Social Work (MSW)
Degree Program Overview
Our MSW program, one of the oldest in Georgia, is ranked 22 among MSW programs nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. We offer two graduate level concentration areas: Clinical Practice and Community Empowerment and Program Development.
The UGA School of Social Work has been preparing students for challenging and rewarding careers in social work for more than five decades. We opened our doors in 1964 with eight professors, 24 students, and one graduate degree program. Today our School has over 30 faculty members and a student body numbering over 600. It is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to award the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
The MSW degree meets all educational requirements leading to licensing as a social worker in Georgia.
Curriculum and Courses
Students in the Advanced Standing Program are admitted only in the summer semester and progress through the program with their cohort for two consecutive years or six semesters. Our regular extended time students are admitted only in the fall semester and progress through the program with their cohort for 3 or 4 consecutive years. Our four year program offers two program options for your specialization year. Additional details can be found on the Social Work website.
All classes are offered Monday-Thursdays from 5:30pm to 8:15pm and some courses may be offered on Saturday between 9:00am and 4:00pm. In their second year, students are required to spend 2 semesters in a field education course which includes classroom and field placement (Fall 8 hours/week and Spring 16 hours/week in field internships). Third-year students must complete a 20 hour/week, two-semester field placement. Please note, this will be different for those who are 4-year block placement.
Three and Four Year Program of Study (PDF)
Advanced Standing Program
Advanced Standing means that students who hold a BSW degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education can receive their MSW with only one additional year (11 months) of schooling. In less than five years, students are able to earn their BSW and MSW.
To qualify for advanced standing, the following conditions must be met:
- BSW must be from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- BSW was earned within five years of beginning the MSW program
- Your GPA is 3.2 or better in undergraduate social work classes
If your undergraduate social work GPA is less than 3.2, or if your BSW was obtained more than five years ago, you may still be eligible for the regular MSW program of study but not to the Advanced Standing program. If you earned your BSW within ten years, but have worked in a social work setting that includes MSW staff and professional learning experiences, you may still be eligible for advanced standing status.
If you earned your BSW within five years but prefer to apply to the regular program, you must specifically request admission to the regular program.
Advanced Standing Program of Study (PDF)
Cost
Click here for tuition rates per program.
Application
Apply to the UGA Graduate School. Visit the Graduate School Website to view the requirements, deadlines, and fees. You can submit your Graduate School application online.
Applications are complete when the following items are submitted to the Graduate School.
- Online Application
- Test Scores
- Transcripts
- Narrative Statement
- Resumé - Including details of your work experience in human service and other settings
- Three letters of recommendation
- MSW supplemental form
To apply, click here.
Associated Faculty
Click here for a list of faculty members.
Program Webpage
https://ssw.uga.edu/academics/master-social-work/
Contact
Please direct all questions about admissions to the MSW Program to Dr. Michael Robinson (marobi01@uga.edu, (706) 542-5425).
Resources