DCS Part-time MSW

Child Welfare Education Program (CWEP)

DCS Part-time MSW

Part-time MSW Program for Current DCS Employees

The Department of Child Safety (DCS) offers a Title IV-E program for current employees. Applicants are first selected by DCS based on eligibility requirements determined by DCS. Applicants must then apply to and be admitted to the ASU Graduate College/Master of Social Work program.  After applicants have been both selected by DCS and admitted to the MSW program, then the CWEP will make offers for Award Packages.  

The DCS Part-Time Program for current employees includes in-state tuition, mandatory fees, and up to $350 in book reimbursement per year for employees to earn their MSW through ASU. Eligible applicants must have worked at DCS for 2 years and be in good standing with the department. While in the program, employees must continue working at DCS full-time while attending school part-time.  Once the employee/student completes the MSW degree, the employee is then contractually obligated to work at DCS for an additional 24 months after graduation.

There are two DCS part-time MSW programs. The campus-based program offers courses primarily through in-person and sync (i.e. Zoom) formats, with some electives offered through an asynchronous online format. The online program offers courses fully through an asynchronous, online format (students participate in online discussions, but do not meet together at the same time). 

Students in the campus-based program will take two to three courses per semester. The Fall and Spring semesters are about 15 weeks. Summer sessions are between 7 and 12 weeks. Evening courses, both for in-person and sync courses, typically start at 5:40 and end at 8:30. Applicants for this program should be prepared to be able to work all day and attend evening courses up to two days a week.      

Students in the online program will take one to two courses each of the two sessions of each academic semester.  Courses offered through ASU online are generally 7.5 weeks. Applicants for this program should be prepared to work all day and engage in online discussions, viewing course content, and completing assignments for several hours several nights a week. 

Both programs are rigorous and require weekly participation, independent reading, and work on assignments, presentations, and group projects.  Students should estimate spending at least 9 hours a week for each course they take. There are three-year and four-year plans of study available in both the campus-based and online programs. 

Additionally, students in both programs will be required to complete two 480 hours internships (16 hours a week for 15 weeks each semester) over the course of their degree program. These must be completed outside of your normal work hours.  Most students will spend either both of their weekend days (Sat. and Sun.) at their internship or they will spend two week day evenings and one weekend day at their internship.  Please take into consideration the time requirements for the MSW program before proceeding with applying to the CWEP.  

Eligibility for the CWEP MSW part-time program: 

  1. Be selected by DCS as an applicant - you must have worked at DCS for at least two years, be in good standing, and be in a qualified, field-serving position.  
  2. Be accepted into the MSW program - you must have a 3.0 Jr./Sr. GPA from your undergraduate degree or a 3.0 from other graduate course work, you must have graduated from an accredited college, and your references and essay must indicate alignment with social work values and the capacity to complete the MSW program.

There are two Award Packages for students in the CWEP MSW part-time program. Students may choose which MSW program (campus-based or online) they would like to participate in. Their award package is based on that selection.   

Package D Award

Sudents who are Selected for the DCS Part-time, campus-based program will be awarded a CWEP Package D Award.  This award provides in-state, part-time (6 credits or less) or full-time (7 credits or more) tuition and mandatory fees for academic semesters and summer sessions for up to five years in the MSW campus-based program at the Phoenix or Tucson campus.  This package also provides up to $350 a fiscal year in book reimbursements for required books associated with courses.  Students receiving this package are contracted to remain working full-time with DCS in a qualified position during the entirety of the program, as well as to continue working for an additional 36 months after graduation.*        

Package E Award 

Sudents who are Selected for the DCS Part-time, on-line program will be awarded a CWEP Package E Award.  Package E provides tuition and mandatory fees for sessions (both academic and summer) for up to five years in the MSW ASU on-line program.  This package also provides up to $350 a fiscal year in book reimbursements for required books associated with courses.  Students receiving this package are contracted to remain working full-time with DCS in a qualified position during the entirety of the program, as well as, to continue working for an additional 36 months after graduation.*  

*All students in the part-time program must take the three parts of SWG 591, Child Welfare Networking in their second and third years in the program (they will take 1, one-credit part each semester).  Students in the campus-based program will take these parts as an elective.  Students in the on-line program will take these parts as additional credits.    

Next Steps After Initial Selection

Once you have been notified by DCS that you have been selected to participate in one of these  programs, you should then: 

  1. Complete the CWEP online application.  Please click on the gold "Apply now" button in the top left hand corner of this page. 
  2. Complete the MSW Application available at:  https://admission.asu.edu/apply 

For more information about this program please contact Jodi Pawlowski at Jodi.Pawlowski@asu.edu.