Master of Social Work (MSW)

Program Overview

UVM's nationally accredited MSW program prepares students for transformative social work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Our graduates become professionals whose practice reflects the most humane and empowering knowledge, skills, and values of social work.

"I can't recommend this program enough. Proud alumna here and my healing practice is woven with all I gained at UVM – skills, relationships, confidence, innovation, questioning and dismantling of of oppressive systems, community and joy! – Lizzy McDonald G'15

Preparation for Success

• 100% of our MSW graduates taking the Master's level exam passed the first time, compared to 74% overall in the U.S. and Canada (2018-2021).
• 90% of our MSW graduates taking the Clinical level exam passed the first time, compared to 75% overall in U.S. and Canada (2018-2021).

Field Education (Practicum)

Engage in 900 hours or more of practice through field education placements. During your practicum semesters, you have a minimum of 15 hours/week (20 hours/week for Advanced Standing students) in an agency along with monthly field education seminars on campus.

Our program offers experiences in wide range of roles and settings, including schools, medical centers, mental health centers, government agencies, and community-based organizations. As you gain a breadth and depth of experience, you also develop collaborative skills and explore different interests before choosing a path within the profession.

Learn more about Field Education

“I enjoyed the clinical social work experience engaging with individuals and groups while partnering alongside some of the best social workers in the field.” – Emily Mars Raymond G'22

Your Foundation MSW field education builds a strong foundation in generalist social work practice. Broaden and develop your professional skills as you gain experience working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 

You will also work with your field instructor and faculty field liaison to prepare for the subsequent Specialized Practice MSW placement that focuses on one or more areas of professional interest. 

Cohort Learning and Support

Small classes and diverse perspectives make learning exciting, relevant, and rewarding. You'll have opportunities to work closely with faculty on research, community projects, and in independent study. Our inspiring students are diverse in age, background, life experience, and come from all parts of the U.S. With less than 70 students, our program size fosters relationships that lead to lifelong professional associations.

"The MSW cohort feels like walking into a room with your family.” – Halima Said G'24

Transformative Social Work Philosophy

We specialize in Transformative Social Work weaving together three critical strands that form and fortify our approach to the social work profession:

• Strengths Perspective affirms the dignity, resourcefulness, resilience, and adaptability of people and their capacity for growth and change. It also supports the creative, supportive potential of communities that are diverse and the many ways in which people choose to work and live.
• Critical Social Constructionism views people and their environments, as well as knowledge of people and their environments, as historically and socially embedded. It examines and challenges existing knowledge claims by applying new and expanded perspectives.
• Human Rights and Justice values focused on freedom and well-being inspire and guide learning, practice, and research throughout the MSW program at UVM.

How To Apply

Application and Admissions Information

Application Deadlines:

• Advance standing applications due January 15.
• Regular-track applications due March 15. Priority deadline is February 1.

Funding Your Degree

• Funding and Scholarships for Master's Degree Students
• Title IV-E Program Child Welfare Traineeship

Information Sessions

Join us! We look forward to answering your questions and to learning more about your interests.

Sign up for an online information session

Learn More About

• Our Faculty
• Licensure Information
• CSWE Accreditation
• Graduate Student Services

Accreditation and Program OutcomesLearn more about accreditation, outcomes, and professional licensure

Curriculum

You will be enrolled in either the advanced standing or full-time pathway. In addition to coursework, each pathway includes 900 hours of professional practice in the field.

Advanced Standing Pathway (3 semesters, 39 credits )

For students with a degree from an accredited BSW program received within 7 years of applying to MSW program at UVM. Students complete 39 credit hours of full-time study over the course of a full calendar year.

Semester 1 - Summer (10 credits)

SWSS 380 - Perspectives in Social Work (4 credits) ONLINE
Focus Course/Elective (3 credits)
Focus Course (3 credits)

Semester 2 - Fall (13 credits)

SWSS 6140 - Transformative Social Work I (3 credits)
SWSS 6270 - Advanced Social Work Research (3 credits)
Focus Course (3 credits)
SWSS 6890 - Field II* (4 credits)

Semester 3 - Spring (16 credits)

SWSS 6150- Transformative Social Work II (3 credits)
SWSS 6160 - Understandings and Applications of Critical Social
Construction, Human Rights and the Strengths Perspective (3 credits)
Focus Course (3 credits)
Focus Course (3 credits)
SWSS 6890 - Field II* (4 credits)

*Minimum of 20 hours each week for a total of 300 hours per semester

Full-Time Pathway (2 Years, 60 credits)

Most students accepted to the program study full-time for two years and pursue coursework and a field practicum concurrently.

Foundation Curriculum

The professional foundation curriculum is designed to assist students to explore and develop generalist social work knowledge, values, and skills for professional practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities. Students take 30 credits of professional foundation course work, including one elective.

Semester 1 - Fall (15 Credits)

SWSS 5160 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 credits)
SWSS 5200 - Social Welfare Policy and Services I (3 credits)
Foundation Elective (3 credits)
SWSS 6120- Foundation Practice I (3 credits)
SWSS 6000 - Field I* (3 credits)

Semester 2 - Spring (15 Credits)

SWSS 5170 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 credits)
SWSS 5210 - Social Welfare Policy and Services II  (3 credits)
SWSS 5027 - Foundations of Social Work Research I (3 credits)
SWSS 6130 - Foundation Practice II (3 credits)
SWSS 6000 - Field I* (3 credits)

Specialized Practice Year Curriculum

The specialized practice year curriculum is designed to provide students with knowledge, values, and skills for advanced practice. All core curriculum courses in the specialized practice year are considered advanced practice courses, in that all emphasize the engagement of social work approaches and methods in various roles and settings. Students need to complete 30 credits of concentration year coursework.

Semester 3 - Fall (15 credits)

SWSS 6140 - Transformative Social Work I (3 credits)
SWSS 6270 - Advanced Social Work Research (3 credits)
Focus Course (3 credits)
Focus Course (3 credits)
SWSS 6890 - Field II* (3 credits)

Semester 4 - Spring (15 Credits)

SWSS 6150- Transformative Social Work II (3 credits)
SWSS 6160 - Understandings and Applications of Critical Social Construction, Human Rights and the Strengths Perspective (3 credits)
Focus Course (3 credits)
Focus Course (3 credits)
SWSS 6890- Field* (3 credits)