Master of Social Work (MSW)
Master of Social Work (MSW)
I also hope my students learn that maybe the problem is that “I” am in the way of my client or communities empowerment/liberation.
Overview
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 7% nationally from 2022 to 2032, 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, and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership.
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. The University of Georgia 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).
The School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the sole accrediting body of schools of social work in the United States.
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 & 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
Application Deadlines
- Fall: January 10th
Any applications received and completed after January 10th, will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
Cost
Master of Social Work Online Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates and student fees may change each year.
Based on the 2024-25 credit-hour cost, a person who had completed this program at the recommended pace would have paid $38,700 in tuition. Reference this sheet to identify the current credit hour rate for your program of interest.
Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year’s tuition.
This program is an E-Rate program, so choose “yes” for the E-Rate line item within the calculator.
Fees for those students enrolled in exclusively online programs are $411 per semester.
Potential additional costs include:
- Textbooks
- Exam proctoring fees
- Technology upgrades
The complete cost of attendance can be found at https://osfa.uga.edu/costs/.
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.
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.
Technology Requirements
- Computer with current operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Additional peripherals such as webcam, headphones, and microphone are required.
- High-speed internet access.
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 help 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) credit 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 |
| SOWK 7112E [3 credits] Human Behavior in the Social Environment | SOWK 7117E [3 credits] Foundation Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations | Elective [3 credits] |
| SOWK 7114E [3 credits] Foundation Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families | SOWK 7121E [3 credits] Social Welfare Policies, Programs, and Issues | Elective [3 credits] |
| SOWK 7118E [3 credits] Addressing the Bases of Power, Oppression, Social Justice, Evidence-Informed Practice, Advocacy and Diversity (PrOSEAD) | SOWK 7126E [3 credits] Social Work Research Methods | |
| Total Semester Credits: 9 | Total Semester Credits: 9 | Total Semester Credits: 6 |
Year Two
| Fall | Spring | Summer |
| SOWK 7116E [3 credits] Social Work with Groups | SOWK 7125E [3 credits] Foundation Social Work Field Education | Elective [3 credits] |
| SOWK 7115E [3 credits] Introduction to Social Work Profession and Field Education | SOWK 7212E [3 credits] Assessment and Psychopathology | Elective [3 credits] |
| Total Semester Credits: 6 | Total Semester Credits: 6 | Total Semester Credits: 6 |
Year Three
| Fall | Spring |
| SOWK 7214E [3 credits] Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals | SOWK 7225E [5 credits] Advanced Social Work Field Education |
| SOWK 7225E [5 credits] Advanced Social Work Field Education | SOWK 7226E [3 credits] Evaluation of Professional Practice |
| SOWK 7500E Social Work Practice Capstone [2 credits] | |
| Total Semester Credits: 8 | Total Semester Credits: 10 |
Licensure
UGA’s MSW Online is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure in the State of Georgia and is not intended to lead to licensure in any other US State or territory.
An enrollment coach will contact you to determine your circumstances and ensure that this program will be effective for you.
Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal.
Faculty
News & Events
UGA Graduate Programs Among the Best in Nation, New Report Shows
April 16, 2024The University of Georgia's graduate programs are among the nation's best, a fact only further corroborated by U.S. News & World Report's 2024 rankings of the "Best Graduate Schools". Of the numerous UGA schools and colleges seeing a jump in their ranking, we're pleased to report many of those hosting an online program have made the list.
Llewellyn Cornelius: Yours in Service
March 27, 2024Llewellyn Cornelius has dedicated his life to the service of others. Throughout his 30+ year career in social work and higher education, he has touched the lives of many, impacted numerous communities, and gained a long list of accomplishments along the way. In January, Cornelius added…
Philip Hong named dean of UGA School of Social Work
January 13, 2022Philip Hong, an academic leader and scholar whose research focuses on poverty alleviation and workforce development, has been named dean of the University of Georgia School of Social Work. Hong is currently a professor and associate dean for research at the Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work…
Contact Information
Contact us using the request for information form or call 706-418-2604.