.W. students who want careers in child welfare. This collaboration shows the department’s dedication to community needs while creating opportunities for students.

Students learn from a strong curriculum based on social work values and ethics. Their professors have earned state and national recognition for research and service. This blend of academic excellence and practical application creates graduates who think critically, maintain a global perspective, and work toward social justice.

Programs offered

Winthrop University has several paths to get a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Students with different educational backgrounds and schedules can choose the program that works best for them. The programs focus on empowerment practice and prepare you to work with families, small groups, communities, and organizations.

The Traditional MSW Program needs 60 credit hours. Students without an undergraduate social work degree can enroll in this complete program. Two formats are available:

• Full-Time Traditional: Students complete this two-year program in four semesters starting each August. Two field placements give students valuable real-world experience.
• Part-Time Traditional (Online): Students can finish their degree in three years with this flexible option. The online format delivers the same quality curriculum as on-campus classes but lets you study from anywhere.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program can choose the Advanced Standing MSW Program. This accelerated program requires 39 credit hours and comes in two formats:

• Full-Time Advanced Standing: Students start this intensive one-year program in May. One practicum placement helps fast-track your path to advanced social work practice.
• Part-Time Advanced Standing (Online): Working professionals can complete this program in two years.

Students can start online MSW programs in January, May, or August. This gives more flexibility than campus-based options. Winthrop used to offer Weekend Traditional and Weekend Advanced Standing programs but these programs no longer accept new students.

Every MSW program at Winthrop University specializes in empowerment practice. This specialty helps you create meaningful change in systems of all types—from individuals and families to groups, communities, and organizations.

The curriculum builds on Winthrop’s excellent Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. BSW graduates often continue their education in the MSW program right after graduation or after working in the field.

All program options maintain high standards and learning outcomes. Students develop the knowledge, skills, and values needed for professional social work practice whether they study on campus or online, full-time or part-time.

About the online program

Created for working professionals, Winthrop’s 100% online Master of Social Work program delivers the same high-quality curriculum as its on-campus version with added flexibility and convenience. The online program focuses on strengthening practice and dissects how personal, structural, and societal power systems affect vulnerable populations.

Students access the program through the Blackboard Learning Management System with asynchronous course delivery. You can decide when to log in and complete your work, though assignments have specific due dates. The program uses video lectures, online discussion boards, chat features, and student group activities that keep students connected despite the virtual format.

Two part-time program options fit different educational backgrounds:

• The Traditional Program (60 credit hours) takes three years to complete and has both generalist and specialized practicum placements.
• The Advanced Standing Program (39 credit hours) takes two years to complete and welcomes applicants with an undergraduate social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program.

Students can start in January, May, and August, which provides more entry points than on-campus options.

Field experience is the foundation of the online MSW. A dedicated practicum placement specialist helps find placements that line up with your career goals. Traditional students spend about 12 hours weekly for 21 weeks in their Generalist placement. They follow this with 12 hours weekly for 56 weeks in their Specialized placement. Advanced Standing students complete only the Specialized practicum requirements, which total 720 hours of field practice. Students might even complete field hours at their current workplace.

After graduation, you’ll be ready to:

• Involve yourself in specialized practice built on professional social work foundations
• Apply strengthening principles that affirm strengths and analyze power influences
• Assess and implement evidence-based theories and methods
• Provide leadership to make societal systems more culturally relevant and responsive

Graduates can apply for social work licensure at the master’s level. Winthrop MSW graduates have exceeded the national average licensure exam pass rates in the last two consecutive years.

The program provides complete support services including faculty guidance, student services, career counseling, technical support, and enrollment assistance. This ensures online students receive the same quality education and support as those on campus.

Accreditation

Winthrop University’s Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) programs stand out with their full accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This credential proves the excellence of the university’s social work programs and brings valuable benefits to students.

CSWE accreditation goes beyond just paperwork. Your degree from Winthrop meets strict national standards. Students who graduate can become full members of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). This membership opens new career paths and helps with professional growth.

CSWE accreditation brings two key benefits. The programs at Winthrop run with clear goals that line up with social work values and expectations. You’ll learn from qualified teachers and work with community partners who care about your growth. Students develop strong skills in research, policy, theory, and practice—capabilities needed to make a difference in various social work settings.

Winthrop’s MSW program belongs to a select group. Only 254 MSW programs nationwide had CSWE accreditation as of June 2017. Your education comes from an elite group of programs that passed strict evaluations and met professional standards.

The university also holds regional accreditation through the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). Regional accreditation represents the highest form of recognition available for higher education institutions. This proves the quality of your degree even more.

Online students get the same high standards. The online MSW program meets all CSWE accreditation requirements just like the campus version. Both programs follow the NASW Code of Ethics closely. Students get the same quality education that meets professional standards whether they choose traditional, advanced standing, campus, or online formats.

CSWE accreditation means your Winthrop social work degree will prepare you well for professional practice and licensing exams. This preparation creates opportunities for career advancement in social work.

Admission Requirements

Getting into Winthrop’s MSW program requires going through a selective cohort-based process that looks at candidates from every angle. Your preferred program format determines the application timeline. Campus-based programs start reviewing applications on February 1. The deadlines are April 30 for summer admission and June 15 for fall admission. Online MSW programs give you more choices with start dates in January, May, and August.

Your application package should include these materials:

• A completed Winthrop University Graduate Studies online application plus the non-refundable fee
• Official transcripts from every school where you completed undergraduate and graduate coursework (schools must send these directly)
• Three professional recommendations from qualified people
• An up-to-date professional resume showing your experience in the helping profession
• A professional narrative statement (3-5 pages) explaining why you want to pursue the MSW, your career goals, and how these goals fit with empowerment practice

The recommendation letters need careful attention. Letters from family, friends, co-workers, or clergy won’t work. Recent graduates from the last five years should get at least one academic reference. Employers or volunteer work supervisors make good references too.

You’ll need a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Advanced Standing programs specifically require a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program. GPA requirements differ slightly between programs. Advanced Standing needs a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale. Traditional program applicants should have a 3.0 GPA in their last 60 credit hours, though a 2.8 overall GPA might work.

Your professional narrative statement should show that you’ve really studied both the NASW Code of Ethics and Winthrop’s statement on Empowerment Practice. Write this statement yourself – it needs your own thoughts and professional judgment. The admissions team reviews each application individually, so make sure everything you submit truly shows your qualifications and dedication to social work values.

Some applicants might need extra materials based on their situation. The Graduate Studies office at 803/323-2204 can give you complete details and help with your application.

Tuition

The online Master of Social Work program at Winthrop University offers clear costs and multiple ways to pay for your education. Students pay $699.00 per credit hour, which makes this program competitive among graduate social work degrees.

Traditional MSW students need 60 credit hours, bringing the total tuition to about $41,940. The Advanced Standing program requires 39 credit hours with a total cost of roughly $27,261. These amounts reflect base tuition before any fees or financial aid.

Students must pay a $75.00 Library Fee each semester. Campus students also pay Health & Counseling Fees of $180.00 per semester. Online students usually pay fewer mandatory fees.

Winthrop University stands out with these notable rankings:

• #16 Top Performers on Social Mobility (S. News and World Report 2022)
• #40 Best Value Schools (S. News and World Report 2022) [161]
• Among the top ten South Carolina colleges for affordability (Affordable Colleges Online 2020)

You’ll find several ways to make your education more affordable. The PK12 Employee Tuition Discount gives you a 30% tuition reduction if you work in PK12 education in South Carolina or North Carolina. This discount applies to both full-time and part-time students.

Students can access federal loans using Winthrop’s federal school code (003456) on their FAFSA applications. Once admitted, you become eligible for federal and institutional aid, which typically splits evenly across fall, spring, and summer terms.

Child welfare professionals might qualify for special tuition help through Winthrop’s partnerships with the South Carolina Department of Social Services. These programs often cover full tuition and provide book allowances when you commit to work after graduation.

Winthrop helps you manage costs with flexible payment plans. You can split your remaining balance into monthly payments for a small fee, without any interest charges.

Additional Information

Students who want to learn about Winthrop University’s social work programs will find many benefits beyond the basic features. The university gives in-state tuition rates to students from Charlotte Regional Partnership counties, which helps qualified applicants from specific South Carolina and North Carolina counties save money.

Students who join campus-based MSW programs can apply for Social Work Department Graduate Associateships that provide great financial support during their studies. They can also seek graduate assistantships in other departments, which gives them more ways to fund their education.

The university doesn’t recommend full-time work for students in Full-Time and Advanced Standing Programs. The Online Program works well for professionals who need to keep their full-time jobs.

Students should think carefully before switching programs. The courses follow a specific sequence, which makes changing programs after enrollment difficult. Any program change requests must go through the Graduate Program Director’s review. These changes might take longer to complete your degree.

Field placements are handled by Winthrop’s Office of Practicum Instruction, so students don’t have to find their own. The department works with over 300 approved practicum sites. This means students can find opportunities that match their interests.

Winthrop holds regular Information Sessions with dates listed on the Department and Graduate Studies websites. These sessions give you all the program details and let you ask questions about MSW options directly.