Jennifer Elkins
Associate Professor and MSW Online Program Director
Overview
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No GRE Required | |
CSWE Accredited | |
Personalized Field Placement |
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The University of Georgia School of Social Work is tailored to meet the unique needs of Georgia residents interested in pursuing a career in social work. Graduates of the Master of Social Work Online program are prepared to meet all educational requirements leading to licensing as a social worker in the state of Georgia and many other states throughout the nation.
The Master of Social Work Online program prepares you to be a leader in the field of social work and meets all educational requirements leading to licensing as a social worker in Georgia and the nation. The Master of Social Work Online program is designed to provide flexibility to persons in Georgia interested in pursuing a career in social work.
The state of Georgia projects a 19.7% increase in social work jobs through the year 2022, an even greater rate of growth relative to the 11% growth in the social work profession nationally. Employment of healthcare social workers is projected to grow 17% nationally from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth in diverse and aging populations particularly in rural communities and medically underserved areas (MUAs) has led to an increase in the demand for social workers.
The Micro specialization prepares you for advanced practice primarily focused on individuals, families, and groups in diverse settings. This specialization provides you with the skills you need for future professional leadership positions like School Social Worker, Counselor, Substance Abuse Social Worker, Child and Family Social Worker, Marriage and Family Social Worker, Geriatric Social Worker, Hospice Worker, Medical Social Worker, Forensic Social Worker and provides a direct path to becoming an Independent Licensed Social Worker and establishing a private practice.
Mission Statement
The Master of Social Work Online (MSW) Program of the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work prepares graduate students for advanced practice. We strive to develop future leaders in the profession of social work who are able to meet the ever-changing challenges facing the people of Georgia, the nation, and the world. Our aim is that our graduates are culturally competent; dedicated to social and economic justice; and committed to upholding and disseminating the core values and ethical standards of both the School and the profession.
Other online programs you may find interesting: Master of Public Health, Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, and Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Counseling
Accreditations
The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Faculty
Cost
Master of Social Work Online Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates and student fees can change each year.
Based on 2022 credit hour cost, a person completing this program at the recommended pace would have paid $37,740 in tuition.
Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar's Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year's current tuition.
This program is an E-Rate program, so choose “yes” for the E-Rate line item within the calculator.
Online students pay the following fees: Connect UGA, Green, and Technology. The total for those fees in the fall semester of 2022 was $147 for students enrolled in exclusively online courses.
Potential additional costs include textbooks, exam proctoring fees, and technology upgrades.
Financial Aid
Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance.
Corporate Assistance
Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs for the Master of Social Work Online program.
Military Assistance
Active duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.
University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see Tuition Assistance (refer to the Distance Learning section).
Technology Requirements
- Computer with current operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Additional peripherals such as webcam, headphones, and printer may be required.
- High-speed internet access.
Admissions
Total Hours Required to Earn Degree: 60 (credit hours)
The MSW is open to any degree major. The GRE is not required in order to be considered for admission. Applications are evaluated on your overall portfolio. Experiences in diverse environments is a plus.
Master of Social Work Online Application Checklist
- Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online. Application fee: $75 Domestic/$100 International (waived for US veterans).
- Select Campus – Online
- Select Degree Level - Masters
- Select Intended Program - MSW, Social Work (School of Social Work)[MSW_SOWK_ONL]
- Select Area of Emphasis - Micro Practice
- Select Intended Term - Fall
- Résumé or curriculum vita – Upload to the Graduate School application.
- Narrative Statement - Through the personal narrative, you will have an opportunity to describe your interest and motivation for becoming a professional social worker as well as your understanding of the concepts and guiding principles associated with the profession. Click Narrative Essay for instructions.
- Transcripts – Upload unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended to the Graduate School application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission.
- Letters of Recommendation – Submit three letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program. Preferably at least two of them are from faculty who have instructed the applicant in a previous program of study. The application will prompt your recommenders to submit their letters electronically
International Applicants - must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Application Deadlines
- Fall: February 15
Any applications received and completed after February 15, will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
Curriculum
The Micro specialization prepares you with knowledge and skills for advanced practice primarily focused on individuals, families, and groups in diverse settings. The faculty have adopted a focus on addressing power and oppression in society in order to promote social justice by using evidence-based practice and advocacy tools and the celebration of diversity. This philosophy, under the acronym, PrOSEAD, acknowledges that engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities requires an understanding of the historical and contemporary interrelationships in the distribution, exercise, and access to power and resources for different populations. And, that our role is to promote the well-being of these populations using the best and most appropriate tools across all levels of social work practice.
This program is taught in a cohort model. Students work their way through the program as a group. A major portion of graduate social work education involves field education. Students admitted must be prepared to participate in field placement within a 60-mile radius of the Georgia state line. Field experiences that blend coursework with real-world experiences helps maximize your growth and competency development. There are four semesters of professionally supervised field education experience. Most placement sites require background checks and/or drug testing.
Students complete (60) credit hours of graduate study with (44) credits hours coming from online course work and (16) credit hours coming from field education.
The Generalist year includes 312 combined hours of professionally supervised field practice experience in conjunction with a field-integrating seminar [72 in the fall (SOWKE 7115E) and 240 in the spring (SOWKE 7125E)]. In the specialization year, there is a total of 600 hours (SOWK 7225E) of supervised field practice.
Master of Social Work Online Program of Study
Year One
| Fall | Spring | Summer |
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Total Semester Credits: 9 |
Total Semester Credits: 9 |
Total Semester Credits: 6 |
Year Two
| Fall | Spring | Summer |
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Total Semester Credits: 6 |
Total Semester Credits: 6 |
Total Semester Credits: 6 |
Year Three
| Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
Total Semester Credits: 8 |
Total Semester Credits: 10 |
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News & Events
Contact Information
Email us using the request for information form or call
706-418-2604