Samford University

Programme overview

Samford's accelerated Master of Social Work (fast-track BA/BS→MSW) lets qualified undergraduates begin graduate coursework in their senior year and graduate with an MSW in approximately five years. The program is mission-driven and grounded in a Christian learning community, combining classroom instruction with supervised field placements across rural, urban and international settings. The MSW holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

What you'll study

Coursework and field education focus on competencies for advanced social work practice, with program emphasis on:

• Clinical social work practice
• Assessment, diagnosis and intervention strategies
• Ethics and professional identity
• Social policy and advocacy
• Human behavior and social systems
• Practice with diverse populations and communities
• Evidence-based approaches to care and intervention

Interprofessional electives expose students to community practice, social engagement, addictions and disaster response. Training includes simulations and experiential learning at Samford’s Experiential Learning and Simulation Center, with opportunities for interprofessional practice and telepresence participation for online learners.

Entry requirements

The accelerated option is available to current Samford undergraduates in specified majors (including Human Development and Family Science, Psychology, Public Health, Sociology and several related fields). To apply during the junior year (applications due January 10), students must:

• Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Complete a statistics course with a grade of C or higher
• Complete all convocation requirements by the end of junior year
• Submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions

To progress into graduate standing, students must earn grades of B or higher in all MSW courses. Prospective students are advised to submit an Interest Form and meet with the admissions team early for planning and advising.

Career prospects

The curriculum and supervised field placements prepare graduates for a range of professional roles, including clinical social worker, medical social worker, school social worker, child and family therapist, psychotherapist, trauma specialist, substance abuse counselor, nonprofit director, policy analyst, community organizer, hospice social worker and foster care/adoption social worker. The program supports preparation for professional licensure where state requirements apply.

Scholarships & funding angle

The course page does not list specific scholarships or tuition figures. Applicants should consult Samford’s financial aid and student financial services offices for information on scholarships, grants, loans and institutional aid that may apply to MSW students.