Heritage University: Your Path to a Masters in Social Work Degree
Heritage University is a private institution situated on the Yakama Indian Reservation in Toppenish, Washington. The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary established it as Holy Names College in Spokane back in 1907. The institution went through several changes before becoming Heritage University in 2004. This new name better captured its detailed educational programs and met its student population’s diverse needs.
Students can access the university at multiple locations throughout Washington state:
- Main Campus: 3240 Fort Road, Toppenish, WA 98948
- Heritage at Columbia Basin College: 2600 N 20th Ave, MS: HU, Pasco, WA 99301
- Tri-Cities Regional Site: 333 W Canal Dr, Kennewick, WA 99336
The main Toppenish campus covers 48 acres and features several facilities. These include the Kathleen Ross Center, Martha B. Yallup Health Sciences Building, Arts and Sciences Center, and the Gaye and Jim Pigott Commons. The campus opens Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Heritage University stands out as the only private university in Washington designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education. The university also holds recognition as a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI). Only one other university nationwide shares both these designations.
The student body showcases remarkable diversity. Fall 2024 statistics show the full-time undergraduate population has 73% Hispanic students, 14% American Indian or Alaska Native students, and 10% White students. This multicultural environment gives students valuable exposure to different viewpoints that prepares them for diverse workplace settings.
Students benefit from a 7:1 student-faculty ratio and receive tailored attention and support throughout their academic experience. The average class size of 11 students encourages an intimate learning environment where professors can give individual guidance.
About 80% of Heritage University’s students are first-generation college students. The university’s steadfast dedication to educational access gives students the ability to overcome social, cultural, economic, and geographic barriers to higher education.
The heritage university admissions office welcomes visitors to campus and offers tours that showcase facilities. Staff members are ready to answer questions about various programs, including the Master of Social Work degree.
Programs offered
Heritage University’s Social Work Department prepares students for meaningful careers through its educational programs. The programs focus on culturally responsive service and serve indigenous, Latinx, and agricultural populations effectively.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program equips students with quality education to start their generalist social work practice. The Council on Social Work Education granted the program its original accreditation in June 1998 and renewed it in 2010. Students must complete 120 credits, including 48 from upper division coursework.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is essential to advanced education. Social work professionals can expand their knowledge and advance their careers through this specialized program. Students can choose between two paths:
- Traditional Two-Year Track: A detailed program that needs 900 hours of practicum experience over four semesters
- Advanced Standing One-Year Track: Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program can take this accelerated option with 500 practicum hours
On top of that, the MSW program offers specialized course plans:
- School Social Worker Certification: Students learn social work practice for K-12 school settings
- Substance Use Disorder Treatment Certification: Students qualify to ask for certification as substance use disorder professional trainee (SUDPT)
The MSW program combines online and in-person learning. While classified as an online program with over 50% online content, students experience a hybrid model. Weekly online coursework pairs with Saturday classes at the Toppenish campus seven times each semester. Saturday sessions run from 8:30am to 4:30pm and include three 90-minute classes plus a practicum seminar.
Students complete their practicum at community organizations through mutually beneficial alliances with the Social Work Department. Heritage University partners with Educational Service District 105 through the Yakima Grow Your Own Consortium. This partnership helps students interested in school-based social work. Partial scholarship funding might be available for students who commit to practicum placements in participating school districts.
The MSW Program holds candidacy status from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Full accreditation should arrive by 2026. The first MSW cohort started in August 2024, and applications for fall 2025 will open in November.
About the online program
Heritage University’s Master of Social Work program uses a hybrid approach that combines online flexibility with face-to-face learning. The Council on Social Work Education labels it as an online program since more than 50% of content is delivered digitally, but the MSW program works as a hybrid experience. This setup lets you keep your job while getting an advanced degree.
Students complete weekly online coursework each semester. The program includes seven Saturday in-person sessions at the Toppenish campus. These Saturday meetings run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and create deep learning experiences. Students get the best of both worlds – face-to-face education and remote learning convenience.
Flexibility stands out as a key feature of the online components. Students can access course materials 24/7 and study when it fits their schedule. This means you can balance your studies with work and family life. The approach saves commuting time too, except for the required Saturday sessions.
Heritage’s online classes mostly use a synchronous format. Students connect with instructors and classmates via Zoom at set weekly times. All the same, some courses use an asynchronous model where:
- You work independently through course content
- You arrange access to instructors through appointments or online office hours
- You must meet assignment deadlines but can progress faster if desired
Small class sizes of 12 to 25 students ensure individual-specific attention and support. Students build meaningful connections with faculty and peers despite learning mostly online.
Asynchronous learning components need different skills than traditional classroom or real-time Zoom sessions. Success depends on self-discipline, time management, and independent learning abilities. Heritage provides an assessment tool to help you check your readiness for this part of the program.
The MSW program shows how Heritage University makes higher education available. The university removes common barriers for working adults by creating a program that fits into their professional and personal lives, especially those serving rural and underrepresented communities.
Accreditation
Accreditation status serves as a critical indicator of program quality and graduate competence for evaluating graduate programs. Heritage University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program reached a significant milestone in its accreditation experience.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has granted candidacy status to the MSW program. This achievement completes the first standard in the three-standard process toward full accreditation. The faculty worked hard to reach this point. They submitted a detailed 225-page document that outlined the program’s adherence to accreditation standards. CSWE representatives followed up with a virtual site visit in January.
This milestone brings good news to prospective students. The program will give all students who start their studies during candidacy status a CSWE-accredited degree. This recognition applies retroactively once the program achieves its original accreditation. Your future career prospects and professional credibility depend on this recognition.
The accreditation process follows a well-laid-out path. The program must complete two more standards after achieving candidacy status:
- Standard 2 submission scheduled for November 2025
- Final standard submission planned for 2026
The MSW program should achieve full accreditation in 2026. The university’s Bachelor of Social Work program holds full CSWE accreditation already. It received re-accreditation in 2019 for eight years.
Heritage University maintains institutional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). This regional accreditation qualifies the institution and its students to access federal funds. These funds support teaching, research, and financial aid. The university will submit its next self-study mid-cycle report on March 1, 2025.
Corey Hodge, Vice President of Student Affairs and Chair of the Social Work department, explains the MSW program’s unique curriculum. “We emphasize culturally responsive service, particularly focusing on indigenous, Latinx, and agricultural populations,” states Hodge. This approach matches Heritage University’s admissions priorities on diversity and community service.
The heritage university admissions office can provide updated information about the program’s progress through remaining standards. The first MSW cohort started classes in August 2024. Applications for fall 2025 will open in November.
Admission Requirements
Heritage University’s Master of Social Work program uses a two-step admission process that assesses your academic qualifications and how well you match the program’s values. You must first become a graduate student at Heritage University before applying to the MSW program.
The university requires three basic steps to start your application. Submit your completed graduate application with a nonrefundable fee. You’ll also need to send official transcripts from the university where you earned your bachelor’s degree.
Once the graduate division accepts you, the MSW Program Admissions Committee will review your materials. The committee takes an integrated approach and uses a rubric to review your application.
Standard Admission Requirements:
The MSW program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Your chances improve with a minimum 3.0 GPA in your final 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits of undergraduate studies. Students with lower GPAs can explain any special circumstances for the committee to think over.
Your complete application should include:
- A personal statement (500-750 words) showing how your background prepares you for master’s level social work
- An essay response to a social issue prompt
- Two letters of recommendation
Advanced Standing Option:
Students with a BSW degree from the past 10 years might qualify for Advanced Standing. This option only applies to graduates from CSWE-accredited programs in the US or CASSW/CASWE-accredited programs in Canada. Advanced Standing applicants need a preferred 3.0 GPA minimum in undergraduate BSW courses and must write an extra essay showing their CSWE social work competencies.
The admissions office looks at several key factors: your dedication to the MSW mission, cultural awareness, critical thinking skills, social service experience, and leadership potential. Bilingual abilities in English/Spanish or English/Sahaptin/Tribal languages add significant value to your application.
Students interested in school-based social work positions can commit to school-based practicum placements. Your application will include a yes/no question about this commitment, which could qualify you for Department of Education grant funding seats.
Tuition
Money matters when you decide to pursue a graduate degree. Heritage University stands out with one of the most affordable Master of Social Work programs in Washington state. The total tuition costs $27,360.00. Students pay approximately $5,472.00 per semester. This makes it an available option compared to other MSW schools programs in the region that cost between $27,360.00 and $57,684.00.
Heritage University charges graduate students $912.00 per credit hour. New applicants need to pay a non-refundable graduate application fee of $50.00. The university waives application fees for undergraduate applications.
Undergraduate tuition at Heritage costs $19,920.00 per academic year. Part-time students pay approximately $830.00 per credit hour. The university charges the same rate to both in-state and out-of-state students. This is a big deal as it means that students save significantly compared to the national average tuition of $6,950.00.
Students should plan for these additional expenses:
- Books and supplies (approximately $942.00 annually)
- Housing and food costs
- Transportation expenses
- Personal expenses
The university provides strong financial support to its students. More than 95% of Heritage undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. Students receive an average financial aid package of $21,317.00 from all sources, which often covers more than the tuition costs.
Heritage University offers several scholarship opportunities to make education available:
- HU Excellence Scholarships for students with a Student Aid Index below $14,956.00
- Soar Scholarship covering full tuition and lab fees plus a $500.00 annual book credit
- EAGLES Scholarship for non-medical STEM majors
- Yakama Nation Full Circle Scholarship ensuring no out-of-pocket tuition costs
- Dreamers Scholarship providing 100% tuition coverage for up to five years
Heritage University’s admissions office partners with prospective students to explain financial aid options and determine eligibility. The team guides students through federal, state, and institutional aid applications to help them get maximum support.
Additional Information
Heritage University’s alumni community of over 9,000 graduates worldwide creates extensive networking opportunities beyond classroom learning. These connections help MSW students build valuable professional relationships as they enter the field.
Your MSW practicum experience is the substance of your education that blends classroom learning with ground application. The program values culturally responsive practice. Your personal background and life experiences become valuable assets to work as a social worker. Yes, it is important to note that Heritage University sits on the Yakmumamí Tiichám (the traditional lands of the Yakama People), which shows its steadfast dedication to indigenous communities.
The partnership between Educational Service District 105 and Heritage University through the Yakima Grow Your Own Consortium is a chance to work in school-based social work. The participating school districts are:
- Union Gap, Wapato, Toppenish, Mt. Adams
- Granger, Yakama Nation Tribal School, Mabton
- Grandview, Royal and Wahluke
Students who commit to these placements get priority admission and might qualify for partial scholarships.
Graduates become part of a vibrant alumni network that connects through the semi-annual Wings magazine and monthly HUNow e-newsletter. Heritage University’s admissions office helps prospective students connect with alumni mentors who share guidance from their program and field experiences.