Social Work (M.S.W.)
Our mission is to train competent and ethical professionals who: embody integrity, value all people, serve their communities, and pursue social justice. Our program is designed for commuter students with one day a week classes. This makes it easy to complete your degree while still managing the demands of life.
The BSW and MSW programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Learn about our online Doctor of Social Work program.
The Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology offers a Master of Social Work degree that is offered on three campuses: College Place, WA; Billings, MT; Missoula, MT
Program Highlights
- No GRE required
- Clinical focus
- Dedicated field director for field placement
- Transfer credits accepted
- Enrollment now open each fall quarter
- Blended hybrid courses (online and in-person)
Preferential Deadline
May 1
All admission documents must be in to guarantee a slot (if eligible).May 22
Ballmer Behavioral Health Scholarship application deadline. Must be accepted or have admissions file completed for review by this date.
Final Application Deadline
August 15
Ballmer Behavioral Health Scholarship
Partner universities in Washington are pleased to announce the Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative’s Ballmer Behavioral Health Scholarship Program, a conditional grants program. Individuals applying to or enrolled in accredited counseling, marriage and family therapy, and social work graduate programs in central, eastern, and western Washington who have a commitment to working in the behavioral health field are invited to apply.
The Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative (WDI) invests heavily in the potential of the future human services workforce—students—as a powerful force for systems change. The Ballmer Behavioral Health Scholarship Program is designed to attract highly committed, capable, and diverse cohorts of students who will enter key professional roles in the state’s behavioral health sector—debt‐free or substantially debt‐relieved. After graduation, students commit to working at a community behavioral health agency in Washington state.
The Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative is centered around services provided in community behavioral health agencies and at tribal health centers addressing their unique workforce demands. See the following highlights:
- Placement at an approved community behavioral health agency is required.
- Students should plan to commit to working in the field at an approved Ballmer site post-graduation. For three years as a regular standing student and one and a half years for advanced standing students. WA state residency is also required post-graduation.
- Awards up to $51,500 over two years, amount disbursed to a Master of Social Work student varies on financial need shown.
- Apply online after completing your MSW application.
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited
- Regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Low student-faculty ratio
Format: Blended hybrid learning model with three location options (College Place, WA; and Billings, MT)
Classes meet six times a quarter on-campus and meet about five times online on Monday. We will rotate two Mondays in-person and two online with synchronized sessions. Completely face-to-face option expected to be offered again starting Fall 2023.
Credits:
- 79 credits regular standing track
- 300 field hours in generalist setting and 600 practicum hours in advanced clinical setting.
- 49 credits advanced standing track (for BSW graduates from an accredited school with a 3.0+ GPA)
- 600 supervised practicum hours in advanced clinical setting
Length: 2 years or less
Loan repayment as low as $375 if using financial aid.*
- Scholarships, Grants, Financial aid, Stafford Loans and ‘pay-as-you-go’ plans are available.
- Master of Social Work Child Welfare Training Grant (available only at Billings, MT extension program)
- Learn more about finances for graduate students >
Montana Campuses
In addition to the main campus in College Place, Washington, the Master of Social Work degree is offered on two campuses in Montana—Billings and Missoula.
The Walla Walla University Master in Social Work (MSW) program in Montana offers the same graduate curriculum that is offered on the main campus in College Place, Washington. The focus of the program is advanced clinical practice. Students may take electives in areas such as addictions, aging, child welfare, children and families, mental health, medical social work, and school social work.
An MSW can be earned in six quarters. A four quarter advanced standing program is also available to BSW graduates who have graduated from a CSWE accredited institution.