Johnstown Campus FAQ

The MSW program at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown is a part-time program that prepares students to engage in empirically supported and culturally competent advanced social work practice. It offers a specialization in direct practice with individuals, families, and small groups, with a specialization in mental health. The curriculum successfully prepares students to take the licensure exam.

A new cohort of accepted students begins every two years (2024,2026,etc), completing six credits per semester for 10 consecutive semesters. (Total credits:42 class + 18 practicum) Students may complete the master's degree in three and a half years. Classes are held in the evenings at Pitt's campus in Johnstown, PA. We also offer a 2-year program for students who would like to attend full-time beginning their second year and can travel to the Oakland campus for one course in the spring term.

Students with a BSW/BASW are granted advanced standing during the admission process and can receive up to 15 academic credits. The number of advanced standing credits granted depends on the comparability of the student’s undergraduate courses to this Program’s generalist courses and on the grades they earned in those undergraduate courses (i.e., must be a “B” grade or higher).

Click on the course schedule, which is perfect for the recent grad or the working professional. The cohort model ensures that our students receive the absolute most out of their education. Our students cultivate professional and personal networks that continue long after graduation.

The Pitt-Johnstown MSW program shares the same academic goals, standards, requirements, and accreditation as the program at the Pittsburgh campus School of Social Work.

You are welcome to visit a class or our campus at any time.

A bachelor's degree (minimum overall QPA of 3.0) from an accredited college or university is required. Applicants must be able to show that they have acquired a liberal arts base during their undergraduate (or undergraduate and graduate) studies and must have one undergraduate course in human biology and one undergraduate course in descriptive statistics.(If an applicant does not have a course in statistics, this requirement must be completed before enrollment. Many applicants take this course at a community college if it was not a part of their previous studies)

You can get information about the application process by contacting the program’s regional director, Misha Zorich, maz49@pitt.edu

Admission to the program is set up on a cohort basis. Instead of admitting students every term, we admit students as a group. Cohorts are admitted approximately every 24 months (2024,2026, 2028, etc.)

No. Students who do not have a BSW or a BASW will acquire equivalent preparation through the completion of foundation coursework and practicum. Individuals with degrees from accredited undergraduate social work programs are eligible for advanced standing. The number of advanced standing credits to be granted will be determined as part of the admission process. 

The MSW program on our Johnstown campus offers a Specialization in Direct Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups, with a certificate in Mental Health. Prospective students interested in other Direct Practice areas of special focus such as child welfare and gerontology, or in the Community, Organization, and Social Action (COSA) specialization should apply to the Pittsburgh program.

The five generalist courses are: Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Generalist Foundations of Social Work Practice, Social Work Research, Social Welfare, and Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations.

The MSW degree requires the completion of a minimum of 60 credits. The program consists of 42 credits of coursework and 18 credits of practicum education.

Once admitted, students can complete the degree in 10 terms, provided that all admission prerequisites are met. Students who hold BSW or BASW degrees may be able to complete the degree in eight terms, depending on the number of advanced standing credits granted.

MSW courses are taught by University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work full-time and part-time faculty members, all are members of the local social work community.

There is an MSW regional program director based on campus in Biddle Hall. The regional director provides academic advising, practicum liaison coverage, and community outreach. The regional director is available to assist students with problem-solving, registration, and career planning. The Pitt-Johnstown MSW program shares the same academic goals, standards, and requirements as the program at the Pittsburgh campus.

The MSW program requires two distinct practicum placements for students who enter without a BSW or BASW degree--generalist and specialist placements. Students with a BASW/ BSW have advanced standing and only complete one practicum placement. The campus program director works with students to arrange practicum placements based on their educational goals. A current list of practicum placements from all of the surrounding areas is available.

The MSW program at our Pitt-Johnstown campus began in January 1998. To date, over 300 students have earned their MSW degrees.

 All courses are taught in the evenings (5:30 pm-8:20 pm) by an instructor in-person on the Pitt- Johnstown campus. Class size range from 12-15 students per course.

The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Therefore, students completing the MSW degree are eligible to take the examination to become licensed social workers in Pennsylvania and other states.

Misha Zorich, MSW Regional Program Director, Pitt-Johnstown MSW Program
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
450 Schoolhouse Road
Biddle Hall 150D
Johnstown, PA 15904
maz49@pitt.edu

Maggie Borodach, Administrative Assistant

149B Biddle Hall

450 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904

(814) 269-7008

meb264@pitt.edu