Master of Social Work

MSW Program Director - Katie Gorman-Ezell, Ph.D., LISWS

Social Work Department Chair - Renda Ross, Ph.D., LISWS

Associate Professors - Katie Gorman-Ezell, Ph.D., LISWS, & Renda Ross, Ph.D., LISWS

Assistant Professor - Anna Stewart, BSW, MSW, EdD, LISWS

Field Education Director - Debbie Fournier, BSW, MSW, LISWS

Social Work Department Mission

The Capital University Department of Social Work is committed to the provision of excellent educational preparation for generalist and advanced social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Consistent with the mission of Capital University the Social Work program transforms the lives of students through an inclusive and supportive learning community. They learn the knowledge, skills, and practice behaviors that support their work with diverse populations, cultures, and practice settings.

MSW Program Mission

The Social Work Department Master of Social Work Program at Capital University mission is to provide a high quality advanced social work education that prepares students for multi-level practice informed by critical perspectives of theory and research. Faculty mentor students’ mastery of evidence-based and critical practices that empower and respect diversity within and among families, groups, communities, and organizations, and global societies. Graduates are champions of social work’s dedication to human rights, equity, systemic change, and the elimination of poverty.

Accreditation

With approvals from the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Capital University’s MSW program has officially earned Candidacy status from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditors.

The program is on track for Initial Accreditation in Fall 2027. Once granted, all students who graduated during or after the 2025-2026 academic year will be recognized as graduates of a fully accredited program. This accreditation confirms that the curriculum meets the rigorous Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) required by CSWE.

Application and Admission Requirements

Admission criteria are set by CSWE and MSW Program Faculty in accordance with Capital University admissions policies. There are general admissions criteria, and specific admissions criteria for Advanced Standing. Council on Social Work Education (2022) requires that all MSW applicants hold a “…baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association” (CSWE, 2022, p. 70). Applicants will also need a minimum institutional GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Advanced Standing

Applicants must have earned a BSW from a CSWE accredited institution or from the International Association of Schools of Social Work
Earned a grade of “B” or better in all undergraduate social work courses
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale)
Complete online application
Original transcripts from each college/university attended
Two professional references and their contact information
Personal statement
Response to the essay prompt
Field Education Evaluation
Advanced Standing eligible students who do not meet the minimum requirements for the ASAP Program will be eligible for admission into the 2-Year MSW Program

Admission into the institution and master’s program occurs simultaneously.

Application Process

Potential applicants will access admissions guidelines and materials through our program website. They will need to complete an application packet that includes a demographic sheet, course load and specialization selection tool, personal and professional statements, and qualitative and quantitative reference sheets. Two reference sheets must be completed by professional contacts (e.g., professors, field instructors, supervisors, etc.) of the applicant. Program admission is contingent on submission of an official transcript from their undergraduate institution and final learning agreement evaluation (ASAP).

International Applicants

In addition to the requirements detailed above, international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by meeting the university’s TOEFL or IELTS requirements.

Application Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. See Admission Policies and Procedures for Adult and Graduate Students for application deadlines. We recommend adhering to the deadlines, though application review and admission will continue beyond these dates as space permits:

Academic Policies

The following Academic Policies apply to all students in the Master of Social Work programs. They are subject to revision by the Social Work Department and faculty.

Grading Policy

The grading scale for MSW courses is the following:

92.0-100% A (4.00)
90.0-91.9% A- (3.67)
88.0-89.9% B+ (3.33)
82.0-87.9% B (3.00)
80.0 - 81.9% B- (2.67)
78.0-79.9% C+ (2.33)
72.0-77.9% C (2.00)
70.0-71.9% C- (1.67)
< 70 F (0.00)

Graduation Requirements

Formal graduation ceremonies are scheduled once a year, at the end of the spring semester. To qualify for graduation, candidates must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and complete all requirements. All candidates must complete an application for graduation, available online from the Registrar’s Office during the semester BEFORE the one in which they plan to complete their course work.

The application for graduation will prompt a program evaluation regarding eligibility for graduation. Details regarding the commencement exercises are sent to students in the early Spring. Diplomas are awarded at the end of each semester; however, formal graduation ceremonies are held only at the end of spring semester.

PLEASE NOTE: ONLY THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED ALL REQUIRED COURSE WORK MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONY.

Incompletes

A grade of Incomplete indicates that work has not been completed by the end of the semester or module due to circumstances beyond the student’s control. An Incomplete is student initiated. If the Professor thinks the situation warrants an Incomplete, an Incomplete form will be filed with the Registrar’s Office. To remove the “I” grade, the student must satisfy conditions set up by the Professor within the specified time table and a new grade must be submitted to the Registrar no later than eight weeks after the last day of the semester or the Professor’s discretion in which the student enrolled in a full term course (15 weeks) or three weeks after the conclusion of a modular course (7 weeks). If an Incomplete grade is not removed on or before these dates, the student will receive an “F” (Failing Grade) for the course.

Leave of Absence

Please refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Graduate Bulletin.

Readmission to the Program

Please refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Graduate Bulletin.

Attendance and Participation

Students in the Capital University MSW Program are expected to attend, engage, and participate in all of their courses. In cases of emergency, family crisis, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances that fall within the acceptable excused absence requirement by the University, please notify the instructor before class and bring the proper documentation to the next class. Please note that if you miss 25% or more classes across the semester, then you will be unable to pass the course.

Plagiarism

Use, in part or in full, of the work, ideas, or writing of another without credit is considered plagiarism and is subject to disciplinary action.
Consulting material(s) in the preparation of a grading instrument that is (are) not allowed by the course instructor is considered a serious violation. In this situation, the instructor may assign a grade of F for the instrument and for the course.

Withdrawal from the University

Please refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Graduate Bulletin.

MSW Program Learning Outcomes

The accreditation policy from CSWE requires programs to also articulate program goals that derive from program mission. These goals are related to but distinct from program learning outcomes. The Social Work Department MSW Program Goals are:

To provide students a practice foundation that includes social work values and ethics, principles of justice, and cultural humility;
To prepare students with the knowledge and skills for generalist social work practice in service of individuals and families, groups and communities, and institutions and societies;
To further students’ generalist knowledge and skills for advanced practice with individuals and families, groups and communities, and institutions and societies; and
To make contributions through program graduates, collaborations, and scholarship.

MSW Schedule & Planning

MSW courses will be delivered in a predominantly hybrid format on Tuesday evenings, Thursday evenings, and Saturdays.