Studying Social Work at Andrews
Andrews University appears in our ranking of the 35 Best Value Christian Colleges with CSWE-accredited Programs.
Since 1990, the College of Arts & Sciences has conferred the Bachelor of Social Work Program for Andrews University undergrads to launch generalist careers aiding at-risk populations with sensitivity to diversity. Chaired by Dr. Desiree Davis, the 124-credit, liberal arts-based degree builds client advocacy skills in Berrien Springs or off-site at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland. Mandatory courses like Intro to Counseling, Social Welfare Institutions, God & Human Life, and Behavioral Science are small with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. At least 400 hours are spent at field practice agencies, such as Lakeland Hospice, Riverwood Mental Health, Samaritan Center, Lighthouse Education, Bethany Christian Services, and Lory's Place. BSW majors could also join the Social Work Club, take the 4+1 track, enjoy Chocolate Mondays, choose the Fitness Education Minor, and study in Singapore.
Boasting a 100 percent LMSW pass rate, Andrews University created the Master of Social Work Program to prepare post-grads for clinical or administrative responsibility according to NASW Code of Ethics. Directed by Dr. Alina Baltazar in Nethery Hall, the 56-credit, two-year curriculum trains Christian servant leaders with face-to-face courses like Policy for Social Change and Interpersonal Practice. CSWE-accredited degrees qualify for the 33-credit, 12-month Advanced Standing Option that fast forwards into focus areas: Mental Health, Marriage & Family, Pastoral Care, Child Welfare, and Global Social Work. One 400-hour and one 500-hour practicum are integrated at placements from Hope's Door Ministry to Oaklawn Psychiatric Center. Other opportunities include pledging Phi Alpha, pursuing the Dual MDiv, attending the Business of Social Work Conference, taking missions to Honduras, and becoming New Life Fellows.
About Andrews University
Andrews University was established in 1874 by Seventh-day Adventist ministers according to Joseph Bates' vision as Battle Creek College. Three decades later, it became Emmanuel Missionary College and relocated to a 2,400-acre campus on the St. Joseph River. Renamed again for John Nevin Andrews in 1960, Andrews acquired Griggs University & International Academy in 2011 and evolved into Michigan's largest private, Christian institution. Endowed for $49 million, the CIC member now serves 3,348 Cardinals, including Social Work majors, with 254 professors near South Bend. Linked to 16,055 LinkedIn alumni, Andrews University has graduated Desmond Ford, Barry Black, Samuele Bacchiocchi, Shirley Neil Pettis, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Andrews the 192nd best national university and 205th top online graduate school. On Niche, Andrews is America's 186th hardest college, 212th best small school, and 217th top faculty. Forbes chose Andrews University 216th among research institutions with the 318th happiest alums. In Washington Monthly, Andrews has the country's 111th best service record, 222nd most Peace Corps volunteers, and 263rd top education. PayScale recognized Andrews for a median mid-career salary of $77,700. College Factual positioned Andrews as the 37th most diverse university and 91st best social work school. Andrews University was also crowned 19th for social mobility in Michigan's Bridge Magazine.
Andrews University Accreditation Details
In 2016, Andrews University passed the comprehensive evaluation to renew its Level VI accreditation for 10 years without warning by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) under president Dr. Andrea Luxton. This regional agency in Chicago is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to ensure quality for Andrews' eight associate, 88 baccalaureate, 36 master's, and 22 doctoral majors. The Christian university is approved by the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The College of Arts & Sciences holds accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through June 2019 too.
Andrews University Application Requirements
Classified as "moderately difficult" on Peterson's, Andrews University reported a Fall 2017 admission rate of 57 percent. Pre-BSW Cardinals should finish a 16-unit, college-prep high school curriculum or the GED at the 50th percentile. Holding a cumulative 2.50 GPA or better is expected, but the average is 3.52. Freshmen need to score at least 20 on the ACT, 510 on SAT subjects, or 1100 on the PSAT. The Bachelor of Social Work admits sophomores who've finished 45-60 credits, including introductory prerequisites, with "C" grades or greater. Regular MSW candidates must present 2.75 upper-division GPAs in their four-year, accredited bachelor's program. Waiving 23 credits for Advanced Standing requires completing a BSW in the last five years and a 3.0 GPA.
Andrews University set bachelor's deadlines of July 15th for Fall and November 15th for Spring starts. The MSW Program considers entrants until April 1st, June 1st, and November 15th. Create an online ID to submit the Undergraduate or Graduate Application and link a ZeeMee profile. Needed assistance is available at (800) 253-2874 or [email protected]. Caring social work majors should check off the following:
- $30 non-refundable fee ($60 for MSW)
- Domestic and international transcripts
- Official SAT, ACT, or GRE score reports
- Two non-family recommendation letters
- Employment and community service résumé
- Original, 500-word objective statement
Tuition and Financial Aid
Pursuing the BSW Program at Andrews comes with a full-time tuition package of $14,136 per term or $28,272 annually. Part-time study costs $1,178 per credit. Budget $1,016 for fees and $1,100 for textbooks each year. Living at the Berrien Springs campus' dorms like Lamson Hall adds $4,778 for room and $3,600 for board. The annual price of attendance equals $38,766 for residents and $30,636 for commuters. The Master of Social Work currently bills $1,073 per credit with a $385 general fee. Expect an MSW total of $35,794 to $60,858.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 89 percent of full-time Andrews Cardinals share $23.6 million for financial aid offers worth $15,301 on average. Institutional funds include the Partnership Scholarship, Targeted Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship, Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship, Legacy Scholarship, and Taskforce Volunteer Scholarship. The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program gifts $1,000 per term. Graduate assistantships have tuition benefits with $3,000 stipends. Filing the FAFSA application with code 002238 opens the Federal Pell and FSEOG Grants. Wolverine State natives might earn the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program, Children of Veterans Tuition Grant, or Fostering Futures Scholarship. Monthly online payments are processed on TouchNet. Other Andrews University options include Military GI Bill money, Seventh-day Adventist employee assistance, and Direct Loans.
Learn more about Andrews University at the Social Work Department website.