Dr. Katherina Terhune
MSW Program Director
Welcome to the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, which offers a one-year advanced standing program as well as a two-year standard program. As a generalist practice MSW program, we offer a specialization in clinical behavioral health and community practice. This includes 600 (Advanced Standing Program) or 900 (Standard Program) hours of direct field experience, as well as the opportunity to earn micro-credentials in trauma-focused care, forensic social work, gerontology, veteran services, and more. Guided by the , our faculty and staff are passionate about social work, community engagement and advocacy, your learning experience in the program, and your success in the field post-graduation. Our faculty areas of research and clinical expertise include trauma, interpersonal violence, food insecurity, aging and mental health, gerontology, international social work, direct practice, policy, research, team-based pedagogy, clinical diagnoses, forensic social work, and more!
Please review our website for additional information regarding the educational and direct-practice opportunities our program has to offer, and contact us if you have any additional questions at msw@nku.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!Â
Vulnerable populations and all people have unique personal, familial, and systemic needs; therefore, social workers who assist them must be specially prepared to address those needs through a variety of roles at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels by promoting human and community well-being. The NKU MSW program prepares students as follows:
In an atmosphere of collaboration and teamwork, social work graduate students develop the knowledge, values, and skills to provide behavioral health care, community social work, and leadership in the profession.
ONLINE ACCELERATED PROGRAM - Standard MSW Degree Details:
This program includes sixty (60) semester hours, and all online courses are taught in 7-week sessions.
Admissions may be approved for fall, spring, or summer semesters. This program can be completed in approximately two (2) years if students follow the full-time advising schedule.
Link for Online Accelerated MSW Degree Program -
ONLINE ACCELERATED PROGRAM - Advanced Standing MSW Degree Details:
Designed for those with a BSW degree, the online Advanced Standing MSW features an advanced clinical practice, trauma-informed curriculum that will nurture professional growth through applied, case-based learning. Courses are led by faculty who are trained in trauma and come from diverse areas of expertise.
This program includes 600 hours of supervised clinical practice, which will prepare you to sit for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) in every state.
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Advanced Standing MSW Program Eligibility
To be eligible for admission to the Advanced Standing MSW Program, applicants must meet the following qualifications:
Advanced Standing MSW Program Details:
The program includes thirty (30) semester hours offered in a variety of forms & delivery options. Some courses are all online, while others include online components but also require in-person class attendance on campus on Fridays.
Admissions are approved only for the summer semesters and can be completed in one (1) year if following the full-time advising schedule.
A graduate degree in social work (MSW) prepares students to effectively serve vulnerable populations and people across the lifespan. Guidelines for licensure upon successful completion of an MSW (BSW) program can be found on the Association Social Work Board website . While not exhaustive, this list is not exhaustive, the list below provides examples of employment opportunities for graduate-level social workers:
ADVISING
Advanced Standing MSW Students:
To contact advisor Heidi Waters please email watersh2@nku.edu.
To schedule an advising appointment, please visit:
Standard MSW Students:
To contact advisor Emma Bernardi please email, bernardie1@nku.edu
To schedule an advising appointment, please visit:
To contact MSW Field Director Kelly Fallon, please email fallonk2@nku.edu.
To contact MSW Program Director Dr. Katherina Terhune, please email msw@nku.edu.
NKU’s BSW & MSW Programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation. Â
Please contact MSW Field Director Kelly Fallon for more information about the field placement program at fallonk2@nku.edu.
Students are encouraged to enhance their professional networks through membership in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and participation in other social and economic justice endeavors at the community, national, and international levels.
Field placement students will use the InPlace software while in the program. Current field placement students may access the InPlace website by clicking this link: .
