The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program prepares graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations within medical and behavioral health settings, with a special focus on military populations. The Master of Social Work program at UWF develops advanced practitioners who can demonstrate clinical and critical thinking skills necessary to assist clients in a broad range of dilemmas and settings. Guided by a diverse faculty, the department is committed to promoting human rights, social and economic justice, and respect for diversity to improve the lives of the individuals and communities we serve.

The M.S.W. program at the University of West Florida is a clinical program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The UWF M.S.W. program is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue clinical social work licensure. 

The Department of Social work has two different options for earning the M.S.W. graduate degree. The Traditional M.S.W. program involves completion of 60 semester hours of graduate coursework and is intended for students who have earned an undergraduate degree in a field other than social work. The Advanced Standing M.S.W. program requires 30 semester hours of graduate coursework and is intended for students who have obtained a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program within seven years of application. All coursework should be completed within a maximum of four years.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University graduate admission requirements described in the Admissions section of the catalog, the department bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

University Requirements

• Submission of graduate application and processing fee
• Official transcripts 
• International students may have additional requirements

Departmental Requirements

• Submission of one of the following graduate admission tests*: 
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal and Quantitative score
  • Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Minimum undergraduate institutional GPA of 3.0 is recommended
• Academic preparation as demonstrated by quality and relevance of undergraduate degree major
• Submission of a personal statement using the required Social Work Personal Statement Form
• Submission of three letter of recommendation forms from individuals familiar with the applicant's ability to succeed in a graduate program (Advanced Standing applicants must include one recommendation form from a supervisor who provided supervision during their undergraduate field experience)
• Applicants residing outside of a 60 mile radius of campus must submit the contact information for three potential field placement sites
• Submission of the MSW Criminal History Form 
• Professional resume

*The graduate admission test will be waived for the following:

• Applicants who have an institutional undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

Electronic Portfolio Requirement

The University of West Florida Department of Social Work requires students to purchase an electronic portfolio. Key assessments, projects, work samples, applications for field experience, and other essential documents will be collected, processed or archived through the electronic portfolio.

It is the responsibility of each student pursuing a BSW or MSW to purchase an account to access and use the required electronic portfolio. The account activation fee is considered a professional expense incurred as part of participation in a professional program that uses data to meet accreditation requirements and make data-driven decisions on curricula. 

Social Work - Traditional Program

The Traditional MSW Program is 60 semester hours (sh) and intended for students with an undergraduate degree in a field other than social work. The first 30 sh of the Traditional MSW Program is considered the foundation year curriculum. It includes a professional core of 21 sh, two electives (6 sh), and a generalist practice foundation field experience (3 sh). Students complete 300 hours generalist practice foundation field experience in one agency over the course of one semester during the foundation year.    

Students begin the concentration curriculum upon completion of the foundation curriculum. The concentration consists of 30 semester hours (sh). The concentration year of the program includes a professional core of 18 sh, two electives (6 sh), and two field placements (6 sh). Students complete 600 hours of advanced clinical field experience in one agency over the course of two semesters.  

Students earning less than a B- in two or more courses may be terminated from the MSW program. Students must satisfactorily complete 900 hours of field experience along with the courses listed below. Students must complete the MSW degree within six years of admission to the program.

Foundation Curriculum (30 sh)

*

First semester course requirement for the foundation curriculum.

Concentration Curriculum (30 sh)

Social Work - Advanced Standing Program

The Advanced Standing program is 30 semester hours (sh) and is designed for students who have earned a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program within seven years of application. The Advanced Standing program is comprised of the concentration curriculum and includes a professional core of 18 sh, two electives (6 sh), and two field placements (6 sh). Students complete 600 hours of clinical field experience in one agency over the course of two semesters.

Additional Advanced Standing Admission Requirements

Only graduates of baccalaureate social work programs accredited by CSWE are eligible for advanced standing admission. In addition to the university and departmental requirements, advanced standing applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must posses an undergraduate degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program.
• Must have earned a BSW degree within 7 years of admission to the program.
• Submit a copy of their final field evaluation (only required for applicants who received their undergraduate degree from an institution other than UWF). 

Students earning less than a B- in two or more courses may be dismissed from the MSW program. Students must satisfactorily complete 600 hours of field experience along with the courses listed below.  Students must complete the MSW degree within six years of admission to the program.

Advanced Curriculum (30 sh)

*

This is a required first semester course.