Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work (MSW) | Serve with Skill. Lead with Compassion. Practice with Purpose.
Malone University’s master of social work (MSW) program prepares you to serve individuals, families, organizations, and communities with professional excellence and Christ-centered compassion. Building on the success of our established bachelor of social work degree, our MSW equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation needed for effective practice in clinical, community, and leadership settings—locally and globally.
The MSW at Malone is an online program designed for working professionals who desire flexible learning without sacrificing academic rigor or relational support. Rooted in Christian faith and social work values, the program emphasizes holistic care—addressing emotional, relational, systemic, spiritual, and community needs.
Students complete a generalist foundation followed by one of two specializations, gaining hands-on experience through supervised practicum placements and preparing for professional licensure in social work.
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Program Distinctives
Faith-Integrated Education
Learn how Christian faith and spirituality can inform ethical, respectful, and effective social work practice—while thoughtfully engaging the complex realities of diverse beliefs and experiences.
Flexible Online Format
Complete your coursework online, with limited face-to-face components designed to be accessible and flexible.
Strong Community Connections
Benefit from Malone’s longstanding reputation in accredited online and on-ground social work education and established partnerships across Northeast Ohio and beyond.
Career paths with a master of social work degree
With an MSW from Malone, graduates are prepared for diverse career opportunities in clinical, community, organizational, and service-based environments.
- Director or supervisor within social service settings
- Case management
- Work with refugees and immigrants
- Clinical mental health therapist
- Community-based mental health
- Social services within rural and urban communities
- Non-profit leadership
- Community developer/organizer
- City planner
- Church social worker
- International social worker
- International development
- Missionary
- Social worker or social service provider
Practicum Opportunities
Students are required to complete 400 hours of practicum experience in their generalist year and 500 hours of practicum experience in their specialization year.
Regional locations could include:
- Commquest
- Pathway Caring for Children
- Ohio Guidestone
- Direction Home Area Agency on Aging
- Akron Children’s Hospital
- Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO)
- Springvale Health Centers
- Phoenix Rising Behavioral Healthcare and Recovery
- Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health
- Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Red Oak Behavioral Health
- International Welcome Center
- Immigrant Worker Project
- Hartville Migrant Council, Inc.
- Mennonite Central Committee
- Refuge of Hope
- Haven of Rest
- Evangelical Friends Mission
Selected courses in this program
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment (Foundational Year)
- Social Welfare History and Policy (Foundational Year)
- Advanced Practice and Policy for Larger Systems (Advanced Year-both specializations)
- Spirituality and Religion in Social Work Practice (Advanced Year- both specializations)
- Advanced Intercultural Practice (Advanced Year-both specializations)
- Neuroscience and Addiction for Social Work (Advanced Year-Clinical and Mental Health specialization)
- Leading Social Change and Innovation (Advanced Year-Intercultural: Local and Global specialization)
Faith Integration
At Malone, faith integration in the MSW program is thoughtful, professional, and inclusive. Students examine the role of spirituality in human well-being and ethical social work practice while learning to serve individuals and communities from all backgrounds with respect and humility. In this way, students who practice Christianity, and those who are new to Christianity, see how Christian faith and spirituality strengthen and enhance social work values. Through this approach, students gain the skills to incorporate spirituality as part of holistic care, practice ethically within diverse belief systems, and promote dignity, healing, and human flourishing.
Master of Social Work Specializations
Malone University offers two options to choose from:
Clinical Mental Health
Prepare for professional practice in mental health and clinical settings. This in-demand specialization equips students to serve as therapists, case managers, and leaders within mental health organizations. Foundations of practice include holistic care and trauma-informed understanding, enhanced by faith integration and intercultural preparation.
Intercultural: Local and Global
This distinctive specialization prepares students to serve and lead effectively in diverse cultural contexts—whether in local communities or cross-cultural environments. In addition to mental health preparation, you’ll gain advanced practice and leadership skills to serve and lead competently within international communities, stateside or abroad, as well as regional rural communities and urban communities.
Advanced Standing Option
Students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from an accredited program may qualify for Advanced Standing, allowing completion of the MSW in as little as one year of full-time study. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work, our generalist curriculum will help you catch up quickly so that you’re ready to move forward with the specialization of your choice.
Accreditation & Licensure Preparation
The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) and Higher Learning Commission (HLC) have approved Malone’s MSW program application and the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) has received our candidacy eligibility form, needed prior to pursuing Council on Social Work (CSWE) accreditation. The MSW program plan (Benchmark 1) is currently being reviewed by CSWE’s accreditation specialist, which is the first step towards the multi-year process towards accreditation.
Application Process and Deadlines
Malone University practices rolling admissions, reviewing applications as they arrive, and making decisions continuously. Deadlines ensure you have ample time to apply before the next start date. If you miss a deadline, contact admissions for options. To meet a deadline, all required materials—such as transcripts, recommendations, and resumes—must be submitted.
Apply to Malone’s MSW program
If you are called to serve others through compassionate, ethical, and faith-informed practice, Malone’s Master of Social Work program can help prepare you for the work ahead.
Apply to Malone today!