Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Social Work Degree

Weber State University is launching a new Master of Social Work (MSW) degree to address the national and local shortages of professionals in this field. The program, housed in the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, is currently accepting applications for students aiming to start in fall 2021.

Program Details

• The MSW program will focus on clinical social work practice, spending more time training students to provide therapy than generalist programs.
• The program's clinical focus was determined in collaboration with community partners, who report facing significant difficulty filling clinical positions that require a master's level credential in the field.
• The university's new MSW program will help surrounding counties move toward the goal of increasing the mental health workforce, as the program will likely attract locals who will stay in the area after graduating.

Benefits of the Program

• The program will give graduates a bit of a leg up in a growing area of demand.
• Local graduates are already familiar with the communities in which they'll work, making them more motivated and having a better understanding of the culture and customs.
• The program will take a global perspective but emphasize local community needs in the intermountain region, paying particular attention to the growing Latino community.

Program Structure

• The new MSW will be a traditional two-year program.
• The Department of Social Work and Gerontology is planning to launch a one-year program to start in 2022 for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in social work.

Community Partnerships

• The program has been developed in collaboration with community partners, such as Weber Human Services, who have been facing significant difficulty filling clinical positions.
• These partnerships will provide students with hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the community's needs.

Admission and Applications

• Applications for the program are due December 1 for students aiming to start in fall 2021.
• The program is currently accepting applications, and interested students are encouraged to apply.

Undergraduate Program

• Weber State already has a thriving undergraduate program in social work, which produces 50-75 social workers each academic year, providing a solid foundation for a master's program.
• Recent graduates of the undergraduate program have expressed interest in returning as graduate students after gaining some work experience.