Master of Social Work

Online
60 Credit Hours
Admits: Summer
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Program Tabs

Program

UNC Charlotte’s nationally-ranked Master of Social Work program prepares students to be social work professionals and leaders in areas of culturally-informed, community-engaged practice, policy and research. Our students receive a well-rounded social work education and are able to tailor their study through electives and field work. We emphasize social justice through our curriculum and intervening at all levels of society.

While we don’t require a background or undergraduate degree in social work (except for Advanced Standing), applicants who have experience in the human services field are favored. Our graduates have gone to pursue careers in schools, hospitals, hospice and home health care agencies, health and social services departments, trauma centers, shelters, domestic violence centers, and much more. Graduates are also qualified to pursue state licensure or certification.

Admissions

Application Deadline:

  • Priority deadline January 15 (summer)
    • Applications will continue to be accepted after the priority deadline, but will only be reviewed on a space-available basis.
  • Ready to apply? Apply here through the Graduate School. 
Two available pathways:  

Courses are delivered online with most having virtual class meetings weekday evenings or Saturdays. Field practicum is completed in person.

  • 3-year Plan of Study - Classes start in summer and are completed over a three-year period. 
  • 2-year Advanced ​Standing Plan of Study – Available only to applicants holding degrees from baccalaureate social work programs accredited by CSWE or those recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service. Classes start in the summer and are completed over a two-year period. 

Minimum Admissions Criteria

  • Earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by US Department of Education-recognized accreditor.
  • Undergraduate GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale 
  • Applicants with below 3.0 GPA can still apply; however, the program is competitive. Those with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0 that are offered admission is rare and usually have other compelling evidence (e.g., - GPAs very
  • close to 3.0, extensive work experience, earned master’s degree or graduate certificate in a related area with a 3.0 or higher).
  • Three recommendations
  • Resume
  • For non-native English language speakers: A minimum score of 83 on the Internet-based TOEFL or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required for admissions consideration.
  • Statement of Purpose addressing all of the following in no more than six (6) double-spaced pages:
  1. Discuss:
    • Reason(s) you are interested in obtaining an MSW
    • Population(s) or social problems you are interested in 
    • What you hope to learn about in the program that you don’t know now
    • Explain your reasons for seeking admission to the UNC Charlotte MSW Program specifically
  2. Discuss: 
    • A challenging educational or professional situation you have experienced
    • Steps you took to navigate this situation
    • How your actions affected you and others in the situation
  3. Describe a social, economic, or environmental challenge in the NC/Charlotte region in which you have interest or a passionate commitment to make a difference. Also, discuss how a social worker might intervene with this challenge.
  4. The MSW program is committed to dismantling oppression in order to increase equity, access, and inclusion for all people. Describe your commitment to diversity and social justice. (Diversity can include gender identity, race, ethnicity, abilities, age, education, regionality, upbringing, beliefs, religion/spirituality, and more.)
Advanced Standing Eligibility

Applicants ​are ​eligible ​to ​apply ​for Advanced ​Standing if ​they ​meet the minimum admissions criteria and​ one​ of ​the ​following​:

  • In the final year of study from a social work program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Earned BSW within the past 7 years from a social work program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Earned BSW recognized by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service
Overview Selection Process

The MSW program is competitive and not all applicants who meet the admissions criteria will be accepted. Applications are reviewed by the MSW Admissions Committee who review all the application materials which are scored using an MSW Application Rating Rubric. Those applicants with the highest ratings are selected until all seats are filled. The waiting list is ranked-ordered and offers of admission are made on space-available basis. Applicants are notified no later than May 1.

Additional Information
  • Academic credit is not given for life experience, nor is life experience part of the admission rating rubric.
  • Persons with disabilities who need assistance in the admission process please contact the School of Social Work to request such assistance at least fifteen days prior to the application deadline.

 

Courses
  • Online classes are scheduled as synchronous with "live" sessions or as asynchronous "without live" sessions
  • Synchronous class sessions are scheduled for weeknights (Wednesday or Thursday) and Saturdays
  • In addition to classes, a 16 hour per week internship is required 

2-Year Distance Education Plan of Study (Advanced Standing)

Online classes are scheduled as synchronous with "live" sessions or as asynchronous "without live" sessions Synchronous class sessions are scheduled for weeknights (Wednesday or Thursday) and Saturdays In addition to classes, a 16 hour per week internship is required 2--Year Distance Education Plan of Study (Advanced Standing)* The 2-Year Advanced Standing Distance Education (DE) plan of study is designed for students who have earned a BSW from an accredited social work program within the past seven years and wish to pursue the MSW through an online format. Advanced Standing students are not required to complete the foundation curriculum for the MSW. Under the 2-Year Advanced Standing DE plan of study, the MSW can be completed in two academic years (summer/fall/spring semesters). Students complete 39 graduate credit hours, which includes 33 credit hours in the classroom and 6 credits in an approved field placement.

The 2-Year Advanced Standing DE plan of study is outlined below. Course sequence may vary slightly depending on year of entry. Electives can be taken at any time.

Year One:  Advanced Curriculum

Summer: (6-9 Credits)

  • SOWK 6232: Practice and Program Evaluation (3)
  • SOWK 6252: Mental Health Assessment (3)
  • SOWK 6242: Advocacy and Policy Change (3) * this course can be taken in spring or summer of year one

Fall: (6 Credits)

  • SOWK 7122: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)
  • SOWK 7222: Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations (3)

Spring: (6-9 Credits)

  • SOWK 7127: Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (3)
  • SOWK 7223: Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities (3)
  • SOWK 6242: Advocacy and Policy Change (3) * this course can be taken in spring or summer of year one
Year Two: Advanced Curriculum (cont.)

Summer: (6 Credits)

  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Fall: (6 Credits)

  • SOWK 7126: Advanced Interpersonal Practice with Groups (3)
  • SOWK 7443: Advanced Social Work Practicum I (3)

Spring: (6 Credits)

  • SOWK 7651: Reflection and Synthesis (3)
  • SOWK 7444: Advanced Social Work Practicum II (3)

3-Year Online Plan of Study 

The 3-Year MSW plan of study is designed for students who wish to complete an MSW part time online. Students complete 60 graduate credit hours, which includes 48 credit hours in the classroom and 12 credits in an approved field placement.   
The 3-Year Distance Education plan of study is outlined below.  Course sequence may vary slightly depending on year of entry. Electives can be taken at any time.

Year One: Foundation Curriculum

Summer: (6 credits)

  • SOWK 6121: Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills (3)
  • SOWK 6141: Foundations of Social Work (3)

Fall: (6 credits)

  • SOWK 6131: Social Work Research (3)
  • SOWK 6151: Social Work, Social Justice, & Diversity (3)

Spring: (6 credits)

  • SOWK 6242: Advocacy and Policy Change (3)
  • SOWK 6232: Practice and Program Evaluation (3)

Summer: (3 Credits)

  • SOWK 6252: Mental Health Assessment (3)
Year Two: Advanced Curriculum

Fall: (9 Credits)

  • SOWK 7122: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)
  • SOWK 7222: Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations I (3)
  • SOWK 6441: Foundation Social Work Practicum I (3)

Spring: (9 Credits)

  • SOWK 7127: Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (3)
  • SOWK 7223: Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities I (3)
  • SOWK 6441: Foundation Social Work Practicum I (3)
Year Three: Advanced Curriculum (cont.)

Summer: (3 Credits)

  • Elective (3) 

Fall: (9 Credits)

  • SOWK 7126: Advanced Interpersonal Practice with Groups (3)
  • SOWK 7443: Advanced Social Work Practicum I (3)
  • Elective (3) 

Spring: (9 Credits)

  • SOWK 7651: Reflection and Synthesis (3)
  • SOWK 7444: Advanced Social Work Practicum II (3)
  • Elective (3) 
Tuition

*Rates are subject to change* 

Resident:

  • $288.82 per credit hour
  • $10,934.00 est. program cost advanced standing
  • $17,329.00 est. program cost

Outside of NC Non-Resident:

  • $536.98 per credit hour
  • $20,331.00 est. program cost advanced standing
  • $32,219.00 est. program cost

Non Resident:

  • $1,098.21 per credit hour​
  • $40,041.00 est. program cost advanced standing
  • $65,893.00 est. program cost