Master of Social Work 

Social work is one of the fastest growing professions, with an increasing need for masters-level social workers in the clinical, advocacy, and policy arenas. Moravian University launched its new online Master of Social Work program in Fall 2023 and is excited to welcome future cohorts of students. MSW students will benefit from the interdisciplinary focus of the School of Behavioral & Community Health, collaborating with students and faculty from the College of Health. Through a blended curricular structure of online, asynchronous classes and four weekend residencies per semester, students will gain the benefit of accessible education and hands-on experience.

Fall 2024 Advanced Standing Deadline
Rolling Admissions
Applications accepted until: May 1, 2024

Fall 2024 Regular Standing Deadline
Rolling Admissions
Regular deadline: May 1, 2024
Applications accepted until: August 1, 2024*

* Students submitting applications for full-time, regular standing after May 1, 2024 may not have the same options available for their practicum experience. Part-time applicants will have greater flexibility with start dates without limiting their options for field placement/practicum. 

Start your MSW journey this Spring with a unique pathway to graduation that blends part-time and full-time coursework in a manner that maximizes your classroom and practicum experience. Contact us for more information!

Program Mission

Our mission is to create educational and professional opportunities to educate and train healing-centered clinical and macro practice social workers dedicated to anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice, with a commitment to enhancing the lives of all people, locally and globally, through innovative, value-oriented, and competency-based education. Our interdisciplinary, interprofessional training approach highlights theoretical, applied, field-based, person-centered, and topical knowledge, allowing students to specialize in working with marginalized populations as clinical social workers or macro-level practitioners. 

Our two areas of specialized practice include:

1. Healing-centered clinical practice  (clinical track)
   1. Going beyond trauma-informed care
   2. Anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion infused throughout the curriculum
2. Healing-centered macro practice
   1. Social justice & working with marginalized communities
   2. Advanced knowledge in working with the LGBTQQIA+ community 

Program Overview

Customize Your MSW Experience

Students can choose one of three pathways to complete their 60-credit degree. Unsure of what to choose? Speak with your Student Experience Mentor for guidance in selecting the best option for you!

*This includes CASWE-accredited baccalaureate social work degree (from the Canadian social work accreditor, recognized through an MOU with CSWE and CASWE); and internationally earned ISWDRES-evaluated degree comparable to a baccalaureate social work. This is what is meant anywhere the program discusses CSWE accreditation.

Advanced Standing Students: You could receive up to 30 credit hours from your BSW program, with credit offered for courses where you earned a B or better and based on an independent review of your transcript by the program director. Depending on your BSW coursework and GPA, you may be admitted directly into your specialist (second) year of the program. Advanced Standing students will take MSW 595: Foundations of Social Work Practice the semester before admission (ie. Summer II for Fall). Full-time and part-time pathways are available. Your advisor will work with you to assure the curriculum does not repeat generalist content from the baccalaureate level. 

Online Learning with In-Person Residencies

Online graduate education allows students to participate in coursework in a more accessible manner, removing traditional barriers associated with in-person weekly classes. Courses will utilize the asynchronous learning format, offering guidelines to maximize participation and engagement. Supplementing the online material, students are required to attend four residency weekends each semester to facilitate experiential learning, skills practice, and cohort cohesion. 

Need help coordinating travel to our campus in Bethlehem, PA? Your Student Experience Mentor can help!

In-Person Residency Schedule

Course Requirements

Full-time students will follow the program of study depicted below. Part-time students will take the same courses over the course of a two-year period, with courses listed with an asterisk (*) representing what they would take in their second portion of both generalist and specialist years. Students may have the option to take an elective in the summer to reduce the workload during the specialist year, depending on availability. 

Generalist (Year 1)

Specialist (Year 2)

Electives

Field Placement

Field Education is the cornerstone of social work education. Field education offers students the opportunity to hone their skills in the professional setting while continuing to participate in their coursework. To assist in preparing students for their field placements, first semester students in their generalist year will engage with Moravian’s Simulation Center to begin practicing their skills of client engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation. This interactive experience provides students for real-time feedback with simulated clients to build confidence and prepare them for the challenges of client-facing positions.

At the masters level, students will complete 900 hours of field education to satisfy the requirements of the degree. This will be completed by:

• Generalist: 400 hours (Field Simulation & Seminar; Field Practicum & Seminar)
• Specialist: 500 hours (Field Practicum & Seminar; full-year field placement)

How to Apply

We seek to build cohorts of students that are reflective of the overall population, centering a commitment to diversity and equitable access to graduate education. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Students will be invited to a virtual interview with members of the admissions committee and will receive notification of their acceptance status within two weeks of their interview. 

Eligibility 

You are eligible to apply for the MSW program if you: 

• Earned a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting organization.
• Had an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. If lower, please explain in the text field provided on the application.
• Hold a degree from a baccalaureate social work program accredited by CSWE* (if applying for advanced standing).

*This includes CASWE-accredited baccalaureate social work degree (from the Canadian social work accreditor, recognized through an MOU with CSWE and CASWE); and internationally earned ISWDRES-evaluated degree comparable to a baccalaureate social work. This is what is meant anywhere the program discusses CSWE accreditation. 

Application Requirements 

All applicants must begin by completing Moravian’s free online application. There are additional requirements depending on if you are applying for regular, advanced standing, or transfer admission. The GRE is not required for entrance to this program. 

Regular Admission

Advanced Standing and Transfer Admission

Non-Discrimination Statement

Meet our Program Director

Kayti Protos, DSW, LCSW

Dr. Kayti Protos (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, with over 15 years of clinical experience working with and advocating on behalf of the LGBTQQIA+ community. Dr. Protos is a doctor of social work (DSW), completing her degree at Rutgers School of Social Work with a focus on the intersectional experience of transgender and nonbinary clients navigating eating disorder(s), identity-based trauma, and gender dysphoria. She received her master of social work from Tennessee State University and her bachelor’s degree in women’s and gender studies and communication studies from Vanderbilt University. Additionally Dr. Protos has presented at over 75 professional conferences or invited lectures, and is the co-author of A clinician’s guide to gender identity and body image: Practical support for working with transgender and nonbinary clients. 

Meet our Director of Field Education

Michelle Brandt

Michelle Brandt (she/her) is an assistant clinical professor and director of field education in the MSW program. She spent more than 20 years working as a social worker in the health care field with a focus on adults and older adults, hospice, palliative care, and oncology and has 10 years’ experience in social work field education. A strong connection to social work values and ethics informs Michelle’s approach to practice and teaching and a commitment to the social work profession has led to her interest in working with students in field education. Michelle’s research interests include ethics at end of life, grief and loss, and social work field education.

Meet our Faculty

Jenifer Norton, PhD, MSW

Dr. Jenifer Norton (she/they) is an assistant professor in the Master of Social Work program with over 10 years of experience in social work education. Dr. Norton completed their PhD degree in social work at Bryn Mawr College. Their dissertation study focused on US media coverage of welfare from 1990 through 2016 with a qualitative content analysis of framing and representation of welfare recipients across the time span. They received a master of social work degree at Widener University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Ursinus College. Their research and academic interests center around poverty, oppression, social justice, social policies, and research methodologies.

Meet our Adjunct Faculty

Wednesdae Reim Ifrach, REAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC, NCC, CLAT, LCMHC, LPCC

Wednesdae Reim Ifrach (they/them) is an adjunct faculty member in the Master of Social Work Program. They have 10 years of clinical experience working with the 2sLGBTQIA+ community, providing gender affirming care and in eating disorder treatment including creating the country's first 2sLGBTQIA+ IOP/PHP for eating disorders. They are a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in multiple states, as well as a licensed clinical art therapist, an internationally registered expressive art therapist, and a board-certified art therapy supervisor. Wednesdae holds a master’s in art therapy from Albertus Magnus College where their work focused on Intersectional Social Justice and its integration with art making as an intervention for burnout in clinicians. Wednesdae has prior experience as an adjunct professor and clinical trainer, teaching courses on multicultural and diversity practices, intersectional social justice, minority stress, gender affirming care, weight stigma, socio-cultural trauma, and eating disorders. Additionally, they serve on the Board of Directors for Project HEAL, the only national nonprofit creating treatment equity access in the eating disorder field.

Let’s Talk

Vanessa Blose is your one-stop shop for all things Clinical Counseling-related. Financial aid, admissions, student support, you name it. She'll be there to help pave the way. Schedule a meeting or connect with her via phone, text, or email.

Vanessa Blose
she/her/hers
Student Experience Mentor
(610) 625-7986
blosev@moravian.edu
Schedule an Appointment

Can I receive credit for life or work experience?

Where is the program in the CSWE accreditation process?