MVNU launches Master of Social Work degree program 

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Mount Vernon Nazarene University is proud to announce the launch of its Master of Social Work degree, starting in the Spring of 2025. The program will have specializations in Behavioral Health and School Social Work. The MSW is designed to develop students into advanced social work practitioners with specialized knowledge from a Christ-like perspective. 

“What makes the program special is our faith-based approach and our faculty’s commitment to the profession,” said Program Director Dr. Rachel Young. “School social work and behavioral health were chosen after looking at the needs in our community and wanting to answer the call.  Throughout the United States, there is a great need for behavioral health social workers and in Ohio there is a need for school social workers. This makes us unique as there is a lack of programs offering the school social work specialization.” 

The MSW degree program consists of 62 standard track hours and is designed to be fully completed online. MVNU is also offering an “ASAP Starts here” option, consisting of 31 credit hours. To be eligible for the ASAP program, students must have completed a bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution within the last five years and earned at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA with satisfactory field evaluations. 

“ASAP is advanced standing,” said Young. “ASAP students can complete the program in a calendar year. Students not eligible for ASAP can complete it in two years. Students who can qualify will save time and money on their degree.” 

The online program will require practicum and seminar hours but is designed to be flexible and work with the student’s location and schedule.  

“Practicum requires spending 20 hours a week in a social work field setting,” said Young. “Students will choose their focus track, either behavioral health or school social work. This will determine where their field placement is. For instance, behavioral health students could complete their field work at a psychiatric hospital or mental health clinic. School social work will complete their field hours in a school setting. Students will meet virtually with the MSW field education director to finalize these details.” 

Upon completion, with proper licensure, graduates will be prepared for several opportunities. The Behavioral Health track will prepare students to be a medical social worker, a clinical social worker/therapist, social work supervisor, a social work administrator or a researcher/professor. The School Social Work specialization will allow graduates to work in a school setting, conducting assessments of children in need of support to be successful. 

For more information, or to apply, visit mvnu.edu/master-social-work.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to more than 2,100 students from 42 states and nine foreign countries.