Student Resources

If you’re a current student in the MSW program or are interested in applying, the resources below can help you navigate through the academic process.

Professional Advising and Academic Advising

MSW students are assigned a professional faculty-mentor who is available to meet with you throughout the duration of your studies. While the faculty-mentor is your primary contact person within the program, you are also encouraged to meet with other faculty, as needed, as part of your professional development. Refer to the MSW Student Handbook for your assigned mentor.

Each semester, the director of student services will communicate with you regarding academic advising. It is important to check your APU email account regularly for information on class registration, electives, scholarship opportunities, job openings, etc.

MSW Student Handbooks

Student Learning Outcomes and Competencies Report

All Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) programs measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of CSWE. These competencies are dimensions of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training.

APU Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA)

The MSWSA acts as a liaison between students and the MSW program and faculty, facilitating faculty/student communication and collaboration, organizing student extracurricular and developmental events, serving the surrounding community, and working with the MSW program on issues related to student affairs, social justice, political advocacy, and program development. See the MSW Student Handbook (above) for more information.

APU Social Work Alumni Association

For more information, call Martha Ekblad at (626) 804-2719. You can also visit the APU social work alumni website for more resources and a calendar of events.

Association for Community Organization and Social Administration (ACOSA)

ACOSA is a membership organization for community organizers, activists, nonprofit administrators, community builders, policy practitioners, students, and educators. ACOSA will keep you informed of the latest innovations in community and administrative practice, as well as provide you with a variety of opportunities for networking and professional advancement.

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

ASWB has information for licensing, board or college websites, statutes and administrative rules where you intend to practice if you have any questions about the laws, requirements for licensing, etc.

Board of Behavioral Sciences, California

The Board of Behavioral Sciences is responsible for consumer protection in California, through licensing and regulation of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) and Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP). The board registers and regulates MFT Interns (IMF), Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASW), Professional Clinical Counselor Interns (PCCI) and Continuing Education Providers.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

CSWE is a nonprofit national association representing more than 2,500 individual members, in addition to graduate and undergraduate programs of professional social work education. Founded in 1952, this partnership of educational and professional institutions, social welfare agencies, and private citizens is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in this country.

Lobby Days

Legislative Lobby Days is a two-day event that educates students and professionals about important legislation affecting clients and the social work profession.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

NASW equips its members for professional social work practice.

North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW)

NACSW equips its members to integrate Christian faith and professional social work practice.

Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR)

SSWR is a professional membership society for social workers who are interested in research.

Note: This information is current for the 2023-24 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.

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