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Master of Arts in Social Work
On this page:
- Why Choose the M.A.S.W. Program at Wright State University?
- Careers
- Real-World Experience
- Success Stories
- Academics and Curriculum
- Admission
Why Choose the M.A.S.W. Program at Wright State University?
The Master of Arts in Social Work program at Wright State University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The program prepares you to become an advanced generalist competent and ethical social worker who can engage and intervene with diverse populations. Full-time (2 years), part-time (3-4 years), or advanced standing (3 semesters) programs are offered to admitted graduate students.
Successful completion of the M.A. in Social Work (SW) meets the educational requirements for the LSW and LISW in Ohio as regulated by the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. Licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please contact the appropriate state licensing entity. The Master of Arts in social work is required in all states to begin the licensure process.
Brochures and Frequently Asked Questions
- Advanced standing program brochure and frequently asked questions (PDF)
- 2-year program brochure and frequently asked questions (PDF)
- 3-year part-time program brochure and frequently asked questions (PDF)
Careers
If you earn a Master of Arts in Social Work at Wright State, you will be eligible to become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) in Ohio. Please refer to the Ohio Counselor Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for more information. If you live out-of-state, check the licensing board requirements for that state. Each state establishes its own regulations for issuing a degree. The M.A.S.W. is the acceptable degree for licensure, but other states may have other requirmenents for applicants.
Your scope of practice will include applying advanced generalist knowledge, skills, and values in direct practice, administration, and advocacy across different social service settings while working with persons across the lifespan.
Recent social work graduates are currently working in:
- Adoption services
- Children’s services
- County prosecutor’s office
- County probation office
- Emergency housing facilities
- Family services
- Hospitals
- Mental health centers
- Older adult living facilities
- Probation and parole boards
- Public schools
- Victim Crisis Intervention
View the social work program profile for sample occupations, average salary, and employment projections
Real-World Experience
As a part of our Council on Social Work Education accredited social work pedagogy, you will be placed in one of our more than 100 partner agencies in the Dayton area and beyond to gain hands-on experience with the practice of social work. You will be given the opportunity to apply theory, practice wisdom, and create and employ interventions in a variety of settings. This experience will help develop the skills you will find necessary to graduate as a competent and well-prepared social work professional.
- Court-based mezzo/macro-level placements with Juvenile court, Montgomery County Probate Court, and an emerging partnership with the Montgomery County Public Defender's office
- Partnerships with the best-known social service agencies in the area, including South Community, Eastway, and Daybreak
- School-based social work placements with Mad River and Miamisburg City Schools
- Placements with a strong clinical focus, including opportunities with our very own Wright State University Counseling and Wellness Center
Success Stories
Academics and Curriculum
View the Master of Arts in Social Work program information and requirements in the Academic Catalog.
Admission
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the M.A.S.W. program at Wright State University, you must:
- Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- Have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.75 or higher (based on a 4.0 system) for all previous undergraduate academic work
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in social work or behavioral science courses
- Have completed the following behavioral science coursework:
- at least one course in psychology, sociology, or anthropology
- at least one course in American history, American government, or economics
- at least one course in human biology
- at least one course in statistics
Application Instructions
All materials to apply to the M.A.S.W. program at Wright State University are available at:
The College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies
160 University Hall
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
Dayton, OH 45435-0001
937-775-2976
No course credit can be given for life or work experiences.
All required materials must be returned to the College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies. Do not send materials to the social work department.
All materials for the advanced standing program (see below) must be received by the College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies by January 15 to receive first consideration for May admission, and all materials for the regular program must be received by February 15 to receive first consideration for August admission.
Completing the Wright State Application for Admission to a Graduate Status
- Month and year of enrollment: Select August for regular admission and May for advanced standing. You must have a bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited program within the last five years for Advanced Standing eligibility. Wright State does not have a January start date, so do not check the January box.
- Desired degree: Check M.A.
- Selected program: Choose Social Work.
- Concentration: Choose either Advanced Generalist: Children and Families or Advanced Generalist: Older Adults.
Application Materials
Reference Letters
You must submit two reference letters (PDF) from two different people on the recommender's letterhead. These two letters must meet the following guidelines:
- If you have graduated within the last five years: One reference letter should be from a college professor. Your second letter can be from additional faculty members, an employer in a human service organization, or your practicum supervisor.
- If you have graduated more than five years ago: At least one letter should be from an employer/supervisor from a human service organization where you have worked or have done voluntary work. The letter should come from your supervisors in these agencies and not from your co-workers. The other letter can come from faculty members, an employer in a human service organization, or your practicum/internship supervisor.
Please upload the reference letters to the graduate school website, email them to wsugrad@wright.edu, or fax them to 937-775-2453. However, if you have questions about reference letters, please email social_work@wright.edu.
Personal Statement
Faculty reviewers of your application want to understand why you are interested in graduate social work education and to assess your abilities at written communication. Prepare a 3-5 page detailed statement covering all of the questions and points below. Add any relevant information you wish, but please do not omit any sections or questions.
- Describe your understanding of the social work profession. Please describe why you want to be a social worker and share your professional goals (i.e., What you would like to do with your M.A.S.W. degree?).
- Describe any experiences you have had as they relate to your future career as a social work professional. Include:
- Full or part-time employment
- BSW field practicum experience
- Volunteer or extracurricular activities
- Leadership experiences
- Other relevant experiences.
Advanced Standing Program
Requirements for the advanced standing program which can be completed in three semesters beginning with the summer semester are:
- Meet all the admission requirements of the regular M.A.S.W. program;
- Have received within the last five years before applying, a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE accredited program OR hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree recognized through the CSWE Recognition and Evaluation service OR hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors
- Have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all previous undergraduate academic work attempted. You must also have a 3.25 or better grade-point average in all required undergraduate social work courses;
- Have documentation of positive performance in field practicum from the undergraduate field instructor or social work employer.
Scholarships
There are some graduate scholarships available in the social work department ranging from $500-$1,000 per year. For more university scholarship opportunities, go to the Raider Connect website.
