Capella University Online MSW
Program Options: Full- or part-time
Tuition: $14,250
Acceptance Rate: 68 percent
GRE Required: No
1-year/Accelerated Option Available: Yes
Campus Visits Required: Yes
Field Hours: 1,000 hours
CSWE Accredited: Yes
Application deadline: None
Capella University appears in our ranking of the 50 Best Online MSW Programs.
Overview
The former CEO of Tonka Corporation, Stephen Shank, along with Dr. Harold Abel developed Capella University in 1993 with the goal of creating an institute of higher learning designed specifically for working adults. Together, they created the Graduate School of America, offering graduate degrees in subjects like Education, Human Services, and Management. Initially, the school was viewed with skepticism with many people resisting the school created by “the old toy guy.” In addition, very few people understood how distance learning would work.
However, Shank’s knowledge of business and Abel’s understanding of education helped create a radical education philosophy that had never existed before. Only four students were enrolled the first year the school was operational with faculty meetings held at Abel’s dining room table. This created a school with a strong family atmosphere. At one time, when a student signed up for classes, staff rang a bell and everyone would stop what they were doing to acknowledge a new student.
The school created a student-centered approach and staff were tasked with providing students with the tools they needed to succeed. In 1995, Bruce Francis, who was recently named the president of the school, suggested adding online courses to take advantage of the internet which was growing rapidly. The school received regional accreditation in 1997 and undergraduate degrees were added in 2000.
Today, more than 38,000 students attend Capella University and 88 percent of them attend part-time.
Concentrations
The Master of Social Work at Capella University does not include any concentrations.
Program Requirements
Students develop a confident approach to social work and develop strong leadership skills. The program prepares them to move into general or clinical practice in most states. Students learn to connect with clients to assess needs and to apply knowledge of human behavior in order to address any issues facing individuals, families, and communities. They incorporate diversity into all interactions with clients as well as ways to maintain professional resilience to meet challenges. Critical thinking skills are stressed along with the ethical principles students will use to guide their actions as a social worker. Students become champions of social justice and human rights as well.
Admissions Requirements
Students must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 or higher in order to be admitted to the program. Two letters of recommendation are required and must be from professionals who can attest to the applicant’s work. A three-page essay, resume, and a signed Acknowledgement Agreement must also be submitted. The essay must include an interest statement, academic statement, and social justice statement.
Faculty
All faculty members have doctoral degrees and are leaders in their field of study.
Brian Christenson, Ph.D., LMSW, LGSW, CAP, is the MSW Program Director and DSW Chair. He earned his doctorate in education at the University of Idaho, his MSW at Eastern Washington University Cheney and his BSW at Lewis Clark State College. Some of his publications include “Evaluating Social Work Education Evaluation Outcomes: The Field Practicum Placement Assessment Instrument,” published in the Field Education Journal in 2015 as well as “A Meta-Analysis of Approaches to Engage Social Work Students Online” which was published in the Journal of Teaching Social Work in 2018.
Lisa Jennings, Ph.D., LICSW, LCSW, is the MSW Field Director and earned her doctorate and MSW from the University of Alabama. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Faulkner University. Some of her publications include “Developing a Sustainable Model for a Community Youth Development Social Enterprise Agency’s Plan for Success” which appeared in the International Journal of Interdisciplinary Organizational Studies in 2016 and “The Challenge of Integrating Social Justice Content into Social Work Education: Making the Abstract Concrete” which was published in the Journal of Teaching in Social Work in 2001.
Online Courses
Courses required for the online MSW at Capella University may include:
- Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice Screening, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Adults
- Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice with Adults
- Advanced Statistics, Research and Program Evaluation
- Clinical Supervision and Leadership in Social Work Practice
- Cultural Competence and Social Work Practice
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
- Innovative Leadership and Supervision in Social Work Practice
- Integrative Technology in Advanced Social Work Practice
- Macro Social Work Practice with Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Managing Social Work Practice in the 21st Century
- Mental Health Practice and Advanced Interventions
- Mezzo Social Work Practice
- Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice
- Micro Social Work Practice
- Research in Social Work Practice
- Social Policy and Planning in Human Services
- Social Welfare History, Policy and Practice
Internships
Students in the online MSW program at Capella University must complete two residencies. Each residency is embedded within a 10-week online course. Students attend a six-day in-person residency which includes travel days held within each quarter.
Students must also complete a 1,000-hour practicum which is devoted to providing an engaging learning experience and provides students with the ability to apply classroom learning to real-world situations. The practicum location must be approved by the field education office. Students must complete 200 hours each term and attend an online orientation where they learn the application process. A Fields of Interest form is completed and submitted to the field education office who review the list. They then contact organizations that are deemed the best fit for students based on their interests. Students may also secure their own field placement, but the location must be approved by the field placement office.
Contact
Brian Christenson
866-808-4080