About

Learn more about the MSW program at Seattle University.

Mission

The mission of the Seattle University Master of Social Work (SU MSW) program is to educate students for social justice-focused and community-based advanced clinical social work practice. The program seeks to advance equity in access to excellent clinical social work practice for historically marginalized populations by preparing competent and effective practitioners who restore, maintain, and enhance human and community well-being with unwavering attention to social and economic justice. The program is committed to respectful engagement and collaboration with community partners in its scholarship, teaching, and service.

Vision

The SU MSW program adopted as its program values eight core values of the social work profession delineated in the CSWE Educational Policy 1.0: service; social justice; the dignity and worth of the person; the importance of human relationships; integrity; competence; human rights; scientific inquiry.

Goals

The goals of the SU MSW program are to prepare social work students to:

  1. Affirm the purpose, ethics, and values of social work profession in their professional use of self.
  2. Respect human diversity; critically consider the impact of intersectionality on human development and functioning, and clinical relationship from a person-in-environment framework and a global perspective.
  3. Promote well-being and empowerment of individuals, families, and groups through competent and effective advanced clinical social work practice.
  4. Understand manifestations and mechanisms of oppression and collaborate with communities to advocate for policies and practices that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
  5. Apply critical reflection, respect for diverse paradigms of knowledge, and critical thinking to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
  6. Develop the capacity for empowering leadership roles in community-based clinical social work practice as advanced practitioners, supervisors, consultants, and administrators.

CSWE Benchmarks

Seattle University’s MSW Program successfully achieved benchmarks for all CSWE competencies. Learn more.

Social Justice Statement

Learn more about our commitment to social justice in our curriculum.

Non-Academic Technical Standards for Social Work Education

Applicants considering admission to SU’s Social Work Program must evaluate their capacity to learn and apply, with or without accommodations, the specific non-academic criteria outlined below. These criteria, hereinto called technical standards, explain the following skills: effective use of communication and interpersonal skills, respect for diversity, equity and inclusion, exercise stress management skills, demonstrate self-awareness, and adhere to SU’s academic standards and the profession’s conduct and ethical standards.

Communication is defined as the transfer and exchange of messages in all modalities, which can include verbal and non-verbal forms of communication (Matsumoto et. al., 2013). The form of communication used must first and foremost serve to engage with clients and constituents (i.e. practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities). Students must prepare to learn and apply the following:

  • A capacity to convey empathy and self-reflection within all aspects of social work practice.
  • A capacity to express feelings and ideas that contribute to learning transfer and integration.
  • A capacity to suspend judgment when listening to others.
  • Be proficient in the verbal and written English language. English is the language by which course content, classroom discussions, and assignments are articulated at Seattle University.

Interpersonal skills involve the application of behaviors and types of communication to effectively interact with others. In social work practice, interpersonal skills are integral to achieving the overall wellbeing of client systems (i.e. individuals, families, groups, and/or communities). Students must prepare to learn and apply the following:

  • An ability to interact with diverse clients and constituents, including colleagues (students and field agency staff), faculty, and organizational leadership.
  • Recognize the importance of exercising empathy as an acknowledgement of the multivariate lived experiences of others.
  • Understand the importance of operating within established channels to resolve conflicts and affect change towards the overall wellbeing of clients and constituents.
  • An ability to apply problem-solving skills that respond to personal and academic challenges.

Seattle University prohibits discrimination and/or harassment based on an individual’s lived experience and social/cultural identities. The Social Work Program promotes an equitable and inclusive learning environment within classroom and field practicum settings. Students must prepare to learn and apply the following:

  • An appreciation for diversity and inclusion of people’s lived experiences and social and cultural identities.
  • Commitment to increasing awareness of one’s own personal biases and how they impact the learning and demonstration of social work practice.
  • Receptivity to acknowledging structural and systemic inequities that marginalize and disenfranchise diverse populations.
  • A capacity to respond to inequities and foster inclusive practices in the learning environment and through practice in the field.

When learning new information and skills, particularly those that are challenging to take in, students may experience a stress response (Sue, 2013). Managing personal stress is demonstrated through an ability to be aware of how stress impacts emotions when interacting with others (MacCann et al., 2011; Goleman, 2006). The ability to manage personal stress is imperative for effective social work learning and practice. Students must prepare to learn and apply the following:

  • Exercise organizational and time management skills to consistently prepare for and be punctual to class and field practicum.
  • Meet due dates, keep appointments, and proactively plan for the unexpected when preparing for course and field education requirements.
  • Navigate transportation and travel to and from field practicum.
  • When needed, identify supports and strategies to manage personal stress.

Self-awareness is an active and continuous process of understanding ourselves, how we make decisions, and being conscious of how we behave in different situations (Trevithick, 2018). Self-awareness and interoceptive awareness skills increase one’s capacity for emotional understanding and the ability to have attention and tolerance for the physical sensations, feelings, and thoughts experienced between individuals in the present moment. The ability to exercise these skills helps social workers maintain attention on growth and restoration during practice (Porges, 2011). Students must prepare to learn and apply the following:

  • A commitment to examining one’s own values, beliefs, biases, prejudices and how they impact behavior and interaction with others.
  • A commitment to critically examining one’s lived experiences and beliefs.
  • A capacity for applying critical thinking skills in their knowledge and skill development of social work practice.
  • The ability to accept constructive feedback and use resources (i.e. supervision) to facilitate learning and skill development. 

Acceptance to and continuance in the Social Work Program is contingent upon students upholding the academic requirements necessary for completion of degree requirements at Seattle University. Applicants must attest to the accuracy and authenticity of all items in their application package. Upon admission, students are expected to uphold the technical standards. Students must also adhere to the ethical standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, Seattle University’s Professional Conduct Policy: Appeal Procedures and Code of Student Conduct.

Practicum

During each year of the Seattle University MSW program, students are matched and placed at approved social service agencies under the supervision of trained MSW Practicum Instructors. In addition, they participate in an integrative seminar with members of their cohort. The MSW program offers placements in more than 65 community sites. All students confer with the Field Director prior to placement.

The MSW program offers field placements in diverse settings such as: mental health counseling, children, youth, and family programs, hospitals/medical, addictions, school- based counseling, child welfare, gerontology, state and local justice systems, and many community-based programs that focus on immigrant/refugee mental and social health, LGBTQ services, domestic and gender-based violence, housing insecurity and trauma.

Practicum Hours

  • The 2-Year MSW program offers 1,000 hours of practicum
    • Year 1: 400 hours (8 hours per day, 2 days per week)
    • Year 2: 600 hours (8 hours per day, 3 days per week)
  • The Advanced Standing program offers 600 hours of practicum
    • 8 hours per day, 3 days per week 

Find answers to common questions about your Field Practicum and Practicum Sites.

Get in Touch

If you have any questions about the program or application, we’re here to help!

Ashley Miller

Senior Admissions Counselor

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