Alliant International University Social Work Programs

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Alliant International University stands firm in its dedication to social justice and equity. The California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) houses this program that gives you the most important skills in emotional intelligence, communication, organization, and problem-solving. These skills help you work effectively with individuals, groups, and communities.

The program has achieved Candidacy status in the rigorous Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation process. This shows how the program meets CSWE’s educational standards. Alliant expects to receive full accreditation by 2025. Students benefit from this accreditation as it will give a quality education that the field recognizes and respects.

Students become clinically focused, competent scholar-practitioners who champion social and economic justice through inclusive, ethical social work practice. The curriculum arranges with nine CSWE core competencies and covers social work practice, social welfare and policy, human behavior, social research, and field education.

This two-year program stands out with its hands-on approach. Students complete 900 internship hours over three semesters. CSPP has built relationships with organizations across the United States for over 50 years, where these field placements take place.

A bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited institution qualifies you for the MSW program. Professionals from a variety of academic backgrounds can switch to social work. The program also offers online options that fit the schedules of busy students.

Graduates can pursue licensure and begin a career in advanced social work. The program’s clinical practice focus helps you excel professionally and become a licensed clinical social worker. Students learn how social policy shapes this meaningful profession’s future.

Types of Social Work Degrees Offered at Alliant International University

Alliant International University’s California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) has a complete Master of Social Work (MSW) program. This program is the main social work degree you can get at the university and will prepare you to become a licensed professional in advanced practice.

The MSW program needs 60 credit units – 54 core credits and 6 elective credits. This setup will give a solid foundation while letting you specialize in areas that interest you. The curriculum teaches both direct work with individuals, families, and groups, as well as broader work at community and organizational levels.

A bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, psychology, or sociology can get you into the MSW program. This opens doors to social work careers for people from different educational backgrounds.

The program focuses on three main branches of social work:

• Micro social work – One-on-one work with people who need social services, counseling support, and help with trauma and addiction recovery
• Mezzo social work – Work with groups who share common experiences, like domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, or those dealing with addiction
• Macro social work – Support and resources for professional social workers who work at smaller scales

The program has courses in Social Justice, Human Behavior, Human Service, and the Social Environment. You’ll also study Management and Organizational Development, Social Work in Health Care, Social Work and Aging, Science of Social Work, Public Welfare Policy, and Social Work and Addiction.

Your first year builds a foundation in social work history, ethics, practice models, and policy analysis. The program then prepares you for specialized fieldwork and professional practice. You’ll end up qualified to pursue licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Degree Specializations

Alliant International University’s MSW program lets you choose from several specialization options that match your career interests and goals. The curriculum blends micro and macro elements to prepare you for different professional roles in social work.

You can specialize in school social work after completing the foundation courses. This path will give you the skills to help students and families in educational settings. You’ll learn to handle problems like bullying, truancy, special education needs, and family challenges that affect children’s ability to learn.

Clinical practice is a key focus of the program, which prepares you to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). As an LCSW, you’ll help people with emotional and psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction.

The MSW curriculum covers these important practice areas:

• Direct practice with individuals, families, and groups
• Macro practice focusing on community and organizational levels
• Child welfare protecting children at risk of abuse or neglect
• Healthcare addressing issues like chronic illness and end-of-life care
• Mental health and substance abuse supporting those with addiction and psychological challenges
• Military social work serving veterans and military families

Whatever specialization you pick, you’ll build skills in both micro-level interventions and macro-level systems change. This combined approach will give a solid foundation to work with individuals while understanding broader social contexts.

The program’s well-designed curriculum readies you to work in a variety of settings—from schools and hospitals to government agencies and nonprofit organizations. You’ll get hands-on experience in real-life environments through field work, which helps you develop expertise in your chosen area.

By graduation, you’ll have specialized skills that line up with your career goals, whether you want to work with specific groups or tackle particular social issues.

Online and Hybrid Options

Life can be tough when you’re trying to balance education with personal and professional responsibilities. Alliant International University understands this challenge and provides flexible learning options for MSW students.

The online CSWE-accredited MSW program at Alliant gives busy professionals and students a practical way to manage their various commitments. You can complete the program in just 24 months. This quick timeframe helps you advance your career while keeping up with your daily life.

One of the program’s best features is its approach to field education. Clinical practice through practicum education remains crucial, even online. The university helps you find clinical placements that fit your schedule, including non-traditional hours. This flexibility lets you choose internships that match both your career goals and personal commitments.

The program shows how well Alliant understands its students’ multiple responsibilities. Their approach to work-life balance puts student learning first while making room for personal commitments. The instructors themselves balance academic and professional work, just like many of their students.

An online MSW program comes with several key benefits:

• Scheduling Control – Create a flexible learning schedule that fits around your existing commitments
• Geographic Freedom – Access quality education without relocating
• Cost Efficiency – Eliminate commuting expenses and reduce overall costs

The program maintains high academic standards while being online. Students learn through a combination of online classes and real-life experiences in practicum settings. This approach prepares you for your future role’s social welfare duties as a professional clinical social worker.

The online program advances knowledge through innovative delivery methods and technology while teaching cultural competency and inclusive awareness principles. Graduates are ready to work with community members, develop interventions, and promote community wellness—skills that modern social workers need.

Graduation Rates

Graduation rates tell us a lot about Alliant International University’s social work programs. The data shows different completion patterns throughout the university, though specific MSW program numbers are still taking shape.

Alliant International University’s official records show a six-year graduation rate of 61%. All the same, another source shows that 39.2% of students finish within six years, while 60.8% don’t complete their programs. These different numbers likely come from looking at different student groups or using different counting methods.

The online Master of Social Work program at Alliant started recently on January 9, 2023. Because of this, detailed graduation data for this CSWE-accredited program isn’t available yet. The university states that “two full years of data for this program will be available” by December 1, 2026.

Student backgrounds play a big role in graduation success at Alliant. Male Asian students topped the graduation rates at 100%. Nationwide Doctoral Universities show Non-resident Alien Male students lead with a 65.7% graduation rate. These numbers reflect university-wide patterns rather than just social work program results.

Women outnumber men substantially among graduates, with 582 more women getting degrees. White students make up the largest group of graduates with 508 degrees, followed by Hispanic or Latino students with 295 degrees.

Future students should know that completion rates change based on how students enroll. Students who had previous college experience and studied full-time showed an 83% six-year graduation rate. This rate sits well above the university average. Students with prior college experience who can study full-time tend to do better at Alliant.

The MSW program’s graduation numbers will become clearer as time passes. Right now, the program continues through the CSWE accreditation process, with full accreditation predicted by 2025.

Career Outcomes

The MSW program at Alliant International University prepares graduates for meaningful career opportunities in various settings. This CSWE-accredited MSW program qualifies you for different positions based on your specialization and interests.

Alliant’s MSW degree creates pathways to entry-level roles and advanced positions. A bachelor’s in social work enables you to pursue careers in public health, housing placement, and case management. The MSW qualification opens doors to higher-level positions such as Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), social work leaders, and educators.

You can work in these professional settings:

• Government agencies
• Senior centers and nursing homes
• Schools and universities
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Prisons and courts
• Clinics and counseling agencies
• Community outreach programs
• Military bases
• Private practices

The two-year program at Alliant includes 900 internship hours spread over three semesters, which provides hands-on field experience. These practicum opportunities include individual counseling, group facilitation, assessments, treatment planning, case management, and crisis intervention.

The online MSW program at Alliant launched in January 2023, so specific placement data continues to develop. However, Alliant International University graduates earn approximately $60,000 in their early careers.

The most common industries for Alliant’s specialized degree holders include elementary and secondary schools (3,564,519 people), hospitals (2,023,930 people), and colleges/universities (776,779 people). Social workers typically build careers in elementary and middle schools, registered nursing, accounting, management, and secondary school teaching.

Social work presents its challenges, but this degree leads to personal and professional fulfillment. Your career path offers opportunities to advance in your field, develop specialties, and create positive change for vulnerable populations. The combination of professional growth and social impact makes Alliant International University’s MSW program a valuable investment for many graduates.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at Alliant International University

Alliant International University’s social work programs stand out with several unique features in social work education. The program’s integration with the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) creates an interdisciplinary approach that helps students who want to blend psychology with social services.

The MSW program’s strength lies in its focus on both micro and macro practice. Many programs concentrate on just one area, but here you’ll learn to work with individuals while developing skills to guide broader social systems. This balanced approach opens up career opportunities in a variety of settings.

Clinical focus makes this program special. You’ll learn evidence-based interventions and practical applications that prepare you for LCSW licensure after graduation. This clinical orientation shows up everywhere – from your coursework to field placements.

Social justice principles are at the program’s core. Your studies will show how systemic problems affect vulnerable populations and teach you ways to tackle these challenges. This justice-centered framework spreads through every part of your educational journey.

Field education gives you another edge. You’ll get 900 hours of internship experience over three semesters – this is a big deal as it means that you’ll receive more hands-on training than most other programs require. These placements build on CSPP’s 50-year-old relationships with organizations across the country.

Unlike other programs that need specific undergraduate majors, Alliant welcomes students with bachelor’s degrees from any field. This open admission policy brings diverse thoughts and experiences to each cohort.

The online format shows a modern approach to social work education. It blends flexible online learning with structured field experiences, making it perfect for working professionals without cutting corners on educational quality or skill development.

The program aims for full CSWE accreditation by 2025, ensuring your curriculum meets today’s professional standards in social work education and practice.