Social Work, M.S.W.
| Degree: | Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) |
| Major: | Social Work |
| Specializations: | Traditional M.S.W. Advanced Standing M.S.W. |
| Department: | Social Work Building 85, Room 133 850-474-2381 http://uwf.edu/socialwork |
| College: | Usha Kundu, MD College of Health |
| CIP Code: | 51.1503 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 30-60 | |
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 the 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 a graduate application and processing fee.
- Submission of 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.
- Submission of a professional resume.
*The graduate admission test will be waived for the following:
- Applicants who have an institutional undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Degree Requirements
A grade of 'B-' or better is required in all social work courses in order for them to count toward the degree, and students must maintain an institutional GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Program Dismissal
Dismissal from the program may occur in the following instances:
- Failure to maintain the academic and professional standards specified in the Student Handbook and Field Manual.
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 (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 (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.
Degree Requirements
A grade of 'B-' or better is required in all social work courses in order for them to count toward the degree, and students must maintain an institutional GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Program Dismissal
Dismissal from the program may occur in the following instances:
- Failure to maintain the academic and professional standards specified in the Student Handbook and Field Manual.
Foundation Curriculum
| SOW 5105 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment + | 3 |
| SOW 5106 | Human Behavior in Communities and Organizations + | 3 |
| SOW 5218 | Analysis of Social Service Policy + | 3 |
| SOW 5305 | Generalist Practice I + | 3 |
| SOW 5404 | MSW Research Foundations + | 3 |
| SOW 5532 | Foundation Year Field Instruction and Integrative Seminar + | 3 |
| SOW 5629 | MSW Human Diversity and Social Justice + | 3 |
| SOW 5757 | The History, Philosophy, and Theory of Social Work Practice +* | 3 |
| Choose 2 Social Work Electives: | 6 | |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy + | ||
| Social Work Practice In The Military + | ||
| Play Therapy: Theory and Techniques + | ||
| Social Work Practice in Integrated Healthcare + | ||
| Substance Abuse Treatment: Theories, Practices, and Policies + | ||
| Social Work Leadership, Management and Supervision + | ||
| Grief, Loss, and Life + | ||
| Mind/Body Practice and Positive Psychology + | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- +
A grade of 'B-' or better is required to count towards the degree.
- *
First semester course requirement for the foundation curriculum.
Concentration Curriculum
| SOW 6125 | Psychopathology for Social Work + | 3 |
| SOW 6432 | Evaluation of Social Work Practice + | 3 |
| SOW 6535 | Advanced Year Field Instruction and Integrative Seminar I + | 3 |
| SOW 6536 | Advanced Year Field Instruction and Integrative Seminar II + | 3 |
| SOW 6548 | Capstone in Advanced Clinical Practice + | 3 |
| SOW 6618 | Clinical Practice with Individuals + | 3 |
| SOW 6619 | Clinical Practice with Families + | 3 |
| SOW 6846 | Clinical Practice with Groups + | 3 |
| Choose 2 Social Work Electives: | 6 | |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy + | ||
| Play Therapy: Theory and Techniques + | ||
| Social Work Practice in Integrated Healthcare + | ||
| Substance Abuse Treatment: Theories, Practices, and Policies + | ||
| Social Work Leadership, Management and Supervision + | ||
| Grief, Loss, and Life + | ||
| Mind/Body Practice and Positive Psychology + | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- +
A grade of 'B-' or better is required to count towards the degree.
Social Work - Advanced Standing Program
TheAdvanced 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 (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 possess 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).
Degree Requirements
A grade of 'B-' or better is required in all social work courses in order for them to count toward the degree, and students must maintain an institutional GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Program Dismissal
Dismissal from the program may occur in the following instances:
- Failure to maintain the academic and professional standards specified in the Student Handbook and Field Manual.
Advanced Curriculum
| SOW 6125 | Psychopathology for Social Work +* | 3 |
| SOW 6432 | Evaluation of Social Work Practice + | 3 |
| SOW 6535 | Advanced Year Field Instruction and Integrative Seminar I + | 3 |
| SOW 6536 | Advanced Year Field Instruction and Integrative Seminar II + | 3 |
| SOW 6548 | Capstone in Advanced Clinical Practice + | 3 |
| SOW 6618 | Clinical Practice with Individuals + | 3 |
| SOW 6619 | Clinical Practice with Families + | 3 |
| SOW 6846 | Clinical Practice with Groups + | 3 |
| Choose 2 Social Work Electives | 6 | |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | ||
| Play Therapy: Theory and Techniques | ||
| Social Work Practice in Integrated Healthcare | ||
| Substance Abuse Treatment: Theories, Practices, and Policies | ||
| Social Work Leadership, Management and Supervision | ||
| Grief, Loss, and Life | ||
| Mind/Body Practice and Positive Psychology | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- +
A grade of 'B-' or better is required to count towards the degree.
- *
This is a required first semester course.