Point Loma Nazarene University is currently in pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). See our Application Info section below for more information.

Become a skilled, effective leader in social work to help improve the lives of people and populations in need and create positive change in your community.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed to prepare graduates to be advanced generalists who will possess the skills to help clients, advocate for community change and design programs, among other professional and managerial roles.

An MSW will train you to become skilled in vital advanced generalist functions such as:

• Providing clinical counseling
• Overseeing teams
• Conducting research
• Managing cases
• Directing programs
• And more.

Program Features:

• Comprehensive curriculum: You’ll train to view social work from the micro and macro levels, and understand the root causes of client issues.
• Experienced Faculty: Learn from leaders deeply rooted in social, educational, and public sectors.
• Fieldwork Integration: This program arranges fieldwork opportunities so you will complete the program as an experienced social work professional.
• Licensure Preparation: This curriculum prepares you for clinical social work licensure in every U.S. State, as well as Canada.
• Evidence-Based Solutions: Build the skills on the cutting edge of the field to effectively manage teams, run programs, and effect positive change.

Career-focused Concentrations: 

This program offers four (4) optional concentrations to fit with your career goals:

• Clinical Practice
• Medical Social Work
• Child Welfare
• Community Advocacy and Program Administration

Mentorship and Support

Benefit from an exceptional level of personal mentorship and support from an interdisciplinary program faculty — helping you really do it, not just know it.

You’ll work in a collaborative learning environment that will provide you the opportunity to develop a network of people who share your goals. You will also use technology to test team building and communication skills, a dynamic that mirrors what you will experience outside the classroom in the social work space.

The hybrid format mixes in-person evening classes and online asynchronous learning, and is designed to offer flexibility to keep your schedule flexible for life’s important commitments.

Advanced Standing Track

Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in social work within the last five years are eligible to apply for the advanced standing* one (1) year, 33 credit program. Conditions apply:

• Degree must be a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program.
• If the degree was completed more than five (5) years ago, a resume must show social work related experience for every year beyond that time frame.
• If the degree was completed outside of the U.S., it must be approved to be a U.S. equivalent degree by CSWE. Please visit the CSWE website to begin the application process before beginning the MSW program.

*Advanced standing track available starting in the Fall 2026 semester

Point Loma Nazarene University is currently in pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Pre-candidacy for a master’s social work program by the BOA indicates that it submitted an application to be reviewed for candidacy and received approval of its Benchmark 1 from CSWE accreditation staff to move forward for a candidacy review within 1-year. A program that has attained pre-candidacy status has not yet been reviewed by the BOA nor verified to be compliant with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). PLNU is scheduled to be reviewed by BOA February 2026. 
Students that are admitted to pre-candidate programs in the fall (or later) of the academic year in which the program is granted candidacy status will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation. Candidacy is typically a 3-year process that began Spring of 2024 and attaining pre-candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain candidacy and initial accreditation. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program. Review our program’s pre-candidacy status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.

Are you ready to take the next step and apply?

We’re here to make the entire process a simple one. We’ll walk you through the application process, answer your questions, and get you one step closer to earning your degree.

Program Start Date(s):

• Fall 2025 — September 2, 2025
• Spring 2026 — January 12, 2026
• Summer 2026 — May 11, 2026

Application Deadline(s):

• Fall 2025 — August 15, 2025
• Spring 2026 — December 12, 2025
• Summer 2026 — April 24, 2026

All applications submitted after these dates will be reviewed based on availability of space.

Start Application

The Selection Process

The educational context at PLNU will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While honoring diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it reflects you as a person. At PLNU, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. Your undergraduate GPA is an important piece of your application. However, if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package and the exceptions policy.* Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission-under-exceptions process.

*Exceptions Policy: If you have a GPA below 3.0 in your baccalaureate degree, you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into PLNU's MSW program, you must meet the following:

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. 
• College seniors are eligible to apply providing they will receive their degree prior to the semester the MSW program is started.
• Applicants must meet a minimum GPA of 3.00 in their most recent 60 semester units of work, including both graduate and undergraduate coursework.
  • If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package and the exceptions policy. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission-under-exceptions process.
• Completion of the following prerequisites: 
  • One semester of each of the following with a grade of C- or better:
    • Human Biology (3 units) or Anatomy & Physiology I & II
    • Introductory Statistics (in behavioral or social sciences, 3 units)
  • These courses must be taken at any accredited community, public, or private college or university. Online courses at accredited colleges are also acceptable.
  • If these courses were not completed before being accepted into the MSW program, a non-credit, free, self-paced course equivalent option will be provided by the PLNU MSW program for both prerequisite courses. They must be completed by the end of the first semester of the MSW program.

If you have any questions about your qualifications or the program in general, we encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor.

Application Checklist

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to PLNU.

1. Submit an online application for admissions (including $50 non-refundable application fee, which is waived for PLNU alums, current or former military and their dependents, and PLNU employees).
2. Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.* (If you are a PLNU alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the PLNU Office of Records.) 
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to:
   Point Loma Nazarene University 
   Office of Graduate Admissions 
   3900 Lomaland Dr. 
   San Diego, CA 92106 
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to: 
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
   
   *Please note, official transcripts must be sent directly from the regionally accredited institution.
3. Submit a personal essay.
   
   Please answer the following essay questions with a minimum of 300 words:
   1. What formative experiences have helped clarify your desire to go into social work?
   2. What qualities and characteristics do you possess that would make you an effective social worker?
   3. Why have you chosen to pursue a degree in social work at this time in your life?
   4. Why are you interested in PLNU?
   5. What are your career goals?

Professionals in social work often work in the social, public and community service sectors, as well as healthcare or individual practices. Here are some career paths you can take with a graduate degree in social work:

Social or Community Service Manager

2023 Median annual salary: $77,030
Projected growth: 8% from 2023-33

Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs that support public well-being. They may oversee projects, lead teams, and provide other management functions for nonprofits, for-profit social service organizations, and government agencies.

Healthcare Social Worker

2022 Median annual salary: $62,760 ($72,980 for General/Surgical Hospitals)
Projected growth: 7% from 2023-33

Healthcare social workers provide patients and their families with counseling and support, especially as they cope with chronic, acute or terminal illnesses. They provide patients with information, counseling, and may provide case and care management.

School Social Worker

2023 Median annual salary: $53,940
Projected growth: 5% from 2023–33

School social workers assist students in overcoming social, emotional, and academic challenges. They collaborate with educators, parents, and administrators to develop strategies that enhance student well-being and academic performance.

Employee Assistance Counselor

2023 Median annual salary: $60,510
Projected growth: 7% from 2023–33

Employee Assistance Counselors provide support to employees dealing with personal or work-related issues that may affect their job performance, health, and well-being. They offer confidential assessments, short-term counseling, and referrals to specialized services.

Substance Abuse, Mental Health Counselor

2023 Median annual salary: $53,710
Projected Growth: 19% from 2023-33

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors examine clients’ addictions or problematic behaviors such as alcoholism, drug addiction, or depression. They assess clients’ readiness for treatment, create treatment plans, document clients’ progress, and intervene during crises if the client is a risk to themselves or others. They may provide counseling individually or in group settings.

Disaster Relief Social Worker

2023 Median annual salary: $58,380
Projected Growth: 7% from 2023-33

Disaster relief social workers provide immediate and long-term support to individuals and communities affected by natural or human-made disasters. They assess needs, coordinate resources, and offer counseling to help survivors cope with trauma and rebuild their lives.

Social Worker: Federal, Local or State Government

2023 Median annual salary: $94,260
Projected Growth: 7% from 2023-33

Social workers help individuals, groups and families to cope with problems in their everyday lives. In a government setting, they may advocate to provide aid on a larger scale (sometimes called macro social work) to work alongside policymakers and community organizations to improve social services and conditions.

Rehabilitation Counselor

2023 Median annual salary: $44,040
Projected Growth: 2% from 2023-33

Rehabilitation counselors assist individuals with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities to achieve personal and professional goals. They provide counseling, develop treatment plans, and coordinate services to help clients live independently and gain employment.

Student Social Work Discount

We are excited to welcome you to the MSW program and to share an opportunity that could support your academic journey. The Student Social Work Discount is available to incoming students, offering financial assistance to help ease the financial burden as you pursue your studies.

This discount is designed to support students who are passionate about making a difference in the field of social work, and we encourage you to apply. It’s a fantastic opportunity to receive funding while you focus on your coursework and practical experiences that will shape your future career.

To learn more about the discount, including eligibility and the application process, please contact your enrollment counselor for further details. We look forward to seeing how your contributions will impact the social work profession, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Other Scholarships

Students enrolled in MSW program can also apply for the Agents for Social Change Foundation Scholarship while in their second semester of the program. To learn more about this and other scholarship opportunities click here.

For information about the courses required for the Master of Social Work program, view the PLNU Catalog.

Course Information