Master of Science in Faith-Based Social Work (MSW)

Degree abbreviation

M.S. in Faith-Based Social Work

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Academic unit

HBIU College of Behavioral Social Science

Total credits

60

Duration

2 years

• Analyze complex social issues using advanced sociological and behavioral science theoretical frameworks.
• Apply ethical decision-making models within professional practice to address moral dilemmas in diverse social service settings.
• Evaluate social welfare policies to determine their efficacy and impact on marginalized and vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrate servant leadership through the development and implementation of sustainable, community-focused support programs.
• Integrate a coherent worldview that reconciles professional social work standards with principles of integrity, justice, and human stewardship.
• Communicate research-based findings clearly to diverse stakeholders to advocate for effective social reform.
• Design comprehensive intervention plans that respect the autonomy and inherent value of individuals served.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• SOC 501
• Sociological Theory and Social Change
• 4
• None
• RES 505
• Research Methods in Social Sciences
• 4
• None
• COU 510
• Human Development Across the Lifespan
• 4
• None
• THE 520
• Ethics, Stewardship, and Human Dignity
• 3
• None
• SOC 501 — Sociological Theory and Social Change: Explores major sociological theories and their utility in understanding human interaction and structural changes. Students analyze historical and contemporary perspectives on societal developmentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES 505 — Research Methods in Social Sciences: Introduces quantitative and qualitative research methodologies essential for data collection and analysis. Students learn to evaluate existing research to inform practiceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COU 510 — Human Development Across the Lifespan: Examines the physical, cognitive, and social development of individuals throughout the human life cycle. Focuses on the impact of environment and community on developmental outcomesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• THE 520 — Ethics, Stewardship, and Human Dignity: Integrates ethical philosophy with the concept of stewardship in social service settings. Students develop an ethical framework for professional engagementThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• SOC 530
• Social Welfare Policy Analysis
• 4
• SOC 501
• COU 540
• Community Intervention Strategies
• 4
• RES 505
• MGT 550
• Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations
• 3
• None
• SOC 560
• Diversity and Cultural Competence
• 4
• None
• SOC 530 — Social Welfare Policy Analysis: Evaluates the historical and contemporary development of social welfare policies. Students assess the impact of these policies on marginalized groupsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COU 540 — Community Intervention Strategies: Focuses on evidence-based strategies for fostering community resilience and resource development. Emphasizes collaborative approaches to addressing systemic inequitiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGT 550 — Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations: Examines administrative theories and leadership styles within the context of non-profit operations. Covers organizational behavior and effective stewardship of resourcesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC 560 — Diversity and Cultural Competence: Provides an in-depth analysis of cultural factors and their role in social work service provision. Focuses on building competence for inclusive practicesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• RES 601
• Advanced Data Analysis
• 4
• RES 505
• COU 610
• Family Systems and Advocacy
• 4
• COU 510
• SOC 620
• Global Perspectives on Social Justice
• 3
• None
• SOC 630
• Organizational Stewardship
• 3
• MGT 550
• RES 601 — Advanced Data Analysis: Provides training in advanced statistical techniques and software usage for social research. Prepares students for their thesis analysisThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COU 610 — Family Systems and Advocacy: Analyzes family dynamics through systems theory and explores methods of family advocacy. Emphasizes empowering families within community networksThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC 620 — Global Perspectives on Social Justice: Investigates global social justice issues and the role of local practitioners in addressing them. Promotes a broader understanding of service and human rightsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC 630 — Organizational Stewardship: Explores the ethical responsibility of non-profit professionals in the management of organizational assets. Connects fiscal responsibility with social missionThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• CAP 699
• Master's Thesis
• 4
• RES 601
• SOC 650
• Program Evaluation and Impact
• 4
• RES 601
• COU 660
• Servant Leadership in Practice
• 3
• None
• SOC 670
• Advanced Professional Ethics and Clinical Practice
• 3
• THE 520
• CAP 699 — Master's Thesis: The final capstone project requiring original research and a scholarly paper on a selected social work topic. Focuses on evidence-based synthesis and professional contributionThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC 650 — Program Evaluation and Impact: Focuses on methods for evaluating the effectiveness of social service programs. Students create impact assessment tools for community organizationsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COU 660 — Servant Leadership in Practice: Critically examines the application of servant leadership within social service contexts. Focuses on the role of the practitioner as a community agentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC 670 — Advanced Professional Ethics and Clinical Practice: This course examines the application of professional codes of ethics and standards of conduct within social work and human services environments. Students analyze ethical dilemmas, legal responsibilities, and the intersection of personal values with institutional mandates. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Prospective students are required to submit official transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining their commitment to ethical service, two letters of professional or academic recommendation, and a writing sample demonstrating graduate-level analytical ability. Thesis or Capstone Project The Master’s Thesis is the culminating experience of the program, requiring students to engage in independent research that addresses a critical need within the social work field. Students define a research question, conduct a thorough literature review, and propose a data-informed intervention or policy recommendation that reflects their cumulative learning and professional development. This project must demonstrate high-level synthesis of theory, empirical evidence, and ethical reasoning. By analyzing real-world scenarios, students demonstrate the ability to apply their academic training to substantive community issues, producing a final document that serves as evidence of their readiness for advanced practice. The project is weighted at 4 credit hours and is supervised by a faculty mentor. Integration of faith-based principles is evidenced through the project's focus on stewardship, the pursuit of justice, and the promotion of human dignity. Students are expected to articulate how their proposed solutions reflect a commitment to ethical integrity and servant leadership, ensuring that their scholarly work serves as a reflection of both their professional competence and their formation as practitioners who view service as a profound calling to contribute to the common good.

• To graduate, students must successfully complete all 60 required credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, ensuring a strong foundation in both core methodologies and elective specializations. The satisfactory completion of the Thesis is required, as it serves as the final assessment of the student's ability to integrate scholarly research with the practical demands of the field. Beyond academic performance, students are expected to participate in scheduled spiritual formation and community service engagements, reflecting the university's mission to produce leaders of high moral character. Graduation is not merely the attainment of a degree, but the demonstration of spiritual maturity, ethical integrity, and a readiness for professional service that honors the intrinsic worth of the individuals they serve. The final conferral of the degree signifies that the student has attained the requisite knowledge and the holistic formation necessary to engage in transformative work within the social services sector.
• Career Opportunities
• Non-profit Program Manager
• Community Advocacy Coordinator
• Family Services Specialist
• Social Policy Researcher
• Grant Writer for Human Services
• Humanitarian Aid Coordinator
• Faith-based Social Services Director
• Important Notices
• The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
• HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
• HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
• Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
• The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
• Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
• Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
• This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
• Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
• Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
• Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
• Degree abbreviation | M.S. in Faith-Based Social Work
• Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
• Advanced Faith-Based Social Work core | 27 credit hours
• Research, assessment, and program evaluation | 12 credit hours
• Professional application and field experience | 12 credit hours
• Graduate capstone requirement | 9 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SOC 501 | Sociological Theory and Social Change | 4 | None
• RES 505 | Research Methods in Social Sciences | 4 | None
• COU 510 | Human Development Across the Lifespan | 4 | None
• THE 520 | Ethics, Stewardship, and Human Dignity | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SOC 530 | Social Welfare Policy Analysis | 4 | SOC 501
• COU 540 | Community Intervention Strategies | 4 | RES 505
• MGT 550 | Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations | 3 | None
• SOC 560 | Diversity and Cultural Competence | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES 601 | Advanced Data Analysis | 4 | RES 505
• COU 610 | Family Systems and Advocacy | 4 | COU 510
• SOC 620 | Global Perspectives on Social Justice | 3 | None
• SOC 630 | Organizational Stewardship | 3 | MGT 550
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP 699 | Master's Thesis | 4 | RES 601
• SOC 650 | Program Evaluation and Impact | 4 | RES 601
• COU 660 | Servant Leadership in Practice | 3 | None
• SOC 670 | Advanced Professional Ethics and Clinical Practice | 3 | THE 520