Graduate Catalog | 2023-2024 Previous Edition
Social Work, M.S.W.
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UNC Charlotte’s nationally-ranked Master of Social Work program prepares students to be social work professionals and leaders in areas of culturally-informed, community-engaged practice, policy, and research. MSW students receive an advanced generalist social work education, and specialize their study through electives and field work. The MSW program emphasizes social justice through the curriculum, and intervening at all levels of society. The location in Charlotte offers both urban and rural opportunities for learning in the field.
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Admission Requirements
The following are given consideration in the admission process:
- Undergraduate Preparation, including GPA
- The Graduate School sets a 3.0 as the minimum GPA for admission to master’s programs
- The Graduate School requires students to provide copies of unofficial transcripts for all institutions the applicant has attended
- The School of Social Work seeks applicants with a liberal arts background. Previous courses in biology and statistics are encouraged, but not required.
- Professional Recommendations
- Relevant Volunteer and/or Paid Experience
- Personal Statement - See the MSW program website for details
International applicants may be required by The Graduate School to submit additional materials.
Note: Standardized test scores (e.g., GRE) are not required.
Upon acceptance to the program, students are asked to complete an Intent to Enroll Form.
Degree Requirements
The MSW curriculum implements the School of Social Work vision and values through a generalist and specialized curriculum that promote the social work profession’s knowledge, values, skills, and approaches to critical thinking. The MSW program educates future social workers to think and work multisystemically.
A multisystemic approach maintains a concurrent focus among people, their social environments, and reciprocal relationships, while actively influencing organizations, communities, and social policy to bring about a more just society. All students in the program are required to take specialized practice courses on individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities. In addition, students have an opportunity to develop areas of specialization through elective courses in the School of Social Work or other pre-approved disciplines at UNC Charlotte.
MSW Program Options
The MSW program includes Advanced Standing (39 credits) and Traditional (60 credits) options that may each be completed on campus or online. For information on each of the MSW plans of study, see the Social Work Curriculum Program Handbook.
Advanced Standing Degree (39 credits)
The Advanced Standing plan of study is designed for students who have earned a BSW from an accredited social work program within the past seven years and wish to pursue the MSW through an accelerated format. Advanced Standing students are not required to complete the generalist curriculum for the MSW. Students complete 39 graduate credit hours, which includes 33 credit hours in the classroom and 6 credits in an approved field placement. Advanced Standing students pursuing their MSW on-campus complete the program in 1-year, while students pursuing their MSW online complete the program in 2-years.
Electives (6 credits)
Two three-credit graduate electives totaling six-credits. Electives may be taken in SOWK or from the following pre-approved disciplines: CHFD, CJUS, CSLG, ELED, GRNT, LTAM, MPAD, SPED, and WGST.
Advanced Standing Degree Total = 39 Credits
Traditional Degree (60 credits)
The Traditional program options include both the generalist and specialized curricula. Students complete a total of 60 graduate credit hours, which includes 48 credit hours in the classroom and 12 credits in an approved field placement. Students pursuing their MSWs on campus complete their degrees in 2-years of study. Students pursuing their MSWs online complete their degrees in 3-years of study.
Electives (9 credits)
Three three-credit graduate electives totaling nine-credits. Electives may be taken in SOWK or from the following pre-approved disciplines: CHFD, CJUS, CSLG, ELED, GRNT, LTAM, MPAD, SPED, and WGST.
Degree Total = 60 Credit Hours
Field Placement
Field placements are assigned from a variety of agencies and practice settings approved by the UNC Charlotte School of Social Work Office of Field Experiences. Field Instructors, approved by the School of Social Work, guide the student through learning experiences, coordinating field experiences with the concurrent classroom coursework. The generalist field placement prepares students to apply foundational social work knowledge, skills, and values. The specialized field placement prepares students for advanced application of social work skills, with continued attention to vulnerable populations.
Financial Assistance
Paid internships and assistantships are limited. Visit socialwork.uncc.edu for more information.
State Certification
Graduates of the MSW Program may pursue state licensure or certification at the graduate level. Application for licensure or certification should be made with the state board in the state where the applicant intends to practice social work. In North Carolina, the Certification and Licensure Board for Social Work may be accessed on the web at ncswboard.org or by phone at 336-625-1679. MSW levels of licensure/certification in North Carolina include the following: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA), Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW), and Certified Social Work Manager (CSWM).
Special Programs
North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative
UNC Charlotte participates in the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC), which is a joint effort of the NC Division of Social Services, the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (DSS), and the National Association of Social Workers, NC Chapter. CWEC’s objective is to improve the quality of public child welfare services in North Carolina, and is administered by the Jordan Institute for Families at UNC Chapel Hill. At UNC Charlotte, CWEC students take SOWK 5103 (Child Welfare) as one of their electives, and have a field placement at a child welfare agency. Students who complete all requirements for the CWEC program receive a certificate indicating they have successfully met North Carolina Child Welfare Pre- service Training competencies. Graduates may then be hired at a NC County Department of Social Services with credit for six (6) months of experience.
For additional information about the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative at UNC Charlotte, please visit the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative page or contact the CWEC Liaison.
School Social Work
Graduates of the program may also qualify for licensure as a School Social Worker in the state of North Carolina. The school social work license is awarded by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. To be eligible for school social work licensure, MSW students must complete a two-semester field placement in a school setting, take SOWK 5102 (School Social Work), and one additional pre-approved elective. Students interested in school social work licensure should begin planning at program entry with their advisors and the school social work licensure liaison.
For additional information about school social work licensure, please visit the UNC Charlotte School of Social Work School Social Work Licensure page or contact the licensure Liaison.
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