M.A. in Counseling: Addiction
The M.A. in Counseling: Addiction is a 60-semester hour program that prepares individua...
Master of Social Work
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The Kutztown MSW program is a 60-credit curriculum for traditional students and a 39-credit advanced standing program for those with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. The curriculum is structured to move from a generalist foundation year to an advanced year with a concentration, fostering depth and specificity in knowledge, particularly related to the family in its social environment. Students engage in significant hands-on learning experiences through extensive field internships, preparing them for direct practice and leadership in various social work settings.
CSWE Accreditation: Kutztown University's Master of Social Work program holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation is a crucial indicator of program quality, ensuring that the curriculum meets national standards for social work education. CSWE accreditation signifies that graduates are well-prepared for professional practice and are eligible to pursue licensure and certifications in social work across various states, enhancing their credibility and career mobility. The program has maintained its accreditation since 2003, with its latest reaffirmation extending to October 2026.
Curriculum: The MSW curriculum at Kutztown is comprehensive, covering foundational social work knowledge and advanced specialization. The generalist level (first year for traditional students) includes courses in human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policies, social work practice with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities, along with research methods and foundational internships. The advanced specialization level focuses on the "Family in its Social Environment" and includes courses like applied family policy, advanced theories of social work practice, applied methods of social work research, and extensive advanced internships (900 hours total). Students also complete six 1-credit elective courses from a broad range of topics, allowing for specialization in areas such as Behavioral Health, Community Development, Leadership and Management, or Family and Child Wellness. A Capstone Experience culminates the program.
Research Focus: The Department of Social Work at Kutztown University strongly emphasizes scholarly inquiry and applied research. The university hosts several Social Work Institutes, including the Addiction Studies Institute, Institute on Children & Families, Institute on Justice, Institute on Local-Global Connections, and Institute for Social Work in Mental Health and Professional Wellness. These institutes serve as a nexus for scholarship, curricular innovation, and community-based solutions, providing opportunities for faculty, students, and community partners to engage in research related to social problems, needs assessment, and program efficacy. Students are encouraged to develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills, applying research methods to real-life social work contexts.
Industry Engagement: Kutztown University's MSW program demonstrates robust industry engagement through its extensive field internship requirements and strong ties with human service providers and community agencies. Students complete a total of 900 hours of agency-based practicum experience, providing invaluable hands-on learning and direct service to individuals, families, and communities. This collaboration ensures that the curriculum remains relevant to current practice demands and that graduates are well-prepared for the workforce. The Social Work Institutes further facilitate collaboration between the program and community professionals, fostering technical assistance, networking, and shared expertise.
Global Perspective: Kutztown University's social work program is guided by a global perspective, as stated by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) itself. The curriculum incorporates "Intercultural Issues in Counseling" and similar content across its programs, ensuring that students develop cultural competence and an understanding of global social problems, including racism, oppression, and policy within an international context. The Institute on Local-Global Connections within the Department of Social Work actively promotes awareness of global social work issues, creates research and scholarship opportunities with a global lens, and fosters cross-cultural exchange. The annual "Social Work in the Global Environment Conference" further exemplifies the program's commitment to thinking globally and acting locally, preparing students to address social justice issues on both local and international scales.
Location
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 16793
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Kutztown University is dedicated to supporting international students by offering scholarship opportunities that help reduce the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize academic excellence and encourage talented students from around the world to join the university community.
Merit-Based Scholarships: New international undergraduate students are automatically considered for a 40% out-of-state tuition reduction, which significantly lowers tuition costs. In addition, Kutztown University offers limited merit-based scholarships for high-achieving international students based on their academic records, leadership qualities, and extracurricular involvement.
Renewable Scholarships: Many scholarships at Kutztown University are renewable, provided students maintain a minimum GPA requirement throughout their studies. This encourages sustained academic performance and rewards continued excellence.
Special Program Scholarships: Certain departments and programs may offer additional scholarships targeted at international students pursuing specific fields of study. These scholarships aim to attract diverse talents and foster specialized academic communities.
Graduates of Kutztown University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program, which is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), are highly versatile professionals prepared for advanced clinical practice, advocacy, and leadership roles across a broad spectrum of human service settings. The program's "Family-In-Environment" perspective and emphasis on applied research equip them to address complex social issues with a holistic and evidence-based approach.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): This is a primary career path. With additional supervised clinical hours post-graduation, MSW holders can become LCSWs, providing individual, group, and family therapy in private practice, mental health clinics, hospitals, or community agencies, diagnosing and treating mental health and behavioral disorders.
Child, Family, and School Social Worker: These professionals work to ensure the well-being and safety of children, supporting troubled parents, advocating for children's rights, assisting in adoption and foster care processes, and connecting families with vital resources within school systems or child welfare agencies.
Medical/Healthcare Social Worker: Operating in hospitals, clinics, hospice care, or nursing homes, medical social workers help patients and their families cope with illness, injury, and disability. They provide emotional support, facilitate communication with medical teams, and connect patients to financial, emotional, and practical resources for navigating the healthcare system and discharge planning.
Substance Abuse and Addiction Social Worker: Working in specialized treatment centers, outpatient clinics, or community organizations, these social workers provide counseling and support to individuals and families affected by substance use disorders, focusing on recovery, relapse prevention, and addressing co-occurring mental health issues.
Mental Health Case Manager/Coordinator: In this role, social workers assist individuals with mental health challenges in accessing and coordinating a range of services, including therapy, medication management, housing, employment, and social support, ensuring comprehensive and integrated care.
Geriatric Social Worker: Specializing in the unique needs of older adults, these social workers provide support and advocacy related to aging, elder abuse, healthcare access, long-term care planning, and end-of-life decisions, often working in senior centers, nursing homes, or home health agencies.
Community Organizer/Development Specialist: Leveraging their macro-level social work training, graduates can work to empower communities, identify needs, mobilize resources, and advocate for policy changes that address systemic social problems such as homelessness, poverty, or inadequate access to services.
Corrections/Forensic Social Worker: These social workers assist incarcerated individuals, ex-offenders, and their families, or crime victims, to navigate the criminal justice system, provide counseling, facilitate rehabilitation programs, and help individuals reintegrate into society.
Policy Analyst/Advocate: With a strong understanding of social welfare policies, MSW graduates can work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or advocacy groups to research, analyze, and influence public policies that promote social justice and improve the lives of vulnerable populations.
Program Director/Administrator: Experienced MSW graduates can advance into leadership and management roles within social service agencies, non-profits, or government departments. They oversee program development, manage staff, secure funding, and ensure the effective delivery of services, driving organizational impact.
