Curriculum
Social Work Masters Degree
– Curriculum
The University of New England’s Master of Social Work online option is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and regionally accredited by the New England Association of School and Colleges (NEASC).
The program curriculum is divided into two distinct tracks, a Traditional Track and an Advanced Standing Track. Which track you can enroll in will depend on your level of education. The Traditional Track of the online Social Work Masters Degree is open to students who possess a bachelor’s degree in any area of study. The Advanced Standing track requires students to have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE accredited school within the last 7 years, have work experience, and meet university approval. When you begin the Advanced Standing Track you will be required to select one of two concentrations: Individual, Family and Group Practice (IFG) or Organizational and Community Practice (OCP).
Below is a listing of courses in both program tracks. The time it takes to graduate will depend on your track. For more information you can read more about the program on this website or contact an Enrollment Advisor at 1-877-UNE-MSW1 (863-6791). They are happy to answer any questions you have about the program or the enrollment process.
Curriculum Framework for Traditional Track
• 20 courses and 4 field practicum experiences
• 64 credits
• 3 starts per year
• Complete the program in approximately 4 years
Traditional Track Courses*
SSW 501 Human Behavior & the Social Environment I (3 credit hours)
SSW 502 Human Behavior & the Social Environment II (3 credit hours)
SSW 505 Social Welfare Policy and Programs I (3 credit hours)
SSW 506 Social Welfare Policy and Programs II (3 credit hours)
SSW 503 Social Work Research I (3 credit hours)
SSW 504 Social Work Research II (3 credit hours)
SSW 510 Social Work Practice I (3 credit hours)
SSW 511 Social Work Practice II (3 credit hours)
SSW 520 Field Practicum I/Seminar (4 credit hours, 16 weeks)
SSW 522 Field Practicum II/Seminar (4 credit hours, 16 weeks)
*After completion of the courses above Traditional Track students will then move into the Advanced Standing Track coursework, with the exception of SSW 515 and SSW 525.
Curriculum Framework for Advanced Standing Track
• 10 courses and 2 field practicum experiences
• 66 credits (37 to be taken at UNE, 29 may be transferred in)
• 3 starts per year
• Complete the program in approximately 3 years
Advanced Standing Track Courses
SSW 515 Integrating Micro and Macro Frameworks (2.5 credit hours) – Required for all Advanced Standing students
SSW 525 Introduction to Advanced Practice (2.5 credit hours) – Required for all Advanced Standing students
IFG Concentration Courses
SSW 552 Contemporary Theory of Social Work Practice for Individuals and Families (3 credit hours)
SSW 553 Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (3 credit hours)
SSW 571 Social Work Practice with Groups (3 credit hours)
SSW 597 Advanced Psychosocial Assessment (3 credit hours) – OCP students are encouraged to take this course as an elective
SSW 580 Field Practicum III/Seminar (4 credit hours, 16 weeks)
SSW 582 Field Practicum IV/Seminar (4 credit hours, 16 weeks)
4 electives (3 credit hours each)
OCP Concentration Courses
SSW 564 Program Development and Community Practice (3 credit hours)
SSW 565 Administration and Supervision (3 credit hours)
SSW 571 Social Work Practice with Groups (3 credit hours)
SSW 580 Field Practicum III/Seminar (4 credit hours, 16 weeks)
SSW 582 Field Practicum IV/Seminar (4 credit hours, 16 weeks)
5 electives (3 credit hours each)
POSTED BY: ec_admin - November 8th, 2009 at 03:16pm ( 46 )
mcarroll - August 23rd, 2010 at 03:40pm
Hi Peter,
Our MSW Program prepares students very thoroughly for these types of exams. An Enrollment Advisor will be contacting you in order to provide more details.
Sybil - September 22nd, 2010 at 02:25am
I read through some of your questions awnd it sounds like NYS’s accreditation is not approved. Approximately how long will it be before you know? Alos, I took 22 credits with an MSW program and began my practicum, but had to stop. Would I be eligible for advanced standing?
University of New England Admissions - September 27th, 2010 at 04:04pm
Sybil, although haven’t received a blanket approval from NY State as of yet, several students have received individual approval from NY State for this program. Please visit the Association of Social Work Boards website: http://www.aswb.org for your state’s contact information.
The advanced standing track is strictly for applicants with a BSW degree conferred within the last 7 years. Your enrollment advisor will contact you, in order to review the transfer credit policies with you on an individual basis.
Heather - October 20th, 2010 at 02:53am
What are the, or what are examples, or the elective courses that are required?
University of New England Admissions - November 5th, 2010 at 01:43pm
Heather, We offer two concentrations in the MSW program; Individual, Family and Group Practice (IFG) & Organizational and Community Practice (OCP).
An example of the types of electives we would have for each concentration is as follows:
IFG:
SSW 633 – Social Work Practice with Children, Adolescents, and Families
SSW 585 – Substance Abuse
OCP:SSW 608 – Grant research and Proposal WritingSSW 685 – Community Organizing/Community Building
Deann - November 2nd, 2010 at 01:21pm
I have completed 2 semesters of the MSW degree at a CSWE accredited university with a 3.9 GPA. I could not continue the courses because the military moved me (I am active duty military). There are no schools close to where I reside so continuing my education has been a challenge. Do you accept transfer students and if so how many classes do you allow to be transferred.
University of New England Admissions - November 10th, 2010 at 05:07pm
Deann, transfer of credit is only available for Traditional track, not Advanced Standing. We can set up a time to discuss your options available.
Chris - December 16th, 2010 at 02:58pm
Where can I find more information about the requirements for the personal statement?
Katherine dean - December 21st, 2010 at 03:37am
I am a graduate student at Arkansas State university in Jonesboro Arkansas. My undergrad GPA (first 60 hrs) is a 2.9. My graduate GPA is a 3.0. Arkansas Prgram looks at the last 60hrs. Do you look at the over all or last 60 hrs of undergrad. Since I am already in the prgram in another school do you except a letter of good standing if I just want to take one Class? I was having family problems with my grandmother. she fell and broke her hip. I had to travel back and forth to help my mom out with grandma. I was able to maintain that 3.0 but did not pass human behavior 1. Thats the only class I am needing.
University of New England Admissions - December 22nd, 2010 at 05:15pm
Katherine, the Admissions Committee looks at the undergraduate GPA in the last 60 credits, and the overall GPA for any graduate level courses you may have taken. Students wanting to transfer into our online MSW program may apply; however, we do not offer individual classes.
Carrie - December 22nd, 2010 at 01:47am
I have my MS in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family. I am fully licensed in 2 states. Would I still need to complete the traditional track or would some of my courses put me in the advanced track?
University of New England Admissions - January 13th, 2011 at 02:49pm
Carrie, please be advised that you must apply for transfer credits at the time of application:
Transfer of credit is only available for Traditional track, not Advanced Standing. Transfer of credit only occurs for graduate courses taken at another accredited institution, under the following conditions:
1. For Transfer students with one full year of graduate social work education:
**Students from other graduate schools of social work, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, who desire admission to UNE’s School of Social Work’s second year, must have completed one full year of graduate study with a B average with acceptable field work evaluations. Credit is not given for graduate work that was completed more than five years prior to admission to UNE. A transfer student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of thirty (32) credit hours at the School of Social Work, in order to earn a degree from the University of New England.
**Transfer students are required to adhere to the degree requirements in effect at the time of their admission. Individualized provisions may, at times, increase the total credit hours required beyond the above-mentioned minimum.
2. For Transfer students with less than one full year of graduate education:
**Applicants requesting a transfer of credit for courses amounting to less than one full year at another accredited graduate school of social work, or for graduate courses taken in another related discipline, shall meet the following requirements:
-The request for transfer of credit should be initiated at the time of application to the School.
-The transferred credit must have been earned as graduate credit at an accredited university or college within five years preceding the request for transfer. The transferred credit must be accepted by designated faculty as having a direct relevance to the program of study at the School of Social Work. Most first-year foundation level courses taken from another accredited graduate school of social work are transferable and may be considered toward advanced standing.
-A maximum of nine (9) credit hours for graduate credits earned in another discipline may be transferred toward elective or required courses in the School’s program, providing that these credits were not included in an earned graduate degree at another institution.
-All transferred credits must carry a minimum grade of “B.”
3. For Transfer credit earned from a completed graduate program of study in another discipline:
*In no event will any credit be transferable from another program in which the student has been awarded a graduate degree. Waivers of requirements, without award of credit, may be made under appropriate circumstances, including faculty review of course syllabi.
Mary - December 24th, 2010 at 09:40am
I am in a MSW program but moved to a different state because of a lower cost of living. Traveling to and from school has become a hardship. Would you consider a transfer student? I have HBSE I & II, Policy I & II, and Research I & II.
Patti H - May 15th, 2011 at 03:10pm
I have my MS in Human Services also my HSBCP and am I the progress of getting my LCAD what I need to know is what courses will be accepted as transfere if any and I am working as a therpaist for couples, drug and Alcohol,individual therapy. I have been doing this for 2 years my MSW is somethong that I feel I need.
Joy - December 29th, 2010 at 05:04pm
I currently hold a B.S.W from a traditional university. For the past few years I have been in and out of the Social Services field. I am finding that in order for me to truly work as a Social Worker I need a MSW degree. My fear is that I been to two other graduate schools and I don’t have 3 years to complete a degree. So, being that I have the B.S.W degree and at least 3 years of Social Work exp. how long would I have to attend?
Jill - January 8th, 2011 at 10:22pm
Will a completed general biology course fullfill the requirements for human biology?
University of New England Admissions - January 13th, 2011 at 02:54pm
Jill, unfortunately, a general bio class will not be accepted. You can still be accepted to the program without it, however you would need to complete in within the first semester.
The UNE SSW Admissions Committee has identified the following options for students who need to take an undergraduate level college course with content in Human Biology, as required by the CSWE:
UNE School of Social Work
CSWE Human Biology Course Options
ON-LINE:
Northern Essex Community College in Massachusetts offers an inexpensive ($98? Not including texts) on-line course in Human Biology.
“Human Biology” – 1729 – BIO 101 – 01A }
http://134.241.25.139/courses/BIO.shtml#BIO101
ON-LINE:
Recommended go to: http://www.ed2go.com and in the “Search for courses” box in the upper right hand corner type in “Human Anatomy & Physiology”. Look for the course taught by Holly Trimble. This is an inexpensive and user-friendly on-line course.
Southern Maine Community College offers a course in Human Anatomy & Physiology that will qualify. Because of extra fees, I cannot state the exact cost, but it appears the course(s) cost about $300 each. You may visit their website at: http://www.smccme.edu, for more information.
- Course Code: BIO-130-M1
- Course title: Anatomy & Physiology I
- Though the course does list prerequisites, SMCC has told us that they will waive these for anyone who can provide proof of a bachelor’s degree. There is also a lab associated with the course that we here do not require you to take.
I hope this provides you with helpful information!
Cameka - January 31st, 2011 at 03:43pm
In my state (Texas) I am required to have 3000 hours of an internship. In order to practice in my state. Does this program offer this? How would your program work with locating a internship in Texas?
University of New England Admissions - February 8th, 2011 at 06:30pm
Cameka, pending on your educational background, you could qualify for Traditional track or Advanced track. Traditional track has you complete 2 field placements, 560 hours to complete with a totaly 1120 hours at the end of our program. The Advanced Standing track only has 1 field placement of 560 hours to complete.
You would do most of the research to locate a place in your local area that would allow you to complete the internships.
Please see this link with addtional questions you might have: http://socialwork.une.edu/field-education-faqs/
Stacey - February 15th, 2011 at 08:00am
I have a BA in Psychology could I start in the advanced program? If not then how long will it take me to finish master’s?
University of New England Admissions - February 17th, 2011 at 08:11pm
Stacey, the traditional track is approximately 4 years long of which 4 semesters is field internship and we are the tri-mester format.
Anthony - March 18th, 2011 at 07:29am
How do I find out if the State of Nevada will honor an MSW degree from your program?
University of New England Admissions - April 6th, 2011 at 06:25pm
Anthony, The University of New England is regionally accredited through the New England Association of Schools and College and the Master of Social Work program is accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). If you would like to learn more about your own state requirements for licensure in social work, please visit the Association of Social Work Boards: ASWB
Barbara - April 5th, 2011 at 05:57pm
Hello,
I am currently enrolled in an MSW program at my local University. I am concerned with my ability to finish the program as they require you to take three classes and complete at 12 hour a week internship. One of the classes is directly related to the internship but is still a full class. I like that with this program you focus on one class at a time. My question is are you taking any courses while completing the internships in your traditional track program? Also if you are currently working in social services are you able to waive some of the internship hours becuase of work expierience. Thanks for your assitance.
University of New England Admissions - April 13th, 2011 at 12:56pm
Barbara, no, you are not taking classes while doing the field work. They are done separately. Unfortunately, work experience will not be able to substitute for anything and will not be able to waive anything.
Lisa - June 10th, 2011 at 05:28pm
I am trying to delay giving up my full time employment for as long as possible which is why the online courses are ideal. My concern however are the field placements – at what point in the course do these start and is tehre any way of moving these to the end of the program i.e completing all classes from both years first before doing field placements?
UNE Admissions - June 21st, 2011 at 12:53pm
Lisa,
The field placements are completed in the student’s local area. Approximately, seven months prior to the practicum, students will complete an online field orientation. This orientation introduces students to the goals and expectations of the practicum. It will also help in determining future career goals and professional desires to ultimately find and secure a placement. The student will also be arranging an appointment with their field advisor via phone or video conference to assist in the process as well; tips on interviewing with placements and finding a field instructor. Although it is up to the student to find their placement, the field advisor will be there to offer guidance and support. UNE’s vision for the field practicums is all about finding the right fit for the student’s needs.
Lee - July 15th, 2011 at 03:29am
I have a BSW (UNSW)graduated 1986.
I have been out of the sector for many years.
What are my options re. post graduate study in Social Work?
UNE ADMISSIONS - July 20th, 2011 at 01:57pm
Lee,
One of the requirements to get accepted into the advance standing program would be to have graduated from a CSWE accredited BSW program within the last seven years. However, since your degree is older than seven years, you would still be able to apply for the MSW traditional track option, which is 64 credits rather versus the 37 credits with the advanced standing. We are currently accepting applications for the Spring term. If you would like to apply to the program, please contact an advisor at 877-863-6791.
Keira - July 26th, 2011 at 03:08pm
Do you accept Canadian students into the on- line program?
UNE Admissions - August 2nd, 2011 at 08:22pm
Keira,
We accept students form all international countries. The following is a checklist of items that you will need in order to complete your application for the MSW program:
- Online Application
- Supplemental Form
- Official college transcripts from ALL previously attended institutions (including community college credit; even if the credits appear on bachelor’s degree transcript)
- 2 professional or academic letters of recommendation and attached accompanying reference form (all letters must have a signature and be sent with the reference form to be acceptable)
- Personal statement (please see accompanying e-mail for instructions)
Kristy - July 31st, 2011 at 06:32pm
Is it to late to start the program for this fall? I have already been accepted to another MSW program (advanced standing) but cant seem to get a full-time schedule that meets my needs.
UNE Admissions - August 2nd, 2011 at 08:04pm
Kristy,
We received your online question. Unfortunately, it is too late to apply for the fall term. We are now accepting applications for the Spring term. Please call an admissions advisor for further details on applying: 877-863-6791.
sen - October 29th, 2011 at 07:08pm
I would like to know, if I received my bsw from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, will I qualify to transfer the 29 credits into the MSW program? I read that I could.
Also, wouldn’t that decrease the completion time from 3 years to 1 1/2 or 2 years?
Thanks
Kayla - January 16th, 2012 at 11:43pm
Hello, I will be graduating from University of Maine at Farmington with a Bachelors in Rehabilitation Services. I have worked at Tri-Country Mental Health & Hope Association an agency for adults with intellectual disabilites. I did my undergrad Internship with a MCSW with children (450 hours). I have a 3.6 GPA. I have taken ana &phys & many liberal arts classes. Would I be able to enroll in the advanced track? Thank you!
UNE Admissions - February 24th, 2012 at 08:59pm
Kayla,
Unfortunately, the advanced standing track is strictly for applicants with a BSW degree conferred within the last 7 years.
Jeanette - January 19th, 2012 at 03:08am
How many classes can you take at a time in the advanced standing program?
UNE Admissions - February 24th, 2012 at 08:57pm
Jeanette,
Both the advanced standing and the traditional track allow you to only take one course at a time. At this time we do not allow students to double up on courses.
Tina Girard - February 15th, 2012 at 04:11pm
Do you need to take the GRE for admission into the MSW program?
UNE Admissions - February 24th, 2012 at 08:56pm
Tina,
No, our program does not require you to take the GRE.
Laura - February 29th, 2012 at 01:35am
I have a B.A. major in Human Services and a minor in Sociology. I have 4 years Care Coordinator & Service Provider work experience. I wish I would have taken my B.A. from an accredited university for Social Work licensure. I have 24 years medical billing experience which will not matter although many life experiences. If I write a letter explaining work experiences would I be able to qualify & see if any credits can transfer to the MSW advanced cources.
Zsuzsanna Balogh - February 28th, 2012 at 10:17pm
Hi,
Why does it take 4 years to complete the traditional track? There are many msw programs that take only 2 years to complete. Is it 4 years full-time?
Thank you.
Chad - April 6th, 2012 at 04:37pm
I have my BA in Psychology from Husson University. Would this qualify me for the Advanced Track for the online course load?
Erricker - June 1st, 2012 at 04:05pm
I just graduated May 2012…I am interested in the advance standing track IFG, however I am hoping that I can complete the program in less than 3 years. Is it durable?
UNE ADMISSIONS - June 29th, 2012 at 01:29pm
Hi Erricer,
On the website, you can just say the length of the program depends on your undergrad degree. Please contact your advisor for further information.
Tammara Barton - March 30th, 2013 at 08:33pm
Does the University of New England offer a course in psychotherapy?