--- title: Dordt University partners with Covenant College to offer fast-track MSW pathway date: 2024-10-08T13:54:00-05:00 author: Sarah Moss canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-partners-with-covenant-college-to-offer-fast-track-msw-pathway" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Academics](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=academics) [Graduate Programs](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=graduate-programs) Oct 8, 2024 # Dordt University partners with Covenant College to offer fast-track MSW pathway Dordt University partners with Covenant College to offer students an online Master of Social Work (MSW) program, providing a Christ-centered education and flexible pathways for career advancement. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/jbakker.covenant.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.5276-0.3422&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=671b8622&v=7ce0ad733a7d9ccab048f203932f605f608b2147416a501f6293e8290196f5f0) ![]()Dordt University’s [Master of Social Work](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/master-of-social-work) (MSW) program has announced a new partnership with [Covenant College](https://covenant.edu/index.html) in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Students in Covenant’s sociology program will receive a waiver for select Dordt foundational courses, based on the courses they complete at Covenant, allowing them to fast-track their MSW degree. This partnership gives students a quicker, more affordable route to obtaining their MSW degree, says [Joe Bakker](https://www.dordt.edu/people/joe-bakker), dean for online, graduate and partner programs. “The partnership builds on what students have already accomplished at Covenant and takes them on a next step to continue that journey at Dordt,” says Bakker. Students will also benefit from the convenience of a fully online program, giving students “access to Christ-centered training in the field of social work” from anywhere in the world, according to Bakker. A fully remote program creates a flexible and tailored experience for students. “Dordt's MSW program, with its online format, is accessible to our students, and not dependent upon where they live after they complete their undergraduate degrees,” says Dr. Matthew Vos, professor of sociology at Covenant College. “I like the fact that the coursework is online, but that Dordt coordinates with students in their locales so they can have hands-on, ‘brick and mortar’ field experiences.” Additionally, the partnership aligns with Dordt’s mission to “equip students to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of life.” The partnership “offers students theological continuity and has potential to further deepen their understanding of social work as Christian mission,” says Vos. “Students can move into Dordt's program and further develop the ideas that germinated with us.” “Covenant College and Dordt University both have a strong history and current tradition of being fully committed to the Reformed perspective,” says Dr. Erin Olson, Dordt’s Master of Social Work program director. “Students from Covenant who have learned how to see themselves as agents of change in God’s world can now pursue a graduate degree where they can continue to develop and articulate that perspective considering their future career as a social worker.” Dordt’s MSW program is accredited by [Council on Social Work Education](https://www.cswe.org/) (CSWE) and approved by the Higher Learning Commission. To learn more about Dordt’s MSW degree, visit [**Dordt.edu/MSW**](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/master-of-social-work). **About Dordt University** As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review. --- [Previous Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/Alexander-Meszler-Photo.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.4982-0.4017&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=2a3e96e8&v=dac526b0ab91c4d20e769b8ce5d28f23dc144ffdd7704079e84aafe3ae695a1f) Music Oct 10, 2024 ## Dordt University’s Joan Ringerwole Organ Recital Series features Dr. Alexander Meszler from Luther College The Joan Ringerwole Organ Recital Series at Dordt University will host Dr. Alexander Meszler, college organist and assistant professor of music at Luther College, for a performance titled "Visions of Home" on October 18, featuring a unique blend of organ music and recorded nature sounds from Iowa forests. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-universitys-joan-ringerwole-organ-recital-series-features-dr-alexander-meszler-from-luther-college) [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/We-Are-One-collage-MichelleLHofer-2018-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.4735-0.4314&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=0cf16bc7&v=47c9f9499b2d4fbf8e66a4943381eefba402bd9b57940d7c98016cbbccd66fb9) Arts Oct 01, 2024 ## "Lost Sight" art exhibit inspired by Byzantine Christian iconography "Michelle L. Hofer's 'Lost Sight' exhibit at Dordt University showcases her unique approach to Christian iconography, combining Byzantine Christian techniques with personal reflections on Scripture and spiritual growth. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/lost-sight-art-exhibit-inspired-by-byzantine-christian-iconography) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) Aug 19 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-19) Aug 20 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-20) Aug 20 Athletics Men's Soccer #### [8/20 8:00 PM Dordt University Men's Soccer at Carroll - Nelson Stadium ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-22-100-pm-dordt-university-mens-soccer-at-carroll) ![A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2021-22/Buildings-and-Campus/2021-09-23_001574-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&f=webp&c=3d670641&v=d2bdb7cbdc83e5be46d3a10afe8a1214a0e770536697eb0ddbe29e017d2e9577) <![CDATA[YII-BLOCK-BODY-END]]>