University of Connecticut MSW

Looking at the University of Connecticut MSW to advance your career? The timing couldn’t be better. Healthcare, mental health, and substance abuse social work positions in Connecticut will grow by 11-13% over the next decade. Your choice of program will significantly impact your future success.

Connecticut has six accredited, non-profit universities that offer Master of Social Work degrees. The University of Connecticut MSW program stands apart with its detailed approach. Students complete 1200 hours of field education – that’s 300 more hours than most traditional MSW programs require. Sacred Heart University runs Connecticut’s only fully online MSW program, while UConn doesn’t currently have an online MSW option.

Connecticut ranks second nationwide for child, family, and school social worker salaries. The median annual income reaches $67,550. The University of Connecticut MSW program combines quality education with practical support through Research and Teaching Assistantships. Fall enrollment applications are due February 1st, and spring enrollment deadlines end November 1st.

This page will guide you through campus-based and online MSW programs in Connecticut. You’ll learn about admission requirements, tuition costs, and program structures that match your career goals.

Programs offered

UConn offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in Social Work to help you advance your social work education. These programs prepare you for various levels of professional practice and academic achievement.

The prestigious Master of Social Work (MSW) program at UConn gives students several study options. Students must complete 60 total credits—42 through classroom courses and 18 in field education. You can choose from these flexible timelines:

• Full-time option: Complete the degree in two years
• Part-time options: Take your time with a Three-Year Plan (averaging three classes per semester in the first year) or a Four-Year Plan (averaging two classes per semester in the first two years)

BSW graduates can opt for the Advanced Standing program, which needs only 35 credits. This program comes in two formats:

• Full-time: Earn your MSW in less than one year (11 months) in any concentration
• Part-time: Complete it in 18 months (available only for the Individual, Groups, and Families concentration)

Students choose from three concentrations: Individual, Groups, and Families; Policy Practice; or Community Organizing. The school also runs specialized programs that prepare students to serve specific populations.

UConn has launched a fully online MSW program that starts Fall 2024, perfect for busy professionals who want flexibility. This part-time online program features:

• A curriculum matching the on-campus program’s rigor
• Both synchronous and asynchronous learning formats
• Individuals, Groups, and Families Practice (IGFP) concentration that focuses on direct practice and clinical careers
• Field internship opportunities with UConn’s network of 250+ agency and community partners

UConn’s MSW graduates find career opportunities in many fields, especially when you have high-demand roles like mental health counseling, medical social work, school social work, geriatric services, and addiction counseling. The median salary of approximately $70,000 positions graduates well financially in their careers.

The University maintains strict academic standards. Students must earn all credits through academic coursework and supervised field education, as life or previous work experience cannot count toward social work course credit.

About the online program

UConn’s online MSW program paves a flexible path to advance your social work career without sacrificing quality or academic standards. This part-time program lets busy professionals complete their studies over three years while they balance work and personal life.

Students begin the structured program in late August each year. The three-year journey involves two courses per semester, and field education internships become part of the curriculum in the final two years. The program requires minimum of 60 credits – 42 credits through classroom courses and 18 credits in field education.

Students experience learning through two distinct approaches:

• Synchronous learning: Weekly online sessions happen at set days and times where you interact with professors and peers in real-time
• Asynchronous learning: Weekly coursework you complete on your own schedule

The curriculum follows a well-laid-out sequence. Your first year builds foundational knowledge in Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Policy, Human Oppression, and Research. The second year brings Micro and Macro Foundations with field education experiences. Advanced practice courses and specialized electives round out your final year.

The program’s reach extends across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. Students from any of these locations can earn credentials from this accredited, top-ranked, public land-grant university.

Student feedback shows that 60% of UConn social work students have positive experiences with online courses. The program concentrates on Individuals, Groups, and Families Practice to prepare you for direct clinical work.

Sacred Heart University is Connecticut’s only institution with a fully online MSW program that has no on-campus requirements (except field education). In spite of that, UConn’s online MSW emerges as a strong choice that blends the university’s prestige with distance learning convenience. The curriculum equips students to champion social, racial, and economic justice while they advocate for better social policies and services.

Accreditation

A program’s accreditation status sets the standard for evaluating MSW programs. The University of Connecticut’s School of Social Work has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for its Master of Social Work (MSW) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs. This recognition confirms the program meets national standards for social work education.

The University of Connecticut has additional regional accreditation through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc’s Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. These two levels of accreditation demonstrate quality at both university and program levels.

The accreditation covers all program locations and delivery methods, including online MSW options. Students will receive a credential from an accredited, top-ranked, public land-grant university, whatever format they choose.

The School of Social Work gathers and reviews student learning outcomes at MSW and BSW levels to maintain CSWE accreditation. CSWE requires all programs to submit assessment results for professional competencies, which will give a consistent educational quality throughout your studies.

Connecticut has six CSWE-accredited institutions offering MSW programs. UConn leads these institutions as Connecticut’s first public university to award bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in social work. The university’s research doctorate remains the only public social work Ph.D. program in the region.

UConn’s School of Social Work’s accreditation helps practicing professionals earn continuing education credits. Licensed social workers (LCSW and LMSW) can earn credits approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The school’s accredited status means many programs meet licensure requirements for behavioral health professionals. Students should verify acceptance with their licensing organization.

CSWE accreditation forms the basis for professional licensure eligibility in most states. UConn’s MSW program’s accreditation ensures your degree’s recognition by licensing boards, employers, and academic institutions throughout your career.

Choosing your path

Choosing between traditional and online MSW paths needs you to think over your situation, learning priorities, and career goals. The University of Connecticut offers both options, each with unique benefits that might work better for your needs.

Traditional on-campus MSW programs come with several perks that many students find attractive. You get to connect face-to-face with professors and classmates, which builds lasting professional networks that help throughout your career. Students on campus often build stronger work relationships and can use resources like libraries, research centers, and student services right there. Full-time students can finish in two years, while part-time students take three to four years.

The online MSW program shines when it comes to flexibility and easy access. Here’s what you get:

Take time to assess your learning style. You might prefer the traditional program if you do well in structured settings with direct interaction. The online program works better for self-starters who can manage their time and value flexibility.

Your career plans play a big role in this choice. The online path lets you move up in your current organization without moving elsewhere. Students who want to switch careers or dive deep into academic life might find the traditional program’s environment more helpful.

Field education remains the essence of both options. You’ll need to put in 1,200 hours of field education – this is a big deal as it means that the standard 900 hours most MSW programs ask for.

Money matters might affect your choice. While both formats cost the same in tuition, online learning could save you money on commuting, campus housing, or moving expenses.

Both paths lead to the same respected degree. Pick the one that fits your life, how you learn best, and where you want your career to go.

Admission Requirements

The University of Connecticut MSW program looks at your academic background, personal qualities, and professional potential when reviewing your application. You’ll need to pay attention to several important requirements during the application process.

You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The admissions committee pays special attention to your last two years of undergraduate work, but they’ll review your complete academic history. UConn’s MSW program stands out from other graduate programs since it doesn’t require GRE scores or foreign language proficiency tests.

A strong liberal arts foundation should be part of your educational background. Your coursework typically needs to line up with these three areas:

• Natural Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Statistics
• Social and Behavioral Sciences: Psychology, Sociology, Economics, History, Anthropology
• Humanities and Arts: Communication, English, Literature, Philosophy, Foreign Language

Recent BSW graduates can apply for Advanced Standing admission. You’ll need a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last six years. While a 3.0 GPA meets the minimum requirement, the program prefers applicants with a 3.5 GPA.

Your complete application package should have:

1. A detailed personal statement (3-4 pages) about your interest in social work, career goals, and how they line up with the school’s mission
2. Professional recommendations (two for regular admission, three for Advanced Standing)
3. Current resume or curriculum vitae
4. Copies of all college/university transcripts
5. $75 non-refundable application fee

Advanced Standing applicants need to write an additional essay about their concentration. Once accepted, all graduate students must complete a one-time online interpersonal violence prevention training called “U Got This 2!”.

The program accepts applications until February 1st for fall enrollment and November 1st for spring admission. Meeting academic requirements won’t guarantee your spot. The school takes a comprehensive look at each applicant to assess their potential success in this challenging yet rewarding field of social work.

Tuition

Money plays a vital part when you choose between on-campus and online social work education paths. A full picture of costs helps you make smart choices that line up with your budget and career goals.

The University of Connecticut’s online MSW program keeps pricing simple at $880.00 per credit. Students pay only for course materials like textbooks beyond this rate. The flat-rate stays the same for all students, whatever their state of residence. Students need 60 credits to graduate, which brings the total cost for the online MSW degree to about $52,800.

The on-campus MSW program costs differ for the 2024-2025 academic year based on where students live:

These amounts include required fees: $618 for Infrastructure Maintenance, $184 for Technology, and other smaller administrative fees.

UConn provides several ways to help students pay for their education. Students in the online MSW program can look into alternative loans or use UConn’s payment plan. The University offers financial aid, and the School of Social Work gives out student scholarships in fall and spring semesters.

Graduate students who fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can get Federal Direct Loans after an application and credit check. Private education loans from non-federal lenders are also available, but they need a credit check too.

UConn’s Office of the Bursar lets students spread their payments across fall and spring semesters instead of paying everything at once.

Additional Information

Success at the University of Connecticut MSW program depends on detailed support systems that go beyond classroom learning. Students get academic advice that plays a vital role in their education. This guidance helps them get the most from their classes and field work. The program assigns each student an advisor from faculty or staff about two weeks after classes start. These advisors provide individual-specific guidance throughout the student’s educational trip.

Hands-on field work serves as the core of UConn’s social work education. Students can gain practical experience through “social work internship,” “social work practicum,” or “social work field experience” in real-life settings. These opportunities let students apply classroom theories directly to client care. Students who work at social service agencies can use their current jobs to meet practicum requirements with advance approval.

UConn graduates show impressive results, with 90% finding success within six months after graduation. The data shows 64% of advanced degree holders find full-time jobs. Most work in Connecticut (55.12%), Massachusetts (13.54%), and New York (13.18%). Social workers with master’s degrees earn a median salary of $55,081.

Students share mixed feedback about the program. Many value UConn’s networking chances and job preparation. Others point out some organizational issues. New graduate students must complete an online training called “U Got This 2!” about preventing interpersonal violence. This requirement shows UConn’s steadfast dedication to student safety.