Accelerated Master of Social Work (BA|BS/MSW) | Samford University

Complete your Master of Social Work (MSW) in just five years with Samford University’s fast-track program. Prepare for a rewarding career in social work with an accelerated and comprehensive curriculum.

accelerated MSW

Master of Social Work

Earn a bachelor’s degree and your MSW in just five years

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Is This Program for Me?

Samford’s accelerated Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed for motivated students who want a fast-track pathway into advanced social work practice. Ideal students are passionate about helping others, interested in mental health and community advocacy, and motivated to serve individuals, families and communities through clinical and community-based practice.

This accelerated MSW program allows eligible undergraduate students in select majors, including human development and family sciences, psychology, public health, sociology and related fields, to begin graduate coursework during their senior year and earn both a bachelor’s degree and Master of Social Work in as little as five years.

Students complete undergraduate coursework during the first three years before transitioning into the graduate program through careful advising and coordinated scheduling, allowing them to complete the degree in a reduced timeframe.

What Will I Learn?

Students in the fast-track MSW program build advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional social work practice through coursework and supervised field education experiences.

Curriculum Emphasizes

Clinical social work practice
Assessment, diagnosis and intervention strategies
Ethics and professional identity
Social policy and advocacy
Human behavior and social systems
Practice with diverse populations and communities
Evidence-based approaches to care and intervention

Interprofessional electives also provide exposure to areas such as community practice, social engagement, addictions and disaster response. Through classroom learning and hands-on field experiences, students develop the competencies needed for advanced social work practice and professional licensure pathways.

What Makes Us Different?

Accelerated, Mission-Driven Education

Samford’s fast-track MSW program combines an accelerated academic pathway with a distinctively Christian learning community centered on service. Students gain experience in rural, urban and international settings through both faith-based and secular organizations.

Extensive Field Placement Opportunities

With access to more than 200 field placement opportunities locally, nationally and internationally, students can explore practice settings aligned with their interests and career goals.

Hands-On, Interprofessional Training

Students gain hands-on experience through simulations and field education at Samford’s Experiential Learning and Simulation Center, training alongside other health professions in counseling, crisis response and in-home assessment—on campus and via telepresence for online learners.

Personalized Support and Mentorship

Small class sizes, faculty mentorship and a mission-driven approach create a supportive environment focused on personal, professional and spiritual growth.

Career Preparation

The accelerated MSW program prepares graduates for advanced social work practice in clinical, community and nonprofit settings while helping students enter the workforce sooner. Through supervised field education experiences, students build professional skills, strengthen career readiness and gain valuable real-world experience.

Career Pathways

Clinical Social Worker
Medical Social Worker
School Social Worker
Child and Family Therapist
Psychotherapist
Trauma Specialist
Substance Abuse Counselor
Nonprofit Director
Policy Analyst
Community Organizer
Hospice Social Worker
Foster Care and Adoption Social Worker

The program also supports preparation for professional social work licensure, depending on individual state requirements.

Admission Process and Requirements

Current Samford University students interested in the accelerated Master of Social Work (MSW) program should begin the process early to stay on track for eligibility and required coursework.

Step One: Submit an Interest Form

Students should submit an Interest Form and schedule a meeting with the admission team as early as possible. Early advising helps students plan coursework and prepare for early entry into graduate-level study.

Submit Interest Form

Admission Team Contact:
Amber Kustos
akustos@samford.edu

Step Two: Complete the Application Form

Students must complete the application form during their junior year to request permission to enroll in Master of Social Work courses as seniors. Applications are due January 10.

Junior Year Application Form

Eligibility Requirements

Samford's fast-track Master of Social Work is currently available for undergraduate student pursuing a major in:

Human Development and Family Science
Biblical Studies
Christian and Religious Studies
Culinary and Wellness Nutrition Management
Global Studies
Health Sciences
Human Development and Family Science
Psychology
Public Health
Sociology

To qualify for the accelerated MSW program, students must:

Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Complete a statistics course with a grade of C or higher
Complete all convocation requirements by the end of the junior year
Submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions

Transcript Requirements

Graduate Progression Requirements

To continue in the accelerated Master of Social Work program and progress into graduate standing, students must earn grades of B or higher in all Master of Social Work courses.

Application Information

Freshman applications for next fall are open.

Freshman Early Action applications close November 1st.

The freshman first scholarship deadline is December 1st.

Transfer applications for the spring semester close Dec. 15.

Freshman FAFSA priority and scholarship deadlines are Feb. 15.

Decision day is coming! Freshman applications for fall enrollment close May 1st.

Transfer applications for fall enrollment close July 1st.

Freshman applications for fall enrollment are closed. Applications for next year open August 1st.

Transfer applications for fall enrollment are closed. Applications for next year open September 1st.