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Master of Social Work

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Contact Information

School of Public Service

573.875.7524

SPS@CCIS.edu

We transform learners into leaders in nursing, criminal justice, social work, human services and education. Your commitment meets our dedication, equipping you to make a meaningful difference in your community.

Meet Your Faculty

Why Study Social Work?

Starting Fall 2025

Pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) represents a significant stride towards a gratifying career dedicated to uplifting individuals and communities. Beyond preparing you for licensure and advanced practice, this degree provides a pathway to job security and a wide array of career opportunities. As a professional in the field of social work, you are trained to empower individuals, champion social causes, and spearhead impactful societal transformations—a calling that embodies both purpose and fulfillment.

Due to state licensure requirements, students in the state of Missouri who are planning to enroll in Fall 2025 must enroll in the part-time (3-year or 4-year) program option.

What You'll Learn

Our Master of Social Work curriculum prepares you to tackle complex social challenges and implement impactful solutions. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of human development and behavior across the lifespan and develop direct practice skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Additionally, you will learn to conduct research and program evaluations, develop advocacy and leadership skills, promote social justice, and cultivate cultural humility and anti-racist social work practices.

At Columbia College, you will have an opportunity to specialize in one of two tracks:

  • Advanced Clinical Practice
  • Organizational Leadership and Change

You can also choose to concentrate on military social work within the Advanced Clinical Practice specialization.

Program Details

View the core requirements for the Master of Social Work at Columbia College.

View Core Requirements

Traditional applicant: A bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 overall GPA

Advanced Standing applicant: A bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program and a 3.0 overall GPA

Additional application materials to submit:

  • Official transcripts
  • Current resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
    • Advanced Standing applicants: One letter must be from your BSW practicum liaison and one letter from your BSW practicum instructor
  • Personal statement (respond to the following prompts)
  1. Please share a personal experience that motivated you to pursue a career in social work. How did this experience shape your values, perspective, and commitment to serving others?
  2. Social work often involves navigating complex ethical dilemmas. Please describe a time when you faced an ethical challenge in which you were confronted with making a decision or taking an action that challenged your integrity, professional competence, or ethical practice. Please share how you approached and resolved the situation while upholding ethical principles.
  3. Social work is committed to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Effective social work practice requires cultural humility and a deep understanding of diverse communities. Please share with us a specific instance when you had to confront your own biases or assumptions in order to better understand and support someone from a different cultural background.
  4. Graduate school involves a commitment of both time and resources. Managing coursework, practicum expectations, and other personal commitments can be challenging. Please describe how you will modify your schedule to accommodate this time commitment. Please include a plan of how you will adjust your personal and professional life in order to be successful in the MSW program.
  5. You have chosen to apply to a completely online MSW program. Please discuss your level of competency in utilizing technology, making sure to elaborate on both your strengths and your opportunities for growth.

View Admission Steps

As a student in our Master of Social Work program, you will have the opportunity to select an area of specialization that aligns with your career goals and interests. You can choose between Advanced Clinical Practice and Organizational Leadership and Change.

Advanced Clinical Practice: This specialization is designed for those who wish to focus on direct clinical work with individuals, families and groups. Within this area, you can further specialize in military social work practice, gaining the skills and knowledge to support military personnel, veterans and their families.

Organizational Leadership and Change: This specialization prepares you for leadership roles within social service organizations. You will learn to manage and drive change within organizations, developing strategies to improve services, advocate for policy changes and lead teams effectively.

Both specializations offer in-depth training and practical experience, equipping you with the expertise needed to excel in your chosen field and make a significant impact in the community.

Careers & Outcomes

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a notable 9% employment growth from 2021-2031 for this field, and graduates of the Master of Social Work program at Columbia College are well equipped for diverse career paths, such as:

  • Mental Health: Private practice, community mental health, substance use treatment facilities or crisis intervention
  • Policy and administration: Policy research organizations, political offices or government policy-making agencies
  • Government Agencies: Adult and child welfare, social service departments or public housing
  • Military: Veteran Affairs, veteran centers or any of the military branches
  • Healthcare: Hospitals, outpatient clinics or hospice care centers
  • Schools: K-12 or College level
  • Criminal Justice: Correctional facilitates, juvenile detention centers or probation and parole offices
  • Corporate Sector: Employee assistance programs, human resource departments or professional sports teams
  • Gerontology: Nursing homes, assisted living facilities or senior centers
  • Research and academia: Universities and colleges, think tanks or research institutions

Accreditation 

The Columbia College Master of Social Work (MSW) program is currently in pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Columbia College will be reviewed for candidacy in October 2025. Students who are admitted to pre-candidacy programs in the academic year in which the program is granted candidacy will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation. Being a graduate of an accredited social work program is needed for licensure in all states. Some states require attainment of full accreditation prior to student graduation in order to sit for the licensure exam. Please check the current list of states where students may be admitted and enrolled in courses. Candidacy is a 3-year process and attaining pre-candidacy does not guarantee that a program will attain candidacy or initial accreditation. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.

Where You Can Take Classes

At Columbia College, our flexible options make it easy to adapt to changing circumstances and pursue your education wherever life takes you. Many of our degrees are offered 100% online. If you prefer a traditional classroom experience, you can attend selected classes at our nationwide locations or at our main campus in Columbia, Missouri. Students at all locations will engage with multiple learning methods, including online and virtual while completing their degree.


By submitting this form, you expressly consent to Columbia College contacting you via email, phone, or text, including automated technology for calls and texts to the provided wireless number. Message and data rates may apply. Your consent is not necessary for purchasing goods or services.

Contact Information

School of Public Service

573.875.7524

SPS@CCIS.edu

We transform learners into leaders in nursing, criminal justice, social work, human services and education. Your commitment meets our dedication, equipping you to make a meaningful difference in your community.

Meet Your Faculty

because a future built by you is a future built for you.

Too many people have been made to feel that higher education isn’t a place for them— that it is someone else’s dream. But we change all that. With individualized attention and ongoing support, we help you write a new story for the future where you play the starring role.

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