Shippensburg University- Master of Social Work

About this program

At Shippensburg University our MSW is an Advanced Generalist model. An Advanced Generalist concentration provides graduates with skills and knowledge to work in a variety of human service programs and agencies in an advanced clinical and/or administrative capacity, to be involved in social policy analysis and advocacy as well as research and program development. Also, our program seeks to be accommodating to non-traditional students and individuals working full-time; all of our required MSW classes are offered in the evening. The MU-SU MSW is a joint program between Millersville and Shippensburg universities. This collaboration provides students with resources and faculty from both institutions. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program offers two options: Advanced Standing for students with a social work degree and an overall GPA of 3.0 and a social work GPA of 3.25 and Regular for those who do not have a social work degree or other students with a BSW.

Graduates of Shippensburg’s MSW program have a wide range of opportunities and work settings. Social workers can be found in public agencies, private businesses, hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, private practices, police departments, courts, and numerous other exciting work settings. Social workers assist individuals, families, and communities. They can provide therapy or counseling in individual or group settings. They can be managers, supervisors, and administrators. They work at all levels of government.

• Year partnership began: 2019
• Fellowships awarded per year (average): 1

Application requirements

The MSW application requires personal information, academic records, a resume, a statement of purpose, and three references (previous faculty and supervisors). One of the references should be completed by one of the applicant’s supervisors in the Peace Corps. Returned Peace Corps volunteers will also be required to submit their official Peace Corps Description of Service, while currently serving volunteers will need to request a letter from the applicant’s Country Director.

Admissions process

Upon approval for admission to the program, the candidate will be interviewed (face to face or through Skype/Zoom) for the Coverdell Fellow half-time Graduate Assistantship (GA) position on campus. Opportunities vary by year.

Degrees awarded

Master of Social Work

Benefits and opportunities

Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing. See cost savings details for more.

Estimated annual cost of living: $27,860

Cost savings details

• Full-Time Graduate Assistantship: 12 credits per semester of in-state or out-of-state tuition waiver
• GA salary (up to $1250 per semester, totaling $2500 annual pay).
• Waived graduate program application fee ($45 waived)

NOTE: The financial package above reflects for students in the Regular 2-year Program. Estimated full cost for out-of-state in the Regular program is $56,100 (60 credits). For in-state students the Regular program is $37,560 (60 credits).

The program offers two options: Advanced Standing (36 credits) for students with a social work degree and an overall GPA of 2.8 and a social work GPA of 3.25 and Regular (60 credit hours) for those who do not have a social work degree or other students with a BSW.

***Students are able to apply for a SLA position that includes and on campus housing wavier.

Internship

The internship is an integral part of the program. It extends over the school year for 450 hours in the foundation and 500 hours in the specialization. Students are assisted by the faculty Field Coordinator to find their most appropriate setting among 45 options in various fields. The internship settings are mostly situated in the south-central region of Pennsylvania in cities, such as Harrisburg and towns such as Gettysburg, but there are alternatives in Hagerstown, Maryland and Martinsburg, West Virginia. During their internship, the students are supervised by a field director, a qualified practitioner with an MSW at the internship site, and a field liaison, who is a faculty member teaching a field seminar where students discuss their learning experiences. The following are some of the settings:

• Cumberland County Children & Youth Services (Carlisle, PA)
• Daystar Recovery Treatment Center (Harrisburg, PA)
• Diakon Family Life Services (Mechanicsburg, PA)
• Geisinger Holy Spirit Hospital (Camp Hill, PA)
• Commonwealth Clinical Group (Harrisburg, PA)
• Martinsburg VA Medical Center (Martinsburg, WV)
• Mechanicsburg School District (Mechanicsburg, PA)
• Shippensburg Head Start Program (Shippensburg, PA)
• The Mental Health Center of Western Maryland (Hagerstown, MD)
• Women in Need Victim Services (Chambersburg, PA)
• National Association of Social Work-PA (Mechanicsburg, PA)

Other opportunities

The first fellow will have a full graduate assistantship during the first year. Based upon qualifications, performance and availability of funding, there are options for consideration for a full-time graduate assistantship for the first and second year as well in a department on campus, opportunities vary by year.

Jobs for alumni

• YWCA Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Director
• Program Manager for Campus Compact of NY & PA (AmeriCorps VISTA)
• Psychiatric Social Worker at Roxbury Treatment Center
• Psychotherapist at private practice
• Senior Policy Advisor to the Director at CMS/CMCS/Financial Management Group
• Head Start director
• Research and Evaluation Associate at Penn State University
• Co-owner/Clinical Director at Evolution Counseling Services, LLC and President at Evolution Expressions
• Director of Guidance at St. Maria Goretti High School - Hagerstown, MD
• Health Facility Quality Examiner, Department of Health, Division of Nursing Care Facilities
• Clinical Resource Management in a hospital setting
• Social Services Long Term Care Director in a nursing home
• Program Director, Daystar Center for Spiritual Recovery
• Social Worker at SpiriTrust Lutheran LIFE
• Assistant Director of Quality Assurance for the Dauphin County Human Services Director’s Office
• Public education coordinator at domestic violence services of Cumberland & Perry Counties
• Program Specialist/Assistant Program Manager at Brian's House Enterprises in Exton, PA
• Psychotherapist at Hoffman Homes for Youth
• Social worker and Director of Social Services at a Skilled nursing facility
• Behavioral Support Specialist at Focus Behavioral Health.
• Income Maintenance Caseworker at Cumberland County Assistance Office
• Behavioral Health Coordinator with Capital Area Head Start.
• Social Work Supervisor at Chambersburg Area School District
• Health and Human Service Planning Director for Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance

Nontraditional options