For BSW Degree Holders: Earn an MSW with Advanced Standing

Department of Social Work

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About the Program Fast-Track Your Social Work Career with Our Advanced Standing MSW

Welcome to the Barry University Department of Social Work. We view our School, and Barry, as a family, and we are so proud to be a part of your journey. Informed by our Core Performance Standards, we will require advanced development of your skills in relationships, communication, critical thinking, and organization. We will challenge you to be your very best and support you all along the way.

The MSW Advanced Standing program is 32 credits and designed for those with a BSW from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program conferred within the past five years.

Clinical in scope, our curriculum also provides MSW graduates with a foundation in policy practice, administrative leadership, and applied social research. In addition, our program is trauma-informed curriculum, exceptional faculty, visionary leadership team, and professional development opportunities. Our Center for Human Rights and Social Justice also provides a framework for social change.

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Program Options and Curriculum

Sarah Ingram Herring

Sarah Ingram-Herring, Ph.D., LCSW Director, MSW Program

Director’s Welcome

“Welcome to Barry University Department of Social Work where students gain the requisite clinical practice knowledge, hands-on clinical practice experience, and leadership skills to prepare them for independent, ethical, and competent social work practice.”

Internship Clinical Education

At Barry University Department of Social Work, Clinical Education provides an opportunity for students to gain real-life, hands-on work experience in social service agencies and organizations. Through this lived experience, students are able to practice the integration of social work knowledge, theories, values, ethics, skills, and techniques in work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

In collaboration with Clinical Education staff and administrators, students are able to select from a wide range of practice settings (i.e. children and families, mental health, substance abuse/addictions, hospitals, veteran’s administration, skilled nursing facilities, criminal justice, schools) the appropriate agency match to complete requirements of their Clinical Education courses. 

Professional and Clinical Practice Placement Core Performance Standards

Clinical Sites Include:

Books School

Schools

health heart

Hospitals & Health Centers

scale

Criminal Justice Agencies

people heart

Community-based Agencies

  • Books School

    Schools

  • health heart

    Hospitals & Health Centers

  • scale

    Criminal Justice Agencies

  • people heart

    Community-based Agencies

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Denise Deen Director of Graduate Admissions

Welcome to Barry University Department of Social Work - MSW Advanced Standing!

“I want to make applying to Barry University a smooth experience so please connect with any questions you have about the application process. ”

Admissions Overview Admission Requirements

  • CSWE-accredited Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized college or university.
  • International applicants applying to the Advanced Standing pathway whose undergraduate social work degree is NOT from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution or a Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS) accredited institution will need to have their international credentials evaluated by the CSWE Office of Social Work Accreditation to determine if their international degree in social work is comparable to an accredited baccalaureate in social work in the United States. More information about the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service can be found at the CSWE International Degree Review website.
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher with a 3.0 or higher in all Social Work courses.
  • Two Letters of Recommendation from past professors, professionals, supervisors, or community leaders who can attest to your readiness for social work graduate studies.
  • Write your personal statement. Please write your response in paragraph format.

The Director of Graduate Admissions for Social Work considers your personal statement to be an essential part of your application. It provides you with an opportunity to tell us about yourself, your professional interests that have influenced you to pursue an MSW degree. Your personal statement also gives the Director a glimpse into your ability to write and think critically. Your statement should be typed, doubled spaced, in APA format, and consist of at least 500 words.

Please choose one of the following prompts and provide a minimum 500 word response in the form of an essay.

  • Think back to a situation in your life where you had to decide between taking a risk and playing it safe. - Which choice did you make? What was the outcome of your choice?
  • Would you have made the same decision looking back on the experience or would you have made a different decision?
  • What movie, poem, musical composition, or novel has most influenced your life and the way that you view the world? Why?
  • Describe an experience that forever changed your life and how it changed your outlook on life.
  • If you were given the ability to change one moment in your life, would you do so? Why or why not? If so, what moment would you change and why?
  • How has the neighborhood you've grown up in molded you into the person you are today?

Application Fee

$30 nonrefundable fee must be paid at the time of application.

Admissions Overview International Student FAQs

If you are an international student, applying as early as possible is in your best interest in order to allow ample time for immigration processing. Please be aware that admission to Barry University does not guarantee that you will be granted a student visa by the United States Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin.

International applicants applying to the Advanced Standing pathway whose undergraduate social work degree is NOT from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution or a Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS) accredited institution will need to have their international credentials evaluated by the CSWE Office of Social Work Accreditation to determine if their international degree in social work is comparable to an accredited baccalaureate in social work in the United States. More information about the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service can be found at the CSWE International Degree Review website.

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Financial Aid Affordable for you.

At BarryU, our tuition is competitive, affordable and still promises all the perks of a private school education. Our cost per credit is in-line with other institutions, but we offer a mission-driven educational experience and provide our students with small class sizes, personalized attention, and academic excellence. Scholarships, graduate assistantships, and financial aid can also be explored to help offset overall costs.

Barry University participates in the full array of federal and state financial aid programs. At Barry, we are committed to doing all we can to help you finance your education.

Barry University's Financial Aid staff will assist you through the financial aid application process.

Financial Aid Programs

Tuition and Fees Cost of Attendance

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