Online Social Work Master’s Degree
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Credits
60
Avg. Completion Time
1-2 years (full-time)
2-3 years (part-time)
Delivery Method
Online
Why Earn a Master of Social Work Degree Online through LBC?
At Lancaster Bible College, we recognize the need for competently trained social workers to serve in the Church and society, focusing on the needs of the vulnerable, marginalized and oppressed. Whether through direct practice or in administration, social workers serve a vital role in the global community. If you are passionate about this field, the fully online MSW program at LBC may be for you!
LBC’s Master of Social Work program exists to equip graduate social work students through advanced practice within the purpose and values of the social work profession and the context of a biblical worldview. Through experiential learning in the field and cohort learning, you will enrich the social work field.
MSW Specializations
These are the two specializations offered within the MSW program:
- Clinical Social Work will prepare students to be practitioners and leaders in a wide range of settings in support of promoting the mental health of individuals and families.
- Advanced Child & Family Practice will prepare students to be leaders in the field of child welfare.
Accredited by CSWEThe MSW degree program at LBC is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education Board of Accreditation, cswe.org.
Course Length
16 weeks
Residency Requirement
Monthly online synchronous session via Zoom
MSW Program Cost & Financial Aid
Transfer Agreement
May request to transfer a maximum of 16 graduate credits
License, Certification & Credential Information
Social Work Program Plan
Master of Social Work (MSW) (60 Credits)
Biblical & Theological Course* 3 Credits
Foundation SWK Curriculum 21 Credits
Field Internship 6 Credits
Advanced SWK Curriculum 18 Credits
Specialization Electives 6 Credits
Advanced Field Internship 6 Credits
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details for this online social work degree.
*Review of learner transcript can override these requirements
Schedule a Time to Chat
Want to learn more about this master’s degree or LBC’s graduate school? Consider scheduling an appointment to talk virtually or in person with an Admissions Counselor who will be glad to answer all your questions about earning a master’s degree online.
What makes LBC's Social Work program unique?
The MSW program is online with personalized residencies and synchronous and asynchronous components that offer students a flexible and learning-focused education.
- Advanced Standing (BSW undergraduate eligibility) and Regular Standing (non-BSW undergraduate eligibility) options are available within a cohort.
- Multiple timeline options allow flexibility to complete the MSW degree around the student’s schedule: finish in one year (Advanced Standing, full-time), two years (Advanced Standing, part-time OR Regular Standing, full-time) or three years (Regular Standing, part-time).
- Maintain your busy work and family schedules with convenient evening, weekend and online classes.
- Learn under the instruction of experienced practitioners.
- Prepare for the licensing exam for social workers.
Career Paths With a Social Work Master's Degree
The Master of Social Work degree will prepare you for a wide range of service and/or ministry contexts. Here is a sampling of careers and opportunities this degree affords:
- Child Welfare Supervisor
- Clinical Therapist
- Non-profit Management
- Family Resource Specialist
- Community Liaison
- School Social Worker
- Family Based Therapist
- Health Care Social Worker
Social Work Program Goals - In this program, students will…
- Be prepared for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Demonstrate an understanding of progressive policy and practice, emphasizing advocacy and the advancement of human rights.
- Be prepared for leadership in culturally relevant and competent practice with diverse populations, valuing human relationships in every context.
- Formulate an understanding of assessment, intervention and evaluation strategies.
- Engage in lifelong learning and professional development through research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
- Interpret social work knowledge, values and skills through a biblical worldview.
Choice Your MSW Specialization
By combining the general MSW core generalist practice competencies with one of these specializations, you can customize your course of study to better meet your educational goals. Learn more about each specialization.
Clinical Social Work (CL)
This specialization builds upon the core generalist practice competencies and supports the development of student understanding of the social work purpose and values inherent in the profession. This specialization will support student learning at all three levels of practice: micro, mezzo, and macro. Coursework design is shaped by the social work core values with an emphasis on service, social justice, dignity and worth of all people, valuing human relationships, supporting integrity and competence, and utilizing a scientific approach to knowledge and skill demonstration. Knowledge, values, skills and cognitive/affective processes are integrated into the curriculum which advances the student’s clinical skills through course assignments and field experiences.
Here is the typical CSW course plan for regular standing (full-time) students:
Year One – Fall Term
SWK 500 Foundations of Social Work
SWK 510 Human Diversity and Social Justice
SWK 515 SWK Theories and Life Stage Development
SWK 520 Social Welfare Policy: Foundations
Year One – Spring Term
SWK 525 Micro and Mezzo Generalist Practice
SWK 550 Foundation Internship I (200 hours)
SWK 526 Macro Generalist Practice
SWK 530 Research Methods
Year One – Summer Term
BTC 503 Foundations for Integration or BTC 504 Perspectives on Integration
SWK 551 Foundation Internship II (200 hours)
SWK 610 Cross Cultural Counseling
SWK __ SWK Elective
Year Two – Fall Term
SWK 620 Advanced Policy: Social, Economic and Environmental Justice
SWK 625 Clinical Practice: Individuals and Families
SWK 626 Clinical Practice: Groups
SWK 660 Advanced Practice Internship I (250 hours)
Year Two – Spring Term
SWK 630 Advanced Practice: Organizations and Communities
SWK 640 Advanced Research and Program Evaluation
SWK 661 Advanced Internship II (250 hours)
SWK Elective
SWK Elective
Electives
SWK 552 Psychopharmacology and the DSM V
SWK 556 Child and Adolescent Treatment
SWK 560 Gerontology Clinical Interventions
SWK 562 Addictions and Dual Diagnosis
SWK 566 Crisis Intervention
SWK 570 Health Care Social Work
SWK 568 Trauma Informed Practice
SWK 574 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
SWK 578 Human Sexuality
SWK 681 Independent Study
SWK 685 Master’s Thesis
Advanced Child & Family Practice
This specialization builds upon the core generalist practice competencies and supports the development of practitioner effectiveness in all aspects of child welfare practice. Practitioners are trained in multiple areas from policy development, advocacy, administrative work, and to individual, family and group work for those client systems touched by the complex child welfare system. This specialization touches all levels of practice, advancing the social work core values and supporting the vital purpose for which social work exists. The curriculum will provide opportunities for students to gain advanced knowledge by building upon their experiences in the field. Both coursework and fieldwork will offer students opportunities for skill refinement. Students will reflect on the importance of child welfare staff at all levels of organizational as each member commits to the safety, permanency, and well-being of children to achieve positive outcomes. The curriculum will encourage the development of critical thinking and challenge the students’ affective responses to the complex issues that children and families face within the child welfare system.
Here is the typical Child & Family course plan for regular standing (full-time) students:
Year One – Fall Term
SWK 500 Foundations of Social Work
SWK 510 Human Diversity and Social Justice
SWK 515 SWK Theories and Life Stage Development
SWK 520 Social Welfare Policy: Foundations
Year One – Spring Term
SWK 525 Micro and Mezzo Generalist Practice
SWK 550 Foundation Internship I (200 hours)
SWK 526 Macro Generalist Practice
SWK 530 Research Methods
Year One – Summer Term
BTC 503 Foundations for Integration or BTC 504 Perspectives on Integration
SWK 551 Foundation Internship II (200 hours)
SWK 611 Diversity in Child Welfare Settings
SWK __ SWK Elective
Year Two – Fall Term
SWK 613 Advanced Child Welfare Policy
SWK 628 Advanced Child Welfare Practice: Individuals and Families
SWK 629 Advanced Child Welfare Practice: Systems and Groups
SWK 660 Advanced Practice Internship I (250 hours)
Year Two – Spring Term
SWK 630 Advanced Practice: Organizations and Communities
SWK 640 Advanced Research and Program Evaluation
SWK 661 Advanced Internship II (250 hours)
SWK Elective
SWK Elective
Electives
SWK 552 Psychopharmacology and the DSM V
SWK 554 Forensic Interviewing
SWK 558 Family Engagement Approaches
SWK 562 Addictions and Dual Diagnosis
SWK 564 Interprofessional Collaboration in Child Welfare
SWK 572 Supervision and Administration
SWK 568 Trauma Informed Practice
SWK 576 Achieving Permanency for Children and Youth
SWK 681 Independent Study
SWK 685 Master’s Thesis
Meet the Faculty of the Social Work Program
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