Master of Social Work

Online classes are scheduled as synchronous with “live” sessions or as asynchronous “without live” sessions Synchronous class sessions are scheduled for weeknights (Wednesday or Thursday) and Saturdays In addition to classes, a 16 hour per week internship is required

2-Year Distance Education Plan of Study (Advanced Standing)

Online classes are scheduled as synchronous with “live” sessions or as asynchronous “without live” sessions Synchronous class sessions are scheduled for weeknights (Wednesday or Thursday) and Saturdays In addition to classes, a 16 hour per week internship is required 2–Year Distance Education Plan of Study (Advanced Standing)* The 2-Year Advanced Standing Distance Education (DE) plan of study is designed for students who have earned a BSW from an accredited social work program within the past seven years and wish to pursue the MSW through an online format. Advanced Standing students are not required to complete the foundation curriculum for the MSW. Under the 2-Year Advanced Standing DE plan of study, the MSW can be completed in two academic years (summer/fall/spring semesters). Students complete 39 graduate credit hours, which includes 33 credit hours in the classroom and 6 credits in an approved field placement.

The 2-Year Advanced Standing DE plan of study is outlined below. Course sequence may vary slightly depending on year of entry. Electives can be taken at any time.

Year One: Advanced Curriculum

Summer: (6-9 Credits)

• SOWK 6232: Practice and Program Evaluation (3)
• SOWK 6252: Mental Health Assessment (3)
• SOWK 6242: Advocacy and Policy Change (3) * this course can be taken in spring or summer of year one

Fall: (6 Credits)

• SOWK 7122: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)
• SOWK 7222: Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations (3)

Spring: (6-9 Credits)

• SOWK 7127: Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (3)
• SOWK 7223: Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities (3)
• SOWK 6242: Advocacy and Policy Change (3) * this course can be taken in spring or summer of year one

Year Two: Advanced Curriculum (cont.)

Summer: (6 Credits)

• Elective (3)
• Elective (3)

Fall: (6 Credits)

• SOWK 7126: Advanced Interpersonal Practice with Groups (3)
• SOWK 7443: Advanced Social Work Practicum I (3)

Spring: (6 Credits)

• SOWK 7651: Reflection and Synthesis (3)
• SOWK 7444: Advanced Social Work Practicum II (3)

3-Year Online Plan of Study

The 3-Year MSW plan of study is designed for students who wish to complete an MSW part time online. Students complete 60 graduate credit hours, which includes 48 credit hours in the classroom and 12 credits in an approved field placement.

The 3-Year Distance Education plan of study is outlined below. Course sequence may vary slightly depending on year of entry. Electives can be taken at any time.

Year One: Foundation Curriculum

Summer: (6 credits)

• SOWK 6121: Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills (3)
• SOWK 6141: Foundations of Social Work (3)

Fall: (6 credits)

• SOWK 6131: Social Work Research (3)
• SOWK 6151: Social Work, Social Justice, & Diversity (3)

Spring: (6 credits)

• SOWK 6242: Advocacy and Policy Change (3)
• SOWK 6232: Practice and Program Evaluation (3)

Summer: (3 Credits)

• SOWK 6252: Mental Health Assessment (3)

Year Two: Advanced Curriculum

Fall: (9 Credits)

• SOWK 7122: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)
• SOWK 7222: Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations I (3)
• SOWK 6441: Foundation Social Work Practicum I (3)

Spring: (9 Credits)

• SOWK 7127: Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (3)
• SOWK 7223: Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities I (3)
• SOWK 6441: Foundation Social Work Practicum I (3)

Year Three: Advanced Curriculum (cont.)

Summer: (3 Credits)

• Elective (3)

Fall: (9 Credits)

• SOWK 7126: Advanced Interpersonal Practice with Groups (3)
• SOWK 7443: Advanced Social Work Practicum I (3)
• Elective (3)

Spring: (9 Credits)

• SOWK 7651: Reflection and Synthesis (3)
• SOWK 7444: Advanced Social Work Practicum II (3)
• Elective (3)

Two available pathways:

Courses are delivered online with most having virtual class meetings weekday evenings or Saturdays. Field practicum is completed in person.

• 3-year Plan of Study – Classes start in summer and are completed over a three-year period.
• 2-year Advanced ​Standing Plan of Study – Available only to applicants holding degrees from baccalaureate social work programs accredited by CSWE or those recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service. Classes start in the summer and are completed over a two-year period.

Minimum Admissions Criteria

• Earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by US Department of Education-recognized accreditor.
• Undergraduate GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Applicants with below 3.0 GPA can still apply; however, the program is competitive. Those with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0 that are offered admission is rare and usually have other compelling evidence (e.g., – GPAs very
• close to 3.0, extensive work experience, earned master’s degree or graduate certificate in a related area with a 3.0 or higher).
• Three recommendations
• Resume
• For non-native English language speakers: A minimum score of 83 on the Internet-based TOEFL or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required for admissions consideration.
• Statement of Purpose addressing all of the following in no more than four (4) double-spaced pages:
  • Describe why you want to become a master’s level social worker.
  • Discuss how the MSW program at UNC Charlotte will help you achieve your career goals.
  • Describe the population(s) and/or social problems(s) you are interested in.
  • Identify a social, economic, or environmental challenge in the NC/Charlotte region and how you, as a master’s level social worker, might intervene.
  • Using the principles outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics, describe how you think a social worker can bring about social change.

Advanced Standing Eligibility

Applicants ​are ​eligible ​to ​apply ​for Advanced ​Standing if ​they ​meet the minimum admissions criteria and​ one​ of ​the ​following​:

• In the final year of study from a social work program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Earned BSW within the past 7 years from a social work program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Earned BSW recognized by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service

Overview Selection Process

The MSW program is competitive and not all applicants who meet the admissions criteria will be accepted. Applications are reviewed by the MSW Admissions Committee who review all the application materials which are scored using an MSW Application Rating Rubric. Those applicants with the highest ratings are selected until all seats are filled. The waiting list is ranked-ordered and offers of admission are made on space-available basis. Applicants are notified no later than May 1.

Additional Information

• Academic credit is not given for life experience, nor is life experience part of the admission rating rubric.
• Persons with disabilities who need assistance in the admission process please contact the School of Social Work to request such assistance at least fifteen days prior to the application deadline.

Application Deadline:

• Priority deadline January 15 (summer)
  • Applications will continue to be accepted after the priority deadline, but will only be reviewed on a space-available basis.
• Ready to apply? Apply here through the Graduate School.

While UNC Charlotte’s MSW program does not require a background or undergraduate degree in social work (except for the Advanced Standing option), applicants who have experience in the human services field are favored.

Our MSW program is competitive, and not all applicants who meet the admissions criteria will be accepted. Applications are reviewed by the MSW Admissions Committee and are scored using an MSW Application Rating Rubric. Those applicants with the highest ratings are selected until all seats are filled. The waiting list is rank-ordered and offers of admission are made on a space-available basis. Applicants are notified no later than May 1.

What Can You Do With Your Master of Social Work Degree?

UNC Charlotte MSW graduates have gone on to pursue careers in:

• Schools
• Hospitals
• Hospice facilities
• Home health care agencies
• Health and social services departments
• Trauma centers
• Shelters
• Domestic violence centers

MSW graduates are also qualified to pursue state licensure or certification.

Our graduates are found working in organizations and agencies such as:

• Atrium Health
• Mecklenburg County
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Novant Health
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Thompson Child & Family Focus

Our graduates hold job titles such as:

• Therapist
• Licensed clinical social worker
• Psychotherapist
• Social worker
• Case manager

Solid salary expectations

Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics research, collects job and salary data from UNC Charlotte graduates. Lightcast surveyed UNC Charlotte MSW graduates and found their estimated average annual salary to be $66,800.

Why Earn Your Master of Social Work Degree Online From UNC Charlotte?

By choosing UNC Charlotte’s online MSW program, you’ll enjoy a number of advantages, including:

Choose to earn your MSW online in two or three years. Our two-year Advanced Standing Distance Education (DE) plan of study is designed for students who have earned a BSW from an accredited social work program within the past seven years and wish to pursue the MSW through a DE online format. Our three-year DE MSW plan of study is designed for students who cannot attend graduate school full time. You will take the same courses as the two-year students, but at a slower pace.

Choose the learning format that works best for you. All courses in the program are offered in synchronous (live) or asynchronous (recorded) learning formats. Courses are delivered online, with most classes offering virtual class meetings on weekday evenings or Saturdays. The practicum experience is completed in-person.

Gain real-world skills through a practicum experience. UNC Charlotte’s School of Social Work maintains partnerships with over 200 urban and rural practicum placement agencies serving vulnerable populations in the Charlotte region. You will learn a social worker’s role in an agency setting while working with your practicum instructor and faculty to gain the knowledge and skills you will need as a professional. MSW students are able to connect what they learn in the classroom to their work. Research faculty and students also engage in community-based research projects.

Learn from faculty experts. Our MSW faculty members are experts and practitioners in the field of social work. They pursue many different research interests and offer areas of expertise, including:

• Mental health
• Racial institutional inequity
• Trauma
• Public health
• Substance abuse
• Gerontology
• Social justice
• Youth development
• Grief and loss
• Social work relating to HIV and AIDS

Our faculty members present research at conferences nationwide, such as the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and Society for Social Work Research (SSWR).

Please note: Rates are subject to change.

Resident:

• $288.82 per credit hour

Outside of NC Non-Resident:

• $536.98 per credit hour

Non Resident:

• $1,098.21 per credit hour​

More information regarding tuition and fees »