Curricular Requirements

Students in the campus-based program option can complete their M.S.W. in two years as a traditional full-time student or in three to four years as a part-time student. Students who have graduated from an accredited B.S.W. program can apply for Advanced Standing and complete their M.S.W. in just one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). Occasional campus-based M.S.W. courses are offered in a hybrid format that blends online learning with classroom experiences within the individual courses. Hybrid courses are not to be confused with the online M.S.W. program option. It is not possible for students to take both online courses via the online program option and campus-based courses via the campus-based program option at the same time. Hybrid courses are offered as part of the campus-based option only.

M.S.W students are required to complete 60 credit hours of graduate course study. Additionally, students are required to complete two separate field placements (internships) that consists of four semesters of supervised practice in approved social work settings. Generalist field placements will be at least 400 hours and specialization will be at least 500 hours.

Advanced Standing students complete 30 credit hours and one field placement consisting of two semesters. Students coming from programs outside of UNE are required to take SSW/O 526 as a requirement of the M.S.W. program. Students coming directly from UNE’s B.S.W. program are exempt from taking SSW/O 526 and take another elective in its place.

Focus Areas

The campus-based program option offers two focus areas* in Applied Arts and Social Justice, and Trauma-Informed Practice. The online-based program option offers focus areas in Trauma-Informed Practice, School Social Work, Medical Social Work, and Advanced Clinical Practice. Focus areas are integrated into the M.S.W. degree curriculum and completed within the required credit course structure (see individual focus area pages for more detail).

*The Applied Arts and Social Justice focus areas are offered as part of the campus-based program option

Generalist Year

Generalist social work courses emphasize an integrated social work perspective involving the social context and its impact on social policy, programs, and the social work profession. Courses include Anti-Oppression Social Work Practice; Human Behavior and the Social Environment I and II; Social Work Research; Action Research for Social Work Practice; Social Work Policy and Advocacy; Social Work Practice I and II; and Field Integrating Seminar and Practicums I and II. In addition, students spend 400 hours in a field setting, which permits students another learning mode through placements in social agencies and programs with structured on-site professional supervision.

Specialization Year

Specialization social work courses prepare students for a wide range of advanced practice roles. Students glean clinical skills necessary for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, and groups, while they take advanced courses, Advanced Social Work Practice I and II; Leadership, Administration, and Supervision; The DSM: A Social Work Perspective; Field Seminar and Practicum III and IV, and advanced electives.

The School of Social Work's curriculum is taught within a framework based in social work values of social inclusion, anti-oppression, and contextualizes human experience with consideration to social determinants of health and well-being. Students learn skills to translate practice knowledge into work in organizations and communities. The curriculum prepares graduates for professional leadership positions within their communities and beyond.

Learn more about Social Work Online Program Option

Traditional Student Progression

Generalist Curriculum Credits
SSW/SSWO 502 — Human Behavior and the Social Environment II 3
SSW/SSWO 503 — Social Work Research 3
SSW/SSWO 504 — Action Research for Social Work Practice 3
SSW/SSWO 505 — Social Policy and Advocacy 3
SSW/SSWO 509 — Anti-Oppression Social Work Practice 3
SSW/SSWO 510 — Social Work Practice I 3
SSW/SSWO 511 — Social Work Practice II 3
SSW/SSWO 521 — Field Seminar & Practicum I/Seminar 3
SSW/SSWO 523 — Field Seminar & Practicum II/Seminar 3
SSW/SSWO 585 — Substance Use: A Social Work Perspective 3
Generalist Total 30
Specialization Curriculum Credits
SSW/SSWO 552 — Advanced Clinical Practice I 3
SSW/SSWO 553 — Advanced Clinical Practice II 3
SSW/SSWO 597 — Advanced Psychosocial Assessment 3
SSW/SSWO 565 — Leadership, Administration, and Supervision 3
SSW/SSWO 581 — Field Seminar & Practicum III/Seminar 3
SSW/SSWO 583 — Field Seminar & Practicum IV/Seminar 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Specialization Total 30
Traditional Student Progression Program Total Credits 60

Advanced Standing Progression (Online and On-Campus)

Generalist Requirements Credits
Waived with B.S.W. from CSWE accredited program N/A
Program Requirements Credits
SSW/SSWO 526 — Integrating Clinical/Community Practice Frameworks* 3
SSW/SSWO 552 — Advanced Clinical Practice I 3
SSW/SSWO 553 — Advanced Clinical Practice II 3
SSW/SSWO 597 — Advanced Psychosocial Assessment 3
SSW/SSWO 565 — Administration and Supervision 3
SSW/SSWO 581 — Field Seminar & Practicum III/Seminar 3
SSW/SSWO 583 — Field Seminar & Practicum IV/Seminar 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total Advanced Standing Online and On-campus Program Credits 30

*Campus Advanced Standing students take this course in the middle of August, prior to New Student Orientation and the start of the fall semester. This course is only taken by non-UNE B.S.W. students. UNE B.S.W. students take an additional elective in its place.

Graduation Requirements

Students must successfully complete all courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 prior to graduation and fulfill all curriculum requirements.