Master of Social Work Online

The Master of Social Work degree program goal is to prepare graduates to become advanced generalists with a focus on culturally competent practice. The program provides structure with the knowledge, values, and skills needed for advanced practice and leadership. Because HPU sits at a global crossroads, students have firsthand experience providing services to diverse populations. 

• The learning environment at HPU is truly multi-cultural, with students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. 

• HPU understands the needs of working adults and offers flexible scheduling options. Majority of the classes are offered in the evenings and on weekends, while students can also choose from online and hybrid courses. 

• In addition to being committed teachers, researchers, and scholars, faculty in the MSW program are also veteran practitioners. You will greatly benefit from their experience as community leaders and advocates. 

The goals of the Master of Social Work degree program are:

1. To prepare graduates who will demonstrate competence in social work practice at an advanced level with client systems of all sizes.
2. To prepare graduates who will be able to work effectively with diverse populations in multicultural settings.
3. To prepare graduates who understand the social contexts of social work practice at micro, mezzo, and macro levels, including the changing nature of those contexts, and who advocate for social and economic justice.
4. To promote the values and ethics of professional social work in the program and in its graduates’ practice.
5. To develop in graduates an appropriate foundation for and valuing of lifelong learning, leadership, and generation of knowledge.

In the online Master of Social Work at Hawai‘i Pacific University, you will master the nine competencies of social work practice, as declared by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and become a reflective and culturally humble social work practitioner. Hawai‘i Pacific University also added a tenth competency which aligns with the values of the university and cultural foci.

You will learn to:

• Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors.
• Engage diversity and difference in practice.
• Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
• Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
• Engage in policy practice.
• Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 
• Engage, honor, and respect Indigenous Culture towards decolonized, professional practice.

Click here to see sample MSW degree plan.

*Please note this is only a sample degree plan. Please meet with your academic advisor prior to registration to formulate your own plan. 

Applicants to the Master of Social Work must submit the following materials to apply:

• Online application
• Résumé (optional, but can help with practicum placement)

• Transcripts: Transcripts must be submitted from all postsecondary institutions. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted for application review. Official transcripts must be submitted within the first semester of entry.

• Two letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional) 
• Essay that states your purpose in undertaking graduate study at Hawai‘i Pacific University

Learn more about eligibility requirements, as well as guidelines for international applicants.

In our online Master of Social Work you will learn to facilitate community care in the face of economic and social injustice. You can graduate ready to work effectively and respectfully in a range of social work roles with and on behalf of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations, as well as other roles in: 

• Health care services
• Veteran centric organizations 
• Senior, aging services
• International non-profits
• Community development

• Mental health services
• Government
• Not-for-profit organizations

In addition to the general admissions requirements, international applicants must also submit: 

• TOEFL scores for applicants whose first language is not English

• International transcript evaluation: All international transcripts not from an English-speaking institution must be translated and evaluated by a reputable credential evaluation service

*Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions for additional materials required for admission to Hawai'i Pacific University

Applicant must be enrolled or have recently enrolled in a graduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). In addition to the requirements for regular Master of Social Work degree status (or MSW Advanced Standing status) transfer applicants must submit: 

• A personal statement that reflects reasons for wanting to transfer to the School of Social Work at Hawai'i Pacific University

• Letter of good standing from the Dean or the Director of the program (or their designee)

• Field evaluation of any fieldwork accomplished up to this point

• A syllabus and course catalog description for each course you wish to transfer for credit (up to 15 credits). *Note: these documents are required only after being accepted into the program. 

Applicants whose overall GPA is below 3.0, on a 4.0 scale may be considered for admissions on a case-by-case basis. Students in this category will be restricted to nine credit hours of course work during the first semester and must earn a B grade or higher in each of the courses. Students who fail to earn a B grade or higher in each course will be dismissed from the Master of Social Work degree program at the end of the fall semester.