Belmont University’s 4+1 Faith and Social Justice (BA) to Social Work (MSW) program offers an accelerated pathway for undergraduate students in the Faith and Social Justice (FSJ) major to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Social Work (MSW) in just five years. The program includes the required number of hours for graduation (128), the BELL Core (55), the FSJ major (30), undergraduate Social Work courses eligible for graduate credit (43) recognized as preparation for Belmont University’s Advanced Standing Social Work (M.S.W.) program (30).
To prepare for graduate-level social work, FSJ students in the 4+1 pathway also complete a set of foundational undergraduate social work courses. These courses introduce students to core concepts in social work practice, social welfare policy, human behavior in the social environment, and culturally responsive approaches to service delivery. The 4+1 FSJ pathway curriculum naturally intersects with many SWK concepts through its attention to faith-based wisdom, common good ethics, and virtue formation for community heath and flourishing. This academic blend ensures that students are eligible for Advanced Standing in Belmont’s MSW program, allowing them to complete the graduate degree in just one additional year. Students must meet the requirements established by the School of Social Work and College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Students are encouraged to discuss their eligibility before the last semester of their junior year.
The MSW component then deepens this foundation with specialized training in trauma-informed care, advocacy, and leadership in social work practice. Graduates are equipped to serve in a variety of settings such as mental health agencies, healthcare, schools, and community organizations, where they address the needs of diverse populations through evidence-based and compassionate professional practice.
Return to: