All students must meet the Requirements for the Master's Degree
Overview
The Department of Social Work offers a full-time and part-time course of study toward the M.S.W. degree. An Advanced Standing option is also available for eligible students who have completed an undergraduate degree in social work from a bachelor's program accredited by CSWE within 7 years of admission.
To request a program bulletin or additional information, please contact the Department of Social Work at (802) 656-8800, MSWAdmit@uvm.edu, or visit the program's Master's Degree in Social Work website.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Master of Social Work
- A baccalaureate degree completed in good standing from an accredited college or university.
- No minimum grade point average (GPA) is required; however, the applicant must show evidence of academic ability to undertake graduate study in social work. The applicant's GPA is one indicator of performance and will be considered in the review process.
- Evidence of a strong liberal arts background, with a minimum of eighteen credits in general liberal arts course work that supports graduate education in social work.
- Prior work or volunteer experience in human services is preferred.
- International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores (from tests taken within two years of the date of application).
Requirements for Advanced Standing
- A BSW degree or a B.S. in social work, earned from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) within 7 years of admission to the M.S.W. program.
- Prior academic performance that supports graduate study in social work.
- Satisfactory undergraduate social work field practicum evaluations.
How to Apply
All applications are submitted online through the Graduate College Admissions site.
The following materials are required for application:
- Completed application form (online).
- Written Statement of Purpose that describes the applicant's preparation and goals for pursuing graduate study in social work (submit online).
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
- Resume of work and professional experience.
- 3 letters of recommendation and completed recommender forms (recommendations from at least one academic source and one from human service related employment are strongly encouraged).
- Non-refundable application fee of $65.00 for online application.
Minimum Degree Requirements
The Master of Social Work degree requires 60 credits of graduate study, unless students are admitted with Advanced Standing status. Advanced Standing status is granted solely to students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a program accredited, or acknowledged as being equivalent to a bachelor's in social work, by the Council on Social Work Education, and allows for a shorter course of study at 39 credits. Both regular track and advanced standing students must complete all required and elective credits in social work courses.
The policies and standards for maintaining program accreditation do not permit the granting of academic credit toward graduation for life experience.
Regular Track M.S.W.
| Foundation Courses | ||
| SWSS 6120 | Social Work Practice I | 3 |
| SWSS 6130 | Social Work Practice II | 3 |
| SWSS 5160 | Th Found of Hum Beh&Soc Envr I | 3 |
| SWSS 5170 | Th Found Hum Beh&Soc Envr II | 3 |
| SWSS 5200 | Soc Welfare Pol & Services I | 3 |
| SWSS 5210 | Soc Welfare Pol & Services II | 3 |
| SWSS 5027 | Foundations of SW Research | 3 |
| SWSS 6000 | Foundation Yr Field Practicum (taken twice credits will double) | 3 |
| An approved elective (Elective and Focus courses require advanced approval of faculty advisor) | 3 | |
| Concentration Year Courses | ||
| SWSS 6140 | Transformative Social Work I | 3 |
| SWSS 6150 | Transformative Social Work II | 3 |
| SWSS 6160 | Integrative Appr Transform SW | 3 |
| SWSS 6270 | Adv Social Work Research | 3 |
| SWSS 6890 | Spec Practice Field Practicum (taken twice credits will double) | 3-4 |
| Four approved focus courses (Elective and Focus courses require advanced approval of faculty advisor) | 12 | |
Advanced Standing M.S.W.
| Summer Session Courses | ||
| SWSS 6990 | Special Topics (Perspectives in Social Work) | 4 |
| 1-2 approved focus courses (Elective and Focus courses require advanced approval of faculty advisor) | 3-6 | |
| Concentration Year Courses | ||
| SWSS 6140 | Transformative Social Work I | 3 |
| SWSS 6150 | Transformative Social Work II | 3 |
| SWSS 6160 | Integrative Appr Transform SW | 3 |
| SWSS 6270 | Adv Social Work Research | 3 |
| SWSS 6890 | Spec Practice Field Practicum (two 4 credit courses - credit will be double) | 4 |
| 3-4 approved focus courses (Elective and Focus courses require advanced approval of faculty advisor) | 9-12 | |
Comprehensive Examination
The Graduate College requirement for a comprehensive exam is met by the Department of Social Work’s Capstone course, SWSS 6160. M.S.W. Candidates complete an integrative capstone paper.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Social Work
To achieve Advanced Candidacy and be eligible to take SWSS 6160 (the Capstone course), a student must have successfully completed 45 credit hours, including all core courses, with a minimum GPA of 3.00.