Master of Social Work (MSW)

Program Overview

Our Mission

The MSW Program at the University of Vermont, through its teaching, scholarship, and public service, prepares graduate students for professional practice in transformative social work. Our mission is to prepare critically conscious social workers who challenge taken-for-granted narratives and structural inequities through the lens of critical social construction. Grounded in principles of relationality and collective liberation, the program views each level of practice as interconnected and imperative to creating profound, generative, transformative change. Our curriculum promotes this commitment through an emphasis on the historical, social and political contexts of social work knowledge and practices, including recognition of historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism; foregrounding individual and collective strengths; affirming the values and ethical standards of the social work profession; and actively resisting oppression. 

"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

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Practicum Beyond the Classroom

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 practicum education seminars on campus. 

 Our program offers experiences in wide range of roles and settings, including:  

• Schools 

• Medical centers 

• Mental health centers 

• Government agencies 

• Community-based organizations Learn more about Practicum Education

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.

Small class sizes, diverse perspectives

With less than 70 students, our program size fosters relationships that lead to lifelong professional associations. 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.

Curriculum

The MSW curriculum has a professional foundation and one specialized practice area: transformative social work. The theories, perspectives, research, and methods that are offered in the curriculum are selected according to their congruence with a strengths-oriented, critical constructionist perspective, and their capacity to promote diversity, social justice, and human rights. 

The Department of Social Work offers a full-time and part-time course of study toward the MSW degree. An Advanced Standing option is also available for eligible students who have completed an undergraduate degree in social work from a bachelor's program accredited by CSWE in the past 7 years.

Full-Time, 2 Year Pathway (2 Years, 60 credits)

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

Foundation Curriculum

The foundation curriculum is designed to assist students to explore and develop generalist social work knowledge, values, and skills for professional practice with individuals, families, 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- Social Work Practice I (3 credits)
SWSS 6000 - Foundation Year Practicum* (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 - Social Work Practice II (3 credits)
SWSS 6000 - Practicum Education* (3 credits)

Specialized Practice Curriculum

The specialized practice year curriculum is designed to provide students with knowledge, values, and skills for advanced practice in transformative social work. 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 specialized practice coursework, including four focus course. 

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 - Practicum Education* (3 credits)

Semester 4 - Spring (15 Credits)

SWSS 6150- Transformative Social Work II (3 credits)
SWSS 6160 - Integrative Applications of Transformative Social Work (3 credits)
Focus Course (3 credits)
Focus Course (3 credits)
SWSS 6890- Specialty Practice Year Practicum* (3 credits)

Part-Time, (Up to) 5 Year Pathway (5 Years, 60 credits)

The part-time MSW option offers flexibility for students balancing work, family, and other commitments. Courses are grouped on the same day whenever possible to minimize travel to campus. Foundation-year courses are offered on Mondays and Tuesdays, while specialization-year courses are offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Students work with the program to create an individualized schedule and have up to five years to complete the degree.

A sample foundation-year schedule may include:

• First fall: SWSS 5160 and SWSS 5200, with the option to take a Tuesday elective.
• First spring: SWSS 5027, SWSS 5210, and SWSS 5170.
• Second fall: SWSS 6120 and SWSS 6000 Field Practicum, plus an elective if needed.

Students must take practice courses and field practica concurrently. Field placements require about 15 hours per week, and the field coordinator helps students find placements near home.

After completing the foundation-year requirements, students may remain part-time or transition to full-time study and potentially complete the program in three years. Schedules vary based on course availability and individual circumstances.

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 - Specialty Practice Year Practicum* (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 - Specialty Practice Year Practicum* (4 credits)

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

Deadlines

Advanced Standing Deadline: January 15th
You may qualify for advanced standing if you received a BSW from an accredited program within the last 7 years.
Start term: Summer

Regular Deadline: March 1st
Start term: Fall

Admissions

Your application packet will include a Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, and Professional Resume in addition to meeting general academic requirements. Visit the application guide below for full details.   

How to Apply

Application and Admissions Information

Outcomes

Accreditation

UVM hosts the only master’s program in the state of Vermont, and is one of the few institutions in northern New York and New England, with both accredited MSW and BSW degree programs.

 Learn more about accreditation, outcomes, and professional licensure

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). 

Career Outlook 

Social work professionals have never been in higher demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of social workers is projected to grow seven 7 percent over the next decade, faster than the average for all occupations.  

Costs and Funding

Tuition and Fees  

View Tuition and Fees for the University of Vermont Graduate College Funding Your Degree  

MSW applicants may receive merit-based tuition scholarships at the time of admission.

Additionally, by separate application matriculated students are eligible for the Lara Sobel Memorial Scholarship, and the Allen Hood Memorial Scholarship. 

Title IV-E Program Child Welfare Traineeship 

More

Faculty 

Visit our faculty profiles to learn more about their transformative teaching, research, and service collaborations. Meet Our Faculty

Program Information

• Licensure Information  

• CSWE Accreditation  

• Graduate Student Services 

Contact Us

Phone: (802) 656-8800

Reach out to our Office of Graduate Student and Program Services.