Master of Social Work

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The EWU MSW Program prepares graduates for professional practice in rural and urban settings and across areas of practice including child welfare, mental health, addictions, disabilities, housing, poverty, domestic and societal violence, criminal justice, veterans and military families, education, healthcare, palliative care and aging. Through a combination of core courses and specialized electives, each graduate builds a plan of study to fit each career path.

During the foundation year in the generalist practice curriculum, students learn the values, knowledge, and skills common to all research-informed social work practice to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Particular attention is given to equity, diversity, and advocacy for human rights and justice – social, environmental, and economic. A field practicum begins in the foundation year of the curriculum.

During the final year in the advanced generalist practice curriculum, students learn to apply the person and environment construct in the context of field practicum and advanced courses in clinical assessment and evidence-based treatments, research methods, organizational and policy analysis, program development, and administrative practices. Special attention is given to the development of leadership skills to work for the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons. The program embraces social, economic, and environmental justice in all areas of practice.

For further information or questions, please email the Graduate Program Director at MSW@ewu.edu  Or you can phone Dr. Deb Svoboda at 509.359.6832.

MSW Application Information

Information Sessions

Join our MSW Graduate Program Director via Zoom to learn about the MSW Program and the 2026-27 Application Cycle. We encourage all potential applicants to attend before applying.

Can’t attend?
Contact the Graduate Program Director at msw@ewu.edu to schedule an appointment.

Register Now

Thanks for your interest! Information sessions to begin in September 2026, watch for dates here. For MSW program information, contact MSW@ewu.edu

Program Options

The EWU School of Social Work offers a full-time MSW Program in Cheney that can be completed in two years (six quarters, excluding summers). The core curriculum is offered in-person weekdays at the Cheney campus. The core courses also include online activities and materials.

First-year classes are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and second-year classes (including Advanced Standing) are held on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Core curriculum classes are held in four-hour blocks, and most elective courses are held online.

Practicum field experience takes place over five quarters and starts in the winter of the first year. In addition to attending classes and seminars, a practicum is scheduled for 16-20 hours per week.

Our practicum placement process is very structured, and placement is carried out by the Director of Field in partnership with the student. Placements are not arranged by students. The Field Office works closely with the student and agency field placement to ensure social work student learning goals are met.

Go to the MSW Program Application Schedule to confirm current application cycles and deadlines.

For more information about the program and curriculum, contact Dr. Deb Svoboda at MSW@ewu.edu or 509.359.6832. For information about the application process, please contact Chris Babcock, Student Services Coordinator at cbabcock@ewu.edu or 509.359.6485.

Plan of Study

The EWU School of Social Work’s Spokane Part-Time Program offers an MSW degree that can be completed in three years. The program is designed for individuals whose work and family obligations would otherwise be a barrier to pursuing a Master of Social Work degree. The coursework is a combination of in-person and online instruction with the in-person content delivered three weekends per quarter. The Spokane Part-Time MSW Program holds classes at the EWU Spokane campus serving central Washington and northern Idaho. Practicum placements are selected from among agencies within the student’s own community.

Go to the MSW Program Application Schedule to confirm current application cycles and deadlines.

Questions? Please contact the program at SpokanePTMSW@ewu.edu  or 509.828.1406.

Plan of Study

Eastern Washington University’s Everett Part-Time Hybrid MSW Program is located at Washington State University Everett. The program is designed for individuals whose work and family obligations would otherwise be a barrier to pursuing a Master of Social Work degree. EWU at Everett offers a hybrid format, which includes online coursework and in-person evening class sessions. In-person class sessions are held two evenings per week, every other week, over three years. Practicum placements are selected from among agencies within the student’s own community. This program serves students living in Everett, Seattle, Bellevue and the surrounding communities.

Go to the MSW Program Application Schedule to confirm current application cycles and deadlines.

For more information, contact Lynn Lewis at llewis14@ewu.edu or 425.405.1629.

Plan of Study

The EWU School of Social Work offers a 90-credit Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in both full and part-time options. The two part-time programs in Everett and Spokane are not open for a new cohort of students every year, check the MSW Program Application Schedule for programs accepting applications.

The EWU School of Social Work also offers a 51-credit Advanced Standing MSW Program for students who have completed a BSW or BASW from a CSWE accredited program. Advanced Standing is offered in both full and part-time MSW Programs. Check the MSW Advanced Standing page for more information.

Apply Now

Our Mission

The EWU MSW program educates advanced generalist practitioners who lead with an anti-oppressive perspective to empower marginalized communities. The MSW program prepares social work leaders grounded in ethics, social work values, scientific inquiry, an intersectional lens, and local to global perspectives to promote human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.

Financial Information

GRADUATE TUITION & FEES

  • MSW part-time program students pay differential tuition for their MSW program. Check the course of study for the tuition and fees for the Spokane and Everett Part-time MSW programs.
  • MSW full-time program students pay the regular graduate tuition for their MSW program.
  • For current costs, visit the Graduate Studies Tuition & Fees webpage.

SCHOLARSHIPS OPPORTUNITIES

EWU awards over $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,500 students each school year. Fill out our comprehensive scholarship application before Feb. 1, to be eligible for scholarships during the following academic year. Graduate Service Appointment (GSA) and other waivers for out-of-state students may also be available.

Social Work Scholarships EWU Financial Aid

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Social Work, Master of Social Work (MSW)

The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a professional degree offered in the EWU School of Social Work (SSW) accredited social work program. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) sets the national standards for social work education included in the 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.  

In the standard MSW Program (full-time or part-time), students complete 90 credits of required and elective coursework. A portion of those credits include practicum experience in government agencies, non-profit/profit agencies, and community organizations. The required coursework is delivered fully in-person for the full-time program and in a hybrid format for the part-time programs (partial online and partial in-person). Locations and methods of coursework delivery are outlined in MSW Program Options in the catalog under Social Work-Graduate. 

The plan of study is a prescriptive outline of courses for each program option to be completed by students. Successful completion of each quarter is required to move to the next quarter with limited exceptions due to the prerequisite status for social work core courses including practicum and practicum seminar. The 500 and 600 level Generalist and Specialized required courses listed below are only open to EWU enrolled graduate social work students. Only one 400 level course can be used towards a graduate degree at EWU.

Grade Requirements: Must maintain a cumulative GPA ≥3.0.

Generalist Curriculum
SOWK 525RESEARCH METHODS FOR PROGRAM AND PRACTICE EVALUATION5
SOWK 530ORGANIZATIONAL AND COMMUNITY PRACTICE5
SOWK 531SURVEY OF SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY AND POLICY ANALYSIS5
SOWK 532REFLECTIVE PRACTICE IN SOCIAL WORK5
SOWK 533INTEGRATED SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I: INDIVIDUALS5
SOWK 540CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN CONTEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTS5
SOWK 571GENERALIST PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR4
SOWK 580INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM2
Specialized Curriculum
SOWK 526RESEARCH METHODS II5
SOWK 553INTEGRATED SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE II: FAMILIES AND GROUPS5
SOWK 568SOCIAL ACTION AND LEGISLATION5
SOWK 602CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS AND EVIDENCE INFORMED TREATMENT5
SOWK 603SOCIAL WORK LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION5
SOWK 605IMPACT PROJECT SEMINAR4
SOWK 671SPECIALIZED PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR (must be repeated)9
Electives16
Total Credits90

Plan of Study 

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking with the academic department is paramount in keeping an individual plan current.

MSW Full-Time Program

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
SOWK 5255SOWK 5315SOWK 5305
SOWK 5325SOWK 5335SOWK 5712
SOWK 5405SOWK 5712Social Work Elective14
SOWK 5802  
 17 12 11
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
SOWK 5535SOWK 5265SOWK 6035
SOWK 6025SOWK 5685SOWK 6054
SOWK 6713SOWK 6713SOWK 6713
Social Work Elective14Social Work Elective14Social Work Elective14
 17 17 16
Total Credits 90

MSW Part-Time Program

First Year
Summer QuarterCreditsFall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
SOWK 5325SOWK 5405SOWK 5335SOWK 5315
SOWK 5801SOWK 5801Social Work Elective14SOWK 5712
 6 6 9 7
Second Year
Summer QuarterCreditsFall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
SOWK 5255SOWK 5305SOWK 5535SOWK 6025
SOWK 5711SOWK 5711SOWK 6712SOWK 6712
  Social Work Elective14 
 6 6 11 7
Third Year
Summer QuarterCreditsFall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
SOWK 5265SOWK 6035SOWK 5685SOWK 6054
SOWK 6711SOWK 6712SOWK 6711SOWK 6711
 Social Work Elective14 Social Work Elective14
 6 11 6 9
Total Credits 90
1

Electives - Required 16 elective credits, 4 of which must be in SOWK except when student is earning a graduate certificate or dual degree, then 16 credits can be from other approved programs.

Student Learning Outcomes

2022 Social Work Competencies (Council on Social Work Education)