New MSW program at Missouri Western seeking accreditation

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Those interested in filling the ever-present need for social workers, especially in rural areas of Northwest Missouri, can receive training through a growing program at Missouri Western State University.

The bachelor's program in social (BSW) has been accredited for nearly 40 years. However, a few years ago, the administration and faculty decided to begin a master's program for social work (MSW) which will soon begin its third full year.

Department Director, Dr. Grey Endres, said this third year represents a milestone for the program in regard to full accreditation.

"Pre-candidacy is year one. Then, in year two…you reach what is called full candidacy," Endres said. "When you clear the hurdles of year three…you get what's called your full accreditation."

This coming year has the potential of clearing those hurdles for the new program, which means the graduates from both years will also receive credit for having graduated from a fully accredited program.

In order to fully achieve their career goals in social work, recent program graduates, like Theresa Sullivan, know that being connected with an accredited program is key. However, for Sullivan, the support of professors and staff in this MSW program have made all the difference.

"The staff and professors are very personable and easy to approach," Sullivan said. "As a working mom, the commitment the university has shown to this degree is crucial, because it can be hard for working parents to get to Kansas City or other areas for a master's level program."

Sullivan added that a program like this getting off the ground in St. Joseph will benefit the entire region, especially in rural areas.

Endres said the program is part of the vision the faculty, staff and administration had in mind when designing an accredited program for social work.

Endres said, given the size of the faculty, he feels the program could accommodate around forty students. MWSU graduated 12 MSW students in year one, and expects to graduate 16 this year, counting the May and December 2025 graduating class.

In addition to providing graduate-level training for the wide range of care social workers provide -- from dealing with child abuse to assisting all ages with mental health needs -- Endres said the program also provides a boost to caregivers and non-profit organizations in the community.

"Because of the practicum requirements for our MSW students, we have been able to provide around 32,000 hours of service to Northwest Missouri since our beginning," Endres said. "One of our practicum students even assisted a local school in rescuing a child who was being groomed for human trafficking this past year."

In the Fall of 2025, the program will partner with Voices of Courage by allowing students to open up a mental health clinic for parents and children at VoC, giving both a practical education opportunity for students and a much needed mental health resource for the community.

For recent MSW graduate Sullivan, the diversity of courses and the wide range of backgrounds among the professors expand the opportunities for training and allow graduates a wide range of choices when it comes to the next steps in their careers.

"This program is beneficial for any aspect of a social work career, because of the diverse course offerings," Sullivan said.

According to the social work department guidelines, there are two tracks for the MSW program: one for those with an undergraduate degree in social work (BSW), as well as a track for those whose undergraduate training is in a related field like education, criminal justice or psychology.

"We are fortunate to have the facilities we have at Missouri Western," Endres said. "We have classrooms that mirror real-world places, like hospitals, and we also have practicum requirements that place students in real-world experiences."

To find out more about the program and qualifications for admission, visit www.missouriwestern.edu/social-work.