Advanced Standing MSW Program
Develop Advanced Skills for Effective Social Work Practice
The Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing) degree program from Grand Canyon University is designed for students who have completed an accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and are ready to tackle advanced social work practice skills in advocacy, therapeutic counseling and critical analysis.
In this program, you will study advanced concepts in social work theory, practice and social work ethics. You will be taught to work effectively with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities on various social and behavioral health issues. Students accepted into this advanced standing MSW program are eligible to move straight into advanced social work courses.
Original institution needs to be accredited Evaluated on a course-by-course basis 12 credit maximum Internship/Field Placement Hours/Course are not transferable Courses must have been taken within 5 years No credits accepted at less than a B
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
- Undergraduate Degree*
- 2.8+ GPA
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
- GMAT: 500
- GRE: 300 combined**
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
Turn Social Work Theory Into Action at GCU
Rooted in a faith-integrated approach, our program emphasizes servant leadership and ethical practice, preparing you to engage compassionately with communities. Experienced faculty mentors provide personalized support throughout your journey. GCU also offers a range of scholarships and financial aid to make graduate education more accessible.
Courses are offered through an interactive online learning platform, allowing you to balance work and personal commitments. You will be taught by knowledgeable faculty and engage with peers through discussion boards that encourage collaboration and problem-solving. To help you stay on track, GCU provides comprehensive tech support, ensuring you have the tools needed to navigate your coursework.
As an advanced standing program, this MSW allows qualified students to bypass foundational coursework and move directly into the advanced year. This streamlined structure can shorten the overall time to completion, with total duration depending on your course load.
Coursework and Areas of Study in the Advanced Standing MSW
The curriculum for the online(See disclaimer 1) advanced standing MSW guides you through the core competencies of social work, from understanding different mental health conditions to treatment planning to counseling skills for individuals, families, groups and organizations. You will focus on evidence-based practice and the hands-on application of social work theories, and you will explore how to foster a welcoming, therapeutic environment for your diverse clients.
Along with coursework, you will complete 500 hours of in-person field experience, applying your skills in an approved community agency under the supervision of a social work professional. Our Office of Field Experience is available to assist you as you arrange and fulfill your required field experience.
The content is focused on pivotal areas, including:
Ethical and professional behavior
Diversity and difference in practice
Human rights and social, economic and environmental justice
Practice-informed research and research-informed practice
Policy practice
Communication with various stakeholders
Hear From Our Dean
"Social workers are change agents that support people through their time of crisis. Our program offers a specific skill set that truly can lend a hand in changing people's directions."
"Social workers are change agents that support people through their time of crisis. Our program offers a specific skill set that truly can lend a hand in changing people's directions."
Career Pathways for Advanced Standing MSW Graduates
Within the social work career field, there are multiple areas of specialization to consider. Graduates of our program may choose to become a social worker at schools or within healthcare organizations, for example. Social workers can also choose to work with families or individuals and specialize in various areas such as gerontology, special education or hospice.(See disclaimer 2)
Along with the role of generalist social worker, other positions you may pursue with an MSW advanced standing degree are:
Social and community service manager
Mental health and substance abuse social worker
Postsecondary social work educator
Healthcare social worker
Estimated number of job openings for social workers from 2024 to 2034(See disclaimer 3)
Median annual salary for social workers as of May 2024(See disclaimer 4)
Clinical Licensed Social Worker
Not all social workers are licensed. If you would like to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you must fulfill the licensure requirements established by your state. These generally include completing supervised field experience hours and passing a licensure exam. Note that some states also require nonclinical social workers to obtain licensure.(See disclaimer 5 )Be sure to check your state’s requirements as you work toward this career goal.
Graduate With an MSW From an Accredited University
As with the Bachelor of Social Work program, the MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education Commission on Accreditation (CSWE). The CSWE has verified that this advanced standing MSW meets or exceeds standards of academic quality and preparation for pursuing a career in social work. In addition, GCU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review our frequently asked questions and find answers to learn more about completing your MSW and what you can expect.
What’s the difference between an MSW and an advanced standing MSW?
Is an advanced standing MSW hard?
Program Curriculum
Core Courses
Prepare to make a positive difference in your community by earning your advanced standing MSW at GCU.
Excluding residencies, practicums, internships and field experience.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). What Social Workers Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved January 2026.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers, retrieved January 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Social Workers as of May 2024, retrieved January 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as social workers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). How to Become a Social Worker. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved January 2026.