Master's Degree in Social Work
Master of Social Work
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Master of Social Work Degree Program Overview
Purdue University Northwest’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares you to be a competent, professional and ethical advanced generalist social worker. Our program is structured to support social work leaders who are committed to anti-oppressive social work practice.
PNW’s MSW degree program is designed to meet the competencies identified by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The MSW program has two options, traditional or advanced standing for students with a bachelor’s degree in social work.
For questions about PNW’s MSW, please email socialwork@pnw.edu.
Department of Behavioral Sciences
PNW graduates have a high success rate and a robust regional network. Our faculty maintains strong relationships with the community, including 100 local agencies that host internships for Social Work majors.
PNW has offered an accredited BASW program since Fall 2016 and is very excited to offer an MSW program for students to complete their undergraduate and graduate education and begin their journey to becoming licensed social workers.
The mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is to prepare competent, professional and ethical advanced generalist social workers who are committed to anti-oppressive social work practice by advocating for social, racial, economic and environmental justice for all vulnerable populations.
Master of Social Work Degree Program Curriculum
With an emphasis on an anti-oppressive social work lens, our MSW program is a perfect combination of theoretical and practical knowledge to prepare you to work with individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities in this interconnected global world.
Master of Social Work Course of Study
Students can complete their BASW and MSW here at PNW. Contact socialwork@pnw.edu to learn more!
Traditional MSW Admissions Requirements
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 system) with a Baccalaureate degree from accredited colleges and universities attended;
- Completion of the following behavioral science coursework:
- at least one course in psychology, sociology or anthropology;
- at least one course in American history, American government or economics;
- at least one course in human biology;
- at least one course in statistics.
Fall Year I (15 hours)
- Ethics, Professionalism and Self-Care
Spring Year I (12 hours)
- Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities
Fall Year II (15 hours)
- Psychopathology and SW Assessment I
Spring Year II (15 hours)
- Advances Social Policy Analysis and Advocacy
Advanced Standing Admissions Requirements
The Advanced Standing pathway is for students who received a Baccalaureate degree in Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 system).
We are currently accepting applications only for the Traditional MSW program.
Advanced Standing cohort will begin in Summer 2026 with the deadline of January 15, 2026.
Summer I (9 hours)
- Advanced Generalist Anti-Oppressive Social Work
Fall I (12 Hours)
- Clinical Interventions in Social Work
Spring I (15 Hours)
- Social Work Capstone
Master of Social Work Degree Program Highlights
Our MSW degree program is an applied, license-eligible, professional degree program. Faculty share real-world social work experience, model ethical behavior and engage in service alongside their students.
Master of Social Work Degree Program Outcomes
Graduates of our MSW program are eligible for state licensure (LSW).
Master of Social Work Degree Program Career Paths
An MSW from PNW prepares you for a social work career in industries including:
- Government
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Mental and deaddiction centers
- Advocacy agencies
Master of Social Work Degree Program Accreditation
The MSW program at PNW is currently in the process of gaining pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Students admitted into the MSW program in Fall 2025 and later will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation.
Meet the Faculty
Professor of Social Work | MSW Director
Shreya Bhandari is a social work educator, practitioner and researcher. In addition to serving as a faculty member, she also leads the MSW program.
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Chun Liu is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the Department of Behavioral Sciences. He currently teaches Social Work Research and Institutional Social Welfare.
Director of Practicum Education and Clinical Assistant Professor
Robin Miller is responsible to guide the internship sequence of the social work program in an educationally sound manner, while helping to develop future social workers in their readiness for ethical work.
Clinical Assistant Professor | BASW Director
Pamela Saylor is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences. With a history of program development in social services, she is the founding director of the social work program. Pamela serves on Faculty Senate, the Experiential Learning Committee, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB) Committee.
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Professor I-Hsuan Lin is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Purdue University Northwest. Professor Lin has many years of direct and indirect social work practice experience working with women and their families in government and NPO settings.
Brittney Autry Cole, DSW, LCSW
Assistant Professor, Social Work
Brittney Autry Cole is a professor in the Social Work Program at Purdue University Northwest, where she is dedicated to advancing the field of social work through teaching, research and community engagement. With a Doctorate in Social Work from The University of Pennsylvania, Professor Cole’s expertise encompasses trauma in Black women, holistic healing modalities for Black women and early intervention wellness practices in Black girls.
Earn a Master of Social Work at PNW
Whether you just completed your undergraduate studies or are looking to take the next step to advance your career, Purdue University Northwest’s master of social work degree program prepares you for a career in a wide range of social work industries.
Our graduate studies staff is ready to help you take the next step! Contact us at (219) 989-2257 or socialwork@pnw.edu to see how PNW can meet your needs.
