UNH Graduate School - Social Work

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Application Deadlines

Fall:
Applications must be completed by February 1st.

Spring:
Not open for admissions

Summer:
Not open for admissions

Application Requirements

Test Scores: No

Special Instructions:

In a well-constructed essay of 4-5 pages please respond to the questions below. Your essay must be typewritten and double-spaced.

1. How did you become interested in social work? What personal, academic, organizational, volunteer and/or paid work experiences have influenced your choice of social work as a profession?

2. Briefly discuss a current social issue of great concern or interest to you.

3. Describe some intellectual and personal attributes that you believe make you particularly suited for the profession of social work.

Applicants for part-time study at the Center for Graduate & Professional Studies at Manchester should indicate this in the program and degree section (II) of the application.

New England Regional:
No

Social Work

Pettee Hall
Durham, NH, 03820
(603) 862 - 0215
Email:
Web Address: http://www.unh.edu/social-work/

Degree Offered (MSW):

The Department of Social Work offers a master of social work (M.S.W.) degree. This program develops advanced professional knowledge and skill for persons interested in pursuing careers in the field of social work. The M.S.W. program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). It requires two years of full-time study or three-to-four years of part-time study. The full-time program is available in Durham only; the part-time program is available in Durham or Manchester. The Manchester academic classes are delivered in a weekend model. All students complete a foundation-year course of study, then elect a second-year concentration either in direct/clinical practice or community/administrative practice. Both concentrations require classroom work and two year-long field internships. Field internship hours are typically completed during normal business hours.

Admission Requirements

The department encourages applications from persons who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; have attained an overall grade-point average of “B” or better in undergraduate coursework; have completed courses in a broad range of liberal arts and science disciplines; have acceptable recommendations from three individuals, one of whom must be a member of an academic faculty; and have completed a personal statement of interest in pursuing graduate education in the field. Although not required, significant volunteer and/or work experience in the field is strongly recommended. Students who do not meet the liberal arts and science expectations may be asked to complete additional coursework prior to or during the first year of their enrollment in the program. Standardized graduate examinations are not required, but results of such tests may be submitted to supplement other admission materials.

Students applying for advanced standing must hold a B.A. from an accredited S.W./B.S.W. program with a minimum overall grade-point average of 3.2 (4.00 point scale). This coursework must have been completed within five years of the date of M.S.W. matriculation. Advanced-standing applicants must also submit a reference from a B.S.W. faculty member and the undergraduate field supervisor or field coordinator.

The M.S.W. program concentrates on strengths and empowerment models that encourage individuals and families and communities and organizations to realize their full potential. The department supplies the students with a social and community systems context and promotes practice skills that are responsive to diversity issues. The program is housed in the newly renovated Pettee Hall with access to interview observation rooms and state-of-the-art classrooms and computer labs.

Financial aid opportunities in the department include grants for students interested in the child welfare field or in work with developmentally disabled children and their families. The department also offers graduate research assistantships to a few second year students. Graduates of the program are employed in a wide variety of social and human service agencies as direct practitioners and in managerial roles.

Degree Requirements

M.S.W. Degree Requirements
An M.S.W. candidate must complete 62 credit hours of 800- or 900-level courses including two, two-semester field internships, comprising a total of 1,100 hours in the field. Grades below the B- level in a graded course or a “fail” in a credit/fail course are considered failing grades for the purposes of determining academic standing. Repeating a course does not remove the original failing grade from the record. Graduate students receiving failing grades in 6 or more credits, received either in two courses or in one course taken twice, will be dismissed from the M.S.W. program.

Although a significant portion of the curriculum is required, students will be able to complete three elective courses. At least one of these must be taken from among Department of Social Work course offerings. Students select a second-year concentration in direct/clinical practice or community/administrative practice. Each concentration requires that three courses and the second-year field internship be completed in the student’s area of concentration.

Advance-standing students complete a minimum of 35 credits for graduation. This includes a 10-week summer practicum and seminar, which students must take prior to their advanced practice and field placement. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the coordinator of graduate admissions in the department office.