Social Work MSW

Program Details

The Social Work MSW program at the University of West Florida is designed to expand students' careers as social workers and make a positive impact in their communities. The program can be completed face-to-face or fully online and offers both fast-track and traditional options.

Why Social Work at UWF?

The program is affordable and offers flexibility, allowing students to tailor their education to meet their needs. Students work with experienced and caring faculty who have expertise in clinical practice and theoretical research. The program has strong relationships with placement agencies throughout the region, including areas that focus on child welfare, corrections, developmental disabilities, and more.

What You Will Learn

The MSW curriculum provides a strong theoretical foundation complemented by field work that prepares graduates for a variety of social work settings. The program meets educational course requirements for licensure as a clinical social worker in the state of Florida and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Courses & Requirements

• A grade of B- or better is required in all social work courses to count toward the degree.
• Students must maintain an institutional GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Dismissal from the program may occur if a student fails to maintain academic and professional standards.

Traditional Social Work MSW

• The Traditional MSW Program is 60 semester hours and intended for students with an undergraduate degree in a field other than social work.
• The first 30 semester hours are considered the foundation year curriculum, which includes:
  • Professional core (21 semester hours)
  • Two electives (6 semester hours)
  • Generalist practice foundation field experience (3 semester hours)
• Students complete 300 hours of generalist practice foundation field experience in one agency over the course of one semester during the foundation year.
• The concentration year of the program includes:
  • Professional core (18 semester hours)
  • Two electives (6 semester hours)
  • Two field placements (6 semester hours)
• Students complete 600 hours of advanced clinical field experience in one agency over the course of two semesters.

Foundation Curriculum (30 semester hours)

• SOW 5105 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment
• SOW 5106 - Human Behavior in Communities and Organizations
• SOW 5218 - Analysis of Social Service Policy
• SOW 5305 - Generalist Practice I
• SOW 5404 - MSW Research Foundations
• SOW 5532 - Foundation Year Field Instruction and Integrative Seminar
• SOW 5757 - The History, Philosophy, and Theory of Social Work Practice
• Choose 2 Social Work Electives

Concentration Curriculum (30 semester hours)

• SOW 6125 - Psychopathology for Social Work
• SOW 6432 - Evaluation of Social Work Practice
• SOW 6535 - Advanced Year Field Instruction and Integrative Seminar I
• SOW 6536 - Advanced Year Field Instruction and Integrative Seminar II
• SOW 6548 - Capstone in Advanced Clinical Practice
• SOW 6618 - Clinical Practice with Individuals
• SOW 6619 - Clinical Practice with Families
• SOW 6846 - Clinical Practice with Groups
• Choose 2 Social Work Electives

Advanced Standing Social Work MSW

• The Advanced Standing program is 30 semester hours and 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:
  • Professional core (18 semester hours)
  • Two electives (6 semester hours)
  • Two field placements (6 semester hours)
• Students complete 600 hours of clinical field experience in one agency over the course of two semesters.

Additional Advanced Standing Admission Requirements

• 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).

Admission 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.
• 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.

Application Deadlines

• Social Work MSW Semester Application Deadlines:
  • Fall Semester: August 1
  • Spring Semester: December 1
  • Summer Semester: No admission

Careers & Outcomes

A master's degree in social work prepares graduates for impactful careers in advocacy, counseling, and community support. Possible job titles include:

• Medical Social Worker
• Clinical Social Worker
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Military Social Worker
• Child, Family, or School Social Worker

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition Rate Per Credit Hour

• In-state Tuition: $377.60 per credit hour
• Full Out-of-state Tuition: $1,037.20 per credit hour

Alabama, Military & Financial Aid

• Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition: Residents of Alabama are eligible for a reduced out-of-state tuition rate.
• Military & Veterans: The UWF Military & Veterans Resource Center serves as the campus advocate for military, dependents, and veteran students.
• UWF Financial Assistance: The University of West Florida offers various financial aid options, including loans, scholarships, and grants for degree-seeking students.

Featured Courses

• SOW 5757: The History, Philosophy, and Theory of Social Work Practice
• SOW 6345: Social Work Leadership, Management and Supervision
• SOW 6125: Psychopathology for Social Work
• SOW 6619: Clinical Practice with Families

Related Programs

• College Student Affairs Administration, M.Ed.
• Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, B.A. - Children and Society
• Public Administration Minor
• Legal Studies Pre-Law, B.A.

Degree Overview:

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of West Florida is designed for individuals who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and drive positive change in communities and throughout the globe. It provides students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to become effective social workers in various settings.

---

Outline:

---

Foundation Curriculum

(for Traditional track students)

• Fall Semester:
• SOW 5757 History, Philosophy, and Theory of Social Work
• SOW 5305 Generalist Practice I
• SOW 5105 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
• SOW 5404 MSW Research Foundations
• Spring Semester:
• SOW 5106 Human Behavior in Communities and Organizations
• SOW 5324 Generalist Practice II
• SOW 5218 Analysis of Social Service Policy
• SOW 5532 Foundation Year Field Instruction
• Summer Semester:
• SOW 5629 MSW Human Diversity and Social Justice

---

Clinical Curriculum

(for all track students)

• Fall Semester:
• SOW 6619 Clinical Practice with Families
• SOW 6432 Evaluation of Social Work Practice
• SOW 6535 Advanced Clinical Field & Seminar I (Prereq.
SOW 6125)
• Spring Semester:
• SOW 6846 Clinical Practice with Groups
• SOW 6548 Capstone in Advanced Clinical Practice
• SOW 6536 Advanced Clinical Field & Seminar II (Prereq.
SOW 6536; Coreq. SOW 6548
• Summer Semester:
• SOW 6125 Psychopathology for Social Work
• SOW 6618 Clinical Practice with Individuals

---

Electives:

Students in both tracks must complete additional elective courses:

• Advanced standing students: 2 electives
• Traditional students: 3 electives

---

Assessment:

Assessment methods in the MSW program include:

• Exams and quizzes
• Assignments
• Class participation
• Fieldwork performance
• Capstone project

---

Teaching:

The program is delivered through a combination of:

• Lectures
• Discussions
• Small group work
• Fieldwork placements
• Experiential learning opportunities
The program's faculty are experienced social workers and researchers with diverse expertise in clinical practice and theoretical research. They are dedicated to providing students with personalized attention and guidance.

---

Careers:

Graduates of the MSW program are prepared for careers in various social work settings, including:

• Child protective services
• Adoption agencies and foster care programs
• Schools and day care centers
• Mental health centers
• Alcohol/drug abuse prevention and treatment programs
• Courts and detention programs
• Teen counseling and justice centers

University of West Florida

---

Overview:

The University of West Florida (UWF) is a public university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. It prides itself on providing a personalized learning experience with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. UWF emphasizes a strong student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring individual attention and support.

---

Services Offered:

---

Student Life and Campus Experience:

UWF offers a vibrant campus community with various facilities and resources. Students can explore the Pensacola campus, UWF Emerald Coast in Fort Walton Beach, UWF Historic Trust in Historic Pensacola, and UWF's downtown Pensacola facilities. A virtual tour is available to experience the campus remotely.

---

Key Reasons to Study There:

Personalized Attention:

UWF boasts a 100:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention and support from world-renowned professors.

Diverse Programs:

Over 110 undergraduate and graduate programs cater to various interests and career aspirations.

Strong Reputation:

UWF is ranked #100 in the "Top Public School – Regional Universities South" by U.S. News and World Report.

Engaging Campus Life:

UWF offers a vibrant campus community with various facilities and resources, including a virtual tour for remote exploration.

---

Academic Programs:

---

Other:

UWF actively engages in research and community outreach. Recent initiatives include:

Archaeology Institute Field Schools:

Offering students hands-on experience in archaeological investigations.

HeirStory Project:

Collaborating with a renowned journalist to develop technology for preserving family legacies.

Galapagos Islands Study Abroad:

Providing students with immersive cultural and historical experiences.