Curriculum overview

This online MSW program helps you to develop a multicultural social work practice, advocate for social justice, and assist in healing communities affected by the intergenerational consequences of historical and cultural trauma. By studying a curriculum that blends Western and Indigenous healing paradigms, you’ll learn to cultivate community wellbeing through evidence-based practices, social service programs, and human-service policies. In addition to core courses, the curriculum features: 

• 900 hours of clinical fieldwork 
• A cultural immersion experience, either on campus or in your own community  
• Two available program tracks 
• Two available focus areas 

Program tracks and focus areas 

There are two available tracks for the online MSW program: 

The Traditional Track: This 57-credit track is for you if you hold a bachelor’s degree in any field other than social work, or if you earned your bachelor’s in social work (BSW) more than five years ago. The Traditional Track can be completed in 18 months full time or 36 months part time.   

The Advanced Standing Track: This 30-credit track is for you if you earned your BSW from an accredited four-year program within the past five years. The Advanced Track can be completed in 12 months full time or 24 months part time. 

To help you prepare to serve the communities that matter most to you, we also offer two focus areas: 

Pacific and Original Nations Orientation (PONO): This focus builds on foundation-year courses to further promote social work practice through a multifocal, decolonial lens. You’ll take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding social work practice that incorporates both Indigenous and Western perspectives. 

Military and Veterans Affairs: This focus prepares you to assess, and treat active-duty military members, veterans, and military family members while navigating the nuances of social work practice within local, state, and federal government programs. 

Online learning experience

In the online MSW program, you’ll find an intuitive and flexible platform designed for real people with real lives. 

• Attend weekly face-to-face classes that facilitate enriching engagement with peers and faculty 
• Complete interactive assignments using a customizable platform 
• Access full-spectrum career services from interview prep to salary resources 
• Connect with a student success advisor who will support you throughout the program 

Admissions and career outlook

Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. The Traditional Track is for non-BSW holders, while the Advanced Standing Track is for candidates who have earned a BSW from an accredited, four-year program within the past five years. Admissions are assessed holistically, and GRE/GMAT scores are not required.

You’ll graduate ready to pursue licensure and work in a range of social work settings, including: 

• Healthcare services
• Veteran-centric organizations 
• Senior and aging services 
• International non-profits 
• Community development 
• Mental health services 
• Government agencies 
• Not-for-profit organizations 

Start your social work huaka’i (journey) at Hawai‘i Pacific University and grow into a reflective, culturally sensitive practitioner.