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 by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). In order to practice as a licensed social worker you must be licensed. The CSWE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and is the sole accrediting agency for social work education in this country.

POSTED BY: admin - November 12th, 2009 at 08:26am ( 58 )