Social Worker Degrees
Social work is a profession dedicated to improving the lives of people, groups, and society as a whole. Those who practice social work are highly trained individuals who have received the specialized training they need to help improve the human condition and bring about positive change in their environment.
Beginning in Social Work
If your goal is to become a licensed social worker, your education should begin with a Bachelor of Social Work. A BSW is typically the minimum requirement to qualify for a job as a social worker. It is possible to become a licensed social worker with bachelor’s degree in a subject other than social work, but extensive experience under the direct supervision of a social worker is required. A bachelor’s degree in social work lays the groundwork by teaching you the basic techniques, procedures, theory and practice principles you’ll need to begin your career. The bachelor’s degree in social work will typically open the door to an entry-level position.
Entering Advanced Practice
An advanced degree such as a Master of Social Work (MSW) or a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) is typically required for positions in health settings, clinical work, or public and private agencies. A Master of Social Work can also open the door to supervisory, administrative, research positions, teaching, and staff training positions. Master’s degree programs prepare graduates for work in their chosen field of specialization and continue to develop the skills required to perform clinical assessments, manage large caseloads, take on supervisory roles, and discover new ways to implement social services to meet the needs of their clients.
Entry into a master’s program at the University of New England does not require a bachelor’s degree in social work, but courses in psychology, biology, sociology, economics, political science, and social work are recommended. In addition, a second language can be very helpful. Those who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited social work program may qualify for the Advanced Standing Track within the UNE Master of Social Work program.
Social Work Licensure
All states require social workers to have licensing, certification, or registration. The University of New England’s Master of Social Work online option is accredited by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE), it is the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the country. The program combined with CSWE accreditation is an excellent way to prepare for licensure and advanced practice, on your schedule.
POSTED BY: admin - November 16th, 2009 at 11:15pm ( 0 )
Jessica, Enrollment Coordinator - May 6th, 2010 at 11:15am
Joy,
Please contact our veteran’s representative at va@une.edu for any related questions or concerns.
Stafford Loans are available that will cover all direct costs including: tuition, fees, books, & supplies. Grants and scholarships are not available for Distance Learning Students. Additional financial aid information can be found on the Financial Aid page within our site: http://socialwork.une.edu/financial-aid-process/
Jessica, Enrollment Coordinator - May 6th, 2010 at 11:48am
E.VanRamshorst,
Yes, our Traditional Track is available for students with a non-BSW background. Applicants are required to have a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum of 3.0 GPA and a distribution of liberal arts courses including human biology content. Thank you for your interest and please let us know if you have any further questions.
Jessica, Enrollment Coordinator - May 6th, 2010 at 11:55am
Jennifer,
Advanced standing applicants are required to have a Bachelor of Social Work degree that was completed in the last 7 years. Our Traditional track is available for students with a non-BSW background. An Enrollment Advisor would be more than happy to speak with you in further detail about our application process. Please let us know what we can do to help!
Jessica, Enrollment Coordinator - May 6th, 2010 at 01:22pm
Ann Marie,
The field placements are completed in the student’s local area. Students are assigned a Field Advisor that they will begin working with approximately 7 months prior to the placement. Students are expected to do research on local settings and work with their advisor to find one that fits best.
Transfer Procedures: Applicants wishing to apply for a transfer of credit, whether to be applied toward elective credit or for waiver of required courses, shall provide the Admissions Committee with a written petition for the transfer along with the following documents: an official transcript showing that the course(s) were taken and passed with a grade of “B” or better; a copy of the course descriptions, syllabi, bibliographies, field work evaluations, and college bulletin in which the course is described.
Jessica, Enrollment Coordinator - May 6th, 2010 at 01:31pm
Diana,
The Traditional track requires 2 practicums. You will be expected to work a minimum of 17.5 hours per week for a 16 week semester (280 hours). You will always complete two semesters of practicums back to back. This means 32 weeks (560 hours). Students will be expected to be at their placement during peak hours, which may mean needing flexibility in a current job, depending on the location of the practicum. We will do our best to help you in finding a placement that works with your schedule, however, some flexibility may be necessary.
Grants and scholarships are not available for Distance Learning Students, but we do offer financial aid in the form of Stafford loans. For more financial aid information please see the Financial Aid page within our site: http://socialwork.une.edu/financial-aid-process/
Jessica, Enrollment Coordinator - May 6th, 2010 at 01:49pm
Debra,
Applicants wishing to apply for a transfer of credit, whether to be applied toward elective credit or for waiver of required courses, shall provide the Admissions Committee with a written petition for the transfer along with the following documents: an official transcript showing that the course(s) were taken and passed with a grade of “B” or better; a copy of the course descriptions, syllabi, bibliographies, field work evaluations, and college bulletin in which the course is described.
Jessica, Enrollment Coordinator - May 6th, 2010 at 02:03pm
Amy,
Advanced standing 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. We do not require the GRE.
Our program is 100% online (no campus visits required)
– 16 week semester is divided into 8 week terms
– Take one course every 8 weeks
– Approximate length is 2 years and 1 semester
– Time investment is 20 hours per week on average
– Field placement will be completed in student’s local area
– Field placement lasts 32 weeks (last 2 semesters)
– Students are expected to spend between 17.5 and 20 hours per week in their placement
An Enrollment Advisor would be happy help you through the application process.
Amy Zacher - May 6th, 2010 at 06:30pm
Will I be eligible to become licensed in Oregon (where I live) f I sucessfully complete your online MSW program? Amy
Kenieca - May 9th, 2010 at 10:19pm
can someone outside of the US study with this university online?
Tom - October 31st, 2010 at 05:18pm
I do not have the human biology component — can I still apply and take that course online with you prior to the first day of class?
Jo - January 7th, 2011 at 08:12pm
I have a Masters of Arts in Counseling. I am LPC eligible but I am also interested in obtaining a MSW. Would I be able to possibly follow the advanced track with transferred credit?
Ronda - March 26th, 2011 at 02:21pm
Hi, I am from NY and I have my B.A. in psychology. I also have some graduate school counseling credits but am interested in pursuing a master’s in social work. Will any of my school counseling credits be useful to transfer and is this program approved in NY?
Jessica - May 9th, 2011 at 08:24pm
I currently live in Virginia. I see where your MSW program is completely online but would I still be able to live in VA and be a student at UNE because a few online MSW programs do not allow for students to go enroll because of the distance. Would living in Virginia be a problem?
University of New England Admissions - May 25th, 2011 at 01:41pm
Jessica, we do not require any campus visits or residencies aside from your fieldwork. To learn more about UNE’s School of Social Work and our online options, please visit our website at http://www.socialwork.une.edu.
Nicole - June 20th, 2011 at 03:13pm
If I take some MSW classes at Ualbany, will they transfer in?
Joyce - July 18th, 2011 at 02:17pm
I have a Bachelors Degree in Social Work and now I would like to get my Masters. I would like to talk with someone offline in reference to my GPA Score.
Kate - August 18th, 2011 at 01:15pm
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Anthropology but from 1978. I’ve been employed as a social worker (child sexual abuse) for the past 30 years but found myself unemployed recently. All positions in our area (St. Louis) requires an MSW with licensure. I am also interested in working in Australia and wondered if your MSW program would be recognized. Many thanks for your reply.
Jessie Smith - January 27th, 2012 at 05:36am
I have a BSW, graduated Cu laude with destintion in field in 2005. Also, attended Webster University for a short length of time working toward a master degree in public administration. I achieved 18 hours can any of these hours be transferred & used toward electives?
Saran - January 31st, 2012 at 12:39pm
I am planning to do my MSW. I live in Millville,a town in southern New Jersey. Do you have any locations in this area where I can do my internship? Thank You.