Master of Social Work | Advanced Standing
5:1 student-to-faculty ratio
3 pathways: direct, macro, and individualized
$75,069 mean salary per year in Indiana for MSW graduates* *According to ZipRecruiter, 2024 report.
VALUE OF A VALPO GRADUATE DEGREE
Valpo is one of the highest–ranked institutions in the Midwest for academic reputation and value, with manageable options for graduate tuition. Scholarships and early entry options are available for especially qualified students. This program also qualifies for the Back2Beacon Graduate Scholarship. If you are a Valpo undergraduate alumni, you may qualify for a 30% scholarship toward your graduate degree. Visit valpo.edu/aid to learn more.
Step into your calling with Valparaiso University’s advanced standing master of social work — where your passion for service becomes the power to uplift lives and spark lasting change.
Valparaiso University’s master of social work (MSW) program continues a legacy of excellence within the field that will set you apart as a high-quality and distinguished social work professional within mental health settings, schools, the criminal justice field, and beyond. Students can complete the MSW program online or in-person.*
The program will equip you to enter the workforce as an Advanced Generalist practitioner. Within this specialization, you’ll select a pathway — direct, macro, or individualized — tailored to uniquely prepare you to practice in your area of interest. This individualized approach, along with our cohort model and small class sizes, will create a meaningful experience, producing students who will lead — and thrive — in the classroom and beyond.
Designed for students with a bachelor of social work from an accredited program, the advanced standing MSW pathway lets you build on your foundational knowledge while accelerating your professional goals. You’ll dive directly into specialized coursework and field placements, emerging as a confident and prepared leader in clinical, community, and organizational settings. Valpo MSW students don’t just graduate with a degree — they graduate with a network that will support them for a lifetime.
Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a graduate admission counselor today! Email us at grad@valpo.edu
*The only exceptions are summer courses (in-person) and electives (online). Fall and spring courses are all in the evening to accommodate working professionals.
Below is a sample full-time curriculum map (advanced standing)
*Research methods note: Students must take a statistics class prior to SOCW 666 course, and could take an online statistics class over the summer or during the year to fulfill this requirement.
