Admission Requirements

The following are given consideration in the admission process:

1. 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.
2. Professional Recommendations
3. Relevant Volunteer and/or Paid Experience
4. 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.

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.