Become an Agent of Hope
At King University, you join more than an MSW degree program. You join like-minded, passionate professionals who are deeply dedicated to being change agents for oppressed individuals, families, communities, and organizations. You graduate knowing how to bring lasting hope and help to communities.
Our online, CSWE-accredited, MSW program empowers you to create permanent change with its focus on Clinical Advocacy. You’ll learn how to identify community resources and service gaps, and develop realistic plans to obtain essential resources, revise existing programs, and create new ones. Topics such as grantsmanship and fundraising prepare you to acquire capital that supports long-term advocacy — a skill that puts you ahead of your competition and ensures your clients and communities have hope for a better way of life.
King University’s online MSW degree’s curriculum prepares you for practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. This helps ensure you can engage, assess, plan, intervene and evaluate with all types of clients.
You graduate with your Master of Social Work degree ready to pursue licensure and step into a formal role as a competent clinical social worker.
The Online MSW Degree is Designed For:
- Working adults, so they can study when and where it’s best for them
- Those with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree who wish to advance their career
- Those with a bachelor’s degree in other disciplines who want to pivot their career into social work
Advanced Standing Program
If you have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, the Advanced Standing program will save you time and money in earning your MSW degree. You can complete the program with 30-33 credits in 12 months.
Accreditation
King University’s Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS).
Accreditation applies to all program options, which includes locations and delivery methods.
Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Curriculum: Aligned to CSWE Competencies
In your quest to serve as a clinical social worker, you’ll be guided by faculty who offer you their rich experiences in ethically integrating the ideals of a Christian faith into practice.
The Foundation program consists of 57-60 credits that can be completed within 22 months, or you may take up to 48 months to complete the program if necessary.
The Advanced Standing program consists of 30-33 credits. It can be completed within 12 months, but you can take as many as 24 months to complete the program.
Meet the MSW Program Director
Dr. Clifford Rosenbohm, our MSW program director, is also a commissioner on the executive committee of the Commission on Accreditation, Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) and serves on the Social Work Professional Accreditation Council of the Council of Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU). He developed the program to align with the strict guidelines of CSWE accreditation.
Course of Study
You’ll complete the online MSW program with a total of 57-60 credit hours and 1000 hours of fieldwork to earn your Master of Social Work degree.
If you join the Advanced Standing program, you’ll complete just 30-33 credit hours and complete 550 hours of fieldwork.
| Course # | Title | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOWK 5001 | History & Philosophy of Social Work | This course focuses on the history and development of social welfare philosophy, issues, and systems in the United States from colonial times onward. A major focus is the evolution and contribution of professional social workers in the historical response to human need. The course explores four major themes: (1) the development of social work as a profession; (2) the emergence of social welfare institutions in the United States; (3) the experience of oppressed populations in the United States; and (4) the changing role of government in the provision of social welfare. Values underlying social welfare are examined and the effects of social welfare policies on diverse populations explored. An examination of the fields of social work practice is completed with special attention given to the topics of diversity, social and economic justice, and populations at risk. Application is made to underserved, under-resourced individuals and families of rural Appalachia. | 3 |
| SOWK 5002 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | This course stresses critical thinking regarding theoretical perspectives of human behavior. The course presents a bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective and provides a multidimensional perspective on social work’s person-in-environment (PIE) focus as viewed through a trauma-informed lens. This is followed by an exploration of the various social systems that impact human behavior. This exploration includes an analysis of a variety of theories and application to the social systems social workers address in practice. The course introduces theories about and perspectives on human development across the life span. Issues of values, ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, and populations at risk are infused throughout this course. | 3 |
| SOWK 5003 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | This course focuses on the interactive relationship between individuals on the one hand and mezzo- and macro-systems (groups, organizations, and communities) on the other, examining ways by which social systems promote or prevent people from maintaining or achieving desired levels of social functioning. Content of relevance to professional and personal values, ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, and populations at risk is infused throughout this course. | 3 |
| SOWK 5004 | Practice I | This course focuses on the application of the generalist problem-solving model of social work, especially when combined with the use of principles and techniques of Motivational Interviewing. Emphasis is on the sequential but also interactive phases, tasks, and skills involved in establishing working relationships with client systems, creating, implementing, maintaining, evaluating and terminating one or more interventions. This course focuses on recognizing and building on the strengths, capacities, and resources of individuals, families, and small groups in relation to their broader environments. Content on values, ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, and populations at risk is infused throughout the course. | 3 |
| SOWK 5005 | Practice II | This course focuses on theory and interventions with individuals as members of families and groups. The intention of this course is to develop students' knowledge of various approaches to social work group practice and the ways in which specialized knowledge of clients' life conditions, life circumstances, and significant life events inform social work practice with groups within a generalist framework. Emphasis is placed upon conceptualizing and analyzing social work skills with groups, and the capacity for self-directed practice with groups. Practice with groups is viewed within a generalist framework and encompasses the continuum of social work with groups. This course is based on the belief that there are several important forces directing practice: (1) the diverse needs of the oppressed and vulnerable populations served in social work practice; (2) parameters of service as defined by agency and social policy; (3) the social worker’s theoretical orientation to social work practice with groups; (4) the social worker’s evaluation of their practice with a goal of increasing practice effectiveness. Preq: SOWK 5004 Practice I | 3 |
| SOWK 5006 | Practice III | This course focuses on transferring micro and mezzo level generalist skills to the macro level of practice. It provides skills development in the construction of strategic models and application of techniques that support the process of planned change at macro-level practice within neighborhoods, communities, and organizations. This course focuses on the capacities and resources of large groups, organizations, and communities in relation to their broader environments. Content on values, ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, and populations at risk is infused throughout the course. Preq: SOWK 5004 Practice I | 3 |
| SOWK 5007 | Research | This course is designed to provide students with the foundation knowledge, skills, and ethical appreciation necessary to employ research methods and techniques commonly used by social workers to examine practice issues as well as extend the knowledge base of the profession. An emphasis is placed on the importance of informed consent, social and economic justice, professional values and ethics, and ethical reasoning when conducting human research. | 3 |
| SOWK 5008 | Foundation Field Education I | This experiential course provides students with the opportunity to apply and integrate knowledge, theory and skills content from all courses in the program previously or currently being taken toward the end of enhancing client social functioning, including evaluation of practice with individuals, families, and small groups in community agencies. This course provides the student with the opportunity to engage in social work generalist practice under appropriate professional supervision. Students are expected to conceptually integrate experiences from field education with the content of social work courses taken previously and concurrently. In order to promote this real-time integration of knowledge and skills, students are required to take SOWK 5008 concurrently with SOWK 5005 Practice II. Preq: Field Director’s Approval | 3 |
| SOWK 5009C | Psychopathology & Assessment | This course examines the nature and defining characteristics of the major forms of mental disorder that degrade individuals’ ability to achieve optimal levels of social functioning. It addresses the major diagnostic systems in use within the mental health and social work communities and prepares students in the use of these systems. The course addresses issues of ethics, diversity, oppression, and populations at risk. Preq: SOWK 5002 HBSE I | 3 |
| SOWK 5010B | Organizational Context of Social Work Practice | This course provides conceptual frameworks for understanding the role and role strains of professional social workers in organizational settings and expands students’ capacities to maximize their practice effectiveness in and through organizations, provide organizational leadership, contribute to constructive organizational change and professionally survive the rigors of organizational processes and politics. The course examines organizational goals, structures, environments, and processes that impact service strategies, case decisions, and the achievement of professional objectives. Preq: SOWK 5003 HBSE II or Advanced Standing | 3 |
| SOWK 5011D | Foundation Field Education II | This course builds on SOWK 5008 Foundation Field Education I. The focus of this internship is on the agency and inter-agency contexts of practice and the application of knowledge and practice skills to improve client functioning through their interaction with broader systems. This course also focuses on the opportunities social work practitioners have to improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of helping systems themselves. This course includes specific attention to issues relating to professional values and ethics as well as diversity awareness and intercultural humility. Students are expected to conceptually integrate experiences from field education with the content of social work courses taken previously and concurrently. Preq: SOWK 5008 Foundation Field Education I | 3 |
| SOWK 5012 | Practice in Underserved Areas | This course examines the social and human service environments of geographical areas in the United States that are recognized as underserved and under-resourced with respect to social welfare service delivery. Beyond the exploration of salient social, political and economic dynamics, it also emphasizes knowledge and skill development for professional social work practice in such areas. The course provides a close examination of various models of case management approaches appropriate for the practice of social work as well as models for client-centered advocacy with attention paid to the various roles case management demands (e.g., broker, advocate, educator, counselor, care giver, etc.). This course focuses on working with clients and care givers in building and strengthening social networks with special attention to congregations and religiously affiliated organizations as potential agents of community change. Preq: SOWK 5005 Practice II and SOWK 5006 Practice III or Advanced Standing | 3 |
| SOWK 5013 | Practice with Individuals | This course builds on the values, knowledge and skills of the generalist practice model while emphasizing the application of additional knowledge and skills toward the end of affecting the ways clients process thoughts, feelings and ultimately behavior. The focus is on micro-level assessment and intervention skills for clinical (mental health) practice. Students are expected to develop a sophisticated bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework for assessment and intervention within the context of ethical practice principles. Students are expected to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the key concepts and terms used in cognitive and behavioral treatment (CBT), conduct cognitive and behavioral assessments to identify treatment goals, plan and implement cognitive and behavioral interventions, and evaluate the effectiveness of CBT outcomes toward the goal of using grounded evidence to guide practice decisions. Preq: SOWK 5005 Practice II and SOWK 5009 Psychopathology & Assessment or Advanced Standing | 3 |
| SOWK 5014 | Substance Abuse & Addiction | This course provides advanced practice knowledge and skills in preparation for social work practice involving individuals with or at risk of developing substance abuse-related problems. The course covers principles, instruments, and practice skills in evidence-informed assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, intervention, relapse prevention, and legal/ethical issues related to intervening around substance abuse problems. Students are expected to learn to evaluate the pharmacological mechanisms of dependence, components of addiction-related behavioral change, and issues involved in prevention, intervention, and evaluation of substance abuse and addiction. The course also examines the impact of age, race, gender, social class, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, and physical and mental ability on patterns of addiction. The course also addresses values and professional ethics relating to the individuals experiencing substance abuse and/or addiction issues as well to professional practitioners engaged with them. Preq: SOWK 5005 Practice II and SOWK 5009 Psychopathology & Assessment or Advanced Standing | 3 |
| SOWK 5015 | Advanced Practice Field I | This course provides for supervised social work practice emphasizing the application of recognized clinical interventions as a secondary if not primary intervention modality. The course provides students with opportunities to integrate knowledge and understanding of theories of human behavior, psychopathology, strength, and diversity in clinical practice with individuals with an emphasis on ethical decision making. Client-centered advocacy as expressed by brokering, referral, direct provision of helping services, and activities directed toward the development of new helping resources is expected. In order to promote the real-time integration of knowledge and skills, students are required to take SOWK 5015 concurrently with SOWK 5013 Practice with Individuals. Preq: Field Director’s Approval | 3 |
| SOWK 5016 | Practice with Individuals & Families | This course emphasizes and provides knowledge and skill development for advanced interpersonal interventions with individuals within the context of families and family dynamics. It focuses on skills for (1) developing therapeutic alliances; (2) conducting theory-informed assessments; (3) developing mutually agreed upon intervention plans; (4) conducting evidence-based and theory-informed interventions; and (5) evaluating the individual’s and/or family’s progress and intervention effectiveness. It provides frameworks and skill development for individual and family-wide interventions by emphasizing multimodal integrated approaches to working with individuals in family contexts (e.g., Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy, Solution-Focused Family Therapy and Network Therapy) with diverse clientele experiencing crises for whom a variety of formal and informal helping networks are potentially available. Preq: SOWK 5013 Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SOWK 5017 | Evaluation & Resource Development | This course focuses on the range of knowledge and micro, mezzo, and macro skills needed to develop sound program proposals and to plan and evaluate social programs. Students practice skills needed to collaborate with stakeholders such as community members and organizations, boards of directors, collaborating agencies, and funders. This course examines methods for evaluating the need for or effectiveness of human service programming and for acquiring financial and material resources for developing or expanding such programs (e.g., grant writing, fundraising, campaigns, and lobbying). Preq: SOWK 5006 Practice III and SOWK 5007 Research or Advanced Standing. | 3 |
| SOWK 5018 | Advanced Practice Field II | This course provides for supervised social work practice emphasizing the application of recognized clinical interventions as a secondary if not primary intervention modality. The focus in this course is on intervention with individuals in the context of family dynamics as well as intervention at the family level itself, the organizational context of practice, and the development of programming to improve the levels of social functioning of agency clients or others experiencing significantly impaired social functioning. Students are expected to interpret linkages between the content and experience of this course with all other courses taken as part of the King University MSW curriculum. Preq: SOWK 5015 Advanced Practice Field I | 3 |
| SOWK 5019* | Supplementary Advanced Field Education | This course provides supplemental supervised practice experience for students seeking licensure in states requiring more field instruction than is typical in other states. It provides the opportunity for advanced application of knowledge and skills for the more advanced content to which the student in the King University MSW program has been exposed. Preq: SOWK 5015 Advanced Practice Field I and Field Director’s Approval | 3 |
| SOWK 5020A* | Motivational Interviewing | This course focuses on instructing students in the logic and methods of Motivational Interviewing (MI), a client-centered, yet directive method for enhancing intrinsic motivation for change. Research has shown that MI can be adapted to engage clients in change processes for a wide variety of resistant behaviors as well as a general intervention/interviewing approach applicable to a wide variety of client interactions. Not repeatable for credit for students having earned credit for SOWK 5004 Practice I. Preq: Advanced Standing | 3 |
*As needed for state-specific field credit hour requirement
| Course # | Title | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOWK 5009C | Psychopathology & Assessment | This course examines the nature and defining characteristics of the major forms of mental disorder that degrade individuals’ ability to achieve optimal levels of social functioning. It addresses the major diagnostic systems in use within the mental health and social work communities and prepares students in the use of these systems. The course addresses issues of ethics, diversity, oppression, and populations at risk. Preq: SOWK 5002 HBSE I | 3 |
| SOWK 5010B | Organizational Context of Social Work Practice | This course provides conceptual frameworks for understanding the role and role strains of professional social workers in organizational settings and expands students’ capacities to maximize their practice effectiveness in and through organizations, provide organizational leadership, contribute to constructive organizational change and professionally survive the rigors of organizational processes and politics. The course examines organizational goals, structures, environments, and processes that impact service strategies, case decisions, and the achievement of professional objectives. Preq: SOWK 5003 HBSE II or Advanced Standing | 3 |
| SOWK 5012 | Practice in Underserved Areas | This course examines the social and human service environments of geographical areas in the United States that are recognized as underserved and under-resourced with respect to social welfare service delivery. Beyond the exploration of salient social, political and economic dynamics, it also emphasizes knowledge and skill development for professional social work practice in such areas. The course provides a close examination of various models of case management approaches appropriate for the practice of social work as well as models for client-centered advocacy with attention paid to the various roles case management demands (e.g., broker, advocate, educator, counselor, care giver, etc.). This course focuses on working with clients and care givers in building and strengthening social networks with special attention to congregations and religiously affiliated organizations as potential agents of community change. Preq: SOWK 5005 Practice II and SOWK 5006 Practice III or Advanced Standing | 3 |
| SOWK 5013 | Practice with Individuals | This course builds on the values, knowledge and skills of the generalist practice model while emphasizing the application of additional knowledge and skills toward the end of affecting the ways clients process thoughts, feelings and ultimately behavior. The focus is on micro-level assessment and intervention skills for clinical (mental health) practice. Students are expected to develop a sophisticated bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework for assessment and intervention within the context of ethical practice principles. Students are expected to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the key concepts and terms used in cognitive and behavioral treatment (CBT), conduct cognitive and behavioral assessments to identify treatment goals, plan and implement cognitive and behavioral interventions, and evaluate the effectiveness of CBT outcomes toward the goal of using grounded evidence to guide practice decisions. Preq: SOWK 5005 Practice II and SOWK 5009 Psychopathology & Assessment or Advanced Standing | 3 |
| SOWK 5014 | Substance Abuse & Addiction | This course provides advanced practice knowledge and skills in preparation for social work practice involving individuals with or at risk of developing substance abuse-related problems. The course covers principles, instruments, and practice skills in evidence-informed assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, intervention, relapse prevention, and legal/ethical issues related to intervening around substance abuse problems. Students are expected to learn to evaluate the pharmacological mechanisms of dependence, components of addiction-related behavioral change, and issues involved in prevention, intervention, and evaluation of substance abuse and addiction. The course also examines the impact of age, race, gender, social class, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, and physical and mental ability on patterns of addiction. The course also addresses values and professional ethics relating to the individuals experiencing substance abuse and/or addiction issues as well to professional practitioners engaged with them. Preq: SOWK 5005 Practice II and SOWK 5009 Psychopathology & Assessment or Advanced Standing | 3 |
| SOWK 5015 | Advanced Practice Field I | This course provides for supervised social work practice emphasizing the application of recognized clinical interventions as a secondary if not primary intervention modality. The course provides students with opportunities to integrate knowledge and understanding of theories of human behavior, psychopathology, strength, and diversity in clinical practice with individuals with an emphasis on ethical decision making. Client-centered advocacy as expressed by brokering, referral, direct provision of helping services, and activities directed toward the development of new helping resources is expected. In order to promote the real-time integration of knowledge and skills, students are required to take SOWK 5015 concurrently with SOWK 5013 Practice with Individuals. Preq: Field Director’s Approval | 3 |
| SOWK 5016 | Practice with Individuals & Families | This course emphasizes and provides knowledge and skill development for advanced interpersonal interventions with individuals within the context of families and family dynamics. It focuses on skills for (1) developing therapeutic alliances; (2) conducting theory-informed assessments; (3) developing mutually agreed upon intervention plans; (4) conducting evidence-based and theory-informed interventions; and (5) evaluating the individual’s and/or family’s progress and intervention effectiveness. It provides frameworks and skill development for individual and family-wide interventions by emphasizing multimodal integrated approaches to working with individuals in family contexts (e.g., Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy, Solution-Focused Family Therapy and Network Therapy) with diverse clientele experiencing crises for whom a variety of formal and informal helping networks are potentially available. Preq: SOWK 5013 Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SOWK 5017 | Evaluation & Resource Development | This course focuses on the range of knowledge and micro, mezzo, and macro skills needed to develop sound program proposals and to plan and evaluate social programs. Students practice skills needed to collaborate with stakeholders such as community members and organizations, boards of directors, collaborating agencies, and funders. This course examines methods for evaluating the need for or effectiveness of human service programming and for acquiring financial and material resources for developing or expanding such programs (e.g., grant writing, fundraising, campaigns, and lobbying). Preq: SOWK 5006 Practice III and SOWK 5007 Research or Advanced Standing. | 3 |
| SOWK 5018 | Advanced Practice Field II | This course provides for supervised social work practice emphasizing the application of recognized clinical interventions as a secondary if not primary intervention modality. The focus in this course is on intervention with individuals in the context of family dynamics as well as intervention at the family level itself, the organizational context of practice, and the development of programming to improve the levels of social functioning of agency clients or others experiencing significantly impaired social functioning. Students are expected to interpret linkages between the content and experience of this course with all other courses taken as part of the King University MSW curriculum. Preq: SOWK 5015 Advanced Practice Field I | 3 |
| SOWK 5019* | Supplementary Advanced Field Education | This course provides supplemental supervised practice experience for students seeking licensure in states requiring more field instruction than is typical in other states. It provides the opportunity for advanced application of knowledge and skills for the more advanced content to which the student in the King University MSW program has been exposed. Preq: SOWK 5015 Advanced Practice Field I and Field Director’s Approval | 3 |
| SOWK 5020A* | Motivational Interviewing | This course focuses on instructing students in the logic and methods of Motivational Interviewing (MI), a client-centered, yet directive method for enhancing intrinsic motivation for change. Research has shown that MI can be adapted to engage clients in change processes for a wide variety of resistant behaviors as well as a general intervention/interviewing approach applicable to a wide variety of client interactions. Not repeatable for credit for students having earned credit for SOWK 5004 Practice I. Preq: Advanced Standing | 3 |
*As needed for state-specific field credit hour requirement
Admission Requirements: Do You Qualify for the Online MSW Degree Program?
Students applying for our Master of Social Work degree must have:
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Students with a lower GPA may be considered and accepted on a conditional basis
- Transcripts from all prior universities
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume/CV
To qualify for the Advanced Standing program you must have the requirements above as well as:
- A BSW degree within the past 5 years from a CSWE-accredited program*
- A copy of your final field evaluation that demonstrates excellence in the field
*If you earned a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution more than five years ago but have been working in the field, you are still encouraged to apply to the Advanced Standing program.
Multiple Pathways to Admission
It’s quick and easy to apply to King’s online MSW program. Multiple pathways to admission are available, and you may even qualify for guaranteed admission. Learn more about our requirements and start your application today.
Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship
Tennessee residents who want to earn their MSW at King can now apply for the Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways scholarship, which provides up to $30,000 in tuition aid over a two-year period for those seeking degrees in counseling, psychiatric mental health practice, and more. More details and the portal to apply are available HERE.
Program Outcomes: Graduate Ready for Clinical Practice
Your online MSW degree prepares you for excellence in advanced practice.
As such, the curriculum is aligned with CSWE competencies.* They are:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors
- Engage diversity and difference in practice
- Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engage in policy practice
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities
The Master of Social Work program at King University has added Competency 10 to reflect more clearly the mission and goals specific to King University.
10. Demonstrate Ethical Integration of Faith and Social Work Practice.
*Access the full description and explanation of the CSWE Core Competencies here.
Career Outcomes: Advancement in a Community-Focused Field
As a graduate of King University’s online MSW degree program, you’re empowered to make an immediate and positive impact with the communities and clients you serve.
Career titles include:
- Behavior Health Director
- Mental Health Program Manager
- Counselor
- Outreach Coordinator
Settings and fields of practice for MSW graduates include:
- Administration and Management Settings
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse settings
- Medical settings
- Child and Family settings
- Faith-based social service agencies
- Aging
- Corrections
- Research
- Policy development
- Advocacy
Social Work Licensure
View State Authorization & Professional Licensure Responsibilities
Online Learning
Studying online prepares you for a successful future. Discover a learning format that offers:
- Flexibility and Convenience
- Field Practicum Settings Local to You
- Access to Full-time, Experienced Faculty
- Opportunities to Learn in Multiple Formats
- Practical Application of Skills Learned