University of Utah MSW Program
The University of Utah College of Social Work drives social work education, research, and public service forward. Located in Salt Lake City, the college works to ease human suffering and promote social and economic justice through its educational programs and strategic collaborations.
The Advanced Generalist view sits at the heart of Utah’s MSW program. This approach gives future social workers complete skills in micro, mezzo, and macro practice. Graduates can work with clients and populations of all types, ready to tackle complex social issues at multiple levels.
The program’s strength comes from its wide professional network. The college’s partnerships with more than 300 off-campus social service agencies give students a great way to get real-life experience. These hands-on experiences help develop skills that work in social work practice.
Utah’s online MSW matches the on-campus program’s curriculum structure and educational philosophy. Both paths showcase the college’s steadfast dedication to preparing social workers who tackle society’s biggest challenges with competence and compassion.
Students in the University of Utah MSW program can build specialized knowledge by choosing from these focus areas:
- Aging in Social Work
- Child Welfare in Social Work
- Forensic Social Work
- Global Social Work
- Health in Social Work
- Mental Health in Social Work
- Substance Use in Social Work
This chance to specialize lets students become experts in their chosen field while keeping their broad advanced generalist foundation.
The College of Social Work’s curriculum lines up perfectly with social work’s core purpose. Students learn to ease human suffering, boost individual and community well-being, and advance social justice principles. This strong connection between learning and purpose creates an education that leads to meaningful careers.
Students interested in crossing disciplines can combine their MSW with other graduate degrees. The university offers joint programs with Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, and Juris Doctor programs. These combinations create unique career paths that connect social work with related fields.
The University of Utah MSW program’s approach to education and dedication to social justice creates graduates ready to make a difference in practice settings and communities everywhere.
Programs offered
The University of Utah MSW program gives students multiple pathways that align with their needs and career goals. Students can choose from several options that deliver quality education with flexible timelines and structures based on their background and schedule.
Students with social work credentials can take advantage of the Advanced Standing program‘s accelerated format. This one-year program welcomes students both on campus in Salt Lake City and online. Students who have earned a BSW within seven years of the application deadline qualify for this track. The program requires 45 graduate credits over three semesters and a 550-hour practicum during fall and spring semesters. Students must apply by September 1 each year.
The Two-Year Full-Time program serves as the primary option for students without a BSW. Available both on-campus and online, students complete 60 graduate credits spread across four semesters, with 15 credits each semester. The program includes two practicums: 400 hours in year one and 550 hours in year two. The application deadline falls on October 15 every year.
Working professionals might prefer the Three-Year Online program which offers more flexibility with the same quality curriculum. This option spreads 60 graduate credits over seven semesters, with 9-10 credits per semester. Students complete their practicum experiences in the second year (400 hours) and third year (550 hours). Applications are due by March 1, 2026.
The college also features specialized Child Welfare (Title IV-E) programs in evening, distance, and online formats. These tracks prepare students for child welfare service careers with application deadlines of March 1, 2026, 2027, and 2028 respectively.
Every program requires students to earn at least a C+ in each course while maintaining a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA. The university’s online MSW delivers the same academic standards and curriculum quality as its in-person counterpart.
The university partners with over 300 off-campus social service agencies to provide hands-on experience. These field placements help students apply their classroom knowledge in ground settings, building practical skills they’ll need after graduation.
About the online program
The University of Utah’s online MSW program combines flexibility with academic excellence. Students experience the same high standards as campus-based programs through a well-laid-out digital learning environment that focuses on student interaction and complete skill development.
Students can complete weekly modules at their own pace since the online MSW courses are mostly asynchronous. Some courses might include a few scheduled Zoom sessions to boost collaborative learning. Weekly modules come with organized materials, assignments, and specific deadlines that help students maintain their momentum throughout the semester.
The online experience thrives on interactive learning through several channels:
- Group collaboration via email, Zoom, and discussion forums
- Critical thinking development through forum discussions with peer and instructor feedback
- Peer review opportunities to analyze fellow students’ work
Students receive complete support from instructors through email, online office hours, discussion threads, and phone consultations. This approach will give students quick help even in a distance learning format.
The program offers three distinct online paths:
Advanced Standing Online: BSW graduates can take this accelerated option with 45 credit hours completed over just three semesters. Students can apply yearly from August 1 to September 1 for summer start dates.
Two-Year Full-Time Online: This standard path needs 60 credit hours and follows the campus program sequence. Students can apply from August 1 to October 15 yearly for programs starting the following summer.
Three-Year Online: Students who want a balanced pace can spread 60 credit hours across three years. This cohort-based program takes applications once every three years, with the next group starting Fall 2026.
Students must complete weekday practicum experiences in person near their location. Most placements happen during regular business hours, with limited evening and weekend options. A University of Utah practicum coordinator helps students find suitable agencies in their area.
Students need to finish their entire program in their chosen format and cannot mix online and on-campus courses. The Mental Health Area of Focus remains the only option for online students, but this doesn’t limit practicum placement choices.
Accreditation
Quality education in social work programs depends on professional accreditation. The University of Utah MSW program has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), America’s leading accrediting organization for social work education.
CSWE accreditation means more than just a quality mark. The University of Utah MSW program meets strict national educational standards that will shape your career prospects after graduation. This accreditation makes you eligible for professional licensure—a must-have requirement to practice social work in most settings.
The University of Utah’s online and on-campus MSW programs share the same CSWE accreditation status. Your degree carries equal professional recognition whatever learning format you choose. Students who need flexibility can still get top-quality credentials.
CSWE’s 2022 Educational Policy Accreditation Standards (EPAS) guide the accreditation process and require programs to use competency-based education. The University of Utah MSW program’s students must show mastery in nine professional areas:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
- Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
These competencies form the foundations of curriculum design, field experiences, and assessment practices throughout your educational experience. Your training will cover all professional knowledge, values, and skills needed for effective social work practice.
The College of Social Work keeps its accreditation through constant assessment and improvement of its teaching methods. This dedication to high standards helps you as a student by keeping your education current with field best practices.
The University’s BSW program also holds CSWE accreditation, which shows its steadfast dedication to quality social work education at every degree level.
Admission Requirements
Getting into the University of Utah MSW program depends on meeting several criteria that show you’re ready for graduate-level social work education. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university and a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
You’ll need to submit your application materials through the University of Utah Graduate School. Here’s what you need:
- Complete transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- Three professional recommendations from supervisors or instructors
- Detailed Statement of Purpose addressing specific prompts
- Formatted resume highlighting relevant experience
- Research Methods prerequisite course documentation
The Statement of Purpose is one of the most important parts of your application. You must address ten specific elements that range from career goals to your understanding of social justice principles. This statement lets you show how well you match with social work values and your readiness for professional education.
Your recommendations are crucial too. They should come from supervisors who have directly assessed your human service-related work or academic performance. The evaluation process values professional references much more than personal character references.
Once you receive an admission offer, you have two weeks to secure your spot. The College of Social Work will make enrollment more available by removing the seating fee starting January 2026.
The University of Utah MSW program doesn’t run criminal background checks during admission. However, you should know that many field placement sites and licensing boards need them. This becomes especially important since you must complete practicum experiences to graduate.
If your GPA falls below 3.0, the program might look at your application case by case. You’ll need to submit an extra GPA statement that explains any factors and shows you can handle graduate-level work.
The admissions committee takes an all-encompassing approach to review applications. They look at all components together instead of focusing on single metrics like GPA. This detailed assessment helps find candidates who will succeed both academically and professionally in the University of Utah online MSW or on-campus program.
Tuition
Money plays a significant role in pursuing advanced education. The University of Utah MSW program has clear tuition rates that change based on how you attend classes and your student status.
Starting Fall 2025, both campus-based and university of utah online msw programs will cost $620.25 per credit hour for everyone. This rate applies to all students, whatever their residency status. Students can plan their finances better with this standard rate.
The credit-hour model makes calculating costs simple. Students in the two-year full-time program need 60 credits total, usually taking 15 credits each semester. The three-year part-time option needs the same credits but spreads them out differently.
The College of Social Work charges extra tuition on top of regular graduate rates. This extra fee helps cover professional education costs – something common in professional programs across campus. These additional charges support quality social work education resources.
Here are some key points about program costs:
- Tuition rates usually go up each summer based on decisions by the Utah legislature and Board of Regents
- The listed costs don’t include extras like online textbooks and proctored exam fees
- Materials and other costs vary depending on your program track
University staff looking to advance their careers should know the University of Utah MSW program is available through the reduced tuition benefit. This makes the degree more available to staff members.
Students comparing MSW options in Utah should know that costs vary substantially between MSW schools. Utah Valley University and Utah State University have different pricing structures, and Utah State offers programs at various locations statewide.
The Financial Aid office provides detailed Cost of Attendance estimates that cover tuition, living costs, books, transportation, and personal expenses to help with financial planning.
Additional Information
The University of Utah MSW program delivers more than just core education. Graduates take on a variety of roles such as clinical social worker, community outreach specialist, medical social worker, mental health therapist, school social worker, and substance abuse counselor. Social work continues to grow with a projected 7% increase through 2033, which means about 67,300 new positions will open up each year.
University of Utah MSW graduates earn a median salary of $38,338. This is a big deal as it means that the national average of $37,334 for social work bachelor’s degree holders. The broader social work field now offers a median wage of $58,380 as of 2023.
The program shows impressive results with 188 master’s degrees awarded in 2022, making it the 44th most prominent school nationwide for social work master’s candidates. The program also awarded 7 doctoral degrees and ranks 17th nationally in this category.
The program’s demographics show a rich mix of students. Women make up 73% of master’s recipients, while men account for 27%. White students represent 77% of the graduating class.
Students’ experiences showcase the program’s transformative nature. Emily Arntz (MSW’21) puts it perfectly: “I made long-lasting friendships with future social workers who took the time to sit with me through my grief and struggles, as well as my times of overcoming and resiliency.”