Master of Social Work

We now offer an Online Program option that allows students to attend classes remotely via Zoom!

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program launched in Fall 2018 and was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in June 2021. Our MSW program prepares graduates for advanced clinical or forensic social work practice. Classes are held in the evening on the Pocatello campus or via Zoom for our online students.

Applicants who have already earned a BA in Social Work can be admitted with Advanced Standing and complete the MSW in 34 credits (3 semesters full-time or 5 semesters part-time). Advanced Standing students should plan to begin their program in the summer semester. Applicants without a BA in Social Work can apply to our Standard Admission program and complete the MSW degree in 63 credits (5 semesters full-time or 8 semesters part-time). Standard Admission students should plan to begin their program in the fall semester.

The application deadline for Summer and Fall enrollment is March 1st, annually. There are no Spring admissions for the MSW program. Late applications will not be considered. Applications are reviewed once per year, after the March 1st deadline. Applicants should not expect to hear back regarding admissions decisions until early April.

Click on the Admission link for more information about applying to the program. Contact us at msw@isu.edu if you have any questions.

MSW Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Social Work Program at Idaho State University is to prepare students for advanced clinical social work practice that promotes human and social well-being, advances social justice and human rights, and engages in anti-poverty practice. Graduates are expected to become culturally competent and effective practitioners with professional values and integrity, evidence-based knowledge, and skills relevant to their local and global communities.

Derived from the program mission, the goals of the Master of Social Work Program are to prepare students:

To develop an identity that will incorporate the values, principles, and ethics of the social work profession.
To develop practice skills that center a person-in-environment model and the importance of human relationships, with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, applying evidence-based knowledge.
To develop critical thinking skills based on scientific inquiry and research-informed practice.
To work with diverse, vulnerable, oppressed, and disadvantaged populations locally and globally.
To advance global human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice through macro focused policy-practice, micro level service oriented work, and through culturally competent clinical practice.
To gain expertise in clinically focused practice with an emphasis on children and families and forensic social work.

Idaho State University's Master of Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation.

Accreditation of the Master of Social Work Program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Board of Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.