The Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work Degree option (M.Div.-MSW) prepares students to provide leadership and service through congregations, religiously affiliated organizations, and faith communities. Church agencies, as well as family and children’s agencies, gerontology programs, counseling centers, and community ministries in urban areas and international missions, need professional social workers. In addition, congregations often need the consultation and leadership in family and community ministry which social workers can provide. Many congregational leadership positions and often the chief executive officers of church-related agencies require an M.Div. or other graduate seminary degree as a qualification. This degree option, therefore, addresses this need for dual competency.

Admission

For admission to the joint degree option, candidates must apply and be accepted for both Truett Seminary’s Master of Divinity degree option and the Waco campus of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work’s Master of Social Work degree option. 

Requirements

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These are required courses; however, based upon previous academic experience, students may petition to waive or substitute these courses. Introductory courses are waived from the degree plan by passing an advanced standing exam (see the Advanced Standing Policy in the Truett Catalog).

Satisfactory completion of 200 Lifelong Learning Units
Satisfactory academic progress 

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6 hours of M.Div. coursework will count for Standard M.S.W. program, 3 Hours of M.Div. coursework will count for the Advanced Standing M.S.W. program. 

Six (6) hours of Truett courses, Special Topics courses/seminars (SWO 4V80 Special Topics, SWO 5V80 Advanced Special Topics, SWO 5V70 Independent Study in Social Work) and/or other courses approved by the MSW Program Director may be taken to fulfill the elective requirement.

Students in the M.Div./MSW joint degree option should plan their coursework so that the M.Div.and the MSW degrees can be awarded simultaneously. Nevertheless, students who complete all work for the MSW degree can be awarded this degree first and separately; however, a student enrolled in this joint degree option may not receive the M.Div. degree first and separately but must receive the M.Div. degree either simultaneously with the MSW or subsequent to the awarding of the MSW.

Joint degree students should verify seminary program requirements with Truett Seminary and Social Work requirements with the MSW Program Director in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work.