University of Nevada Reno MSW

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) has been essential to higher education in the state since 1864. The university system came into existence during Nevada’s admission into the Union. The state’s small population created early hurdles, but the institution started its first classes in 1874 in Elko as a preparatory school. UNR moved to Reno in 1885 to better serve the state’s population center and has thrived since starting formal college-level study in 1887.

UNR’s status as a constitutionally established land-grant university shapes its focus on programs that serve the state, region, and nation’s needs. The university stays true to its mission of making higher education available to everyone, whatever their wealth or social status, while training professionals for our increasingly urban society. Today, approximately 18,000 students call UNR home, with about 3,000 pursuing graduate studies.

UNR’s School of Social Work belongs to the Division of Health Sciences (DHS), along with the School of Medicine, Orvis School of Nursing, and School of Community Health Sciences. On top of that, DHS includes several centers such as Campus Wellness and Recreation, the Sanford Center on Aging, and the Nevada Center for Health Statistics and Informatics.

UNR’s School of Social Work’s mission centers on creating “effective, ethical social work leaders and practitioners who challenge injustice and promote a more humane world through the development and delivery of evidence-informed practices, policies, and programs”. This mission recognizes Nevada’s unique blend of urban, rural, and frontier characteristics in a globalized context.

Master of Social Work students can find the MSW program on the Redfield Campus. Students can access all university services and resources at the main university campus. Students first learn the social work view during their foundation year, then develop into competent, advanced generalist practitioners in their concentration year.

UNR’s academic landscape includes 70 bachelor’s degree programs, 59 master’s degree programs, and 34 doctoral degree programs across 9 colleges. The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges accredits the university, and its Carnegie 1 research institution status highlights its steadfast dedication to academic excellence and research advancement.

The university champions equality as an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. UNR doesn’t discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation in any of its programs or activities.

Programs offered

The School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno provides multiple paths to build or advance your career in social work practice.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program equips you with generalist practice skills through evidence-informed, experiential learning. This professional degree builds on a liberal arts foundation with social and behavioral sciences coursework. The program has grown substantially, with enrollment rising 14.7% in 2020. UNR’s BSW students excel in their field, achieving an 80% pass rate on social work licensing exams—13% higher than the national average.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program stands out uniquely as one of the few programs structured around advanced generalist practice (AGP). This specialized focus prepares social workers to tackle questions, issues, and problems in any discipline of practice.

The MSW program features two delivery options:

1. On-Campus MSW Program
   • Advanced Standing Track (30 credits) – For students with a BSW from an accredited school
   • Traditional Track (60 credits) – For students with non-BSW undergraduate degrees
2. Online MSW Program
   • Advanced Standing Track (30 credits) – For BSW graduates
   • Traditional Track (60 credits) – For non-BSW graduates

Students in the online program follow the same rigorous curriculum as on-campus students while balancing their professional and personal commitments. The online degree can be completed in just 15 months through four consecutive semesters, including summer.

Both Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks offer detailed coursework. Traditional track students learn foundation courses such as Structural Oppression, Theoretical Perspectives on Human Behavior, and various Social Work Methods courses. Advanced concentration courses cover multi-dimensional assessment, therapeutic interventions, social work administration, and program evaluation for all students.

Field education is a vital component of UNR’s social work programs. Students spend about 15 hours each week in community-based settings practicing core competencies through direct client contact. The School’s partnerships with over 300 agencies throughout Nevada provide practicum opportunities in areas like aging, child welfare, mental health, healthcare, education, and family services.

Social work careers show promising growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% employment increase from 2024 to 2034, with median annual pay reaching $61,330 in 2024. These numbers highlight UNR’s social work education value.

About the online program

The University of Nevada, Reno’s online Master of Social Work stands out with its flexible and professional approach. This program is unique because it’s one of the few MSW degrees built around Advanced Generalist Practice (AGP). Students learn to handle challenges in many professional settings.

The online MSW program has two paths:

• Traditional Track: Students with non-social work bachelor’s degrees can take this 60-credit program. They need to finish foundation courses before moving to advanced studies.
• Advanced Standing Track: BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs can take this 30-credit fast track. These students can focus on advanced coursework since they already have social work education.

The program’s field education makes it special. Traditional track students spend [900 hours] working under supervision at health service agencies in their communities. Advanced standing students complete 450 hours. The School of Social Work helps students find field placements near them, whatever their location.

Students must complete foundation courses before starting concentration courses. This step-by-step approach helps build skills from basic theory to advanced concepts.

Traditional track students need to attend a two-day session at UNR’s patient simulation facilities in Reno. Advanced standing students can finish their degree completely online without visiting campus.

The program maintains high standards with a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for graduate coursework. In spite of that, students don’t need GRE scores or work experience to apply.

The program’s application deadline is July for Fall, and classes start in September. Students should start their applications early to meet these dates.

UNR keeps the program affordable. Students pay less than they would at other online MSW programs. The curriculum prepares graduates for professional licensure, opening doors to social work jobs of all types.

Accreditation

Accreditation acts as a vital quality indicator for professional degree programs. The University of Nevada, Reno’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This credential brings immense value to students who want to join the UNR MSW program.

The CSWE Commission on Accreditation reaffirmed both UNR’s BSW and MSW programs’ accreditation status in June 2022. The accreditation extends through February 2029. The eight-year reaccreditation period marks the longest timeframe CSWE grants, which shows UNR’s steadfast dedication to excellent educational standards.

CSWE remains the only accrediting body for social work education that the Council of Higher Education Accreditation recognizes in the United States. Their accreditation process demands programs to meet detailed requirements in the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAs).

Students who choose the UNR MSW program get these key benefits:

1. Curriculum Excellence: The program showed its curriculum teaches core social work competencies well. These include ethical principles, critical thinking, research application, and practice adaptation in a variety of contexts.
2. Field Experience Quality: CSWE-accredited MSW programs must offer at least 900 hours of field experience that connects theory with practice. UNR students complete these practicums at hundreds of agencies across Nevada and beyond.
3. Licensing Eligibility: The MSW program’s CSWE accreditation provides the education needed for optional high-level clinical licenses in most states. Some jurisdictions might need extra coursework.
4. Consistent Standards: The online MSW program follows the same strict CSWE accreditation standards as on-campus classes. You can pick either option with confidence.

CSWE accreditation takes a closer look at how well the program meets its goals. This includes reviewing policies, resources, and implementation. The process needs an on-site visit to watch social work education happening—not just paperwork review.

UNR must measure and share student learning outcomes regularly to meet CSWE requirements. These findings appear publicly and need updates at least every two years. The program sets percentage-based measures for each competency and decides minimum score requirements for assessment.

CSWE accreditation will give you confidence that your UNR MSW education meets the field’s highest professional standards. This prepares you well for licensure and practice as a social worker.

Admission Requirements

The University of Nevada Reno MSW program has specific admission requirements based on your educational background. Your path to admission depends on whether you choose the Traditional or Advanced Standing track.

The Traditional 60-credit MSW program welcomes applicants with a non-social work bachelor’s degree and strong liberal arts preparation. This includes coursework in social sciences, humanities, research, and human biology. Students must complete both statistics and research methods courses before starting the program. Your undergraduate work needs a minimum 2.75 GPA overall.

The Advanced Standing 30-credit MSW program serves only CSWE-accredited BSW graduates. Your BSW should be no more than seven years old. A minimum 2.75 GPA with at least a “C” in each social work course is required. You’ll need to show excellent performance in your BSW field experience through your field supervisor’s documentation.

Both tracks require these application materials:

• Completed MSW application with essay responses
• Resume/CV
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Two professional recommendation letters from supervisors, employers, or professors
• Advanced Standing applicants must provide a third recommendation from their field instructor and a copy of their BSW field placement evaluation

Traditional track applications are due by January 15th for fall enrollment. The online program follows the same schedule, with classes starting in early September.

The School of Social Work reviews applications first, and faculty members might conduct interviews during the screening process. Recommended candidates then move forward to Graduate School review.

The admissions team looks beyond academic qualifications. They evaluate your career goals and how well you match the program’s advanced generalist approach. You should be willing to work with diverse populations, show dedication to social justice, and line up with social work values.

UNR’s MSW program stands out because it doesn’t require GRE scores or previous work experience. The program charges a non-refundable $60 application fee for domestic applicants.

Tuition

The University of Nevada, Reno’s MSW education gives you great value compared to other programs. The university stays true to its promise of affordable education without compromising on quality.

Students starting in 2025-2026 will pay different rates. In-state students pay $385 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $770 per credit hour. Your total program cost depends on your chosen path. The traditional 60-credit program costs in-state students $23,100. Students who qualify for the advanced standing 30-credit option pay just $11,550 – cutting their costs in half.

Out-of-state students pay more, with $46,200 for the traditional program and $23,100 for advanced standing. Keep in mind these numbers show base tuition only. You might need to pay extra mandatory fees, just like at most universities.

Graduate tuition at UNR changes based on where you live and what you study. The base graduate tuition starts at $353.50 per credit for 2025-2026, though online programs like the MSW have their own pricing. The university works hard to keep its online MSW program cheaper than other schools.

Almost every student can get some financial help. The university states clearly: “Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid”. This means you might pay substantially less than the listed prices.

Your total costs include more than just tuition. You’ll need money for housing, meals, books, and getting around. UNR helps you plan ahead with their tuition estimator tool.

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents sets all tuition rates. They’ve created a predictable pricing system with fixed yearly per-credit fees through 2027-2028. This helps you plan your education budget more reliably.

Additional Information

UNR’s support goes well beyond the classroom with complete academic advising services. The MSW program leadership team helps students through in-person and Zoom advising sessions by appointment to guide their learning experience. Students who want to join or are already in the MSW program can book advising sessions.

UNR’s MSW graduates see excellent career results. Their median salary reaches $57,522, which is a big deal as it means that the national average of $51,347 for social work master’s degree holders. This shows how well the program prepares students to work as professionals.

The program’s student makeup shows great diversity. During 2021-2022, 165 students earned their master’s degree in social work. This made UNR the #53 most popular choice for social work master’s degrees nationwide. The graduating class included 93% women and 7% men, with about 52% of students identifying as white.

The School of Social Work connects students with many scholarships and funding options. Students build professional networks and get hands-on experience through university-run organizations. After graduation, MSW degree holders can apply for licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW). Master’s-prepared social workers can also get Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials after they complete 3,000 supervised postgraduate hours and pass an examination.