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Master of Social Work 

Social work is one of the fastest growing professions, with an increasing need for masters-level social workers in the clinical, advocacy, and policy arenas. Moravian University launched its new online Master of Social Work program in Fall 2023 and is excited to welcome future cohorts of students. MSW students will benefit from the interdisciplinary focus of the School of Behavioral & Community Health, collaborating with students and faculty from the College of Health. Through a blended curricular structure of online, asynchronous classes and four weekend residencies per semester, students will gain the benefit of accessible education and hands-on experience.

Spring 2025 Deadlines

* Students submitting applications for full-time, regular standing after May 1, 2024 may not have the same options available for their practicum experience. Part-time applicants will have greater flexibility with start dates without limiting their options for field placement/practicum. 

Regular Standing: (new and transfer students)
Priority Deadline: Friday, November 15
Regular Deadline: Friday, December 13

Advanced Standing:
Priority Deadline: Friday, November 15
Regular Deadline: Friday, December 6

Students wishing to start in the Spring should plan on part-time enrollment, with the opportunity to meet with the Program Director to discuss an individualized pathway as needed.

By the Numbers

11%

Increase in social work employment is projected to between 2018-2028, leading to more than 81,000 new jobs (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

700,000+

Professional social workers employed in the United States, and more than three million worldwide (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021)

Program Mission

Our mission is to create educational and professional opportunities to educate and train healing-centered clinical and macro practice social workers dedicated to anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice, with a commitment to enhancing the lives of all people, locally and globally, through innovative, value-oriented, and competency-based education. Our interdisciplinary, interprofessional training approach highlights theoretical, applied, field-based, person-centered, and topical knowledge, allowing students to specialize in working with marginalized populations as clinical social workers or macro-level practitioners. 

Our two areas of specialized practice include:

  1. Healing-centered clinical practice  (clinical track)
    1. Going beyond trauma-informed care
    2. Anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion infused throughout the curriculum
  2. Healing-centered macro practice
    1. Social justice & working with marginalized communities
    2. Advanced knowledge in working with the LGBTQQIA+ community 

Program Overview

Customize Your MSW Experience

Students can choose one of three pathways to complete their 60-credit degree. Unsure of what to choose? Speak with your Student Experience Mentor for guidance in selecting the best option for you!

Full-Time Students

If you have a bachelor's degree outside of social work and are seeking a full-time program, you can complete the required coursework in a 2-year time period, taking 15 credits each Fall and Spring, or with optional summer classes to lighten the load in your Specialization Year.

Part-Time Students

If you have a bachelor's degree outside of social work and are seeking a part-time program, you can complete the required coursework in a 4-year time period, taking 6 or 9 credits each Fall and Spring, with optional summer classes to lighten the load.

Advanced-Standing Students

If you have a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) from a CSWE*-accredited institution, you may apply for Advanced Standing status. There is no time limit for when this degree was obtained and when you are applying for the MSW program.

*This includes CASWE-accredited baccalaureate social work degree (from the Canadian social work accreditor, recognized through an MOU with CSWE and CASWE); and internationally earned ISWDRES-evaluated degree comparable to a baccalaureate social work. This is what is meant anywhere the program discusses CSWE accreditation.

Advanced Standing Students: You could receive up to 30 credit hours from your BSW program, with credit offered for courses where you earned a B or better and based on an independent review of your transcript by the program director. Depending on your BSW coursework and GPA, you may be admitted directly into your specialist (second) year of the program. Advanced Standing students will take MSW 595: Foundations of Social Work Practice the semester before admission (ie. Summer II for Fall). Full-time and part-time pathways are available. Your advisor will work with you to assure the curriculum does not repeat generalist content from the baccalaureate level. 

Online Learning with In-Person Residencies

Online graduate education allows students to participate in coursework in a more accessible manner, removing traditional barriers associated with in-person weekly classes. Courses will utilize the asynchronous learning format, offering guidelines to maximize participation and engagement. Supplementing the online material, students are required to attend four residency weekends each semester to facilitate experiential learning, skills practice, and cohort cohesion. 

Need help coordinating travel to our campus in Bethlehem, PA? Your Student Experience Mentor can help!

Course Requirements

Full-time students will follow the program of study depicted below. Part-time students will take the same courses over the course of a two-year period, with courses listed with an asterisk (*) representing what they would take in their second portion of both generalist and specialist years. Students may have the option to take an elective in the summer to reduce the workload during the specialist year, depending on availability. 

Healing-centered clinical trackHealing-centered macro track

Summer I 

  1. MW 595 Foundations of Social Work Practice 

Fall 1 

  1. MSW 600 Trauma Informed Practice 
  2. MSW 620 Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice w/ Individuals 
  3. MSW 655 Social Work Research Methods II 
  4. MSW 665 Field Practicum & Seminar II 
  5. Elective (samples below) 
    • MSW 625 Social Justice, Management, & Community Engagement 
    • MSW 640 Human Sexuality Across the Lifespan 
    • MSW 610 Grief & Bereavement Counseling 
    • MSW 690 Special Topics in Homelessness 

Spring 1 

  1. MSW 605 Advanced Trauma Topics 
  2. MSW 635 Advanced Clinical Social Work Pract. w/ Families & Groups
  3. MSW 670 Field Practicum & Seminar III 
  4. MSW 680 Integrative Capstone Seminar 
  5. Elective (samples below) 
    • MSW 645 Advanced Training with Queer & Trans Communities 
    • MSW 650 Politics, Policy, & Racial Justice

Summer I 

  1. MW 595 Foundations of Social Work Practice 

Fall 1 

  1. MSW 600 Trauma Informed Practice 
  2. MSW 625 Social Justice, Management, & Community Engagement 
  3. MSW 655 Social Work Research Methods II 
  4. MSW 665 Field Practicum & Seminar II 
  5. Elective (samples below) 
    • MSW 620 Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice w/ Individuals 
    • MSW 640 Human Sexuality Across the Lifespan 
    • MSW 610 Grief & Bereavement Counseling 
    • MSW 690 Special Topics in Homelessness 

Spring 1 

  1. Elective 
  2. MSW 650 Politics, Policy, & Racial Justice 
  3. MSW 670 Field Practicum & Seminar III 
  4. MSW 680 Integrative Capstone Seminar 
  5. Elective (samples below) 
    • MSW 605 Advanced Trauma Topics 
    • MSW 635 Advanced Clinical Social Work Pract. w/ Families & Groups 
    • MSW 645 Advanced Training with Queer & Trans Communities

Field Placement

Field Education is the cornerstone of social work education. Field education offers students the opportunity to hone their skills in the professional setting while continuing to participate in their coursework. To assist in preparing students for their field placements, first semester students in their generalist year will engage with Moravian’s Simulation Center to begin practicing their skills of client engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation. This interactive experience provides students for real-time feedback with simulated clients to build confidence and prepare them for the challenges of client-facing positions.

At the masters level, students will complete 900 hours of field education to satisfy the requirements of the degree. This will be completed by:

  • Generalist: 400 hours (Field Simulation & Seminar; Field Practicum & Seminar)
  • Specialist: 500 hours (Field Practicum & Seminar; full-year field placement)

How to Apply

We seek to build cohorts of students that are reflective of the overall population, centering a commitment to diversity and equitable access to graduate education. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Students will be invited to a virtual interview with members of the admissions committee and will receive notification of their acceptance status within two weeks of their interview. 

Eligibility 

You are eligible to apply for the MSW program if you: 

  • Earned a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting organization.
  • Had an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. If lower, please explain in the text field provided on the application.
  • Hold a degree from a baccalaureate social work program accredited by CSWE* (if applying for advanced standing).

*This includes CASWE-accredited baccalaureate social work degree (from the Canadian social work accreditor, recognized through an MOU with CSWE and CASWE); and internationally earned ISWDRES-evaluated degree comparable to a baccalaureate social work. This is what is meant anywhere the program discusses CSWE accreditation. 

Application Requirements 

All applicants must begin by completing Moravian’s free online application. There are additional requirements depending on if you are applying for regular, advanced standing, or transfer admission. The GRE is not required for entrance to this program. 

  • Official transcript demonstrating completion of the baccalaureate degree.
  • Personal statement addressing the following questions:
    • What do you wish to do with your MSW degree?
    • Describe your interest in/understanding of social justice and anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice.
    • What would you like to gain from your field experience? 
  • One Letter of Recommendation, preferably from an academic source 

  • Official transcript demonstrating completion of baccalaureate degree. Official transcript for courses from graduate programs if the applicant is requesting transfer credit into the MSW program.
    • Minimum of a B required in social work courses to count toward course credit in the MSW program
    • Advanced standing students are required to have a minimum of 400 hours of field work completed at the BSW level 
    • If a transcript is not available at the time of application, please submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses taken to complete the BSW or MSW degree. Official transcripts will be required prior to receiving official transfer credit.
  • Resume
  • Personal statement addressing the following questions:
    • What do you wish to do with your MSW degree?
    • Describe your interest in/understanding of social justice, and anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice.
    • What would you like to gain from your field experience?
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • One must be from an academic source 
    • One must be from a community source (ie. field placement, community service, etc.)

Deep respect for others is fundamental to the Moravian University community. Moravian University does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, citizenship status, veteran/military status, disability status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal laws. In compliance with the requirements of Title IX, Moravian University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational program and activity, including admission/employment. 

Concerns regarding all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment and/or sex discrimination in admission/employment:

Becki L. Achey, M.S.
Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator
1309 Main St. 
(610) 625-7023
equalopportunity@moravian.edu
Mailing address: 
Moravian University
1200 Main St.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018

Concerns regarding gender and equity in athletics: 

Rebecca May
Associate Athletic Director (Deputy Title IX Coordinator)
109 Johnston Hall
(610) 625-7991
mayr@moravian.edu
Mailing address:
Moravian University
1200 Main St.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018 

Concerns regarding the application of Title IX: 

U.S. Department of Education
Office of Civil Rights
100 Penn Square East, Suite 515
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3323
(215) 656-8541
ocr.philadelphia@ed.gov

Report sexual harassment/sex discrimination online anytime (can be anonymous) at www.moravian.edu/titleix. The full policy and grievance procedures can be found in the institutional Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Non-Discrimination Policy.


Meet our Program Director

Kayti

Kayti Protos, DSW, LCSW

Dr. Kayti Protos (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, with over 15 years of clinical experience working with and advocating on behalf of the LGBTQQIA+ community. Dr. Protos is a doctor of social work (DSW), completing her degree at Rutgers School of Social Work with a focus on the intersectional experience of transgender and nonbinary clients navigating eating disorder(s), identity-based trauma, and gender dysphoria. She received her master of social work from Tennessee State University and her bachelor’s degree in women’s and gender studies and communication studies from Vanderbilt University. Additionally Dr. Protos has presented at over 75 professional conferences or invited lectures, and is the co-author of A clinician’s guide to gender identity and body image: Practical support for working with transgender and nonbinary clients. 

Meet our Director of Field Education

Michelle Brandt

Michelle Brandt

Michelle Brandt (she/her) is an assistant clinical professor and director of field education in the MSW program. She spent more than 20 years working as a social worker in the health care field with a focus on adults and older adults, hospice, palliative care, and oncology and has 10 years’ experience in social work field education. A strong connection to social work values and ethics informs Michelle’s approach to practice and teaching and a commitment to the social work profession has led to her interest in working with students in field education. Michelle’s research interests include ethics at end of life, grief and loss, and social work field education.

Meet our Faculty

Norton

Jenifer Norton, PhD, MSW

Dr. Jenifer Norton (she/they) is an assistant professor in the Master of Social Work program with over 10 years of experience in social work education. Dr. Norton completed their PhD degree in social work at Bryn Mawr College. Their dissertation study focused on US media coverage of welfare from 1990 through 2016 with a qualitative content analysis of framing and representation of welfare recipients across the time span. They received a master of social work degree at Widener University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Ursinus College. Their research and academic interests center around poverty, oppression, social justice, social policies, and research methodologies.

 

 

Olivia Rivera-Marmara

Dr. Olivia Rivera-Marmara (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) licensed in multiple states and has over 20 years of clinical experience working in the maternal mental health and health care field. Her clinical work focuses on working with clients experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and grief and loss. Dr. Rivera-Marmara is a doctor of social work (DSW), completing her degree at Rutgers School of Social Work with a focus on assessing and treating living health loss clients with chronic illness experience. She received her master of social work from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her bachelor’s degree from George Washington University. Dr. Rivera-Marmara’s research interests include health literacy, health disparities, maternal mental health, bioethics, and grief and loss.

Meet our Adjunct Faculty

Ifrach

Wednesdae Reim Ifrach, REAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC, NCC, CLAT, LCMHC, LPCC

Wednesdae Reim Ifrach (they/them) is an adjunct faculty member in the Master of Social Work Program. They have 10 years of clinical experience working with the 2sLGBTQIA+ community, providing gender affirming care and in eating disorder treatment including creating the country's first 2sLGBTQIA+ IOP/PHP for eating disorders. They are a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in multiple states, as well as a licensed clinical art therapist, an internationally registered expressive art therapist, and a board-certified art therapy supervisor. Wednesdae holds a master’s in art therapy from Albertus Magnus College where their work focused on Intersectional Social Justice and its integration with art making as an intervention for burnout in clinicians. Wednesdae has prior experience as an adjunct professor and clinical trainer, teaching courses on multicultural and diversity practices, intersectional social justice, minority stress, gender affirming care, weight stigma, socio-cultural trauma, and eating disorders. Additionally, they serve on the Board of Directors for Project HEAL, the only national nonprofit creating treatment equity access in the eating disorder field.

Tara Ryan-DeDominicis, DSW, LCSW

Dr. Tara Ryan-DeDominicis (she/her) is an adjunct faculty member in the Master of Social Work Program. She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in New Jersey and Connecticut, with a decade of clinical experience working with and advocating on behalf of populations experiencing street homelessness and food insecurity. She is passionate about creating programs and providing the highest level of clinical care for those who are often forgotten or ignored by their communities. In addition to her clinical work and research, she has over seven years of experience as an adjunct instructor, and served on MSW accreditation committees for two universities. Dr. Ryan is a doctor of social work (DSW), completing her degree at Rutgers School of Social Work. She received her MSW from Columbia University and her BSW from Sacred Heart University. She is currently the Education and Social Services manager at Optimus Health Care and serves on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Racial Justice committee for the CT Chapter of Girl Scouts of America.


Let’s Talk

Jessica Skultety is your one-stop shop for all things School of Behavioral and Community Health related. Financial aid, admissions, student support, you name it. She'll be there to help pave the way. Schedule a meeting or connect with her via phone, text, or email.

Jessica Skultety
She/her/hers
Student Experience Mentor - Behavioral Health 
(610) 625-7986
skultetyj@moravian.edu


Per accreditation requirements, the MSW Program does not grant social work course credit for life or work experience. For Regular Student Admission, only credit for courses earned from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting organization, where a grade of B or better was earned will be considered for transfer credit. For Advance Standing Students, only credits earned from BSW programs accredited by CSWE, where a grade of B or better was earned will be considered for transfer.

Moravian's MSW Program has achieved candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).

Candidacy for a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the BOA indicates that it has made progress toward meeting standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. A program that has attained candidacy status has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the standards set by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) but has not yet demonstrated full compliance.

Students that are admitted to candidate programs in the fall (or later) of the academic year in which the program is granted candidacy status will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation. Candidacy is typically a 3-year process and attaining candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain initial accreditation.

Candidacy applies to all program options, which includes locations and delivery methods.

Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

Review our program’s candidacy status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs.