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Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree Program
Prepare to Serve Your Community as a Social Worker
If you aspire to become a leader in social justice and are committed to fostering a more inclusive society, the University of Saint Joseph’s Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program has what you need to achieve your goal.
The MSW program prepares you to be a responsible and compassionate community-engaged clinical social worker who can use evidence-informed research and practices to improve lives in your community with a person-in-environment framework, professional knowledge, ethics, standards, and cultural humility.
Through our robust MSW program delivered in a hybrid online and on-campus format, you are empowered to improve individual functioning, strengthen families, and create equitable communities and policies that advance human rights, social and economic justice, and local and global peace.
Convenient Satellite Location – New London, CT
USJ is proud to offer its fully accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) Program in Eastern Connecticut in response to a critical shortage of clinical social workers statewide in CT. This satellite location was designed with the working student in mind by offering hybrid, weekend, and evening classes and collaborates with local social services agencies.
Program Facts
- Hybrid Online and On-Campus Learning Format
- Eastern Connecticut Satellite Location
- Part-time or Full-time Study
- 1 – 3 Years Completion
- No GRE Required for Admission
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MSW Program Outcomes
Emphasizing community-based services, the University of Saint Joseph’s Master of Social Work program elevates your knowledge and skills to implement evidence-based interventions and support the underserved populations. The program also prepares you to sit for the licensing exam for master’s level social workers.
By completing USJ’s MSW degree program, you are empowered to:
- Conduct community-based practice as a licensed clinical social worker
- Improve client outcomes by providing high quality clinical social work services
- Collaborate with other disciplines to develop evidence-informed practices and strategies for delivering integrative care to diverse populations
USJ Master of Social Work Program Advantages
Accreditation
The University of Saint Joseph Masters in Social Work program was fully reaccredited from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at the February 2020 meeting of the Commission on Accreditation. The accreditation is for eight years until 2028.
Hybrid Online and On-Campus Learning
To meet the needs of working professionals, USJ’s Master of Social Work program offers a hybrid learning format. With a mix of online courses and in-person sessions in the evenings and weekends, you can work towards your master’s degree in social work at your convenience.
The MSW program also provides full-time and part-time degree completion pathways, allowing all students, including those who are employed full-time, to earn their MSW degrees.
Caring Expert Social Work Faculty
USJ’s MSW program is committed to the values of academic excellence, integrity, diversity, and hospitality. At USJ, we have high expectations, and we provide strong support. Graduate social work students enjoy small classes and caring faculty who offer personal attention, academic advising, and guidance in career development. Our outstanding faculty are experts in their areas, engaged in the community, and committed to the success of our students.
Community-Based Services
The focus on community-based services means that you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to hands-on clinical practice during the program of study. Supervised by agency-based clinical preceptors, you can engage clients within their communities and utilize the strengths and resources of the agencies to support clients.
Unique Clinical Preceptor Model for Field Education
Unlike traditional MSW programs that place students with volunteer social workers, the USJ Master of Social Work program partners with select agencies and pays licensed clinical social workers (Clinical Preceptors) to provide individual and group supervision to each student— guaranteeing the quality of case assignments and clinical supervision.
Internship Spotlight
A Mind’s Journey is a trauma-informed practice that provides clinical services to children, adults, and seniors. In addition, they provide Equine Assisted Therapy at the Ebony Horsewomen Farm. USJ interns work with AMJ to develop their clinical skills while integrating horses, as one of the treatment interventions in a unique and therapeutic environment.
Master of Social Work Program Curriculum
The University of Saint Joseph’s MSW program curriculum is focused on developing skills and knowledge including direct practice experience applying evidence-based practice models. According to your career interest, you may choose to concentrate on one of the three specializations in high-demand areas, including Health and Mental Health, Child and Family Services, and Veterans Services.
The MSW program curriculum includes 61 credits of coursework that examine in-depth social work topics such as social policies, mental health, and human rights. It also weaves in community-based field practice to reinforce your knowledge learned in the classroom.
Program Options
The standard 61-credit MSW degree can be completed in two years on a full-time basis or three to four years part-time, depending on your needs and availability.
In addition to the standard curriculum, students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree have the option to enroll in the MSW Advanced Standing program which requires only 31 credits of coursework. It can also be completed full-time within one year or part-time within two years.
Learn more about the Master of Social Work program curriculum and options.
MSW Degree Career Outlook
Social work is one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States and includes diverse and varied fields of practice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of social workers is projected to grow 12% through 2030.
After completing USJ’s MSW degree program, you are well-prepared for clinical social work practice, contributing to social reform and helping vulnerable populations improve their lives.
With an MSW degree, you can sit for the LCSW exam and become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Careers for clinical social workers are found in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, community health settings, schools, veteran’s services, in-patient, and out-patient mental and behavioral health care programs, and child welfare programs to name just a few. Many clinical social workers open or join a private practice after gaining experience in an agency setting.
State licensure is required for the practice of clinical social work.
Master of Social Work Admission Requirements – No GRE Required
If you are interested in applying to USJ’s Master of Social Work program, please submit the following documents:
- A completed application to the Graduate School and non-refundable $50 application fee
- MSW supplemental application
- Official transcript of a bachelor’s degree and all additional colleges or institutions attended demonstrating a minimum GPA of 2.75 (expected GPA of 3.0 or higher)
- Three professional letters of recommendation with cover sheet
- Social Work Essay: personal statement explaining interest and pursuit of the MSW program
- Copy of an updated resume
- Proof of immunizations
- No GRE or other exams required
Learn more about the MSW program admission requirements.
Assessment Data Collected
All programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation (COA) are required to measure and report student learning outcomes. All students are assessed using a minimum of two measures on their mastery of the nine competencies that comprise the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) and any additional competencies programs may choose to add. These holistic competencies reflect the dimensions (knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive & affective processes) of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training.
Learn More about the Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree Program
Apply to the University of Saint Joseph’s robust and flexible Master of Social Work program today! Advance your career in social work and lead changes in your community with an MSW degree!
Have more questions about our program?
Contact:
Raymie Wayne, MSW, J.D., Ph.D.
Chair, Professor of Social Work and Equitable Community Practice
Phone: 860.231.5541
Email: [email protected]
