Master of Social Work at Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Joseph’s University’s graduate programs blend compassionate service with detailed education, built on Jesuit principles. The university’s School of Education and Human Development has launched a Master of Social Work (MSW) program that embodies these values. The program especially emphasizes cura personalis — care for the whole person — which lines up with core social work principles.
The MSW program at Saint Joseph’s University sets itself apart with its innovative design that puts student well-being and academic success first. The faculty has created a program with flexible, asynchronous online learning. Students can access discounted tuition through the university’s mission discount and alumni discount programs.
The program breaks new ground with its zero textbook cost policy, introduced by the program director who supports the Open Education movement. This approach removes financial barriers to learning and promotes eco-friendly, practical scholarship. The program director founded Open Social Work, creating the largest library of open access textbooks and resources for social work faculty.
On top of that, Saint Joseph’s tackles a big challenge in social work education — students must complete 900 hours of practicum experience. Instead of using traditional unpaid internships, the university helps students find paid clinical opportunities. This fresh approach cuts financial pressure on students while keeping high educational standards.
Students get access to Saint Joseph’s rich campus resources, including the prominent Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support, which are a great way to get hands-on experience. More opportunities come through ACESJU (Alliance for Catholic Education at SJU). MSW students can join a 2-year residential program serving Catholic education and social service sites in the region. They receive reduced tuition, housing, and a monthly stipend.
The curriculum mixes practical work with online courses in ethics, diversity, theory, community-based activism, and social justice. Students can earn an Addiction certificate by using two of their electives toward this credential.
Psychology, sociology, and criminal justice undergraduates at Saint Joseph’s can choose a 4+2 accelerated option. This lets them start MSW coursework in their senior year. Students move smoothly from undergraduate to graduate studies while getting quality education and practical experience.
Saint Joseph’s University shows its steadfast dedication to preparing compassionate, skilled social work professionals who make meaningful contributions in a variety of communities through this carefully designed program.
Programs offered
Saint Joseph’s University offers a flexible Master of Social Work program that adapts to different educational backgrounds and schedules. Students can choose from multiple paths to earn their degree based on their needs.
Students need 62 total credit hours over two to four years to complete the traditional MSW program. Those with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) can qualify for advanced standing, which requires only 32 credit hours completed in one year. The accelerated track starts with a summer bridge course in July and lets students choose between one-year intensive or two-year flexible options.
Psychology, sociology, and criminal justice undergraduates at Saint Joseph’s can benefit from the 4+2 accelerated program. Students can start their MSW credits during senior year and complete both degrees in six years rather than seven, which reduces their overall tuition costs.
Students can choose between full-time and part-time study plans. The fastest full-time track requires 9-13 credits per semester across six consecutive semesters, with completion in two calendar years. Part-time students take 3-7 credits over eleven semesters and can finish within four years.
The MSW program director meets with each incoming student to help them choose from 20 different academic plans. This customized approach will give a learning path that matches their career goals and personal needs.
Classes are delivered through:
- Live 90-minute Zoom sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings (1-3 nights weekly based on course load)
- Asynchronous activities via Canvas, Panopto, and Google Workspace that need 3-9 hours of additional study time per class each week
Students can earn their entire MSW degree online, including practicum experiences, without any in-person requirements. Small class sizes and low faculty-to-student ratios help create meaningful connections and provide individualized instruction.
Students can boost their expertise through the innovative DREAM Fellowship, which brings together social work, counseling, and behaviorist graduate students. Fellows participate in complete professional development, attend goal-aligned conferences, and develop future presentation proposals.
Saint Joseph’s MSW program stands out as one of Pennsylvania’s most adaptable online MSW options. Working professionals get quality education while being part of a supportive learning community throughout their educational trip.
About the online program
Saint Joseph’s University’s online MSW program blends excellent digital learning with interactive engagement to create the perfect balance between education and your busy life. The program runs 100% online, so you can complete your MSW degree and all practicum experiences from anywhere without residency or in-person requirements.
The program caters to working professionals with live 90-minute Zoom sessions scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings, based on your course load. Students attend 1-3 nights weekly. You can complete engaging activities through Canvas, Panopto, and Google Workspace between these live sessions. Each class requires about 3-9 hours of additional study time per week.
Saint Joseph’s understands that most MSW students work full-time while studying. The university offers multiple paths to earn your degree. Students can take 2-3 classes each semester and start foundation classes in any semester. This flexibility lets you complete your degree in as little as one year or extend it up to four years.
The program stands out with its groundbreaking zero textbook cost policy, introduced by a faculty member who promotes the Open Education movement to challenge financial gatekeeping of knowledge. A program developer explained, “We need to ensure students’ basic needs are met as best as possible so they can actually learn and create the best learning environment possible – that’s our job”. Students can access free e-books, journal articles, and scholarly materials through the university library and open educational resources.
Small, community-focused classes maintain a low faculty-to-student ratio to ensure personalized instruction and meaningful connections. Full-time faculty members provide detailed academic and career advising to help with coursework, job searches, practicum placements, and licensure preparation. Regular online social events and specialized training opportunities help build genuine connections throughout your educational experience.
Students shape the program through a union system where elected cohort representatives attend program meetings, help develop policies, and collect peer feedback. The online platform called The Nest provides detailed support services, including health, mental health, simple needs assistance, and financial wellness tools.
Success in the program requires a computer with reliable broadband internet that supports synchronous and asynchronous video and audio collaboration. The university provides all required software at no extra cost.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a vital quality indicator that proves the educational standards and professional preparation of any MSW program. Saint Joseph’s University’s Master of Social Work program earned its accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). This achievement came after a rigorous peer-review process that will give a clear picture of the program’s quality standards.
The CSWE accreditation process looks at whether a program has enough resources to achieve its mission and goals. The BOA’s full assessment showed that SJU’s program meets everything in the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Students in Pennsylvania’s online MSW programs get the same high-quality education as on-campus students, whatever the location or delivery methods.
The program went through CSWE’s candidacy process before getting full accreditation. This candidacy status showed that the program made big strides toward meeting quality standards. Students who enrolled during candidacy become graduates of a CSWE-BOA accredited program once the program gets its original accreditation.
Saint Joseph’s University also holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This steadfast dedication to excellence extends to all sju graduate programs.
This accreditation brings important benefits to prospective students. The program’s quality and its graduates’ competence are guaranteed. The NYS Education Department’s Office of the Professions approved the MSW program as a licensure qualifying program in New York state. This means your degree meets all educational requirements for licensure there.
Each state has its own professional licensing requirements. You should check with your state’s professional licensing board to confirm the program meets their specific needs. The CSWE accreditation makes it more likely that multiple jurisdictions will recognize your degree.
SJU’s MSW program is Long Island’s newest accredited program. It joins other CSWE-accredited programs that maintain higher standards. These programs create respectful and responsible social workers ready to serve communities of all types.
Admission Requirements
Your journey to one of Pennsylvania’s most available online MSW programs starts with meeting the admission requirements. Saint Joseph’s University welcomes students from different academic backgrounds through multiple admission pathways.
Students need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to enter the Regular Standing MSW program. This path welcomes transfer students and current Saint Joseph’s undergraduates who participate in the 4+2 program.
Students with a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program can qualify for the Advanced Standing option, which needs a higher undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.2. This faster path recognizes your social work education foundation.
SJU graduate programs stand out because of their Provisional Admission pathway. Students who show promise for graduate-level work might receive provisional admission even with GPAs below the minimum requirements. This shows the university’s commitment to equity, particularly for students who faced learning challenges. Students in this pathway take up to two classes in their first semester to show they can maintain a 3.0 GPA at the graduate level.
The application steps are simple. Students must apply online and submit official college transcripts from every institution they attended. They also need to provide a personal statement, professional resume, and two recommendation letters.
The university reviews applications throughout the year. New students can start their studies in fall (August), spring (January), or summer (May) terms.
International students should know they cannot use the online program to support an F1 student visa. They can enroll from their home country by showing proof of English language proficiency and submitting a certification of finances with their application.
Tuition
Saint Joseph’s University’s MSW degree requires a serious investment, but the university keeps its tuition rates competitive with other online MSW programs in Pennsylvania. The MSW program offers affordable tuition at $879 per credit, which makes it a smart choice to advance your social work career.
Students in the traditional 62-credit MSW program pay around $54,498 in total tuition. The advanced standing 32-credit option brings this cost down to about $28,128. These amounts don’t include room and board, health insurance, or any professional fees you might need. The School of Education and Human Development prices all its graduate programs at $879 per credit.
SJU understands students’ financial challenges and provides several ways to lower your costs. Merit scholarships become part of your admission review automatically – you don’t need a separate application. The university also offers valuable discount programs such as:
- A 10% alumni discount for SJU graduates
- Mission discounts for those who completed service with recognized organizations
- Employer partnerships through Edcor and Bright Horizons EdAssist members
The university provides detailed support for financial planning during your educational experience. SJU wants to create financial aid packages that help you focus on your education without worrying too much about money. This approach reflects SJU’s Jesuit mission to make quality education available while recognizing a graduate degree as a valuable investment in your future.
Many future students ask about extra costs beyond tuition. The MSW program stands out among SJU’s graduate programs because it doesn’t charge for textbooks. This approach shows the university’s steadfast dedication to removing barriers in online MSW programs throughout PA.
Additional Information
Saint Joseph’s University goes beyond academic excellence by offering complete support services to improve your MSW experience. Qualified students can apply for graduate assistantships by contacting the program director about current opportunities. The university’s status as a Yellow Ribbon School means it welcomes GI education benefits, and dedicated Veterans Service staff help you understand and access these benefits.
You’ll receive exceptional professional development through SJU’s extensive career resources. The university collaborates with leading employers in a variety of industries, including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Comcast Corporation, and Penn Medicine. SJU’s reliable alumni network of over 63,000 LinkedIn-connected professionals worldwide benefits graduates.
Student Support & Well-being provides personal guidance during challenging times. This office helps coordinate support after critical situations and makes students aware of university resources that improve their academic experience. These services align with Jesuit principles of caring for the “whole person” and help students develop strategies to maintain social, personal, and academic stability.
The Career Center links students to valuable internship opportunities—with 18,108 positions posted on Handshake during the 2021-2022 academic year. Recent placement data shows 98% of SJU graduates were hired, continued their education, or participated in full-time volunteer service shortly after graduation.
As you progress through one of Pennsylvania’s premier online MSW programs, faculty members provide customized attention and remain dedicated to your success during and after your time at Saint Joseph’s.