Program Description
Andrews University has formed a collaboration between the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and the Department of Social Work in the College of Arts & Sciences to prepare students for service in occupations where social work and the pastoral mission of the church intersect. The objectives of this program are to prepare students for various forms of ministry in which clinical and administrative skills in social work and theology are needed; to enable students to integrate both theological and social work knowledge, values and skills into a multifaceted approach to Christian service, thereby enhancing their usefulness as instruments of the Holy Spirit; and to sensitize students to nontraditional ministry opportunities by exposing them to theories and practice skills related to counseling approaches, person-in-environment, social and economic justice, human rights and global perspectives from a Christian worldview. The program is designed to give students an integrated approach to both theology and social work. Students can choose either a dual degree or an emphasis in either Social Work or Christian Ministry.
Since both the MSW and MDiv programs reduce the total credits in order to reduce costs and achieve a more streamlined and efficient program, both degrees must be received simultaneously in order to fulfill the requirements of either degree. In the event that one degree was completed prior to enrollment for the dual degree program, the requirements for the second degree would be met through completion of the requirements shown below.
Credits for Each Program
MDiv: Track 2: Graduation requirements consist of satisfactory completion of 142 semester hours with an overall grade point average of C (2.5) or better. Ninety-six credits are MDiv credits, 31.5 credits are Social Work credits, and 14.5 credits are shared between the two curricula.
MSW: MDiv students are required to complete 45 core credit hours for the two-year regular MSW program. Due to the strict requirements of the Council on Social Work Education’s accrediting mandates, these core courses must all be taught or co-taught within the department by faculty holding an MSW degree. However, these courses could be co-taught with faculty from the seminary. MDIV/MSW DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM 373 Occasionally, a student who has already earned a BSW from an accredited program may apply to this program. In this case, the student would be placed in the Advanced Standing program, and take either 33 credits (Advanced Standing) or 39 credits (Advanced Standing Plus). Students with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to complete the Advanced Standing Program while those with a lower GPA must complete the Advanced Standing Plus requirements.
Since both the MDiv and MSW programs reduce total credits in order to reduce costs and achieve a more streamlined and efficient program, both degrees must be received simultaneously in order to fulfill the requirements of either degree. Although MDiv students can transfer 11 electives into the MSW program, they can only receive a tuition reduction if they are simultaneously enrolled in the MDiv Program.
Shared Social Work credits between Social Work and MDiv equal 14.5. Shared MDiv credits between MDiv and Social Work equal 11.
- SOWK501 Foundations of Practice 1 (4 credits) is shared with DSRE503 Marriage, Family & Interpersonal Relationships (3 credits)
- SOWK510/535 Generalist Field Experience/Seminar) 2.5 credits is shared with CHMN560 Theological Field Education (2 credits)
- SOWK601 Advanced Practice I (3 credits) is shared with CHMN555 Pastoral Counseling (2 credits)
- SOWK630 Policy for Social Change (3 credits) is shared with MSSN505 Christian Responses to Human Needs (2 credits) or CHMN544 The Church and Social Issues (2 credits)
- SOWK515 Christian Perspectives on Ethics (2 credits) is shared with THST643 Christian Professional Ethics (2 credits
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the MDiv/MSW dual degree program typically will have received a bachelor’s degree (BA, BS, BSW) from a four-year college or university accredited by one of the nationally recognized accrediting agencies in the United States, or hold an equivalent educational credential from another country. Application must be made separately to both the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and the Department of Social Work. Acceptance into one of the programs does not guarantee acceptance into the other. Applicants must meet the admissions requirements for each program, including all required prerequisites for each degree program.
MDiv:
Although MDiv students can transfer 11 electives into the MSW program, they can only receive a tuition reduction if they are simultaneously enrolled in the MDiv program. Students who have already completed an MDiv degree can receive the tuition reduction upon admission into the MSW program.
MSW:
1. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in social work program courses;
2. No grade of D or F (or U) may count toward the MSW degree.
Student Handbook
The MSW Student Handbook has been designed as the social work student’s aid in understanding the program requirements, Social Work Department, and relevant policies of Andrews University. Inside the handbook you will find information such as expectations of students, the MSW curriculum, departmental policies, and other relevant information.
You are responsible for the information found in this handbook, so please take the time to familiarize yourself with the handbook and know where to find questions and answers if the need arises.
Field Manual
The Field Manual has been designed as your aid in understanding field education requirements, your role as a student in a field agency, and relevant policies of Andrews University.
You are responsible for the information found in this handbook, so please take the time to familiarize yourself with the handbook and know where to find questions and answers if the need arises.
English Language Requirement MDIV
- For those applicants whose native language is not English, the following is required:
- MELAB—score of 81 (must achieve passing score on each section) or
- TOEFL (paper based)—score of 565 or (ibT Internet based)-score of 85. Minimum score of 20 in each section (reading, listening, speaking, writing).
- IELTS (Academic Version)—score of 6.5
- PTE - (Academic Version)score of 58
Language proficiency must be met before enrolling full-time in regular coursework.
English Language Requirement - MSW
For those applicants whose native language is not English, the following is required:
1. Demonstration of English proficiency by obtaining at least a minimum score on any one of the following exams. Exam must be taken within two years priot to enrollment
- TOEFL ITP (paper-based) - A Minimum score of 550
- TOEFL iBT (internet-based) - 80 with a minimum of 20 on each section
- MELAB - 80 with a minimum of 80 on each section
- IELTS (Academic version) - 6.5
- PTE (Academic version) - 54
2. Nelson Denny - scroe of 13 and
3. Personal interview with MSW program director or designee
Applicants who fail to meet any of the above may be admitted only after committee consideration of the specific circumstances. Additional course work in English may be required. A student who graduated from a four-year English-speaking high school, college or university may be exempted from all or parts of the above requirements.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Students who are applying for admission to the MSW program have two options related to the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). For those students who are seeking a graduate scholarship, the GRE must be taken. The amount of a potential scholarship is related to the score achieved on the GRE as follows:
| GRE Score |
Scholarship |
| 320 |
50% tuition reduction |
| 310 |
25% tuition reduction |
| 300 |
10% tuition reduction |
For students who do not seek a graduate scholarship based on the GRE score, the GRE examination is not required.
