Social Work (MSW Online or On-Campus) with Criminal Justice (MS)

At a Glance

• 2-year (full-time) or 3-year (part-time), 90 quarter unit program
• 1280 hours of clinical internships with a research-focused thesis option
• Criminal Justice MS only available as a dual degree with the MSW (see curriculum guide)
• Small class size for maximum learning experience
• Christian environment emphasizing integrated learning, respect for all persons, and compassionate whole person care
• Embedded professional self-care

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Program Information

• Overview
• Admissions
• Program Requirements

Program Description

The Social Work (MSW) with Criminal Justice (MS) program at Loma Linda University equips students to gain solid preparation in the substantive field of social work, together with essential policy studies and/or clinical services in the field of criminal justice.

Curriculum Guides

Crime disrupts personal and community relationships, endangers public health and safety, and threatens the moral contours of everyday social life. Loma Linda University's mission "to make man whole" provides a powerful and much-needed context in which criminal justice can be addressed on the basis of healing and restoration. The principles of restorative justice elevate the dimensions of justice that:

• Promote the acceptance of responsibility,
• Promote the fulfillment of obligations,
• Embrace forgiveness and reconciliation, and
• Culminate in the restoration of personal and social relationships.

This multidisciplinary approach to deviance and the administration of justice takes into consideration the social, physical and spiritual well-being of victims, offenders, and communities--which provides a deeper understanding of crime and the struggle of the modern criminal justice system.

Mission

The mission of the combined Master of Social Work and Master of Science in Criminal Justice at Loma Linda University is to facilitate more efficient completion of two graduate degrees for students with strong interests in, and who are dedicated to, the advanced practice of both social work and criminal justice. The master's program in social work emphasizes ecological systems, a perspective that focuses on the interaction of a person or system in relation to his/her environment. The master's degree in criminal justice aims to prepare students to think critically, analytically, and creatively about the problems of crime and social control in the contemporary world.

The combination of these two programs has guided the development of the foundation curriculum, professional concentrations, and selection of practicum sites for this dual degree program.

Goals

• To prepare student for the provision of clinical services to the criminal justice population;
• To prepare students to make interdisciplinary contributions to program development and management;
• To prepare students for positions in criminal justice service interventions at the local, state, national, and international levels;
• To prepare students for positions in teaching and research in the area of criminal justice.

Admissions FAQ

Degree Completion Requirements

• A total of 90 units are required for completion;
• Completion of field practicum requirement;
• Professional Practicum and Seminar: 540 hours;
• Advanced Professional Practicum Seminar: 880 hours;
• Following the completion of the foundation coursework, students are required to pass the MSW's Qualifying Review;
• Completion of research coursework or thesis;
• Completion of Wholeness Portfolio providing evidence of accomplishments and growing competency in professional practicum experience.

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