Master of Social Work/Master of Divinity
This program is offered in the AU Online format.
Social work and ministry have much in common, from individual motivations of service, to institutional responses to human need, to curricular engagement with methods of analysis and assessment. Traditions of social work and of ministry reside in distinct and diverse traditions with specific methods, sources, and training. Aurora University has agreements with the Chicago Theological Seminary and McCormick Theological Seminary to offer coordinated degree programs allowing students to draw from these distinct traditions.
Each student and their online program of study is unique, and both institutions work with each student to develop their online program on a case-by-case basis to see how their individual program of study can work with the two degrees (whether online, face-to-face, or hybrid). While these agreements provide for program of study flexibility by the student, the typical student will be in residency at the partner institution, CTS or MTS, for two years and at AU in the School of Social Work for two years. Students will shift primary registration between the partner institution and AU. Students will follow policies and procedures of the institution of primary registration.
Online Degree Requirements
For participation in this coordinated online program, individuals will apply to both schools and meet admissions requirements for both schools. Qualified students may obtain an online Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree in four years (full time) enrollment. The requirements for the MSW at Aurora University (AU) and the MDiv at the partner institution will be met by each school recognizing and accepting credits from the other school.
AU recognizes that each student and MSW program of study is unique. Students at AU will develop their anticipated Coordinated Degree MSW/MDiv program of study with the AU Advisor, and AU may accept up to two courses from the partner institution towards the MSW based upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Social Work. Students seeking part-time study should work with their advisors at the partner institution and AU to adapt the four-year program appropriately for their intended period of study.
Field Assignments and Field Placements
Both degree programs require field assignments. AU requires two field assignments, an AU foundational field placement with a minimum of 450 hours and an AU advanced field placement with a minimum of 600 hours. The first of AU's two field assignments, the AU foundational field placement, will be coordinated between the student, AU, and the partner institution. The second field assignment at AU, the AU advanced field placement, must support the student's advanced MSW program of study and will be coordinated between the student, their AU Advisor, and the partner institution.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Students will pay AU tuition rates for AU courses and the partner institution tuition rates for partner institution courses. Students will follow the financial aid eligibility requirements for each school for the courses taken from that school.
Academic Advising
During the duration of their studies, students will have Academic Advisors at each school. The primary Advisor at AU will be selected by the Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Social Work and, as is common practice, AU students will also work closely with the Director of Field Work and the Graduate Registration Coordinator in the School of Social Work.
Administrative Oversight
Administrative oversight of this coordinated program will be shared by the Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Social Work, or their designate, at AU and the Academic Dean at CTS or the Associate Dean for Student Academics at MTS. During all four years, the partner institution and AU will coordinate administrative matters for the care and benefit of the student. For example, students will retain full and continuous library and access privileges at the partner institution throughout the four-year program, including borrowing privileges at the University of Chicago Libraries.
Program Requirements - Master of Social Work
The requirements for the MSW at Aurora University (AU) and the MDiv at the partner institution will be met by each school recognizing and accepting credits from the other school.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Generalist Curriculum | ||
| Social Welfare | ||
| SWK-6140 | Social Welfare Policy and Institutions | 3 |
| Human Behavior and Social Environment | ||
| SWK-6150 | HBSE I: Theories of Human Development I | 3 |
| SWK-6160 | HBSE II: Theories of Human Development II | 3 |
| Social Work Practice Theory and Methods | ||
| SWK-6370 | Social Work Practice With Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SWK-6381 | Social Work Practice With Groups | 3 |
| SWK-6382 | Social Work Practice With Communities and Organizations | 3 |
| Research | ||
| SWK-6250 | Social Work Research Methods | 3 |
| Generalist Field Instruction | ||
| SWK-6730 | Field Instruction I: Generalist Internship | 3 |
| SWK-6740 | Field Instruction Ii: Generalist Internship | 3 |
| Specialization Curriculum | ||
| Social Work Practice and Policy | ||
| SWK-6500 | Social Work Perspectives on Psychopathology | 3 |
| SWK-6511 | Clinical Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWK-6521 | Advanced Clinical Social Work | 3 |
| SWK-6533 | Advanced Social Policy | 3 |
| Advanced Field Instruction | ||
| SWK-6750 | Field Instruction III | 3 |
| SWK-6760 | Field Instruction IV | 3 |
| Social Work Electives | ||
| Social work electives may be used to complete tracks or coursework of interest. | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| 1 | Students at AU will develop their anticipated Coordinated Degree MSW/MDiv program of study with the AU Advisor, and AU may accept up to two courses from the partner institution towards the MSW based upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Social Work. |
Field Assignments and Field Placements
Both degree programs require field assignments. AU requires two field assignments, an AU foundational field placement with a minimum of 450 hours and an AU advanced field placement with a minimum of 600 hours. The first of AU's two field assignments, the AU foundational field placement, will be coordinated between the student, AU, and the partner institution. The second field assignment at AU, the AU advanced field placement, must support the student's advanced MSW program of study and will be coordinated between the student, their AU Advisor, and the partner institution.
Program Requirements - Master of Divinity (MDiv)
The partner institution awards the Master of Divinity degree and therefore determines the degree requirements. AU recognizes that each student and MSW program of study is unique. Students at AU will develop their anticipated Coordinated Degree MSW/MDiv program of study with the AU Advisor, and AU may accept up to two courses from the partner institution towards the MSW based upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Social Work.
Degree Requirements
Graduate Degree Requirements
- Completion of all coursework specified by the graduate program.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or higher if specified by the graduate program.
- Submission of all pre-graduation materials required by the graduate program.
- Acceptance of thesis or other required final project by the graduate program.
- Submission of two copies of approved thesis or project in a specified form together with payment of binding fee where applicable.
- Submission of Application for Graduation and payment of any graduation fees assessed by the university.
- In the case of certification programs, submission of all governmental forms.
- Residency Requirement: A minimum of 25% percent of the total credits required for the completion of the graduate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate or credential must be earned at Aurora University. Individual programs may establish more extensive residency requirements, including requirements that specific coursework be completed at Aurora University.
Learning Outcomes
Master of Social Work
Students will:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- 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