Northwest Nazarene University MSW

Northwest Nazarene University is essential to higher education in the Northwest region, with a rich heritage dating back to 1913. The university sits on a sprawling 90-acre campus in Nampa, Idaho. This vibrant city has over 100,000 residents and stands just 18 miles west of Boise, the state capital. Students from various faith backgrounds feel welcome at this private Christian institution that maintains strong bonds with the Church of the Nazarene.

The university’s growth spans more than a century, with 34 buildings thoughtfully designed for optimal use. NNU reaches beyond its main campus to provide face-to-face graduate programs. Students can study Social Work in Idaho Falls and Counseling in Twin Falls.

NNU blends faith with academic excellence at its core. The Social Work Department shows this perfectly through its cross-disciplinary curriculum and behavioral science foundation, viewed through a Christian perspective. Faculty members prepare students to create meaningful change in their communities. They help students connect their faith to professional practice and find ways to improve social conditions through hands-on involvement, policy changes, and legislative initiatives.

The university has seven distinct colleges, with the Social Work programs housed in the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences. This structure supports 16 different degree types, 64 undergraduate majors that cover 80 areas of study, and 24 areas of emphasis in graduate programs.

Dedicated faculty members drive NNU’s academic excellence. The university employs 119 faculty members, including 103 teaching staff. An impressive 75% hold the highest degrees in their fields. Students benefit from a 14:1 student-faculty ratio that allows for customized attention and mentorship. The university’s stability grows stronger with 41% of faculty holding tenured positions.

Fall 2024 enrollment was 1,635 students – 1,043 undergraduate and 592 graduate students. This smaller size creates a tight-knit community while offering complete academic opportunities.

Northwest Nazarene University has got national recognition for its quality education. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks it among the Best Regional Universities in the West. The Princeton Review also lists it in their Best Colleges in the West. The university proudly holds the “College of Distinction” title, highlighting its dedication to student engagement, quality teaching, active community, and graduate success.

The Master of Social Work program thrives in this distinguished setting, building on the university’s 111-year-old traditions of academic excellence, ethical development, and real-life professional preparation.

Programs offered

Northwest Nazarene University’s Master of Social Work program gives students the tools they need to excel in advanced social work practice. The program places special emphasis on serving rural and small-town settings both domestically and internationally. Students can choose between two distinct concentrations based on their career goals in social work.

The Clinical Mental Health & Addictions concentration teaches students to provide psychotherapy and addiction services to individuals, families, and groups. Students learn applicable theories for behavioral health settings and get plenty of chances to practice these approaches. The program helps them build professional relationships with clients of all backgrounds who face challenges with alcohol, drug abuse, and behavioral addictions. Students also learn specific content about trauma-focused practice.

The Integrated Clinical & Community Practice (ICCP) concentration blends training in practice fields of all types. This option works great for students who want to explore clinical or community social work beyond psychotherapy. This adaptable track has content on integrated behavioral health, child welfare, medical social work, criminal justice, and macro practice. Students interested in macro practice can find field placement opportunities in almost any setting.

NNU’s MSW program makes learning accessible with flexible options that work well for professionals. Students can pursue their degree:

• Virtually or on campus with weekend classes
• Through distance learning classrooms in Idaho Falls
• Via synchronous online attendance (for those living/working more than 40 miles from classroom locations)
• Through an asynchronous online program (Generalist level starting Fall 2025, with Specialized/Advanced courses following in Fall 2026)

Multiple entry points and timelines are available. Fall admission at the Generalist level takes seven semesters (28 months) to complete, while Advanced Standing students finish in four semesters (16 months). Spring admission extends the program to eight semesters (30 months) for Generalist students and five semesters (18 months) for Advanced Standing students. All students must attend summer sessions.

Students who have earned a BSW or B.A. in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program can qualify for Advanced Standing status. The program also lets students complete both specializations through the Dual Specialization schedule.

Students in both specialization tracks must complete 600 hours of practicum/internship experience. This hands-on learning component will give graduates both theoretical knowledge and practical skills they need to succeed in social work settings of all types.

About the online program

The online MSW program at Northwest Nazarene University adapts to your busy schedule if you have work or family commitments. Students can choose from virtual classes, on-campus evening and weekend sessions, or distance learning classrooms in Idaho Falls. Anyone living more than 40 miles from classroom locations can attend online synchronously without losing educational quality.

NNU will launch an asynchronous online program at the Generalist level in Fall 2025. Specialized/Advanced standing courses will follow in Fall 2026. Students can learn and interact with faculty and peers whenever it suits them, though it costs $25 more per credit. Notwithstanding that, this cost creates opportunities for professionals who can’t attend scheduled live sessions.

The program excels especially when you have a clinical focus. Students develop advanced skills in mental health interventions, addiction counseling, and community-based practice while preparing for professional licensing through the Clinical Mental Health and Addictions specialization. A hands-on 600-hour practicum turns theoretical knowledge into practical expertise. This integrated approach has led to impressive outcomes, with the program achieving a remarkable 98% job placement rate.

NNU understands the challenges of distance learning despite its convenience. The university’s strong support services and resources help online students direct both technological and academic challenges. This steadfast dedication means you’ll always have support throughout your educational experience.

Quality remains the top priority in NNU’s online programs. The university’s membership in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) validates program quality and consumer protection standards for distance learning. Students can pursue their degree confidently, knowing their education meets established measures of excellence.

Students can complete field practicum requirements in their local communities, with placements that fit their schedules and locations. This thoughtful arrangement reduces travel needs while maximizing practical learning opportunities. NNU’s approach to online education shows its commitment to making advanced social work education available without compromising academic excellence or professional preparation.

Accreditation

Quality assurance in higher education depends on strict accreditation processes. Northwest Nazarene University’s accreditation status represents educational excellence and institutional integrity. This status builds confidence among academic communities and the general public.

The university’s accreditation experience spans almost a century. Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) granted accreditation to NNU as a junior college in 1930, followed by four-year institution status in 1937. NNU has managed to keep this regional accreditation through NWCCU’s seven-year cycle of written reports and peer-evaluation committee visits. The university completed its latest evaluation cycle with a successful site visit in October 2023, which led to reaffirmation of accreditation status in spring 2024.

Northwest Nazarene University’s Social Work program holds specialized national accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at both undergraduate and graduate levels. This prestigious designation confirms your MSW education meets professional standards set by the leading accrediting body for social work education in the United States.

CSWE accreditation offers significant benefits to MSW students. Your curriculum covers core competencies that social workers must develop during professional training. The degree meets prerequisites for professional licensure in states of all sizes. The program measures and reports student learning outcomes based on CSWE standards and sets specific measures for each competency. Scores at or above these measures prove your grasp of competencies needed for professional practice.

Northwest Nazarene University holds institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission of Colleges & Universities (NWCCU), a regional accreditation body recognized by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). This comprehensive accreditation framework proves the MSW program meets quality standards from both regional and specialized accrediting bodies.

Students planning to practice outside Idaho should understand the practical implications of accreditation. The MSW program guides students toward professional licensure, and NNU participates in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). Review your intended practice location’s professional licensure requirements before enrollment to ensure your NNU MSW meets those standards.

Admission Requirements

Northwest Nazarene University’s MSW program looks for candidates who can excel in clinical social work. The admission process aims to assess both academic qualifications and personal qualities needed to succeed in this field.

You need a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. The program expects a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, with a 3.0 or higher preferred in your major field. Your application might still qualify if your overall GPA is below 2.75, as long as your junior and senior year GPA reaches 3.0 or higher.

Your academic background must show completion of at least 21 semester credits in liberal arts subjects with a grade C or higher. These subjects include psychology, sociology, political science, economics, statistics, research, and communication. This foundation ensures you have the interdisciplinary knowledge needed for graduate-level social work education.

The application package requires several components:

• Background check (applicants with felonies involving moral turpitude are not admitted)
• Official transcripts demonstrating academic achievement
• Personal statement/writing sample
• Evidence of potential to practice social work (field supervisor evaluations, recommendation letters)
• Demonstration of simple computer technology knowledge

The next step involves an interview with an MSW faculty member that includes a role-play interaction with a simulated client. This helps determine if you’re a good fit for the program and the social work profession.

Students with BSW degrees from CSWE-accredited programs can qualify for Advanced Standing status. BSW graduates must take two refresher courses in Generalist Policy and Research if their degree is more than five years old. Degrees older than ten years require completion of a Generalist Comprehensive Assessment, and your scores determine if you need additional coursework.

The university maintains strict academic standards. Academic credit is never awarded for life or work experiences, whatever their relevance to social work practice. This policy upholds the program’s academic integrity and professional standards.

Tuition

Your MSW education at Northwest Nazarene University represents one of the most important financial investments you’ll make. The university makes this valuable credential accessible through clear pricing and support options.

The MSW program’s tuition structure is easy to understand with two delivery options:

• In Person & Live Online Format: $598.00 per credit
• Fully Online Format: $623.00 per credit

The program charges a technology fee of $150.00 per semester to all MSW students. This fee supports the resilient infrastructure that delivers quality social work education on multiple platforms.

Your financial aid process starts with your program application. You must first apply and receive acceptance to the MSW program. The next step involves completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). NNU’s Office of Financial Aid will then review your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for various assistance options.

You’ll receive a Financial Aid Award Notification that details your eligible support. Students who plan to use federal loans must complete entrance counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Previous year borrowers are exempt from this requirement.

Federal funds will reach your NNU student account after you attend your first day of class. The Business Office can help you get a book voucher about a week before term starts if you need textbooks early and your aid is ready.

Note that you need to reapply for financial aid each year. This step will give you continued access to funding throughout your educational experience at Northwest Nazarene University’s distinguished MSW program.

Additional Information

Northwest Nazarene University provides complete support systems that help MSW students succeed both professionally and personally during their academic trip.

Student success depends heavily on wellness resources. NNU’s Wellness Center makes counseling services available through an easy walk-in system [link_1]. Graduate students can get consultation, referral, and crisis services all year long. The center’s Director can arrange personality inventories, group sessions, and crisis assistance when departments need extra support.

Career preparation is the foundation of NNU’s experience. The Career Development office gives students the tools they need to find jobs by helping them:

• Create effective resumes
• Learn interviewing techniques
• Build alumni networking connections
• Find internships and job opportunities

Students can attend career events year-round, including specific career fairs, development workshops, and networking sessions that help them meet potential employers. MSW graduates heading into specialized clinical roles find these resources particularly valuable.

International students get dedicated support through:

• Orientation and visa information help
• F1 and J1 visa document management
• Transfer guidance
• Employment advising
• Compliance support

NNU’s Wesleyan-Holiness tradition shapes the MSW program, preparing graduates to practice at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Program Director John Stennett brings rich experience in social services administration and child protective services. Students learn from faculty with ground expertise under his leadership.

This supportive environment creates remarkable graduates like Nice Loufoua. She fled the Republic of Congo as a child and later earned her social work degree with honors from NNU. Her story shows how NNU’s community promotes excellence even when circumstances get tough.