Program Overview
Master of Social Work
- Program Overview
Offered by the School of Social Work at the University of New England, the Master of Social Work online option is open to students from a variety of educational backgrounds. The program embraces a vision of creating sustainable, equitable, and diverse communities committed to universal human rights, and social and economic justice.
Social work is a profession dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, the pursuit of social justice, and helping a wide range of individuals to reach their full potential. Social workers are compassionate and understanding promoters of human dignity, diversity, and self-determination in the battle against exploitation, addiction, violence, and oppression. The Master of Social Work online option at UNE proudly represents these ideals by providing students with the knowledge they’ll need to make a difference in their own lives, and in the lives of those around them.
There are two distinct paths of study for students in the University of New England’s Master of Social Work online option. The Traditional Track establishes a foundation for your degree focusing on the history and principles of social work before progressing into the more advanced topics that are presented in the Advanced Standing Track. Some candidates may qualify to enroll directly in the Advanced Standing Track, which builds on the basic social work curriculum by focusing on advanced social work topics, theory, and skills you’ll need to become a successful social worker. When you begin the Advanced Standing Track curriculum you will be required to choose one of two concentrations: Individual, Family and Group Practice (IFG) or Organizational and Community Practice (OCP).
Throughout the comprehensive program, the online Master of Social Work curriculum will cover a wide range of topics relating to social work and human behavior. The practice and profession of social work is covered in detail, including the ethical issues, societal and personal influences, incorporating and utilizing theory into practice, growth strategies, and more. Advanced social work practice is explored in the IFG concentration, including how to work with individuals, families, communities, and other groups. Throughout the OCP concentration, the role and responsibilities of social work administrators and supervisors, professional standards, leadership in social work, and the influence of policy and law will be discussed.
The connection between research and practice is explored. Students will work to create research questions and hypotheses, while taking external variables into account to formulate practical action plans from the results. Other topics include: universal human rights, social work organizations, value systems, social justice, assessment, intervention, professional growth, public health, and more.
For a more detailed look at the University of New England’s Master of Social Work online option curriculum please view the Traditional Track Overview and the Advanced Standing Track Overview pages on this site. Students who graduate from the program may be qualified for Social Work Licensure in their home state. Contact your State’s Board of Licensure for details.
POSTED BY: admin - November 12th, 2009 at 08:26am ( 70 )
Dan - August 16th, 2010 at 04:07am
Many Licensing boards require a certain number of clinical course requirements. Does the online MSW include clinical courses? If so, How many credits of clinical course work are in the program?
mcarroll - August 23rd, 2010 at 03:11pm
Hi Dan,
We offer two different tracks: Advanced Standing and Traditional, in which there are 1 and 2 practicums respectively. The practicums are each 2 semesters in length, completing 560 hours in each. Please consult with your Enrollment Advisor as to which track you would be eligible for.
dawn - October 5th, 2010 at 05:35pm
Is UNE recognized by the oregon board of licensure for MSW graduates who are wanting to become licensed in Oregon as LCSW? Accredation recognized by Oregon I beleive is CSWE…
University of New England Admissions - October 14th, 2010 at 01:34pm
Dawn, UNE’s MSW program is accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Please visit this page for to verify requirements with your state’s board: http://www.aswb.org/
Erica - October 10th, 2010 at 02:02am
In Indiana, in order to be approved for licensure there is a requirement for candidates to have had a class considered to be on “Practice Evaluation (Research)”. My question would be, what class in your MSW advanced track, or elective group would meet this requirement? Thanks – Erica
University of New England Admissions - October 14th, 2010 at 01:35pm
Erica, click on this link for a description of two research courses within the program: http://socialwork.une.edu/social-work-research-i-ii/. Your enrollment advisor will contact you to provide a list of courses within the program, and so we may answer more specific questions for you.
Angelique - December 10th, 2010 at 03:30pm
I am graduating in May with my BSW. I was wondering why is it that UNE’s Advance Standing program is two years and not one year.Thanks!
University of New England Admissions - December 16th, 2010 at 04:25pm
Angelique, through the entire program you will take one class at a time, each class lasting 8 weeks in length. While considered full-time, our program is structured in a way that it is manageable for a student that cannot take a full load of courses because of other responsibilities.
R. Weinstein - May 6th, 2011 at 06:29pm
Hi,
I’m interested in the advanced standing program but earned my BSW (from FSU) in 93′.
Assuming I met all other admission requirments, would this in and of itself make me ineligible for the advanced standing program?
Ira Glass - January 25th, 2011 at 09:43pm
Social work is such an important and often undervalued and resourced part of American culture. With so many needy families who rely on the services offered by social workers and the companies they work for it is great that so many people who will work for and run those companies will have a quality graduate degree for their careers to draw upon.
Sara - January 26th, 2011 at 01:56pm
Is your program accredited form the state of Michigan license?
University of New England Admissions - February 1st, 2011 at 10:59pm
Hi Sara, The University of New England is regionally accredited through the New England Association of Schools and College and the Master of Social Work program is accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). If you would like to learn more about your own state requirements for licensure in social work, please visit the Association of Social Work Boards: ASWB or specifically https://www.datapathdesign.com/ASWB/Laws/Prod/cgi-bin/LawWebRpts2DLL.dll/EXEC/0/0mwvqsd1vs83gu1eo9ql51v4zct1. Select your state and click on the tables to view the data available.
Julie - February 2nd, 2011 at 07:25pm
I have a question. Do I need to take any courses exam? or is the format of courses essays?
University of New England Admissions - February 8th, 2011 at 06:13pm
Julie, regarding course structure, the majority of the coursework will be writing based. The courses may have quizzes and tests here and there, but you will find that you will mostly be writing essays and discussion responses online
Stacy - February 18th, 2011 at 05:28pm
I hold a MEd. in School Counseling with licensure in School Guidance. Can I use credits from this degree to obtain a license in Social Work? Can I enter the program in advance standing? Many of the courses are the same.
University of New England Admissions - February 26th, 2011 at 05:17pm
Stacy, in order to transfer master credits, they can not be from a completed program. If you hadn’t finished your MEd. then we would need course descriptions from the institution you had attended to confirm they are transferable. Upon how many courses would determine if you qualify for Advance Standing or Tradtional track.
Nicole - March 12th, 2011 at 07:04am
Can the practicum be completed in my current job?
My current job requires a BSW and the duties reflect that requirement. My employer is willing to allow an outside field instructor access and is also willing to allow met to engage in tasks outside my regular duties to meet the requirements of an MSW program practicum.
University of New England Admissions - April 6th, 2011 at 06:26pm
Nicole, One thing to note is that you cannot complete your practicum where you work. What this means is that you cannot be considered an ‘employee’ and also call your self an ‘intern.’ If you are able to move to a different department with a different supervisor and working different hours outside that for which you are paid as an employee, this may be considered acceptable (on a case by case basis).
Students will be expected to be at their placement during peak hours, which may mean needing flexibility in a current job. Depending on the placement, there may be some room for evening or weekend hours; however, the majority of the hours will be completed during normal work week hours. Students complete a minimum of 17.5 hours per week during their placements and will also be completing normal coursework online and meeting with their field advisor and instructor via video conference.
Mary - April 9th, 2011 at 09:11pm
What licensure will this program prepare me for? LCSW?
Fran Swaisgood - June 3rd, 2011 at 04:13pm
I wanted to find out if you offer the MSW program online and is it accredited with the state of Ohio. thank you
UNE Admissions - June 20th, 2011 at 05:43pm
Fran,
Thank you for your recent question on the UNE MSW website. The University of New England is regionally accredited through the New England Association of Schools and College and the Master of Social Work program is accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). If you would like to learn more about your own state requirements for licensure in social work, please visit the Association of Social Work Boards: http://www.aswb.org/
Angie - June 24th, 2011 at 09:22pm
I have a bachelor’s degree in elem. education from 1984-would this allow me to move forward in attaining a masters in social work or do I need a bachelor’s degree in social work first (and is it too outdated)?
Julianne - June 25th, 2011 at 05:56pm
Why can you receive transfer credits from Master’s program you have not completed, but if you have completed a Master’s the credits are untransferable? If you already hold a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy or Counseling Psychology are you not eligible for the advanced standing track?
Maria May de la Cruz - July 2nd, 2011 at 02:57pm
Hi! I was just wondering if the online course is available for people who do not live in the U.S. I am currently working as a flight attendant in the U.A.E in Abu dhabi. Is it an option for me to enroll on this online course?
Nicole Sayago - July 4th, 2011 at 10:59am
Hello! Is it possible to complete this program from another country such as Australia or New Zealand? If I were to complete the first year of two from another CSWE accredited MSW program and then transfer how long would it take me to graduate from your online MSW program?
Cynthia - July 11th, 2011 at 05:28am
Hello I graduated with a BA in Social Work from Texas A & M on May 14th of 2010. I am a military spouse which means that I’m constantly moving from state to state. I’ve been seeking a University that will allow me to complete an advance standing MSW online program in the state of Washington. I’m aware that there is a practicum that needs to be completed in all MSW programs. My question is will I be allowed to complete the hours that I need in my current location? I also have questions about prerequisites for this program. Is biology or statics required courses for this program?
UNE Admissions - August 2nd, 2011 at 07:40pm
Applicants are required to have a Bachelor of Social Work degree that was completed in the last 7 years from a CSWE accredited and regionally accredited institution, a minimum of 3.0 GPA and a distribution of liberal arts courses including human biology content. The human biology course does not hinder acceptance; however, students must complete a course by the end of their first year with UNE. We do not have a statistics requirement for this program.
Angela Luwornu - July 19th, 2011 at 05:32pm
Do I need to write toefl eventhough I went to an accredited university in Ghana where english is the primary language for teaching in schools and I have lived here for fourteen years and speak perfect english?
Angela
Shamira - July 30th, 2011 at 04:34pm
I am in the social work degree at a university in Texas. I have taken only one semester and would like to know if i transfer will i be able to use the credits that i acquired.
Rachel - August 30th, 2011 at 02:51am
Can someone complete the Masters in Social Work with no intention to become licensed?
Jane Calder - September 20th, 2011 at 03:56am
I am interested to know whether you ever take students from an international setting? i am based out of Bangkok as Regional Advisor for Save the Children and interested in exploring options around on-line MSW courses
Alaina Glover - November 5th, 2011 at 12:09am
I have recently been enrolled in a program similar to this at louisiana state university at baton rouge, La. Because we did not graduate with a BSW, we had to complete Foundation courses of 24 credit hours and a Foundation internship. I was unfortunately set out of the rotation, and could not begin the Advanced portion of this degree due to extra time I needed to finish the previous foundation internships. Which is the whole reason I am online looking for a degree that will allow me to finish. Would I be able to transfer the classes I have taken in my foundation program as well as the foundation internship that I received a passing grade on and enter into the advanced portion of this msw degree at UNE?
Jacquie - January 2nd, 2012 at 01:02am
I’d like to know what the average GPA is of those students that actually get accepted into the program.
Also how many students apply and how many get accepted.
Thank you!
Jessica - January 10th, 2012 at 01:37am
I will be graduating soon with my BA in human services – child and family welfare with a 3.0. Would this degree qualify me for the advanced track.
Telesha - January 14th, 2012 at 09:08pm
I kind of struggled in my first two years of undergrad, but in my last two years, I did better, so my gpa, isn’t so great. Are there exceptions for some students to get into the program?
Flori Willard - January 28th, 2012 at 01:48pm
I have a master degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Maryland University and would like to get a master degree in social work. Would I be able to transfer some of the credits? How can I find out?