Social Work, M.S.W.
Contact
Jennifer O’Neil, Ph.D., LCSW, M.S.W.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Director School of Social Work, and Director M.S.W. Program
joneil4@une.edu
For program and curricula questions, as well as application information, please contact Social Work Admissions at the College of Professional Studies at 1 (877) 863-6791 or locally at (207) 221-4143. We can also be reached via email at socialworkonline@une.edu.
The Online M.S.W. program provides 100% online classes. Virtual information sessions are provided throughout the year. Contact (207) 221-4143 for a schedule of events or learn more at the Online Social Work website.
Mission
Vision
The University of New England (UNE) School of Social Work envisions a world where social workers are at the forefront of advocating with individuals and communities for human dignity and social inclusion by mobilizing efforts to end inequities, exploitation, and violence.
Master of Social Work Mission
The University of New England’s Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program is dedicated to educating ethical social workers within a Person- in-Environment framework, emphasizing a global perspective and a deep respect for human diversity. Through rigorous scientific inquiry and a strong focus on clinical skills, we envision a future where our alumni not only excel as adept clinicians but also serve as catalysts for meaningful, positive impact in their communities and beyond. We promote an anti-oppressive social work practice that includes an emphasis on social justice, human rights, economic, and environmental equity for all.
Program Description
UNE’s Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Graduates learn to:
- Understand how systems impact human development through a Person-in-Environment lens.
- Develop a strength’s-based perspective when working with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
- Understand the multiple social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental factors influencing the design, development, and evaluation of social policies and service delivery.
- Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out a variety of social work interventions consistent with the program's mission and the profession's ethics.
- Develop practice and intervention strategies that support individuals, families, groups, or communities.
The M.S.W. program prepares graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in an array of settings and with diverse populations. It offers its students the opportunity to practice generalist and advanced social work skills through mixed learning methods with a focus on person-in-environment, anti-oppressive, and antiracist frameworks.
Accreditation
The Master of Social Work program at the University of New England is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Academic and Program Standards
UNE’S M.S.W. Academic Standards
UNE’s social work faculty is committed to fostering relationships with its students that encourage personal and professional growth. Its policies and procedures attempt to reflect this commitment to proactive and supportive communication. At the same time, students must recognize that the primary responsibility for a successful SSW education, both in and out of the classroom, rests with the student.
All students, including students with disabilities, must have the capacity to manage their lives and anticipate their own needs. Situations can arise in which a student's behavior and attitudes resulting from a disability or other personal circumstances present a problem which impairs the student's ability to meet the standards set forth, even after reasonable accommodations have been considered and, if appropriate, made by the program, all students must still meet the requirements set forth by the program.
All applicants, regardless of disability, will be held to the same admission standards. All enrolled students, regardless of disability, will be held to the same academic standards, understanding that all properly submitted requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered.
Transfer Credit
Petitions for transfer credits for graduate social work courses to be submitted at the time of acceptance to the School of Social Work:
- Up to nine credits may be transferred for courses completed with a minimum grade of B.
- P/F courses will not be accepted for transfer credit.
Applicants petitioning for transfer credits must include the following:
- A syllabus, with detailed readings and assignment descriptions, for each course being submitted for transfer credit.
- Transcript indicating the final grade earned.
- For students who were in matriculated social work programs elsewhere:
- A professional statement that includes reasons for requesting transfer to the University of New England School of Social Work.
Students transferring credits are required to adhere to the degree- requirement progression plan in effect at the time of your admission (Note: Individualized provisions may, at times, increase the total credit hours required for graduation from the School of Social Work).
Consideration of transfer credit beyond nine credits, as well as courses outside of social work may be considered on a case-by-case basis at the time of admission.
Experiential Credit
Per CSWE, academic credit is not given for life experiences or previous work experience.
Admissions
See Online Admissions for more information.
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. Please consult this catalog’s Financial Information page for specific tuition and fees information.
Curricular Requirements
M.S.W. traditional students are required to complete 60 credit hours of graduate course study. Additionally, students are required to complete two separate practicum placements (internships) that consists of four semesters of supervised practice in approved social work settings. Generalist placements will be at least 400 hours, and specialization will be at least 500 hours.
M.S.W. Advanced Standing students complete 30-credit hours and one practicum placement consisting of two semesters.
Focus Areas
The program offers focus areas in Trauma-Informed Practice, School Social Work, Medical Social Work, Affirming Social Work Practice, Substance Use, and Advanced Clinical Practice. Focus areas are integrated into the M.S.W. degree curriculum and completed within the required credit course structure (see individual focus area pages for more detail).
Generalist Curriculum
Generalist social work courses emphasize an integrated social work perspective involving the social context and its impact on social policy, programs, and the social work profession. Courses include: Anti-Oppression Social Work Practice; Human Behavior and the Social Environment; Social Work Research; Community Engaged Research; Social Work with Substance Use Disorders; Social Work Policy and Advocacy; Social Work Practice I and II; and Integrating Seminar and Practicum I and II. In addition, students spend 400 hours in a practicum setting, in social agencies and programs with structured on-site professional supervision.
Specialization Curriculum
Specialization social work courses prepare students for a wide range of advanced practice roles. Students learn clinical skills necessary for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities within their advanced courses, Advanced Social Work Practice I and II; Leadership and Supervision; The DSM: A Social Work Perspective; Seminar and Practicum III and IV, and advanced electives. In addition, students spend 500 hours in a practicum setting, in social agencies and programs with structured on-site professional supervision.
Students also have the opportunity to develop skills for self-reflection, self-awareness, and reflexivity, and to broaden and deepen their understanding of social work’s inherent values such as honoring the dignity and worth of each person, clients’ right to self-determination, social justice, honor and cultural humility in social work practice.
Learn more about the Social Work Online Program
Traditional Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Generalist Curriculum Required Courses | ||
| SSWO 502 | HBSE | 3 |
| SSWO 503 | Social Work Research I | 3 |
| SSWO 504 | Community Engaged Research | 3 |
| SSWO 505 | Social Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
| SSWO 509 | Anti-Oppression Social Work | 3 |
| SSWO 510 | Social Work Practice I | 3 |
| SSWO 511 | Social Work Practice II | 3 |
| SSWO 521 | Integrating Seminar & Practicum I | 3 |
| SSWO 523 | Integrating Seminar & Practicum II | 3 |
| SSWO 585 | Social Work Practice with Substance Use Disorders | 3 |
| Specialization Curriculum Required Courses | ||
| SSWO 552 | Advanced Clinical Practice I | 3 |
| SSWO 553 | Advanced Clinical Practice II | 3 |
| SSWO 565 | Leadership & Supervision | 3 |
| SSWO 581 | Integrating Seminar & Practicum III | 3 |
| SSWO 583 | Integrating Seminar & Practicum IV | 3 |
| SSWO 597 | DSM: A Social Work Perspective | 3 |
| Four Electives with the Prefix SSWO | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Advanced Standing Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Generalist Curriculum Required Courses | ||
| Waived with B.S.W. from CSWE accredited program | ||
| Specialization Curriculum Required Courses | ||
| SSWO 552 | Advanced Clinical Practice I | 3 |
| SSWO 553 | Advanced Clinical Practice II | 3 |
| SSWO 565 | Leadership & Supervision | 3 |
| SSWO 581 | Integrating Seminar & Practicum III | 3 |
| SSWO 583 | Integrating Seminar & Practicum IV | 3 |
| SSWO 597 | DSM: A Social Work Perspective | 3 |
| Four Electives with the prefix SSWO | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Academic Policy
Minimum Grade Point Average
Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Any student who receives a grade of F in two or more courses may be dismissed from the program. An F that is replaced through retaking the course does not count toward this policy.
Graduation Requirements
Students must successfully complete all courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 before graduation and fulfill all curriculum requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the UNE SSW will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
- Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
- Advance human rights and social, racial , economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in community and belonging in practice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.