Sonia Medina Pranger, Ph.D., LCSW, PPSC
Assistant Professor
MSW Program Director
Social work is about empowering individuals and their communities. At Fresno Pacific, you will explore the intersection of human development, government and society as you learn to integrate faith and practice. You will complete a set of foundational graduate courses and then specialized advanced courses in behavioral health, children, youth, and family services, and community and faith organizational leadership. Graduate students engage in research scholarship as well as an internship in an advanced practice setting, working under the supervision of a master’s-level social worker.
Through the study of social work, you will gain an understanding of the relationship between social work and Christian faith. Students in the program will be inspired to commit to social justice and a life of service.
Program Highlights
- Meet for class two nights per week
- Progress through the entire program with a cohort of 12-22 students
- Engage diverse classmates from a variety of life stages and cultural backgrounds
- Study under experienced faculty and who assign relevant coursework
- Field internship in an advanced practice setting, supervised by a skilled practitioner in the social work profession.
- Complete the graduate program in four semesters or two semesters if eligible for advanced standing (Please see MSW Handbook for more details on eligibility).
- Classes held in Fall and Spring semesters.
- The program has been approved for pre-candidacy by the Council of Social Work Education. Site Visit will be February 2024. Board of Approval Meeting for candidacy status will be in June 2024.
* Pre-Candidacy
Program has had standards approved in draft form and is scheduled to be reviewed for Candidacy status within one year
Admission and Application
Fall 2024 Deadlines:
February 2nd priority & HCAI Scholarship Deadline
March 1st Final Deadline
Catalog
Program Director: Sonia Medina Pranger, LCSW, PPSC, Ph.D., ABD
Overview
The social work program prepares graduate students for positions in a variety of advanced social work and service settings. The program integrates theory and practice, instills an understanding of the relationship between social work and Christian faith, and encourages a commitment to social justice and a life of service. It does so in the context of a liberal arts education informed by a Christian worldview. Upon completion of the MSW, students will be prepared to seek advanced level employment or pursue advanced graduate studies or licensure.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate ethical and professional behavior in advanced practice settings.
- Students will advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice in advanced practice settings.
- Students will engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice in advanced practice settings.
- Students will engage in advanced research-informed practice and practice-informed research analysis.
- Students will engage in advanced policy practice.
- Students will engage in advanced practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Students will assess in advanced practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will intervene in advanced practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will evaluate in advanced practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will ethically integrate faith in advanced practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Locations Offered
Main Campus Fresno, North Fresno, Visalia
Required Courses (48 units)
- SW 710 - Introduction to Generalist Social Work Credits 3
- SW 711 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment Credits 3
- SW 712 - Social Welfare and Public Policy Credits 3
- SW 713 - Diversity and Social Justice Credits 3
- SW 714 - Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families Credits 3
- SW 715 - Social Work Practice with Groups, Organizations, and Communities Credits 3
- SW 716 - Social Work Research I Credits 3
- SW 717 - Social Work Research II Credits 3
- SW 718 - Ethical Faith Integration and Social Work Practice Credits 3
- SW 719 - Substance Abuse and Dependency Credits 3
- SW 721 - Field Seminar 1 Credits 1.5
- SW 722 - Field Seminar 2 Credits 1.5
- SW 723 - Field Seminar 3 Credits 1.5
- SW 724 - Field Seminar 4 Credits 1.5
- SW 725 - Field Seminar 5 Credits 1.5
- SW 726 - Field Seminar 6 Credits 1.5
- SW 727 - Field Seminar 7 Credits 1.5
- SW 728 - Field Seminar 8 Credits 1.5
- SW 731 - Thesis/Project I Credits 3
- SW 732 - Thesis/Project II Credits 3
Choose a Emphasis (12 units):
Behavioral Health
- SW 744 - Human Sexuality Credits 3
- SW 745 - Advanced Clinical Practice Credits 3
- SW 746 - Psychopathology and Pharmacology Credits 3
- SW 747 - Domestic Violence Credits 3
Children, Youth, and Families
- SW 747 - Domestic Violence Credits 3
- SW 748 - School Social Work Credits 3
- SW 749 - Child Welfare Policy and Practice Credits 3
- SW 750 - Advanced Practice with Children, Youth, and Families Credits 3
Community and Faith Organizational Leadership
- SW 751 - Faith and Social Work Practice in Organizations and Communities Credits 3
- SW 752 - Change Agent and Nonprofit Leadership Credits 3
- SW 753 - Serving Resiliently through Crisis and Trauma Credits 3
- SW 754 - Orientation to Chaplaincy and Grief Counseling Credits 3
Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education
The decision to embark on graduate studies is a big one. Our 40+ graduate programs will equip you to succeed in your career and in your life. You will become part of a small community of learners, thrive in a flexible learning environment and be challenged by a rigorous curriculum. Learn how much further you can go at FPU!
For more information, contact the graduate admissions office, attend an information meeting or ask about a program.
First Steps to Admission
- Apply
- Apply online to the University
- Apply via PDF to the MSW program
- Submit 2 reference forms
These can be filled out by one academic and one professional recommender familiar with your ability to complete graduate-level work. - Include personal statement (Instructions are found in the MSW application).
You may also provide an addendum explaining your interest in the HCAI scholarship (found in the MSW application). - Request official transcripts.
Transcripts must be from regional accredited institutions to verify your bachelor’s degree and CSWE accreditation to verify advanced standing.* Send transcripts electronically to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu or mail sealed transcripts to the Registrar’s Office at 1717 S. Chestnut Ave. Fresno, CA 93702. - Complete program requirements (MSW application).
These requirements are specific the MSW program. You will be contacted for an interview and additional requirements if applicable. - Schedule an appointment.
Meet with your Student Financial Services Advisor. You can contact them at 559-453-2041 | sfs@fresno.edu.
Program Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Letter of petition for students with a GPA under 3.0
- Resume
- Two reference forms: one professional and one academic (May use same reference forms used for university admissions) reference form
- Personal Statement (2-3 page)
- HCAI Scholarship Addendum (if applicable)
- Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree in a regionally accredited institution*
Advanced Standing
- *Advanced Standing – This pertains to applicants who have graduated from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) accredited program. Applicants may be eligible to begin the MSW program in year 2 of the curriculum.
- Must have completed a verified 400+ hour internship.
- Advanced Standing (Year 2) offering will begin in Fall 2024.
State Authorization
State authorization is a federal requirement in the Higher Education Act that requires institutions to be authorized in the state in which online programs are offered. Fresno Pacific University works regularly with individual state authorization agencies to meet each state's requirements. Currently, Fresno Pacific University has received authorization to offer online degree programs in all but nine states: Georgia, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.
For the latest updates on the status of FPU's authorization in your state, contact your FPU Admissions representative.
Cost & Financial Aid
The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. We can help you find opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.
Types of Aid
Financial aid opportunities are available from the university and outside sources. The Master of Social Work Scholarship will provide a limited number of scholarships, up to full program tuition, to the inaugural class of Fall 2023. Additional aid sources may include Private Loans and Scholarships, depending on student eligibility.
**Please note: Students enrolled in the Master of Social Work are ineligible to receive Title IV Aid.
Tuition & Fees
* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Please refer to the Catalog for additional fees. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary.
Career Opportunities
An MSW degree is a career accelerator, preparing graduates with skills to become practitioners, therapists, administrators, and leaders in organizations and communities. Advanced field placement experiences combined with graduate research analysis, positions graduates to work in a variety of contexts and settings, such as:
- School Social Work
- Mental Health Therapist
- Prisons
- Ministry
- Non-profit Management
- Medical Social Work
- Child Welfare Practitioner
Career Development Happens Here
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.
- Resume writing classes
- Career assessments, exploration & planning
- Job search and networking opportunities
- and much more